10 Things I’m Grateful for in 2025

As the year comes to a close, I find myself looking back with a quiet sense of gratitude. 2025 wasn’t necessarily about big, dramatic turning points—it was about consistency, alignment, and showing up. It was a year filled with meaningful work, thriving communities, and personal moments that reminded me to slow down and live life fully.

1. Being busy with work that feels aligned

This year, I was busy almost constantly, but it rarely felt empty or misdirected. The projects I took on were closely aligned with my values, skills, and long-term goals, which made even the most demanding weeks feel grounded and purposeful. Instead of chasing productivity for its own sake, I found myself working with intention and clarity. That sense of alignment made the busyness feel like a privilege rather than a burden.

2. Leading ABRRAM field mapping in Baguio and Tacloban City, Philippines

Starting a new project at UPRI and UP Industrial Engineering through the ABRRAM project, and leading Mapillary data collection in Baguio City and Tacloban City, brought me back to the essence of mapping. Fieldwork demanded planning, adaptability, and constant problem-solving — from coordinating people to navigating unexpected constraints. Being physically present in the places we mapped reminded me that geospatial work is ultimately about people and their lived environments, not just datasets.

3. Growth in my work with ADB

I’m deeply grateful to have continued my work with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) this year. Much of 2025 was about refinement — improving and building two automated toolkits, as well as strengthening nighttime lights preprocessing workflows. The work was methodical and often invisible, but it laid a stronger foundation for future analyses. It reinforced my appreciation for slow, careful technical progress.

4. Turning technical effort into a publication

Seeing long-term technical work turn into a publication was a quietly affirming experience. Much of the research occurs behind the scenes: debugging code, questioning assumptions, revising methods, and starting over. Having that effort crystallize into something public and citable made the process feel whole. It was a reminder that persistence matters, even when progress isn’t immediately visible. Check out the fishing study publication here.

5. UPRI YouthMappers’ recognition and expanding partnerships

2025 was a milestone year for UPRI YouthMappers, marked by receiving the Gawad Pangulo sa Natatanging Organisasyong Pangmag-aaral. Beyond the award itself, the year reflected broader growth, marked by new partnerships, deeper collaborations, and an expanding national and international impact. It felt like a moment where years of community-building and volunteer work converged into collective recognition. More than validation, it was a responsibility to keep growing with intention.

6. Building more usable systems through Project NOAH

My work with UPRI-NOAH Center this year focused on building features across the NOAH website and mobile apps that encourage everyday use — not just attention during typhoon events. The goal was subtle but important: trust, usability, and consistency. Contributing to systems that quietly support preparedness and decision-making reminded me that impact doesn’t always have to be visible to be real.

7. FOSS4G in New Zealand and time with family in Wellington

Attending FOSS4G in New Zealand was professionally enriching, but what made the trip especially meaningful was visiting my cousins in Wellington. Being able to combine work, community, and family in one journey felt grounding. It was a reminder that professional opportunities can also open doors to personal reconnection — and that both matter.

8. Experiencing Spain for the first time through the Rising Stars Summit

Traveling to Spain for the Rising Stars Summit was both exciting and affirming. Being in a new place while engaging in conversations about leadership, growth, and direction gave me space to reflect. It reinforced the idea that my work and experiences belong in global spaces, even when they originate from intensely local contexts.

9. Co-hosting one of the largest State of the Map conference

Co-hosting one of the largest State of the Map conferences was intense, demanding, and deeply fulfilling. Seeing UPRI YouthMappers, UPRI, and DLSU come together with full institutional support felt like a culmination of years of quiet groundwork. The event was all about community, trust, and shared ownership of something much larger than any one group.

10. A fuller personal life: people, food, movement, and belonging

Beyond work, 2025 felt more fulfilling in a personal way. Meeting Leni Robredo up close in Naga was meaningful, especially knowing I voted for her; travel gave me space to pause; food became a source of joy again through experiences like Hapag, 12/10, and starting the year at Helm. Learning to play pickleball, investing more in relationships, and allowing myself moments of indulgence reminded me that life isn’t just something to optimize, but it’s something to inhabit.

Being part of the YouthMappers Alumni Council also mattered to me on a deeper level because it represented continuity and a sense of belonging. It was a reminder that the communities I’ve helped build don’t end when roles change, and that mentorship, shared history, and long-term commitment can coexist with growth and new chapters.

When I step back, 2025 feels steady, grounded, and deeply human. Not everything was loud or celebratory, but much of it was intentional. I built, I traveled, I connected — and I learned to appreciate both the work I do and the life I’m building alongside it.