Hi, it's Maiqui.

Every new year, I usually choose a word that describes how I want the year ahead to feel. This 2025, however, I wasn’t able to come up with one right away. But the last few months allowed me to slow down and reflect more and I’ve finally found the right word to describe my year.

2025 was the year of GRATITUDE.

It has officially been two years since I was diagnosed with my autoimmune disease, and also two years since writing this blog. Even if I haven’t been writing as much, this blog still reaches the people who need it the most and that means everything to me. The core of this blog was really to help others through my journey. I am grateful that it still stands true today.

Through the people I’ve spoken to, I’ve realized how differently my story could have turned out. While I often share the more positive moments, the reality is that it isn’t always easy.

I was able to speak to someone who was going through almost the exact same thing as me. I did my best to support and encourage them, but sadly, they later passed away. That loss stayed with me. I found myself wishing we had connected sooner, but I also know some things are beyond our control. I later learned of others who didn’t make it either. Life had different plans for them.

Those moments became a quiet reminder of how fragile life is and how grateful I am to still be here.

When life started to feel “normal” again – going to work, seeing loved ones, traveling – I sometimes forget what I went through.

I tend to downplay my accomplishments, but I need to acknowledge that what I overcame required a great deal of strength. I should be proud of that. This video is a glimpse of the moments and memories I was blessed to experience this year.

Life will always come with its hardships, but even in the middle of it all, there is still so much to be grateful for.

Moving forward, I want to continue writing and sharing here. I took a pause because the online world can be overwhelming. With everything that happened this year, especially here in the Philippines, it can feel heavy and discouraging at times.

But I remembered why I started this in the first place: to offer hope to those going through something similar. I may not have all the answers, but if I can bring comfort to even one person, then this space has fulfilled its purpose. All I really want to do is to help in any way I can. I won’t let fear stop me from continuing.

As Vice Ganda once said on It’s Showtime,

I pray that this new year brings good things for all of us. May we keep finding strength, hope, and little bits of light that help keep us going.

Happy New Year! –