Unforgettable Elyu Trip with Freelance Friends

This is my second flight of the year, and tonight, I’m leaving at 7 pm for a three-day trip with my co-editors, my boss Raymond, and other colleagues from our Singapore-based content agency. Although we paid for our own tickets, our boss is covering everything else, from transportation to food and accommodations.

I’m not overly excited but curious about meeting everyone in person for the first time. I’m especially interested in finally seeing my international friends face-to-face.

My co-editor and I met at NAIA Terminal 3, then made our way to meet Raymond, his assistant YY, and QC Jean. I was struck by their presence and how genuinely happy Raymond seemed. After so many online meetings, it was surreal to be with them in person. We then traveled for over six hours to reach our rented house, marking the start of this unique journey.

Yesterday, we had lunch at a fancy restaurant called Curo, where the prices were over 280 pesos per dish. We each ordered what we wanted, and despite the long travel, it felt as if we were a family sharing a meal together. It was wonderful to bond over food in a way that felt so familiar, even though we’d only just met.

After lunch, we headed to our Airbnb and went surfing for the first time. It was a blast! Riding a tricycle was also a new experience for Singaporeans, adding to the thrill. We surfed on a shallow, rocky part of the beach, struggling at first but eventually catching on. At one point, Raymond asked me a funny question about why I was single with a complement to my beautiful hair and body, face not included haha, to which I replied, "I'm picky."

After a tiring day, we planned to eat dinner after a quick shower. While some napped, YY and I stayed awake. Around 8 pm, everyone gathered for food. Although they tried to convince me to eat meat for the holiday, I stayed disciplined. We wrapped up the day relaxing on the beach, talking, and bonding. It was an amazing start, and I loved the solid connection forming among us.

I was the first to wake up this morning, and I had a deep conversation with Raymond. He shared his thoughts on business and life, explaining that he’s not interested in grand, futuristic goals but in building a sustainable, lifestyle-oriented business. His main aim is to provide for his family and ensure the company's steady growth. We also reminisced about my plan to work with him for a year before pursuing my film career, and he remembered it all.

This morning, we took a rented jeepney through steep, winding roads to visit a beautiful waterfall. After a short 15-minute hike, we arrived and jumped into the water. We even tried a daring jump to the waterfall, after a while we swam riding to the flow of the water and Raymond with his 360 InstaCam, almost led him to slip on the rocks! Thankfully, he was fine. It was an incredible experience, being so close to nature in person.

Raymond decided that we wouldn’t eat Filipino food today, so we tried a Japanese restaurant where I enjoyed salmon, tofu, and ramen. Later, we visited a night market to buy meat for a barbecue. We started cooking that night, and while the first batch nearly burned, we eventually got it right. Jean especially enjoyed the food, and it made the evening even better.

YY mixed some strong soju, which we all enjoyed with a bit of Red Horse. We had an open forum where we shared gratitude and reflections, initiated by Jean. When it was my turn, I opened up about my thoughts and feelings, feeling reflective about the experience and grateful for this new “family” I’d found. The night ended with a sense of warmth and connection among us all.

Our last day together included a one-hour photo shoot, during which I felt nostalgic about our trip and thankful for everything we’d shared. I also learned more about Raymond's reasons for starting the company and his vision for its future.

Raymond and YY shared some invaluable advice, particularly about living a meaningful life. YY suggested focusing on actionable questions like, "How do I want to live my life?" instead of pondering impossible-to-answer questions about life’s purpose. Raymond also offered dating advice, reminding me that small gestures like offering to pay on a first date or bringing a single rose matter.

Our journey ended back at Terminal 3, where it all began. There was a mix of happiness and sadness as we said our goodbyes. Raymond’s farewell message in our group portrait made me feel even more grateful.

Thank you for an unforgettable experience!