So, I’m kind of in an ambiguous yet strangely content point of my life and while those may seem like somewhat conflicting ideas, please allow me to explain.

I’ve finally graduated from my post grad (M.Arch if you’re curious) and this year is my 10 year long service leave. For those of you who may not have a similar custom, this is 90 days of government mandated, paid leave after 10 years of continuous, unbroken service to a company.

I just turned 29 and it’s been a long slog. This may be the first time in my life where I truly feel… free? I don’t know if this is the correct term. I still have to adult and have commitments (don’t stress because I don’t have kids, fur babies or otherwise) but finishing my post grad studies removes the cumbersome rock I have been living under for the past 6-7 years.

Anyway, I digress. What I’m getting at here is: I’m transitioning to an unfamiliar yet exciting part of life and what better way to herald it than by heading back to the motherland. To cut a long story short I was born in the Ph but grew up in Aus, I can understand Tagalog/Bisaya but can’t speak it too well due to my Australian accent butchering the Filipino language.

So I can go anywhere in the Ph and have the means to do so. Right now I have zero plans except that after I resign my job and tie up the loose ends I know I want to travel, work and live in the Philippines for an extended period (6 months to a year at least).

Ahh and of course, perhaps I should write a little about myself and what I can offer you my dear reader:

• 29yo, easy going, optimistic and adventurous. Currently employed full time as a project manager and consequentially am privileged to travel very often. I volunteer in the state emergency services (basically volunteer firefighter but that’s not what it’s called here). I’m not the type to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day as I get bored easily by staring at a screen. I’d say I’m an ambivert as I love meeting new people but also need time to myself to recharge.
• Fitness junkie, currently a sparring partner for a friend who is a professional boxer. So I’m boxing 3-4x a week and hit the gym 5-6x a week. I recently ran a half marathon! Training for a potential full in the next month or so, doing 2x short run and 1x long run/week. Volunteer service training has mandatory physical requirements so that also helps to keep me fit. I’m one of those dudes that enjoy crossfit style workouts. Hikes are awesome!
• Pretty damn nerdy. Sci-fi lover & recovering game-a-holic, while I still do appreciate games (PC master race doe) and the social aspect with some friends, these days I rarely play. Man has gotta hustle to get where he wants to be! Also a bit of a history nerd and love a good museum/gallery as much as the next person. Chess is cool, definitely would try to give you a run for your money (challenge me at your own peril!). Not a huge fan of politics and I wouldn’t feel comfortable having in depth discussions about it as I have been disconnected from Filipino politics for most of my life. I am very open to hearing your opinion on it though! Feel free to fill me in on the political goss if that’s your vibe, I’m happy to listen :)
• Have a slight caffeine addiction like most students/graduates of architecture. I’m into cold brew/iced americanos or decent pour overs. Sweet coffee is a guilty pleasure. Also a night owl, a habit earnt from being a grizzled veteran of many sleepless nights at uni
• Я говорю по-русский/I speak Russian. I had the urge to travel to Eastern Europe/Central Asia (Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) at some point but I guess in hindsight with all the stuff that is happening around that area then the idea didn’t age too well. Recently picked up French as my next big travel plans still involve Europe (albeit Western Europe at this stage). Wanna think big for that dirty thirty!
• Currently live in a major city on the East Coast of Australia for now. But who knows, if I really like a place I have no issues with potentially moving in the future with a more permanent arrangement should the opportunity present itself
• And because I know this probably matters to some people… I’m 5’7, I got chinky eyes, short haircut with faded sides, beard that is maintained to thick, short stubble and kept lined up by my barber year round. Not particularly tan but I love the beach so I am tan in the summer, quite lean as I workout frequently and mostly eat well, a toned, broad chest, arms and shoulders blah blah blah blah. I fill out a shirt and if you ever manage to get it off me then I don’t think you would be having any complaints haha! I have subtle taste in apparel, that is if you can catch me in them as when I am not at work I basically live in activewear. I hate brands. If you’re looking for a label whore/brand aficionado best to look somewhere else. My fragrance for dates/events is Creed Aventus, at the office it’s Dior Sauvage but my go to is either Acqua Di Gio Profumo or Paco Rabanne Invictus. No tattoos or piercings. TLDR I’m clean cut and a simple guy
• social drinker, non-smoker, drug virgin. Although I don’t mind indulging in the occasional shisha. My drink is either a Negroni or an Old Fashioned.
• Random skills: I’m a qualified remedial massage therapist. I took a 13 week course as part of an anniversary present for my ex (she loved going to massages) however unfortunately we broke up before I got to give her my present. My mum sure loved it so it hasn’t gone to waste hahahaha. Ya boy is on his way to getting a helicopters pilot license (due in no small part to the SES)

I should probably leave a bit of myself to the imagination but the whole point of writing this much was to catch your attention. So what’s next? Onward my intrepid reader!

I’d love to hear from you if you’re looking for a travel companion or would be willing to show me around? I really don’t know anyone in the Ph. Please note that while this may start online I don’t intend to keep it there, I think if we get along there’s no reason not to meet IRL at some point. I will be clear that I am single and will show interest for the right person whether it be short term or long term. I won’t list any specific requirements here but above all I’m looking for someone who I share a genuine connection with. Someone authentic and sincere with whom I can share one of those “profound mystical understanding” vibes haha!

If you’ve gotten this far then firstly… thankyou. I greatly appreciate your time to consider me and my post. And secondly, you should probably shoot me a message and when you do please send me a pic of yourself. Don’t stress, I’ll be MORE than happy to send you mine too! I think it’s nice to know who I’m speaking to and it prevents me from feeling like I’m messaging a robot. I tend to get really invested especially if the chemistry is right. And finally tell me two random facts about you so that I know you’ve read this.