O6-13–26

A Birthday to Remember: From Midnight Tears to Magical Rides. The clock struck midnight, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Kyeji. He was already exhausted, his body heavy from a long day of driving, his head spinning from a slight hangover from his date with Yelo. But the moment he walked into the room, all the fatigue disappeared.

His family had been waiting for him—not with a loud, chaotic party, but with something far more precious. Letters and gifts. As Kyeji sat there, peeling open the envelopes and reading the handwritten words from his dads and loved ones, the “cool” facade he usually wore completely crumbled. His eyes welled with tears as he felt the sheer weight of their love. He fell asleep shortly after, a lingering smile on his face despite the headache, his heart fuller than it had ever been.

Morning came with a soft glow and a familiar routine. Despite the late night, Kyeji and his Dada headed out to the gym. It was their sanctuary, the place where they could push their limits before the day truly began.

Once the workout was done and his muscles were pleasantly aching, they rewarded themselves with a Filipino classic: a Jollibee Supermeal. There was something about the combination of chicken, spaghetti, and burger steak that felt like the ultimate birthday fuel. They headed home afterward, Kyeji feeling energized and ready for the next part of his special day.

By 4:30 PM, the house was filled with a new kind of energy.

His Dawdilo, Lo is Lo, and Poging Lolo arrived in full force, their presence bringing a sense of warmth and history to the celebration. They were there to pick everyone up for a trip Kyeji had expected and was more than ready for. The group—eight of them in total, including the ever-bubbly Sai and the energetic Sky—piled into the cars and made their way to Enchanted Kingdom.

The park was a whirlwind of colors, screams, and laughter. Kyeji watched with a grin as the two kids pointed at every ride with wide-eyed wonder. From the dizzying heights of the Space Shuttle to the playful splashes of the Jungle Log Jam, the eight of them conquered the park together. Kyeji found himself caught between being the protective Kuya to the kids and the playful son to his dads and grandfathers.

As the sun began to set over the magic of EK, the group finally decided to call it a day—but the celebration wasn’t over yet.

They left the bright lights of the amusement park behind and began the scenic drive up to their house in Tagaytay. As the air grew cooler and the scent of pine began to fill the car, Kyeji leaned his head against the window. The day had started with tears of gratitude and moved through the thrill of the rides, but ending it in the quiet, chilly heights of Tagaytay felt like the perfect conclusion.

Surrounded by his two dads, his sister, Sai, and his doting grandfathers, Kyeji realized that this birthday wasn’t just about him—it was about the people who made his world feel like a sanctuary.

Twenty-something never felt so good.