Jessa and I are here for a real, heart-to-heart talk about the strange and challenging situation we found ourselves in during the early days of the pandemic. We went to Siquijor for a quick trip to celebrate our second wedding anniversary, and what was supposed to be a few days turned into a long-term stay as the world locked down.
I’ll be honest—at first, the uncertainty was overwhelming. One day we were celebrating at a beautiful resort, and the next, the ferries stopped running, and we were told we couldn't leave the island. Siquijor is a stunning place, often called the "Island of Fire" or known for its "mystical" reputation, but being stuck anywhere when you don't know when you can go home is a lot to handle.
We decided to share this update because we wanted to show the reality of what we were going through. We moved out of the resort and found a more affordable place to stay, which was a big adjustment. In the video, we talk about the logistics of living in a "lockdown" environment—the limited hours we could go out for food, the "quarantine passes," and the general feeling of waiting for news that never seemed to come.
Despite the stress, Jessa and I tried to find the silver linings. We talked about how lucky we were to be stuck in such a beautiful location with fresh air and nature around us, especially compared to friends back in Europe who were confined to small apartments in big cities. We spent a lot of time just talking, processing everything, and trying to stay positive for each other.
One of the biggest things we had to navigate was the "pregnancy" news. As you know from our other videos, Jessa was pregnant during this time, and being stranded on an island with limited medical facilities added another layer of concern. We spent a lot of time researching and talking about our options, and honestly, just hoping for the best.
We also touched upon the financial aspect. Being stranded isn't cheap! We had to be very careful with our budget, which is something I’ve always been open about on the channel. It was a lesson in living simply and making every peso count.
Ultimately, this video is about resilience. We wanted to show that even when things don't go according to plan—at all!—you can still find a way to make it through. It was a time of huge personal growth for both of us. We learned to appreciate the simple things even more: a good meal, a beautiful sunset, and most importantly, having each other.
Siquijor will always hold a special, if somewhat complicated, place in our hearts because of those months. It was a period of fear and uncertainty, but also a time when we bonded more deeply as a couple before our lives changed forever with the arrival of our baby. We’re glad we could share that raw, unedited part of our journey with you. It’s all part of our story.
