Happy Halloween! It is Sunday, October 30th. Now, in the Philippines, Halloween is celebrated on the 30th rather than the 31st, like the rest of the world—who knows why, but we’re rolling with it! Jessa is fully in the spirit today, dressed as a "witch" (though I made the mistake of using a slightly different word that rhymes with it, and she was not amused!). We are heading to her hometown of Ginatilan because she has been invited to host and perform at a local Halloween show.
This is a massive day for us because right after the show, we have to rush home, shower, pack the final few things, and drive straight to Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Our flight to Manila leaves very early in the morning, and we need to be at the airport by 3:30 or 4:00 AM at the latest. It’s going to be a long, sleepless night, but we are ready for the adventure.
The performance in Ginatilan was a bit of a surprise for both of us. We were under the impression that Jessa was just going to be a co-host or perhaps help hand out prizes for some of the local contests. As it turned out, she was there to provide the main entertainment! I am so incredibly proud of how she handled it. Even though she didn't have a rehearsed routine, she got up there and gave a short dance that the crowd absolutely loved. Making people smile and laugh is what she does best, and it was wonderful to see her support the town she grew up in.
During the event, Jessa also shared some of her journey as a creator. She talked about the importance of trusting the process, being patient, and remaining humble. She even touched on the financial side of things, explaining that while there is hard work involved, platforms like YouTube can provide a real income if you stay creative and don't let the "neighbors" or the critics pull you down. It was a proud moment to see her standing there as an inspiration to her community.
One of the most touching moments of the night happened after the show. We hadn't expected any payment for her appearance—we were doing it for the town—but the organizers actually gave her an envelope with a very handsome payment. Knowing that Jessa’s mom and dad have been having a bit of a tough time with money lately, we decided on the spot to give the entire contents of that envelope to them. We also helped out Jessa's brother, Daryl, who had a bit of an accident with his motorbike brakes. It feels great to be able to help the family out, and with next month's "salary" looking amazing, we’re hoping to pay off the very last of our debts by the end of November.
Now, it’s just past midnight—12:05 AM to be exact—and I’m back at the house. I’m about to have a quick cold shower to wake myself up, pack my computer and toiletries, and then we are off to Manila. This trip is a huge step for us because we are starting the process to get Liam his Norwegian passport and personal ID number. It’s a long road, but we’re finally getting started with the DNA tests and the embassy appointments.
If you want to see Jessa’s "witchy" dance moves or follow along with our journey to the embassy, join us at Earth of Tomorrow. On that bombshell, thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next one!
