About

Hello, I’m Riz

I wear many hats but, no offense to my other jobs, my ultimate faves are still these: wife and mommy. So let me start with that.

Wife and Mom

David and I got married in August 2011 after a roller coaster long-distance relationship that somehow survived the opposite timezones and the distance between Manila and New York. Today we’re based in Manila and raising our little family here.

Having first met when we were just 16 years old and having spent most of our lives in (literally) opposite sides of the planet, we couldn’t have foreseen that over a decade later we would be sleep-deprived parents to two little girls.

We were only 6 months married when we got the biggest surprise of our lives: I was pregnant with twins! We do want to have babies, but it never crossed our minds the idea of raising two babies at once. It’s been quite a ride, these past years. And while we’ve experienced the challenges and struggles of being parents, we’re loving and enjoying this season of our life more than anything.

Now, our daughters, Dawn & Rain, are 7 years old. Obviously, this blog is brimming with stories about our little family.

Blogger and Dream Chaser

I have been a blogger since 2001. ChasingDreams.net, my nth blog, started off as a personal blog and has existed since June 2009 mostly as a channel for me to document my life, my dreams, my faith, and everything in between.

I know “life” and “dreams” and “faith” are broad concepts, I guess that’s why for the longest time, this blog existed without a particular niche.

Throughout the past 10 years, this blog has evolved into all the things I needed it to be—a web design studio, a hub for all things Pursuit Manila, a blogging resource site (which eventually became The Purpose Blog), basically a launchpad for many of my passion projects and creative ventures.

Today Chasing Dreams goes back to its roots—a space where I share stories and photographs, with the intention of making a positive impact on whoever finds their way to these pages.

I hope somewhere within the pages of this blog you find the inspiration you need to pursue your calling and chase your dreams, too.

For inquiries, brand sponsorships and collaborations, message me here. Read my disclosure policy here.