About me.

Hi, I’m Aricel—Filipina-born, Australian-shaped, and a lifelong explorer at heart.

This space is where I share pieces of my life: travel, everyday moments, family, and the beautiful contrast that has shaped who I am today.

FIL IN THE BLANK began years ago as a space for me to share stories, reflections, and pieces of my everyday life. The name itself holds a special meaning. FIL stands for Filipina—my roots, my culture, my identity. And the blank? That’s everything else. It’s the life I continue to shape and write day by day. It’s for the chapters I haven’t lived yet, the dreams I haven’t chased, and the lessons still waiting for me. This blog is about filling in that space with meaning, experiences, and heart.

I grew up in a family that worked hard for everything we had. During my late teens, I set out to find my own path—which led me to Australia. Like many who start fresh in a new country, I faced my share of challenges. The culture was different, the pace unfamiliar, and I had to rebuild from scratch. From growing up with household help to doing everything on my own, from navigating friendships to figuring out how to truly belong—it wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

Now, after spending more than half my life here, Australia is home. But my identity holds both worlds—the vibrant warmth and resilience I grew up with in the Philippines, and the grounded, calm energy I found here.

I love music. I love books. The first one that really got me hooked was a Confucius book from my dad—he had a small collection of philosophy books I used to flip through, and somehow, I got drawn in. I’m still that person who enjoys a deep, real conversation—whether it's with my nieces and nephews (who I adore talking life with), a friend over a strong cup of coffee, or just one of those moments with my husband where we talk about our childhoods, our plans, our future, and everything in between. Speaking of coffee—who owns three coffee machines? Guilty.

I can be funny too. My sense of humour is a strange-but-great blend of Filipino wit and Aussie dry sarcasm. It's different. It’s random. It's very me.

And yes, I love shopping. We live in one of those areas where parcels don’t get delivered, which means every time I order something (aka often), my husband starts his usual performance. He’ll groan, give me a mini TED Talk about my shopping habits… then pick it up anyway and bring me a cup of coffee. Passive-aggressive barista vibes? Maybe. But honestly, I think it’s just his way of saying, “You’re a handful, but you’re my handful.”

Shoes? I once owned over 500 pairs of heels—heels. Flats, runners, loafers? Not counted. Bags? Shhh… that’s another story.

My lifestyle reflects that mix. I enjoy the finer things, but I find just as much joy in the simple ones—digging in the garden, cooking with my mum in her kitchen, or wearing comfy clothes while curled up with a good book. One day I might be exploring a new city in Europe, the next I’m pottering around the house with a podcast in the background.

Over the years, I’ve lived through so much—growth, loss, change, success, and countless lessons in between. This blog is my way of sharing those moments. The real ones. The highs, the lows, and everything in between.

I’m passionate about travelling and discovering new places, but I’m equally passionate about living life intentionally—whether that means dressing up or slowing down. FIL IN THE BLANK is where I bring all of that together.

I'm grateful for this life, and even more grateful to be able to share a little of it with you.

Let’s fill in the next chapter together. ღ