By: Hannah Dela Torre, Ayala Land
There’s a quiet kind of magic that happens when a father chooses to be fully present. Not just in the big wins, but in the small, everyday moments—the kind that sneak up on you and stay with you forever. The bedtime stories. The silly games. The quiet sunsets.
For John Jireh Aguilar, HR Training Manager at AyalaLand Hospitality, fatherhood isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about presence. It’s about love that lingers in the everyday. It’s about creating space where his daughter, Sofia, feels seen, heard, and loved. It’s about being there—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. And sometimes, it’s about pretending to be astronauts under a bedsheet.
“She still says, ‘Dad, let’s go to the moon,’” he shares, recalling one of their favorite made-up adventures. “Whether it’s a simple conversation or an exciting kid’s adventure, those moments really matter. I want Sofia to always feel that her dad is someone she can count on.”
A taste of comfort: John and Sofia share a warm moment over xiao long bao.
John and his family share smiles and bites during a joyful dining experience.
John’s story reminds us that thriving as a family doesn’t always mean going far. Sometimes, it just means slowing down together and finding joy in the stillness. Sometimes, all it takes is a weekend away, a sunset, and finding a hotel that understands what families need to truly connect.
That’s exactly what they found during a recent stay at Seda Manila Bay, one of Ayala Land’s thoughtfully designed hotel developments. Tucked in the heart of the city but feeling worlds away, Seda offered the Aguilars a much-needed pause from the daily grind.
“We typically look for destinations that let us unwind and take a break from our everyday routine. Comfort, safety, and convenience are key factors for us. I look for a place where we can easily shift from playing in the game area, to exploring nearby malls, swimming in the pool, and enjoying different food experiences,” he says.
A sunset dip with a view: Seda Manila Bay’s pool overlooks the iconic bay.
Spacious and thoughtfully designed rooms at Seda Manila Bay offer a serene escape in the heart of the city.
But the highlight of their trip wasn’t on the itinerary. It was a quiet afternoon, just the three of them—John, his wife Lyle, and little Sofia—watching the sun dip into Manila Bay. No phones. No distractions. Just shared silence that said everything. “Simply sitting together and taking it all in. That quiet, shared moment of stillness and togetherness as a family is something truly special and nothing else compares.”
For John, travel isn’t just about ticking destinations off a list. It’s about building a memory bank for Sofia—one filled with laughter, discovery, and love. And so on their trips, they take photos and collect moments, then later revisit them in a growing travel album that tells the story of their family’s journeys.
With the hotel’s kid-friendly spaces, cozy dining spots, and a direct link to an Ayala mall, Seda Manila Bay is a staycation spot that understands what families really need.
“Traveling brings us closer by taking us out of our daily routines and giving us the chance to discover new places together,” John says. “Whether it’s a small pizza place or a beautiful beach resort, each experience helps create lasting memories. I want to create these moments that become part of Sofia’s core memories, the ones that deepen our bond as she grows up.”
In a world that’s always rushing, John’s message to fellow dads is a gentle reminder to pause. “Don’t wait for the perfect occasion, like a birthday celebration. Create the moment instead. Plan your getaway with purpose, making it more meaningful. These shared experiences will become the building blocks of your child’s childhood memories—ones they’ll cherish and recount for years to come.”
For John, every day is a chance to make meaningful memories with his family.
Sometimes, the most precious gift isn’t something you can buy or wrap. Maybe it’s a quiet moment under a golden sky, a child’s laughter echoing in the breeze, or a whispered “Let’s go to the moon, Dad.” It’s the kind of love that doesn’t need grand declarations—just presence, patience, and a heart wide open. Because in the end, it’s not the toys or trips that children remember most. It’s the feeling of being held, heard, and deeply loved. And for John, that’s the legacy he hopes to leave behind: a childhood stitched together by moments of stillness, wonder, and a father who never stopped showing up.
