Upon arrival, Mr. Hortezuela and his family noticed the difference between the busy, narrow roads in the Philippines and the spacious streets in South Korea. The Hortezulea family was concerned especially about young Prim Maiv, Mr. Hortezuela’s daughter, and how she’ll react to the new environment. Concerns vanished as Prim Maiv fit right in with Korea. “Our daughter, born in London and used to colder weather, has adapted well to South Korea. She handles the climate better than in the Philippines, and seems to thrive here,” he said. 

In this new chapter of his life, Mr. Hortezuela hopes to explore South Korea’s rich cultural tapestry and enjoy its beautiful landscapes. “This is my first time in South Korea, and I’m excited to visit places like Busan, Seoul, and Jeju Island,” he said.

He expresses his wish to bike around the neighborhood and chuckles as he shares his ironic late introduction to biking. Mr. Hortezuela said, “I’m a physics teacher, but I didn’t learn how to ride a bike until I was 30.” 

Despite his passion for the laws of motion, Mr. Hortezuela explained that he finally learned how to ride a bike in London. “I learned to bike while living with fellow teachers. It was a bit embarrassing as the biology and chemistry teachers knew how to bike, but the physics teacher didn’t,” Mr. Hortezuela said. 

Mr. Hortezuela humorously described how even his abundant knowledge of physics didn’t help him down curvy, steep roads in the Philippines. He bashfully narrated how he carefully measured how his mass would influence inertia down a winding rocky trail on a bike ride with his friends, but contrary to his meticulous calculations, he tumbled down the path and woke up bleeding half an hour later in an unfamiliar pickup truck surrounded by concerned friends and elderly Filipino farmers. “I think the world wanted to remind me that I can still stumble and have much more to learn about the world of physics,” Mr. Hortezuela said. 

As he reflects on his life’s journey, Mr. Hortezuela perceives a deeper force that gently guides his family across continents. “I believe there’s a natural force—like resonance in physics—that draws us to certain places, almost like destiny,” he said.

Mr Hortezuela’s journey demonstrates a dance between chance and choice. At every destination, he finds a purpose—a reminder that life nudges us in the right direction, whether we realize it or not.