Off-season travel comes with its own advantages. With fewer tourists, lower prices, and a more relaxed atmosphere, it offers travelers the chance to experience a destination at their own pace. But on the flip side, it comes with challenges, and at the top of the list are seasonal conditions.

Let’s admit it: unpredictable weather can quickly throw a wrench into a carefully planned itinerary, whether it is an exotic destination or a more urban setting like Manila. When the skies become gloomy, it becomes an easier decision to stay at home rather than go out.

But for some, the season is an invitation to explore. A rainy day does not necessarily mean a day lost, but rather an opportunity to see a familiar destination from a different perspective.

That sense was apparent during the launch of LOJEL’s Niru collection last Aug. 5 at Casa Italianos in Makati City. The event gathered creatives from different fields, from food and fashion to music, design, and crafts, to celebrate the joy of exploring with a dependable partner. The Niru collection’s expansion features six new styles thoughtfully designed to adapt to every moment while celebrating the brand’s next chapter, “From Here to Everywhere.”

During the luncheon, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle asked a group of creatives a question: When it is raining in Manila, where do you usually go?

For OnlyPans restaurateur Audrey Cruz, the downpour in Manila usually leads her to discover other local scenes. Her top pick is Lipa in Batangas. “I spend time reading books from the Booker Prize list, or I tend to work on my matcha reviews.” The season also offers her time to discover the place in a different way, such as through food. “There are a lot of food spots, like where to eat lomi, but one of my favorite places to dine in Lipa is Hapag Filipino Restaurant.”

Going to a familiar but international destination is the way to go for award-winning singer-songwriter Nica Del Rosario. “My wife and I’s favorite now is Ho Chi Minh,” she says. “We are traveling there again, I think, for the third time. We love it because it is inexpensive.” What influences their itinerary is coffee. Before they head out, they usually list down the caffeine stops they want to visit and shop in between every stop.

Likewise, Tadhana founder and perfumer Shale Albao also chooses beloved international destinations: Japan and Toronto. “I love Japan, whether it is off-season or peak season, and Toronto because my partner lives there,” she muses. For Shale, however, the appeal of traveling during quieter periods lies in having more room to take in a destination without the usual crowds. It allows her to slow down, explore at her own pace, and enjoy these places more intimately.

With its moniker, Let Our Journeys Enrich Life, LOJEL understands how travel, and even everyday moments, shape how we work, create, connect, and pursue what matters most. That philosophy is reflected in Niru’s latest offerings.

Designed around this evolving lifestyle, the Niru Collection offers twelve silhouettes spanning weekender bags, backpacks, totes, slings, and crossbody bags. Featuring durable recycled nylon paired with LWG-certified full-grain leather, each piece can transition seamlessly between environments while offering intuitive organization and everyday functionality. Crafted for life in motion, Niru adapts to every transition, making it a natural companion from here to everywhere.

“We believe travel isn’t just about flying to far-off destinations; it is also about intentional movements in our daily lives,” says Chieh Chiang, CEO of LOJEL. “The Niru collection was built on the idea of spontaneous movement.”