Despedida Weekend for my brother's family

Our send-off party to our brother N, his wife S and their daughter Baby S was held 3 weeks before their actual flight to Toronto where they will now be based. For some it might seem a tad early, but the event planner (me!) thought it would be good to have this early when they are not yet stressed out. Am sure that the few days before the actual departure will mean last minute errands for the family. And also, SIL's birthday, along with her twin brother is the following week, so that would be an altogether different event. The week before their departure might be a challenge to organize especially if they have not finished packing, disposing of things they are not bringing and buying things that will be too expensive to buy in Canada.

The event is a weekend in town -- an overnight stay at the condotel BSA Tower (108 Legaspi Street, Makati CBD) right across Greenbelt 5, Baby S's favorite mall. We rented two 2-bedroom suites and 2 studio suites for the C and L families. We had potluck food consisting of Casa Armas' cuchinillo. Conti's prawns thermidore and chicken ala kiev, Cyma's roka salata, Heaven's barbecue, Baliwag's buttered fried chicken, Red Ribbon's pancit palabok and homemade ribs. For dessert, there were several flavors of Gelatissimo's gelato,a Red Ribbon cake. Amber's pichi-pichi with cheese and Paquito Mas' mini cakes. Needless to say, we were stuffed with so much good food!

E cooked breakfast the next morning before everyone went out to enjoy Greenbelt.

I highly recommend balikbayan families to stay at BSA Tower's suites. They let you bring in as much food as you want, they also have cooking equipment such as a stove and a microwave, a full-size refrigerator, a rice cooker and an electric kettle. You can also have food delivered from nearby fast food and fine dining restaurants. Balikbayans can therefore easily entertain guests while they are in Manila. And the location is very,very convenient. You have MiniStop a few steps away, Rustan's and Landmark groceries a 5-minute walk away. Greenbelt's shops and restaurants are right at the doorstep!

Don't believe the bad reviews at Trip Advisor.

To N and family: We will miss you so much, but we look forward to visiting you really soon!