Girls Reunion 2010

Our dear friends DLL and DS who are both based in the States, came home at the same time. I'm so distracted nowadays that I only remembered to bring my camera once out of the four times we met up! Girls, share your pictures, too! My photos were taken on the first meeting at Cafe Juanita, Burgos Circle at the Fort. DLL wasn't in Manila yet.

We also had dinner at the V home in Makati, Angel's Kitchen in Greenhills and Ye Dang, a Korean Restaurant along Meralco Avenue in Ortigas.

Great to see all of you the past few weeks, Girls. Till the next reunion!

Now I Know What to Say Part 2

Really, do people have to be so rude? So the next time somebody comments, I'll use all of these, most are exactly my sentiments:

http://www.spot.ph/2009/07/29/20-snappy-replies-to-the-comment-uy-tumataba-ka-ata/

Read the comments too, some really good ideas there!

Seriously, if people are going to be that rude, I won't see them anymore. Not worth my time, nor my friendship. Sana lang wag ko sila makasalubong na!

Father's Day 2010

For Father's Day, we treated our Dad at Madison Seafood and Steak House in Greenbelt 5. We also treated the other fathers in the family -- my brother N and my brother-in-law and soon-to-be dad J. Saw our cousin Ate L and her family dining at the restaurant too and just had to take a photo with them. Our pamangkins are taller than us! As usual, I had a difficult time taking a nice picture of Baby S. She only smiled for me when I said that I was gonna bring her to Kidz Station after lunch (does that classify as bribery?).

A Surprise Birthday Party

For our dear friend JDV's birthday, her husband DV surprised her with a party at Sentro. Thanks DV for inviting us to be part of the surprise:-) Happy Birthday again JDV, we wish you happiness always!

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!

Birthday Breakfast at Heaven and Eggs

Our dear friend RJW, who is based in Hong Kong, was home just in time for her birthday! Her hectic schedule only had breakfast free, and so our get-together was for breakfast. Heaven and Eggs in Eastwood was our choice.They had hearty breakfasts of rice and tapa, longganisa and adobo, as well as pancakes with sinful toppings such as oreos, nutella and bananas. Yummy! RJW surprised us by treating us, when we were supposed to treat her! Thanks R, it was great to see you!

Birthday Celebration - Day 2

The next day, E, AC and JU woke up at 5:30AM to bike.

Breakfast was at the Areva Pavilion. Failed to take pictures of the whole group, by the time I got to bring out my camera, everyone else were either swimming or going back to sleep.