The second week of my stay in Manila started with my dad’s 60th birthday celebration at Party Avenue in Quezon City. The theme was 70’s disco so we all came in the trademark styles of the decade. It was a fun and successful event marking a milestone in my dad’s life as it gathered family and friends in one memorable evening. Two years from now, my brother and I have some party planning to do for my mom who’ll then turn 60.
Since the news of my arrival has been revealed, meeting relatives and friends ensued and we visited my grandmother and some relatives in my dad’s hometown in Batangas. It was nice seeing my grandmother again, who used to take care of me and tell me bedtime stories when I was a kid. While there, I caught some virus and immediately fell sick. I was sick for like the next few days so I had to stay in before meeting my friends from Rustan’s, and later that week friends from college.
I didn’t know that Filipino celebrity crush Piolo Pascual was crazy for me. Haha! The sight of that yummy Max’s chicken reminds me how much food I’ve had since I arrived. I’ve tried the fares of the ever-favorite Jollibee, California Pizza Kitchen, Via Mare, Cibo, Teriyaki Boy, Pepper Lunch (again) and even the Filipino dishes sold at the foodyard of Market! Market! OMG, just look at all these food!
I’ve also spent some time with my three nieces who I love so dearly. Bea is an active and brilliant student at her school, Bianca trumps me with her English skills, while Bernice seems to be growing quickly and melts my heart with her shy smiles.
Bea and her school’s choir participated in a Christmas choral competition at the Powerplant Mall and won the semi-finals! They are moving to the grand finals next Saturday. We were all so proud of Bea as she stood in the front line with her clever stance, brilliant performance, and that Close-up smile.
Just yesterday, we took the kids to the Avilon Zoo in Pasig where I had a close encounter with big cats, an albino carabao, the mighty Philippine eagle and other creatures both cute and creepy. It was pretty cool actually.
One week left in Manila. Aaaaaah! Thanks for looking!
Nice photos!
It’s my turn to go home next week. Am very excited! :D
Thanks, Lainey! Have a safe journey and a fantastic time in the Philippines. :)
afraid ang christmas turkeys. are those turkeys?
I don’t know if they’re turkeys, cvs. I only know a turkey when I see one on a Christmas table lol.
^ They’re Guineafowls.. :P Super cute nung Santa hat nila! Haha..
Wow, Pepper Lunch looks really delish.. cvs, any plans on bringing it to Davao? Yum, yum!
Oh, thanks for sharing Bengt! Loved PL’s Shimofuri Steak, sarrrrap talaga.
Ooooh! Looks like you are having a blast!!!
But it’ll soon come to an end, Charles :(
now i’m starving. hahaha!
I’ve had enough na, wax. Kain na lang ng kain. Dome Cafe naman tonight. Burp!
hanep sina repapips at remamax! all out. i love it. miss ko na rin ang food sa atin. maski food court food i love.
Hahaha! Didn’t know you speak this way, deluxeduck. Parang you’re so… deluxe. LOL. Sinabi mo, pero sobrang taba ko na, yikes!
uy, i love dome cafe. you have to try their flourless choco cake… the best!!
Cool pics….kaka homesick…have a great time there!
G, next time sabay na tayong uuwi ni N:) Pls make sure you take pictures when you see ML & MV before you leave. My turn naman to go on vacation next week:) I’ll see here at home sa New Year’s Eve. Love ya! Mwaaaaaaah!
in fairness, week 1 and week 2 kasali ako. 1 more week to go. booo
:(
@ wax – I’ll try next time, thanks for the tip!
@ Joel – thanks man! i’m having a fine time, despite all these virus attacks, i’, coughing as i type this. ulk.
@ biancaboo – G!!! i soooo forgot to bring my camera when i met up with ML and MV because i only brought my wapity. my friend liz and i had a great time hanging with them, soooo funny! have a nice vacation in london! i’ll see you new year’s. :) mwah, love ya back!
@ liz – week 3 kasali ka din, pero dapat nagpapicture din tayo sa parking kanina with our arms raised and kili-kili showing like those 4 girls we saw, hahahaha!
omg! nagkita kyo nina ayen and the peeps? bakit si tina wala? eh sina inigo and mayee? pls tell them i said hello.
i have nothing new in my blog. sad. well, konti pa lang kasi yung mga new pics ko eh. so hopefully in january, ill be able to put more pics…from october to january. hahaha.
Yeah, we saw each other but only that time so I couldn’t say hi to them personally for you. There was supposed to be another meet-up but people’s cancellations and change of plans prevented it from happening again. :) Tina, Mayee and Inigo couldn’t make it to this particular gathering. Le sad… Aileen’s in Manila na diba?
Ok, looking forward to 2009! Have a happy holidays trish! We miss you!
WoW! I love the theme… so Retro! ;) Im sure your enjoying ur stay. Ala eh? Batangueno ka ga katulad ko? harharhar
Ala eh, ang aking ama ang Batangueno. :) I did enjoy my stay in Manila, leaving back to Oslo on Tuesday. Thanks for dropping by Benzgasm.