HOW TO CELEBRATE A 93rd BIRTHDAY IN STYLE

​I gazed in awe at the enormous birthday cake prominently placed near the entrance of the Rigodon ballroom of the Manila hotel.  It is pure elegance, it sat on a profusion of American roses in varied colors. 

The top tier is conveniently placed at the bottom for easy access for blowing the cake candle. 

The ballroom was an explosion of color and glitter;, exquisitely beautiful and truly amazing.  Strings of golden leaves and lights hang from the ceiling above the dance floor.

There are huge floral arrangements at the foot of the stage with twinkling lights; part of the stage mimic a floral garden. 

Thats me in front of the stage. 

The tablecloth has a shimmering lace cover that shouted festive. A huge flower arrangement, tall candles with flickering lights and capiz ornaments decked the center of each table. 

“Take charge” sibling no.3, Tess, my friend and walking buddy, from whom we owe this invite. 

Tess almost single-handedly put together this whole event with minimal consultation with her siblings. 

She reserved the Venue early and helped booked accommodations for the out-of-town guests. She arranged the program, the invites, the souvenirs, the cake and gowns for her sisters who live abroad. 

She contracted the singers, Lemuel Llamas and another equally great singer whom she flew in from Samar.  That’s Lemuel in the photo below. 

How do I know all these? We walk 10,000 steps almost everyday, oftentimes breakfast too when she’s in town unless she has houseguests. 

The mass was celebrated by Fr Aldrin, a family friend and Sports Director of Adamson university. In the homily he mentioned that the celebration started earlier in Adamson where student volunteers helped serve 500 deprived people free lunch. Such a generous act, it is a family tradition to share their blessings during birthdays of family members. 

The family love to sing and dance, including their children. A grandchild of Ma’am Patria, Vince Gutay gave an outstanding performance of Quando Quando Quando that awed the guests. 

I was called on a stage for the “best in something” contest. I may have done good in the Q & A portion but I can’t dance like the winner, the young and lovely Grace, first from left on the photo. 

The siblings also performed a lively dance number which they did with gusto. 

The surprise number was the giving of ampao to all of the 250 guests by the celebrant. Instead of the guests bringing gifts; with Ma’am Patria, it is the other way around. She finds joy in giving and sharing her blessings. 

That’s Joy and I toasting each other after we got our ampao. 

Happy maybe too weak a word to describe the event. So I ask Google for help and came out with JOYOUS, used in formal writing to describe an occasion filled with happiness. Yes, joyous it is! 

You all should know how Tess put together this event into a resounding success. 

Ma’am Patria, you are the epitome of selflessness. You have raised your children well, surely you are the “wind beneath their wings”. 

Here is a photo of the fruits of your labor, your gifts and your treasures. 

Congratulations! Happy birthday! 

MY BIG BROTHER’S 80th BIRTHDAY

​I felt like I was going to a hotel when we arrived at my niece’s home to attend my big brother’s 80th birthday. 

Of course there was no Porte cochere, unlike in a hotel though a uniformed guard met me with an umbrella as soon as I alighted from the car. He also assisted me going up the two flights of stairs from the street. 

I was wearing a palazzo pants with matching long and wide top; not my usual so I was a bit self conscious.  Yes, not my comfort outfit and not what they all expected me to wear. But my niece was impressed as soon as she saw me when she let me in. I love this outfit, so light and comfy; given by my younger daughter. 

We were met with a lot of chatter; my nieces, nephews and grandchildren were like talking at the same time. It was a riot, all of us were happy to see everyone. Our last get together was on my golden wedding anniversary, pre pandemic. 

Here we were together in the picture below. 

Of course the celebrant was already “happy” having arrived earlier and started to “party” early, if you get my drift. 

Below, he sat with the grandchildren:

Siblings Sandy and Annie with me. We missed Joe who is in California. 

As soon as we hit the couch, a waiter appeared with calamari and crispy spinach and offered red. I declined, it was a bit early for me, I asked for coke light. 

While catching up with those seated close by, including my sister’s boss from Florida, four roving waiters kept refilling the appetizers and our drinks. I was also taking photos of those near me.

The young ladies in the family above 

 below: Jim, Annie and  beautiful Sciezka.  

My own granddaughter Arya and Nikky who just graduated cum laude from UST college of nursing and presently anxious about the board exam she took recently. 

Soon I realized that I had enough appetizer and won’t have room for the lechon from Elars, my fav;  if I don’t stop. So I suggested lunch. 

As always, Tillie outdid herself with a generous spread of lengua, callos, chicken pastel, lasagna, butterflied prawns, potato salad, the lechon and of course Aboy’s Lumpia, fruits and an assortment of mini pastries as

Lots of family jokes were told and retold, while the teenagers gathered in one table, the older ones in another table below:

The first generation also grouped together with the other celebrant, Aboy, eldest grandchild of the clan. 

While people were talking and eating, wine was flowing and noise becoming louder. 

Look at the celebrant, he looks happier than when we arrived. 

Thanks a lot Tillie and Tady for hosting such a wonderful party. Everyone enjoyed, for sure. 

MY AMAZING WALKING BUDDIES

The four of us who started the group. Lunch at Dolly’s home. 

Brunch at Josie’s garden

Breakfast at home. 

Another breakfast at home as a send off for Atle, Tess’ better half when he went back to Rotterdam. 

Dinner at Tess’   That’s Dolly, Tess, me and Josie. 

A groupie taken while walking, there’s Carol, Tess, me, Joy, Cheska and Josie. 

Breakfast at Tess’ with Carol, Joy and Josie 

At Claire’s home with Juliet, Carol,Claire and I 

Stopped to pose in front of Josie’s home with Mel. 

That’s me with Claire and Juliet 

What a wonderful revelation last night when many buddies were all out to help Joy, who recently joined the group. Her husband suddenly fell ill. 

Joy communicated with me about her husband’s condition via our group chat. Little did I know that three buddies immediately caught the thread. Joy sounded like an emergency so I suggested she bring her husband to an emergency facility asap. 

Carol on her way home immediately picked up and volunteered to bring them to the hospital. Claire and Josie were calling offering help and prayers. 

For emergencies such as this, Claire deem important that we know everyone’s cellphone  number since we only communicated via messenger; and she immediately set up a directory among buddies. 

I got to Joy’s house almost the same time Carol arrived ready to bring Joy and her husband , but they already left. In a few, Joy messaged that they were on their way in a cousin’s car. 

“All is well that ends well” as they all say. At this writing, the patient is safely home resting and recovering. The rest of the buddies who missed the crucial moment sent comforting words and assured Joy not to hesitate and toholler when she needs help. 

After all was said and done, I was happy to realize that my buddies are ready to give help when needed. We graduated from just walking, telling jokes, sharing our challenges and having breakfast but we became true friends indeed. Who care a lot! 

PINEAPPLE TABLE RUNNER

​What can I say, except that I’m in a crocheting mood again.  So I took advantage and looked up some free vintage crochet patterns I can make. 

I chose this pattern because it is easy to make, like I’m just reminiscing past designs I made back in the day. A pineapple design is one of the easiest and the most common design for doilies, placemats, table runners and even bead spreads. 

The design is great for any of the above, but since I’m into table runners recently, I decided to make one more. 

Here is a green motif that I connected to two pineapples on opposite sides 

I made 9 green round motifs, 7 of which I connected 2 pineapples on opposite sides while the ends required 4 pineapples like so below. 

I then laid out the finished pieces on my table to see if I made enough for my desired length. 

Next I joined them together by putting a fill-in motif; I chose apple green to make it more attractive. 

To finish off, I made one round of edging to keep the pineapple tips in place so they won’t move any which way. 

And my runner is done! 

I think I’ll need apple green placemats to match this runner. 

MY MEXICAN TABLE RUNNER

​Out of the blue, I suddenly wanted a crocheted table runner made of different colors, like a Mexican print. I made one using my left over threads I used for doilies. This is what I made. 

I chose this Queen Anne’s lace pattern, a vintage design but I consider it a classic; I remember making this back in the days of my teen years. 

Fortunately, I learned to read and follow crochet instructions; thanks to my Mama who guided me until I could do it on my own. I looked on line and found this specific pattern for free. 

Summers found me crocheting with my Mama and Aunts when I was old enough to handle a hook and managed to hold up the thread with the other hand. Crocheting is one of the many things my Mana taught me; one of the best memories that I treasure most. 

Here is a sample motif of the pattern that I put together. 

I was discriminate in choosing which color would be joined next to each other; first the light colored one, then the dark and light again to establish a contrast. 

Crocheting needs concentration because there are a lot of counting to do, so there is a need to focus. I only have my  thoughts when working on the project  or listen to music. 

Almost there, I felt I needed motivation. I tried scrolling through YouTube when thanks to Jim who downloaded Spotify on my iPad. Listening to music encouraged me to crochet fast and reached the finish line quickly. 

I completed the project listening to the tunes of Air Supply, ABBA and Celine

Finally done, I thought these placemats would complete the Mexican theme I was trying to achieve.