THE MOST WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS

​This year was the most wonderful Christmas celebration in our family. Almost a week passed since our children went back home and it’s been quiet again after two weeks of excitement. You would think that we are lonely; on the contrary we are not. 

Our Christmas photo. We were happy that my sister was able to join our celebration. 

We are still in seventh heaven reminiscing  the recent memories of Christmas and the happy times spent with the whole family. 

They say that real happiness of being together is better felt and appreciated after they happened. As we look back to the happy times, the laughter, the fun, then look at the photos again and again, we feel the joy of what it has been. 

This Christmas is truly a blessing; we were able to spend time with all of our children and their families. Someone said: “my heart felt more airborne than Santa’s sleigh” and that’s exactly how I felt. 

From the time my younger daughter and her husband arrived in mid -December, life had been busy and exciting since then. 

Before she arrived, my daughter has a  list of restaurants where she wanted to dine ;one of them is Manam where they serve the beef-watermelon broth. 

Then our son and his family arrived and life has been more busy. 

The first order of the day was lunch at Shakeys, our grandson’s favorite place for pepperoni pizza and chicken with mojos. 

Of course we are never complete without our older daughter and her family who live in town. 

That’s my favorite granddaughter with her parents. 

We always gathered in the living room where we catch up on each other’s activities; talk about things that could never be shared on FaceTime. We also took some photos. 

Grandpa and grandson

Papa and grandchildren. 

Papa and Nana with grandchildren. 

We went to Tagaytay and had brunch at The Farmer’s Table. 

We also went to a family reunion and house blessing of my sister’s home. 

We went three times to The Black Bean

Below is my sister who enjoyed the place as well. 

My son treated us to experience the Korean samyupsal at Samgjunikothey. We enjoyed the food along with the soju. 

Since we are a bigger family now we couldn’t fit in the dining room so we took the Christmas dinner in the backyard garden where we had most of our meals. 

And through all the eating, drinking, the laughter and the talking, I felt like Grandma Nell in the Chesapeake Shores series on Netflix who said in one of their dinners:

“The love that flowed around the table was much more precious than the food on top of it”

I enjoyed every minute of this Christmas celebration and I guess everyone did as well. Our children are so appreciative of everything and they are such generous souls too. 

Wishing forward to another wonderful Christmas next year. 

CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH THE WALKING BEAUTIES

​Last night was such a lovely party with my walking buddies, the Walking Beauties.  Though  I’m a bit self-conscious to mention that in public since it was meant just to identify our group, but then, why not? As paraphrased buy the Greek philosopher, Plato, “beauty lies in the eye of the beholder”.

We thank Tess, the no. 1 jogging/walking beauty who graciously offered her home to celebrate this Christmas party. 

We admire and appreciate her lovely table setting. She brought out her blue and white crockery, so beautiful and pleasing to dine with; it was above and beyond our expectations.

That was my place with my initial. 

Look at this special cake she ordered from Aggie’s; so pretty, so Christmasy and so delicious! 

Joy was the earliest bird, she and Tess were already having cocktails when we got there. 

Jim and I arrived next. Below, see Tess toasting Jim for coming early as well 

The the rest of the Beauties arrived 

The garden and pool was beautiful that I couldn’t resist having my pictures taken. 

Finally DINNER!

Imagine the piano music of Christmas songs played by the pianist Tess hired. It felt like we were in a hotel lobby. It was pleasant and soft enough to carry conversation. 

After dinner, we had the cake and tarragon/mint tea; once again served in tall blue and white mugs. 

Then there was dancing. 

Sorry, I missed taking a photo of the dance instructor, DI that Tess hired as well. 

As if we hadn’t taken enough photos that we had to take more

Jim andI had a great time, thanks Beauties for your enjoyable company. To Tess, once again, thank you. 

Let’s have another one before Valentines. Meanwhile, we will carry on with our impromptu breakfasts. Please, no hassle, bread and coffee and interesting conversation will be great. 

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!