One of the grandest and popular occasion in Cebu is the “Sinulog” which is celebrated annually by all cebuanos and not just the town folks but even many Filipinos in the country and foreigners around the world. The celebration even started with a ‘Sinulog Street Fair’ from December 01, 2009 and will end January 31, 2010. It is indeed a festive days in Cebu during this time, the activities and different events will surely make everyone happy, from Sinulog contestants’ street dancing, to mall fairs, not to forget eating and dancing and of course, one of the best thing I see during this event is the big religious crowd in the “Basilica del Santo Nino church” hearing the novena masses and praying.

This grand occasion is not just street fairs but the most important one is a thanksgiving to the main celebrant, who is the baby Jesus himself. That is why, the days celebrating in different corners of Cebu is not complete when people will not drop by the Basilica and pay homage, pray and hear the Holy Mass.

First thing, I will probably be going to the Basilica with my family then party in the streets with my friends! See you all and Viva Pit Senyor!

Below is  the schedule of religious activity during the actual Solemnity feast day which is on January 17, Sunday in the Basilica:

4:00 am – Mananita Mass with Msgr. Frederick Kriekenbeek
6:00 am – Pontifical Mass with His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal
every hour – Holy Mass

Country Event Basilica del Santo Nino, church, Family, Sinulog Festival, Sinulog Parade, Sinulog@30

the cast of the Korean "Boys Over Flowers"

It’s so hard for me to stick and like a tele-series… but this “Boys Over Flower” series hit me big that I don’t sleep much this past few days just watching it over and over again… I heard about it last Christmas vacation where I stayed home to watch TV, and I can’t wait to see the next episode in the TV so I asked my hubby to download all 25 episodes and alas I have them all… hehe… Everybody likes it! It’s even a talk in the office and every weekend, hubby and I and even my little girl bond and watched it! haha… thanks to my addiction!

Boys Over Flower is the Korean version of the original “Hana Yori Dango”, and I appreciate how the cast of this Korean version played the role, they are all fantastic and good! The way they portray it is so funny and so “kilig”! Of all F4, I heart the character of “Gu Jun Pyo”, he is very adorable! I love him from start to finish! You better grab your own copy and watch it with your friends, and with families. Indeed a good series to watch for a bonding occasion!

Hope to see Gu Jun Pyo and Jan Di in person!

Family, Movie Dates, Others ABS-CBN Korean teleseries, Boys Over Flower, Family, Gu Jun Pyo, Hana Yori Dango, Jan Di, Lee Min Ho, love

Since 2 years ago… I never get tired of thanking God for giving me the best gift I could ever imagined – my one and only little girl! We are celebrating her birthday and the more I thank God for giving her good health all these years… Like all mothers feel, nothing can compare how happy I am seeing her every milestones and today is one of the highlights. My Claire understands that it’s her birthday and even if I did not throw any kiddie party, she was so happy and so energetic seeing all the familiar faces of the whole family surrounding her.

For me, it’s still a big party at home because we are a big family and everybody is in the mood to celebrate this special occasion… It is such a busy day, from malling in the morning, buying her gifts, balloons, cakes, then preparing the food at home for dinner, and of course we don’t want to miss the Holy Mass as a thanksgiving. Then the rest of the night is eating and drinking and Claire is still up playing, running and laughing with her cousin on her same age. One thing for sure, this little girl is happy!

Happy 2nd Birthday baby! We love you!

Birthdays, Family birthday, birthday cake, birthday center piece, birthday party, cake, church, Family, love

My hubby’s lola who is also my lola of course turns 83 years old today! It is an occasion full of love and happiness… the whole family from her children to grandchildren are all thankful for she reached this golden age in good health. She is a very strong woman and that is one thing I admired her the most. Despite her age, nothing can stop her to be active, to go to the market alone, prepare delicious foods (she is a good cook!), watch movie with her friends, go shopping, collect books to read during free time, and go to church regularly.

The first time I saw her, I already see a unique and strong personality in her… she accepted me in the family, she stand by us during our wedding day… enough goodness that I will cherish forever. For all these things, I am one with the whole family in celebrating this special day. I rummaged the mall during my breaktime to look for a gift to her, and with a limited time… I decided to give her the best red wine I can think of… at least something she can also share to her friends.

She texted me this afternoon at the middle of my work and remind us for our dinner tonight, of course I will be present! Happy Birthday Lola!

Birthdays birthday, church, Family, love

I want to express how I value and care for her, how I love her and that despite of the distance she will always see how much she is meant to me… So on her birthday I extended my time even how tired from work and after a 3 rounds of jogging and walking around the usual place where I used to exercise I then managed to go to her place, bring 1 box of pizza and sing her a birthday song… it’s 10:00 pm.

I believe my mom is happy for the simple gestures that we all showed to her on her birthday. A special occasion like this need not to be extravagant in order to be happy… the thoughts and the efforts count. Happy Birthday Mom!

My Dear Mom!
Mom, I loved you yesterday, I love you tomorrow and everyday.
You were there for me my first day of school, to hold my hand and give me courage to go.
You listened to me when I needed to talk, you talked to me when I needed to listen.
You let me grow and learn from my own mistakes.
You never left my side when I was feeling down, I knew you would be there to pick me up.
I wish there was a way I could repay all the things you have done for me, but there’s nothing great enough to repay the greatest mother of all.
- Anonymous

Birthdays, Family birthday, birthday song, Family, love, mother's day, pizza

Look who is sitting in my desk? My 2 year old! She keeps on asking me to get out of my seat so she can sit down and use the computer, I could not turn her down even how busy I am… so I let her do things her way and open not the internet of course but a mouse click game, which I believe good for her age. It’s just so amazing kids at this age already knows how to appreciate clicking the mouse and pressing on the keyboards and play computer games… for Claire, she starts to use it by dragging the mouse on the fishes and feed them.

Gone are the days where neighboring children gathered together and go out to the street to play ‘patintero’, ‘chinese garter’, and a lot more… Nowadays, even 2 years old are using the computer… it’s so smart looking and as long as parental guidance is always present, kids will be secured. It’s so cute to look at a little girl touching the keyboards at the same time the mouse seriously, hehe.. can’t help but to grab my cam and capture every move…

Family baby, Family, love, walking milestone

my birthday gift to the celebrant

I got a chance again to make my own version of ham and cheese macaroni salad today, instead of bringing a birthday cake, i thought to share my specialty during our family dinner tonight in my sister’s place for baby Gab’s birthday.

My nephew turns 2 years old today… and it reminds me that my little girl’s 2nd birthday is fast approaching too. Oh! how time flies fast! My sister did not throw a big kiddie party this year, so she invited direct family members only and treat all of us for a simple “salu-salo” with just 2 main dishes, 1 cake and 2 desserts. And it turned out to be an intimate celebration and the  2 year old birthday celebrant seems not to care that it’s his birthday and how the gathering is going. It is a simple yet a happy occasion with the family and a practical one.

Yes, i think it’s practical enough not to throw a big 2nd birthday party to your kids especially after a grand 1st birthday party, because after all… kids at this age won’t care yet. I will postpone another coming year or two for another big kiddie party for my daughter so this year should be a simple one too.

Birthdays, Family birthday, birthday cake, birthday party, cake, chicken ham, Family, kiddie party

I shared the joys of my cousin who is residing in Davao when she called me that it’s her turn to finally get married! She was one of my bride’s maids, and I remembered how she gracefully walked the aisle holding her partner to assist me on my wedding day… and now, the date is fast approaching for her turn to walk the aisle as a bride’s maid no more… she is finally the bride! Whew, I’m so excited!

I’m excited to attend her wedding day to tie her cord of married life and fly to Davao City at last…  it will be my first time to go to Davao and I’m looking forward to tour around this beautiful city. My round trip plane ticket is booked and ready for this occasion and I already grant my cousin’s favour to shop for the raw materials of her giveaways and shipped it to Davao, an early accomplishment on my part for being able to assist the bride-to-be.

Congratulations Cuz, see you soon!

Wedding church, Family, love, Wedding

Three months before his birthday, I already thought of making his birthday a memorable one and I wanted to celebrate it in the place where both of us can have a special bonding together away from home. Our current budget and time cannot afford to go out of the country yet so I think of a trip to Baguio City… I told him this plan and he approves it, I am so excited!

The weather cooperates to the occasion, I prayed so hard that amidst the storm in Manila, God will keep us safe and let us enjoy this special day, and thank God He answered my prayer. From Baguio, we arrived in Makati safe and the typhoon is gone although we experience some rainfalls but we ignore it, I tried my best to make him happy on his day so no room for any complaints even how uncomfortable I am with the rain… hehe. But when we arrived in the Mall of Asia, the rest of the day is already his day, we have so much fun!

We have lunch in “Burgoo” – I am amazed with their unique style of having their table covers in a blank white paper and they have coloring materials ready on top, then I found out that we can freely mess the table and write anything on it… then I write a big “happy birthday” greetings to the love of my life… hehe… perfect background which reminds us why we are here, it’s his birthday! Less than 15 minute, our food is served – I tried their chef’s choice of soup for the day – the creamy mushroom soup, it’s delicious! The main dish that my hubby chooses is one of Burgoo’s best – the Shrimps and Rib’s platter, we enjoyed our lunch up to the last rib! My mango shake is perfect too… the restaurant is cozy and very comfortable, it’s one of the best dining experience.

the birthday celebrant...

the mango shake with our inspiring background

the chef's choice of soup for the day

the best shrimp and rib's platter

Then we spend the rest of the afternoon in the Science Discovery Center which we highlighted the 45-minute planetarium show Ice World. Everything we shared together this day is first time and special to me and I’m sure he enjoyed his birthday! It is such a blessed day and a memorable one!

Happy Birtdhay, mwah!

Birthdays, Dining Experience, Family birthday, birthday party, bonding, Burgoo American Restaurant, Family, love, Mall of Asia, Science Discovery Center

Every birthday of mine always turns out to be exciting! This year, I like to spend it a little more private and intimate… so I filed a birthday leave for the first time in my job history and my friend Anne is right, having a day off on your birthday is like giving yourself a special birthday treat! I feel so relaxed because there’s no need to rush in between break times from work just to celebrate my birthday. So it’s indeed a happy occasion.

I always make it a point to start celebrating my birthday attending the Holy Mass to thank God for the gift of life and for all the blessings he bestow in me the past years and to ask His continued blessings at the coming years. After the mass, the most exciting part is to have lunch in Shangri-la Mactan! Why I’m excited? Well, honestly it’s my first time to this hotel, and I’ve always wanted to be here, bear with my excitement… hehe.

The place is amazing! All the hotel attendants that we meet anywhere in the place always carry with them a smile and a greeting which makes me feel welcomed even if we only go there for a lunch. One of the lady attendants freely give me a tour guide of the place going to the restaurant I booked. I love the scenery from the parking lot, to the lobby, then to the garden, to every restaurant and bar I passed, then the view of their infinity pool and then to the white sand sea shore to the blue wonderful beach. A complete wow! – this is not a review because looking into the place is already an assurance that the hotel is indeed 5-star!

We have my birthday lunch in the hotel’s Aqua Restaurant where we are warmly greeted and welcomed by the store attendant and their waiters… the waiter who attended our orders is very accommodating! I am just an average/middle class citizen but this time I honestly don’t mind how expensive the menu list is because all the services I got deserves it. I love their Calzone and the mango shake is perfect!

This birthday is one of the greatest days because I am joined with the people who are so dear to me and who loves me, they complete my day.  It’s indeed a ‘Happy, happy birthday!’

Birthdays, Dining Experience, Hotel and Accomodation Experience, Occasion Aqua Shangri-la, birthday, church, Family, love, shangri-la hotel mactan