Ready... Set... Blow!

Mamu turned 59 last June 5 . I went straight to MCB1 after my Pre-employment Medical Exam (yehey walang Stool Test!) today as she prepared lunch for us. I had yummy Baby Back Ribs. Pancit was served for merienda and we had Spaghetti for dinner. Daming food!!! Beer and Tequila was also served pero syempre, hindi ako kasali...

Before the party ended, Mamu requested for a picture with an improvised cake (from the ref, hehe). Her apos joined her blow the candle as we sing the "Happy Birthday" song.

CREDITS:

PAPER by Helena Monteiro
PAPER by Amy W. Designs
PAPER by Monika69
FLOWER CLUSTER by Raspberry Road Designs
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Mamu, may you have more gorgeous years to come! Love you!

I See Your True Color

Finally I'm home! Whew!!!

I went straight to the polling station at Baesa (LRPMES) to cast my vote. I have indelible ink on my finger now after traveling from Cabiao - Clark Airport - Dau Terminal - Manila. Kapagod!

Today, almost everyone is excited to try the PCOS machines. That's why I insisted on going back to Manila though I had to travel alone. I don't want to miss this opportunity!

I was with Kuks when he voted this morning at Palasinan. He's a GREEN and an "accidental" PINK.

I'm a YELLOW and BLUE. I hope you are, too!


CREDIT:

FRAME by Ellie Lash

But the most important thing is, whatever your color is, you'll find time to go out and make a difference!

I Forgot To Remember To Forget

Okay. Is this weird because it feels really weird. I know this shouldn't be a big deal and I don't even know why I'm writing about this. Aaaaaaaaaaargh!

We had a relationship. We can't pretend that we didn't. But before that we we're really... really close friends. And there's no reason we can't have that again. I shared a big part of my life with you. I don't want to burn bridges.

And now this!?!

Back from Pixie Hollow

It's ALX's 7th Birthday!!!

Celebrating in her cute wings and petal skirt, she invited her fairy friends, the pirates, the lost boys, the redskins and the sparrow men.

CREDIT:
FRAME by Danielle Engebretson Designs

Yesterday, we went to Dad's Glorietta to celebrate with Alx. Though puyat from attaching fringe trim to my costume, I was already at the venue by 10:30AM to help decorate together with Fe, Ric-Ric and L.A. I was also able to finish the AVP before the party actually started. Cramming!

The party was great. Alx' friends and classmates are in costumes too. Raven look good on his Pirate costume while the girls dressed up as Pixie Hollow fairies.

CREDIT:
TEMPLATE by Danielle Engebretson Designs
FLOWERS from Origami Kit by Akiloune
PAPER from Lemonberry Fizz by Kimi's Kreations
PAPER from Quincy Garden Club by Amanda Thorderson

I figured, even if I put on fairy wings... I don't look like a fairy, hahaha! Negra kasi! So I came up with this outfit and everyone loved it. I was able to pull up as Tiger Lily. To refresh your memories on who Tiger Lily is (lifted from Wikipedia)... she's the princess of the Piccaninny Tribe of Indians (Native Americans) living on the island of Neverland. In the Disney version Tiger Lily is kidnapped by Captain Hook and Smee. Hook threatens to kill her if she does not tell him Peter's hiding place. She remains silent, as she does through the whole movie, refusing to betray Peter. She is saved by Peter Pan and he takes her to her tribe.

CREDIT:
PHOTOMASK by Bouille

That's Tiger Lily with uhmmn... with a bystander! Rellie's supposed to dress up as Mr. Smee but he's LATE, thus, the tambay look, haha! I was looking forward pa naman to this photo op... boo! He knows I was disappointed at him for wasting the pirate props I bought him. But I can't afford to stay mad kasi he brought the (very long) feather (I placed in my head) to complete my outfit. As in binunot from his favorite panabong (fighting cock). So now he's forgiven.

Kakatawa talaga, even one of the waiters approached me and said, "Ma'am bagay po sa inyo ung costume nyo. Kamukha nyo po talaga si Pocahontas!" Hahaha, toink! Ayos!

The not so young ones are also in costumes. They dressed up as elements of the wild. Fab talaga!

CREDIT:
FRAME by Hannah

Here's Inang Elo, she looks young in her blouse with butterfly print.

CREDIT:
PAPER from Happy Birthday Harmony Kit by Melanie Ann Designs

We had fun at the party. More pics can be found here. Went home full of pixie dusts and happy thoughts!

Tatay Rey at 65

A few weeks before Tatay's birthday, I was having this YM conversation with Ate Mi. She was telling me that she's feeling sad again, now that Tay's birthday is just a few winks away. I came to realize that I was not able to join any of Tatay's previous bday celebrations in the past years. Back then, I would just help Rellie find the perfect gift. I may be a little too late this year... but I hope Tatay enjoyed looking at the white flowers I brought him from Dangwa. I'm sure he is having a merry celebration up there with our Lord.

Happy Birthday Tay!!!

CREDIT:
PAPER from Emma Kit by Amy Watson

FRAME

After the 6AM mass, we went to visit Tay to offer flowers and prayers, and to simply just be with him though he can't be with us physically. Some of his Teacher friends were also there to celebrate with us. They also brought flowers for Tatay. It was really nice of them to still remember.

CREDIT:
PAPER by Rhonna Farrer

TAG by Rhonna Farrer

CREDIT:
FRAME by Hannah
WORDART by Choukette

Rellie has been putting up a strong front since Tatay died. Every now and then he would tell me he misses Tay and that there are time when he would just sit and think of him. I know how tough this is for him, being the favorite child... growing up close to both his parents... I know he hasn't healed yet.

That day when we visited Tay, he opened up to me about one of his dreams. One night, when we were still in Singapore, Rellie dreamt about Tatay Rey. The dream wasn't that clear but when he woke up, he started crying. Hearing this story really broke my heart. I remember that night, I was sleeping next to him. But I didn't know that he woke up in the middle of the night and cried.

Hang in there... everything will soon be alright.

CREDIT:
QUICKPAGE by Hannah

For now, all I can do is hold your hand...

I Brought Bread Mama!

"I brought bread Mama!"

That's what we usually hear whenever Tito Ram visits us here in Novaliches. This guy has a very contagious laughter and his shoulders shake whenever he cracks jokes. I remember Mamu telling me that Tito Ram once told him that among my siblings, I am his favorite.

Growing up, I wasn't really able to share a lot of conversations with him. Because maybe, I was too shy to converse in English back then. Plus the fact that we rarely or rather, we only see him and Anj during special family gatherings. But something I won't forget about this guy is how he granted me a favor almost two years ago. When I was about to start with my business, I needed an air condition unit. His work is in line with sales so I gave him a call and asked him if he can arrange a 6 months 0% interest plan for the 1.5HP that I was about to purchase at Abenson. Most shops were offering only 3 months 0% interest plan. And he gladly did it for me. He called up the officers at Abenson and my request was granted. Until now, I am still using that AC unit for my shop.


CREDIT:
FRAME from Sunscrap by Niiki and Mil
FLOWER from Sunscrap by Niiki and Mil
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Today, I am honored that I was able to witness an Indian tradition of laying a family member to his resting place. I went to Tito Ram's wake at Don Bosco Makati with Kuya Dennis. Mamu was already there when we arrived. Her vacation was cut short because of this incident. Luckily, they were able to book a flight for her back in Manila Sunday night. I was greatly touched by Angela's speech during the Eulogy. She talked about her bonding moments with her Dad and described him as "He is my world". I felt a pinch in my heart when she shared with us that she doesn't want to go home because everything there will remind her of her Dad. I hope in time Anj will be able to recover from this sad moment. Angela is a tough girl. I know she will get by...


CREDIT:FRAME by Cindy Doerksen

I took this photo of Anj and Tito Ram during Melvin's graduation Party. That same night, he was asking everyone the question, "When will we see eachother again?". Little did we know that that will be the last time that we will ever see him. Leaving us at the age of 71, I know he was able to live a good life.

Remembering Jimmy Lim

I'm home and my feet is still killing me. I was out the whole day. Whew!

Last Saturday, I was juggling the following options:

- attend the 10AM mass for Jimmy Lim, then go out with Batch'95 (kung ano man ang plano).
- attend 9AM mass at Megamall and/or just meet up with Tita Carol and Innah after the mass.
- meet up with Tita Stella to go to Tito Ram's wake at Don Bosco, Makati.
- meet up with Glady's at 1PM in Megamall then go to Bacoor to meet up with the rest of Rellie's cousins.

I was torn... really. Gusto ko puntahan lahat.

This morning, Tita Carol canceled our meet up 'coz she's not feeling well. So I decided to just attend Batch 95's sponsored mass. I was rushing to make it to UP Chapel by 10 AM. Buti na lang, on my way, I texted Miven, she informed me that the mass was moved to 11AM. Toink! I had late breakfast na lang at McDo North Ave instead of going straight to UP. Pancakes! Na-miss ko 'to!!!

CREDIT:
FRAME from by Eva Kipler
FLOWERS from by Eva Kipler
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There's still an on-going public mass when I reached the UP Chapel. I was trying to spot familiar faces from the crowd when Mae Manangan approached me from behind. Actually ang sabi nya, "Jennifer Palinar, right?" Hehehe, at least tama ang surname so I smiled and said, "Jenelyn". She's with her BF and Red Canoza. Then we spotted Malcolm Queyquep, tapos si Miven naman, then si Jasper. It was nice to see the same old high school faces.

CREDIT:
QIUCKPAGE by Eva Kipler
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This two ladies are one of my closest during high school. Sayang kami lang ang present today... most of my high school barkada are now living/working outside the Philippines. We had to take this shot...

CREDIT:
FLOWERS from Sunshine and Daisies by Maria LaFrance
FONT Sydney's Hand

The group decided to have lunch at Dencio's Trinoma. We had a long table. Ordering pa lang ng food ang kukulit na! And questions about who's going to pay flooded in. They were basing it on who's got the "grandest job" and out of the country photos in Friendster. Kakaloka!

CREDIT:
QIUCKPAGE by Karah Fredricks
PAPER from Digitreats
PAPER from Haloween Boo Kit
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Sarap ulit-ulitin! Pero sana naman hinde sa wake or 40 days ulet :) Too bad I had to go early. All through out the time we were eating, my phone didn't stop from beeping and ringing. They didn't want me to go but I have another commitment to attend to. Hindi rin kasi ako maka-No kila Mi.

Gladys waited for me at Mega. She even adjusted our meet up time to 2:15PM to accomodate me. As in when I got there, ako na lang ang hinihintay ng Van. Hirap pa naman tumakbo in my heels, haha! Sabi ko nga sa driver huwag ako isumbong kila Tito Fil. Buti na rin walang traffic, we reached Bacoor in time for the show. Dami namin! Rellie wasn't there but I had a good time with Mi and the rest of their cousins, Tito and Tita's.

Hay... what a tiring day it has been! And now I am restless because I haven't paid my last respect for Tito Ram. I have to go tomorrow! Paano kaya?

YangChow Birthday

We had a late night dinner/post celebration of JOY's Bday (June 10) at Trinoma. She doesn't believe in advance celebrations so ngayon lang kami nagkaron ng chance after my Baguio trip. Well, it's better late than never!

Plus I saw familiar faces that night.

Eric Perdigon - while waiting for our orders at North Park, I saw S'Eric and I waved at him. He approached our table to say Hi. It's been almost 2 yrs.

Toni Ching - we were on our way to the escalator when I saw Toni at Starbucks waiting for her sundo daw. She had dinner din with some GABC'ers

Malcolm Queyquep - a high school batch mate. Funny that he still remembers me. Proof that I didn't change, mukha pa ring high school!



Happy Birthday Best buddy!!!