My First Family Blogpost: We Missed You Dad

We usually go to either Libingan ng mga Bayani or to Sta. Cruz, Laguna to pay visit to my departed grand parents.  But this day, we chose to make this our family day—even without Dad.

I woke up earlier today, way earlier than my usual waking time when there is no work.  I sensed that someone went inside my room and sat on my bed.  It’s my mom.  Sabi niya kasi, wala siyang makausap.  I was a little bit sleepy then, but I opted to wake myself up to listen to her.  That early morning we were able to talk so much about anything.  It felt good.

I ate breakfast alone because I was so hungry, I forgot to ask mom and Karmi to have breakfast with me (tsk).  Right after that I talked to Zham to check him out.  It’s been a week since we last saw each other and admittedly, we missed each other so much.  We can’t wait for Saturday—come faster please!!! :)

Today is the perfect time to fix my room.  I was able to put all of my shoes, bags and my luggage that I used on my recent trips in order.  It felt good as well.  I smell a very good day today.

Ate Karis, my older sister, with her husband Kuya Romel, arrived at our house this afternoon.  They went to my parents’ bedroom with mom, Karmi and me.  We talked and tried to catch up for hours.  Once again, it felt good, because it has been ages since we spent time chatting with each other in this manner.  I missed this. Seriously.

After that we went to Bonifacio High Street para doon ituloy ang kwentuhan at kamustahan.  We treated our mom at Claw Daddy’s, one of our ultimate favourite place for family dinner.  I was so happy, hyper ako and I always crack jokes to lighten up the moment.  We ate a very unhealthy meal, frankly speaking.  Barbeque back ribs, fried platter of potatoes, calamares, breaded shrimp and fish, and onion rings; seafood pasta, and my favourite buffalo chicken wings. With cold water. Ohhhh man…. It felt good once again!

We went straight to Jamba Juice kasi ayaw pa namin umuwi.  Finally I was able to try out to pose on their photobooth with my mom and sisters. I find it very cool.  We took four shots of ourselves and sent the picture to my email for upload.  Here it is. 

Our Jamba Juice photobooth shot!

I orderd their Berry Yoghurt parfait and for Karmi, Strawberry Wild Smoothie.  Mom, Ate and Kuya have had enough after the dinner kaya hindi na sila umorder.

We went outside and had some photo ops.  Naisip ko din silang pagtripan by Face swapping their picture. We were laughing for five minutes or so after seeing the output. 

Hindi talaga ako marunong mag combine ng face or imorph sa face frame ng iba! I’m so sorry…

I realized today that spending time with my family is one of my priceless moments in my life.  Iba pa din talaga pag pamilya mo ang kasama mo.  Hindi superficial yung joy pag kasama mo sila.  Yung tipong pagkauwi ko, nakangiti pa din ako, and praying na maulit ulit very soon.

Ate Karis and Mom

Me and Karmi

Mommy and I--sweet sweetan mode

To Daddy, na nasa Japan ngayon, we missed you today!  See you tomorrow pag – uwi mo. :)

A “Very Fine” Dining Experience at Florabel

I kept on mistyping Florabel to “Florable”.

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It was a rainy night after work. Last Thursday was the last day of the working week, and the traffic jam along Ortigas was undeniably heavy. Chronic I must say.  I thought of asking my older sister Karis and her husband out for dinner while waiting for the heavy traffic to “subside”.  We wanted to spend dinner somewhere that we haven’t dined at yet.  We went to The Podium in ADB Avenue and saw a cozy place---it’s Florabel. 

One of the hardest part on going to restaurants for the first time (and you just heard about it also for the first time), is that you really don’t know what to expect.  So I looked on their menu list, and saw some interesting and seemingly great dishes.

I usually base my orders on the food presentation.  If it looks like it’s delicious, I’ll take it as my order.  I got for myself a serving of Vegetable Barley soup and my favourite Apple Juice. 

Aside from what I had, we really don’t know what to order.  We were thinking to have a combo platter meal, and it was good because Florabel has one—the Inihaw Platter, with a serving of Pork Barbeque, Liempo, Chicken, Pusit, Bangus, Oyster, Eggplant and Atchara, with two special sauces.  Ate and Kuya Romel ordered a cup of rice, each for the two of them.  I had dinner rolls.  What made me happy on this restaurant is the excellent service of the crew.  I just sipped a portion of the water served and they’ll fill my glass up again.  And they also give you another serving of dinner rolls if they saw that you ate yours up.  I just don’t know if they give an unlimited serving of that.  Their furniture and centrepieces are also elegant.

The Inihaw Platter

Their centerpiece

The vegetable barley soup is a good kind for those who are watching closely on their weight, or currently diet-ing.  It tastes good, I mean good enough for a vegetable soup.  The inihaw platter is also a great choice.  I guess it is too much for three persons, even for “big ones” like us. I loved their barbeque sauce (I just don’t know if it is a special soy sauce but I super liked it).  Kuya ordered a cup of coffee and ate for a serving of their desserts. I’ve had enough and more than satisfied with the food.

The place is cozy and quiet, the part which I liked most.  The staff were also warm and accommodating on our requests.  That night, I was happy because I was able to talk and chat with Ate and Kuya, one thing I missed the most.  If I were to ask I wanted to spend more time that night with them, but given our busy schedule on the days ahead, we have to go home.

Ate and I

Kuya Romel, Ate Karis and me

I recommend Florabel for those who want to spend their fine dining and chill out family nights together.  It is a great place for warm moments with your families, friends and loved ones.  Their selections are quite pricey, but it’s all worth it.

Here’s their page and their details: Florabel Facebook Page

My Feature Article for the JIL Website: My Boracay 2012 Experience!

Here is an excerpt of my feature blog post for Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide website.

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Every year, our beloved JIL pastors and staff from all over the Philippines and the world come together to be a part of the celebration of God’s goodness and faithfulness to His church. Conferences, strategic planning and evaluation, submission of various reports and meetings are also part of their itinerary. But, let us come to know the fact that they also deserve a treat: a chance to relax, unwind, and mingle with their fellow pastors and workers.

I was given a chance to join these people to spend a short vacation in Boracay. I was thrilled because I will be given a chance to get to know them beyond “church hours”. And also, this is a perfect time for me to savour the Lord’s greatness through His creations. The sea, the fine white sand, the skies, the coconut and palm trees—which come together perfectly just through the command of His voice. Truly His power is way beyond measure.

Read more in this link:  Boracay Moment: Thank you Pastors!

Wala akong maisip na title, basta tungkol sa JEEPNEY.

Transferring this FB note here. :)

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Nung nag aaral pa ako, ayaw na ayaw kong sumasakay ng jeep. Marahil kasi maarte ako. Gusto ko lagi aircon. Hindi niyo ako mapapasakay sa jeep kapag ang biyahe ay lagpas sa distansiya ng minimum fare (more than 4 kilometers). Isa ring dahilan kung bakit ayaw kong sasakay ng jeep dahil sa polusyon sa Maynila. Pero may mga extreme cases naman na wala akong choice kundi sumakay ng jeep kahit malayong biyahe. Isang halimbawa nito kapag pupunta sa JIL Campsite sa Norzagaray. Lahat ng inarkilang sasakyan ay jeep. So walang choice. Kailangan lang maghawak ng plastic bag dahil… You know… Yun na yon.

Ngunit simula nang magkatrabaho ako, unti unti kong hinubad ang pagka-maarte ko (tanong para sa mga kapatid ko: Hindi na naman ako maarte, dava?). Dito ko natutunang sumakay ng jeep kahit sa malayong biyahe. Lalo na pag sa probinsiya ako naaassign, dahil kadalasan, wala namang FX o taxi sa mga napuntahan ko. Jeep lang ang meron. Kaya walang choice. Naranasan ko ng araw araw, bumibiyahe ako ng 40 minutes by jeep papunta sa client.
At sa mahabang biyaheng ganito, madami akong naobserbahan at napansin sa paligid—sa loob at labas ng sinasakyan kong jeep. Gaya ng…..

1. May mga jeep na kahit nasa malayo ka pa, hihintayin kang makalapit papunta sa kanya (I’m referring to the jeep), umaasang sa kanya ka sasakay. Tapos pag nakalapit ka na sa naghihintay na jeep, pipilitin kang sumakay. Tapos pag hindi ka sumakay, bibigyan ka niya ng instant steam facial dahil magbubuga yan ng usok mula sa tambutso at sisiguraduhin niyang mabubugahan ka non. Pang asar lang. Pinaghintay mo kasi eh. Minsan naisip ko pag may mga ganyang jeep, dapat may nakahanda kang signboard na may nakalagay na “SORRY MANONG, HINDI PO AKO SASAKAY SA INYO. BIYAHENG CEBU YANG JEEP NIYO EH. PAPUNTA AKONG DAVAO. SORRY PO TALAGA.” Siguraduhin mo lang na sa malayo pa lang basa na niya yan para di na siya umasa.

2. Kahit nakatayo ka lang sa may bangketa dahil tinignan mo lang kung madumi yung kuko mo sa paa, may titigil na jeep sa harapan mo at magsusumamong sumakay ka na sa kanya. Applicable din dito ang effect pag di ka sumakay sa kanya, pati din ang suggestion kong “CEBU-ka-DAVAO-ako-scenario”.

3. Pagsakay mo ng jeep, kahit di ka pa nakakaupo, umaandar na agad. Nakakawalang poise. Matapos mong sakyan yung jeep, masasaktan ka pa. kaya ang suggestion ko diyan, humawak sa safety hand rails para di sumubsob at mapahiya sa mga kapwa pasahero (o sa driver kung ikaw lang ang sakay).

4. As much as possible, dapat EXACT FARE ang ibabayad mo sa jeep. Kadalasan kasi, hindi ka na sinusuklian. Nakakalungkot. Sabi ko KARAMIHAN ha. Mga 9 out of 10. Osige 8 na nga lang.

5. Kadalasan ang mga pasahero gusto maupo malapit sa entrance/exit ng jeep. Mga ayaw kasing mag abot ng bayad sa driver. Hehehe. Minsan naman may mga tao, kapag wala nang choice kundi dun sa malapit sa driver uupo, pag may magpapa abot ng bayad, biglang makakatulog, magtetext, magbabasa, o magbibingi bingihan. Madalas ako sa may bukana nakaupo.

6. May mga pasahero naman na pasaway. Sinabi nang No Smoking eh, naninigarilyo pa din.

7. May mga pasahero talagang nagwa-WANTUTRI.

8. May mga sumasabit pa din sa jeep kahit sinasaway na ng driver. Mga pasaway. Hindi ba nila alam na delikado yon?

9. May mga pasahero nagfifeeling model ng shampoo commercial, pinapahanginan ang buhok habang nakatanaw sa may bintana ng jeep. Samantalang ang katabi niya, alam ang brand ng shampoo niya dahil nalalasahan niya. Humahampas kasi sa mukha ng katabi niya yung buhok niya dahil sa hangin eh.

10.Meron din naman feeling model sa video ng videoke dahil nakatingin sa kawalan, tulala, tapos bigla na lang ngingiti. Ngiii.

11. Meron din naman na sa sobrang layo ng biyahe nakakatulog. Minsan sinasandalan ka pa.

12. Meron din naman na parang magpipicnic. Panay kasi ang kain habang nasa biyahe. Hindi man lang mag-share.

13. May pasahero din na sa wari ko, laging nananalong Mr./ms. Friendship o darling of the crowd sa lugar nila. Kasi bigla ka na lang kakausapin about anything under the sun.

14. Tapos meron ding kung makipag daldalan sa kasama niya sa lakas ng boses niya parang wala ng bukas. Alam na ng ibang pasahero yung pinaguusapan dahil sa sobrang lakas ng boses. Guilty ako dito. Pero hindi naman ganung kalakas yung boses ko eh.

15. Meron din naman na ginagawang library at study area ang jeep. Siguro hindi nakapag aral kagabi kaya sa jeep nagrereview at nagbabasa. Masakit kaya sa ulo yung nagbabasa ka habang nasa biyahe. Kayo ba hindi sumasakit ang ulo pag ganon?

16. Kadalasan, kaya nagtatagal ang biyahe kasi yung driver tinitigilan ang bawat taong nakikita niyang nakatayo sa sidewalk. At bawat kanto, nagsstop over para maghintay ng pasahero.

17. Nga pala, hindi ko maintindihan minsan ang mga barker. Sinasabing maluwag pa yung jeep eh ang sikip sikip na nga. Baka maluwag para makaupo yung langgam. Tapos kakalampagin yung gilid ng jeep kapag ayaw daw umayos ng upo yung mga pasahero.

18. Bakit pag sasakay ka ng jeep, walang bawal bawal? Pero pag bababa ka na, ayaw ka agad ibaba, kasi bawal daw magbaba sa hindi tamang babaan?

19. Ang mga pasahero, laging nag uunahang sumakay o bumaba ng jeep. Kahit lima lang silang sasakay at bakante naman yung jeep na kasya sa 20 na tao.

20. Dapat alam mo yung pwesto sa jeep kung saan walang direct sunlight na tatama sa yo. Para dun ka maupo sa walang araw.

So far, yan pa lang ang naobserbahan ko. Sanay na akong mag jeep ngayon.

Some Takeaways from the Ipis

Last night, I hurriedly went to the restroom to pee upon entering our house from work.  Dahil ihing ihi na ako, I did not notice a small cockroach crawling on my right foot.  I freaked out and I shook it off my feet.  The cockroach seemed a bit surprised too.  Nangisay ngisay din siya sa sahig, and I immediately crushed it under my feet.  Tinapon ko sa basurahan pagkatapos.  And I almost freaked out again because there was a larger ipis hanging on the bathroom curtain.  I picked up my slippers and attempted to “sandwich the insect” between it.  And I succeeded.  It slipped off my slippers and “accidentally” flushed down the toilet bowl.  I sighed in relief.

But after my restroom moment, I sat on my bed and I just don’t know… I went to think of the two roaches that I “murdered”.  I thought, what is really their purpose of existence?  Do they exist para sigawan? Katakutan?  Pandirihan? Apakan? Paluin ng tsinelas?Patayin? Itapon sa malayo? Hahaha, the last three questions made me remember a line from a hilarious local movie.

Anyway, I was brought to a moment wherein I made a self assessment.  Do I really know my purpose of existence?  I am thankful to the Lord kasi hindi Niya tayo tinulad sa mga ipis, o sa kahit ano pang insekto o hayop.  It seems that these creatures have the same reason of existing here on earth.  Walang kaibahan sa isa’t-isa.  Hindi unique.  But to us who were called by God, He has instilled on us a very special reason for living, totally unique and different from each other.  We were created to live on a mission specifically designed for each and everyone. 

As said in Ephesians 1:11, “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will…”  Our existence is based on His will, on what He is planning to happen to our lives.  We should not worry because everything, His will and plan for us, shall all come to pass.  All we have to do is to be sensitive enough to know and obey His commands, be more intimate with Him, and live in accordance to what He has designed for us.

Oh well, I’m still scared of cockroaches, especially the flying ones.