Make Room For Bliss

Filipino Breakfast

2012-01-25T09:13:00.001+09:30

People often complain about where we live. It’s so far! Idon’t know that place. Blah! Blah! H and Ilearned never to take offense but silently over the almostthirteen years we have been staying north of Manila, we know. We know howpeople complain about it translates to do they really want to comeover? It is almost mathematical magic! Our sincerest and truestfriends (and relatives) do not mind the extra 30 minutes and yes, it is onlythirty minutes anyway from the Quezon City Hall, 20 minutes from the Universityof the Philippines. In fact from The Quezon City Hall, it will take you longer than30 minutes to get to Pasig or Greenhills. Shocking but true!

    Over the last Christmas holidays, since we were leaving for the Statesmy mommy friends came over and we had our own little celebration early. My mommy friends have no qualms about coming over.  Breakfast is the group’s fave time of the day. I prepared a Filipino breakfast.I am no food expert, correct me if I am wrong but to me the typical Filipinobreakfast are the silog meals. Si stands for sinangag or garlic fried rice and log stand for itlog or egg which can be scrambled, fried or poached. Butsilog is just 2/3 of the Filipino breakfast fare which actually has a preffix.The preffix changes depending on what you match with the silog. Example:

Tapa (curedbeef)  = Tapsilog

Tocino (cured pork)= Tosilog

Longganisa (nativesausage) = Longsilog

Adobo ( Pork or beefstewed in soy sauce, vinegar and garlic) = Adsilog

      Of course with Pinoy wit and humorthe list can go ridiculously on. =-)Spamsilog for example. Yes, Filipinos love Spam. Hotsilog for you've guessed it hotdog. haha!

           Best eaten with tomatoes, salted egg and vinegar. Yums! (except for the Spam and hotdog. Ek!)   

    Here are takes of our little Christmas breakfast celebration…..

    The setting. Simple and Filipino.

The food....

Danggit from Palawan

Chicken Tocino


Beef Tapa

I also prepared bread in case someone does not want to eat rice. No one ate the bread. haha!

Of course the eggs.....

We missed Hellen that morning.


Cecil almost ran away with our jazzy Christmas frog.

This Christmas I gave out Kidsmile pack of 5 Earth bags to my mommy friends. Kidsmile helps street kids. Learn more about them here.

Milky & Sunny & Yummy

2012-01-13T04:34:00.000+09:30

Before the craziness of the past Christmas holidays totally kicked in,my friend and Real Living mageditor, Rachelle Medina and I had ourown mini Christmas party at Milky & Sunny in Pasig. I felt bad I was gonna miss the magazine's Christmas party this year and shewas so kind to spend some time with me to make up for it. :-)

    Milky & Sunny is an all-day breakfast place located in the alreadybusy  Kapitolyo, Pasig that has become a hub for quaint little cafesand restos. There are several of them to try.  One thingthat worked for me instantly is the signage. I love it. It is after all aneighborhood restaurant so the look of the place should scream COME IN! Theinteriors are cute and quirky. I like! It makes you feel comfortable andexcited to be there at the same time. 

     We ordered a little appetizer and a  savoury waffle. I liked what I had. Price wiseit was affordable. The food served here is not fancy restaurant food buteverything works together; the interiors, the friendly staff and the comfortingtaste of food sincerely prepared plus I was with my fave boss.. Haha! Sipsep!

     I look forward to visiting Milky & Sunny again soon perhaps with the kids who are big waffle fans. Till then....

Find out more about Milky & Sunny on facebook here. 

PS

I hope the management would try to improve their restrooms though. Thanks!

Gifts That Bless

2012-01-09T03:37:00.002+09:30

Hi, everyone! I am back and boy, do I have a backlog of things to share.

     First of all, I hope you all had a blessed Yuletide and a wonderful start for 2012 like I did. 

     I am excited to share with you this, my very first post for the year. 

     Before we left for our Christmas vacation, I was up to neck with work, school, get-together with friends and of course preps for the trip. Regrettably, I did really have the time to shop 'personally' for my family and friends. H and I discovered a lovely alternative which I hoped the recipients would appreciate. 

     Fr. Dennis Paez of Don Bosco together with his talented scholars makes religious icons as a way to raise money. Whatever they earn goes to the schooling of the boys. They are trained in either machine work for automobiles or boats. I tell you they could not make lovelier icons. H and I were in love with them instantly. 

     These are door knob icons...

     I really love these. They use actual photos of the icons and then antiqued and embellished. 

     These are the boys at work...

     It was really inspiring to meet them and Fr. Dennis. 

     It is like a holy version of Santa's workshop but much better....

     These are some of the items we bought for Christmas for friends and family. Fr. Dennis gladly blessed them already.

     You can imagine that we took our sweet time appreciating the masterpieces of Fr. Dennis' scholars and this made H hungry. Luckily, there is a bakery also being run by Don Bosco on our way out. H was happy...

     I can use one, no, two of these bakery ensaymadas now. Please with black coffee.

      You can have icons made to your own specifications too. Just drop by Fr. Dennis' workshop in Don Bosco Makati and help send these boys to school.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T14:22:00.000+09:30

I apologize, dear readers for not posting anything these past few weeks. I have been on vacation with my family far, far away. I will be back next week with lots of new posts and things to share. I can't wait.      I appreciate those who emailed me. (asking what happened to me..=-)  Thank you very much!     Hope you all had a great Christmas Season.     Cheers to an even brighter, bigger 2012 for all of us.

Wednesday Sinkspiration

2011-12-14T00:45:00.000+09:30

For the November issue of Real living magazine, I wrote about how to style and keep your bathroom sink tidy.

     If you missed that issue. Too bad! LOL! As an inspiration above is how I fixed ours for the shoot. =-) It makes a world of difference when you wake up each morning to wash your sleepy face with an uncluttered bathroom sink.

Not kidding....Try!

Rad, Rad Radison Blu

2011-12-11T09:22:00.001+09:30

     Every year, my mom and I attend the Christmas party of our clinic branch in Cebu. I really look forward to this because I get to spend one-on-one time with my mom which is rare. 

     This year was more fun because we stayed at the Radison Blu, one of the newest hotels in Cebu. We did not want to leave. The hotel is a vacation in itself.

     The design of the lobby is modern Filipino. I really appreciate the details in rattan and bamboo here and there. 

      But is is our room that we loved the most. Look!

     We had a bath and a half.

     The walk-in closet...

      Our suite had an office. Too bad I did not bring work to do...=-(

      I loved the coffee pods machine. H has one at home so I was glad they had a Nespresso one there. Good coffee is a must!

      The first thing we did was to try the lunch buffet for P800. What a steal and I was stuffed to my ears. The food was yums. But the breakfast buffet was utter madness. haha! SaraaaaP! 

     If my kids were here they would have gone crazy over the pizza....

      This was my side of the bed and I loved this iPod duct/ alarm clock....I am so getting myself one...hehe!

     The last time I was this excited about a hotel stay was my kids' first visit to Disneyland and we stayed at the Hyatt in  Orange County. =-)Yep, I wanted to jump and scream like they did.

     My mom and I are looking forward to staying at the Radison Blu again in Cebu, one of the best hotels I have stayed in. 

     Oh, and right next door to the Radison Blu is Starbucks and Sunburst Fried Chicken. I mean come on!!! =-)))

Rudolf

2011-12-04T15:44:00.001+09:30

My love, collage classes had its last session for the year yesterday. I got busy working on a Christmas themed collage and here it is and it's called Rudolf...

Merry! Merry!

Bedtime Fetish

2011-12-02T03:58:00.001+09:30

      Call me whatever you want but I cannot sleep with my night stand looking like this. 

     No matter how tired I am sleep will not happen unless my bedroom is in order.

     If you think I am too much, try it and see how much better you feel and sleep after. It will only take a minute or two. Super easy.

     So just a few straightening up here....

     and there....

     stacking things neatly here....

Don't you just love 
my pretty pineapple doily? 
Thanks to Tita Lily Medina's loving hands.

Wait, I can't stand the black iPad cover so I placed it on the bottom shelf. Much better!

        And tada!....

Sleep? Snore!

I mean sure!

Thin Is IN!

2011-11-29T04:53:00.001+09:30

     .....in between two slices of bread that is. 

     I am so lucky to have a Danish friend, Janus. Janus is married to Maria who happens to be one of the loveliest friends I have from high school. Together with their daughter, Tara and their legion of pets headed by Pookie they make a beautiful family. My friends and I have stayed with them in their lovely home in Shanghai a few years back and were witness to their fun, easy, kind and generous ways. 

     Also during our short stay, Janus introduced and shared with us a sweet Danish treat. I think to say treat is an understatement. So I am sharing it with you ...but only through cyber world...the drooling is up to you. Wink!

     Meet....Geez, pronounce as you please...but at home we simply call them chocolate thins from Tita Moppet.

     This is how they look like.

Mmmmmmmmmmmm!

     This is how you eat them....

      Just spread butter on a piece of bread, add the chocolate things. Pop them in the toaster oven and viola.....!

Crazy, Yummy perfection!!!! 

These guys will not disagree.

Hey, leave some for me!

Thanks, Tita Moppet

and Uncle Janus!

My Coffee Prince Date

2011-11-22T05:33:00.001+09:30

Lately, whenever H is not around I have been going out with someone else. Yep! He just totally gets me and most of the time follows what I say.

     Recently, we went on a coffee date. I was craving for my new favorite - purple potato latte from Subspace Coffee House. He gladly agreed, no resistance. He is really my kind of guy...but I am not done with him yet.... 

     My son Blue!

Subspace is to me one of the best looking coffee chops in Manila. Whenever I am there, my camera goes mad. This time it's my Instagram. haha! Enjoy!

Read more about Subsapce here.

Home Visit: And Baby Makes Bliss

2011-11-16T21:13:00.001+09:30

     A good friend of mine became a mom lately and I have never seen a more radiant, happy mother than her. Her joy is reflected throughout her cozy home. I have enjoyed paying her home visits. We shared mami (noodle soup)and siopao (steamed buns) one time before she gave birth and most recently I discovered that Pan De Manila has good banana bread. Thanks to her! Irregardless of the occasion, her home is as true, as welcoming and as sincere as she is.

     Like a over-aged Nancy Drew, I stole some snapshots around her apartment, things that make it distinctly her and every inch a home. With her permission and my current obsession with Instagram, (Thanks to Chinggay!) I am sharing them. =-)

Isn't it lovely?

But here is my favorite...

I think I might just drop by again soon...=-)

A Sunday Happy Sunday - AGO!

2011-11-13T07:45:00.001+09:30

Lunch at Mom's canceled because of Paquiao fight. Go Manny!

     This is the text message I had to sent my siblings and cousins about our regular Sunday lunch. I am not a boxing fan but I am extremely proud of Manny Pacquiao. I also know for a fact that the Pacquiaos are such good people. They truly deserve everything they are enjoying now. =-)...And yeah, GO MANNY!

     Since I have no plans of watching it live, this leaves me time to work on my school thesis and source items for my shoot for Real living magazine... and one less Sunday of my life pigging out with my family....

     But the day will feel different. I miss my mom already. 

     Two Sundays ago my family and I ate in  Din Tai Fung one of my fave Chinese restaurants. Their place in Kowloon is just across our hotel at the Silver Chord mall on Canton Road.

    There was a bit of a queue so if you can call before going there, do so.

   I am ready! Where is the food?

    My nephew, Manu is ready too.

      My Mom and Dad! 

     People, people everywhere! 

    I cannot pass up hot jasmine tea....Sluuurrp! 

 My Lolo (grandpa), my ATM machine!

     Don't ask me what we had.  Don't know their exact names...

   My most favorite of all is the xiao long bao. =-) Yummy soup dumpling!

My poor Blue too excited for the xiao long bao 

The aftermath!

That was one great fight! Haha!

Motherhood & the Traveling Bag

2011-11-09T05:55:00.001+09:30

When I am traveling, I get very particular about what is in my bag. I am thinking safety, grooming, organizing, staying clean etc. I like laying out my stuff every morning to check if I got everything in.

     For a warm autumn day in Hong Kong, the following are 'in my bag':

Top (Left to Right)

1. Umbrella

My friend Cinty gave this umbrella to one of my kids. Mommy is the one who keeps it in her bag. =-)

2. Antibacterial Lotion and Alcohol in a see-through,

zippered case.

This passes for a sealed container for fluids through airport x-rays.

3. My Camera

I am now using a very reliable Canon S95.

Camera Case from Space Encounters

4. Rosary in an Old Tiffany poach

5. Jelly Beans

My fave is caramel popcorn 

Of course I have food! 

6. Muji Tooth Brush and Tooth Paste Set

7. My Jurassic iPhone3G

8. My Travel Wallet

I have been using this wallet for at least four years now. It has four zippered compartments. Perfect when you are bringing several currencies. This is from my bazaar suki Tessa of Travel Essentials, Check them out!

9. Kipling Cosmetic Case

10. Tissue and Wipes

11. Small notebook

My boss Rach gave me this, so cute!

12. My red Lamy ball pen

13. Re-usable bags. One is Envirosac and one is a re-used Citysuper shopping bag!

14. Denman Hairbrush (not in photo)

How about you, guys? What's in your bag when you travel? =-) 

The Legendary Prince Signature Cheesecake

2011-11-05T18:26:00.001+09:30

It was great staying at the Prince Hotel again in Hong Kong. I think it is still in one of the best locations. Especially for my parents, who travel more to enjoy their grandchildren more than for themselves, the shops, good restaurants are all a short stride away.

     For two afternoons during our last trip. I kept on seeing at least 30 blueberry cheesecakes displayed in the hotel coffee shop's mall side entrance. For them to bake so many daily, these cakes must be good, says curious foodie me....But I wanted to resist it until Yellow said she wanted to treat everyone to it on our third afternoon there. Do I have a clone or what? 

      So we brought this up to our rooms.

     I loved the packaging. So 'hotel'!

     It was HK$ 60 for a nine inch cheesecake, very reasonable. 

     My mom who is a cheese lover made sure every one of us, we were 12 had a slice. No worries!  We all don't need the extra calories anyway.

     It was delicious, not to sweet at all. The top together with the blueberries blended so well with the almost cake like topping. The cheesecake is one of the best I have had. No wonder it calls itself - The Legendary Prince Signature Cheesecake. =-) (Happy dance!)

     So if you are, will be staying in the Prince Hotel or will be visiting Ocean Terminal or Harbour City or that area soon, do not miss this.

    Yes, I am talking to you too, Perti! =-)

Race To The Chi Lin Nunnery

2011-11-02T22:48:00.001+09:30

    My Tita (Aunt) Linda Tanchico  who was a school teacher, once told H and me that when you travel you should not be so desperate about seeing all the sights of a particular place at once. She said if you miss going to this place and that, you have more than enough reasons to go back.

    Hong Kong is a place you keep coming back to. It  does not fall into the 'been there done that' category. Amidst all the shopping frenzy, Disneyland and endless dimsum pig-outs, H and I, taking my aunt's advice to heart try to visit a new place every time we are in Hong Kong. So we learned about a charming temple and nunnery we could visit, the Chi Lin Nunnery in Diamond Hill. First up getting ready for the trip....

 Today's Destination: 

The Chi Lin Nunnery 

(Diamond Hill HK)

     We, Filipinos never embark on a field trip without snacks or what we call 'baon' pronounced ba-on. For this trip Starbucks, yeah, again was the reasonable choice, just below our hotel.

     Cold tuna and egg mayo. Yummy!

     Then to map out our journey via the MTR.  

      They blend in so well. 

Yes, they do.

     We arrive in Diamond Hill and were so shocked at how busy it is. In fact this giant mall was the first to greet us. 

      It was not at all hard to find the nunnery. It is mere five minute walk from the MTR station/ giant mall.

     Amidst flyovers and skyscrapers.... 

    And here we are....

     This complex is a temple, nunnery, bonsai garden and even a vegetarian restaurant all in one.

     The building construction stuck to true Tang Dynasty style with wood and no nails! Beautiful!

      I love how peaceful and calming it is to roam around the compound. Visually, the colors are limited to browns, whites and greens. The feel is almost zen-ish and Japanese. I really enjoyed being there. =-)))

     See how the calm of the nunnery contrasts the urban life beyond it?

      More photos....

      The lotus pond...

    I love how the wood structure frames the views....

    No pics in the temple proper....

      My greatest love are the bonsai trees. 

    Adorable little details... 

     On your way out is a souvenir shop to help fund the nunnery. We got lovely stuff and pretty paper fans for my mom and H's mom.

     Heading out now...I am a bit sad...hehe!

     More bonsai trees lead you out of the nunnery...

Now, did I just see an H&M and Marks & Spencer store here somewhere? Hmmm.....

We had lunch and did a little shopping at the giant mall called Plaza Hollywood. Kids bought UNI QLO hoodies and undies. There were restaurants and yes, Starbucks again! Toilets were clean too. So overall this race was a winner! haha!

Panic @ 33,000 Feet

2011-11-01T08:44:00.001+09:30

Whenever I need to fly I do not mind flying Philippine Airlines at all. In fact I would rather fly PAL. The biggest reason aside from its friendly staff, is the airport. If you have been reading the news lately our Ninoy Aquino International Airport I is one of the worst in the world. I cannot disagree. As an architect, I still see the airport's good bones but the upkeep and the maintenance is a nightmare. Philippine Airlines patrons do not see this as PAL uses the newer, better-maintained (but am not saying wonderful still) NAIA 2 and so does our government so there. That is probably the reason why the government is so clueless.

     So I try to avoid our infamous airport and ride PAL every time. But last week on a trip to Hong Kong with my family, I found myself in the middle of anger, panic and disbelief. After the pilot announced that breakfast will be served. The stewardesses began handing white, rectangular boxes out.

     From afar they looked like iPad boxes.

     When I opened it, I was shocked. Is this breakfast? PAL, how could you? I couldn't believe you would sink this low. 

     I skipped having anything at the airport thinking of the hot meal I was gonna have on the plane so I munched away on whatever.

     Then when my iPad box was almost trashed the stewardess opens it for me and places a hot meal wrapped in tin foil. Waaah! wait, let me clear the ...okay just put it there. 

     Redemption!

     Nonetheless, there was no coffee or tea....but I finished it all out of sheer relief. I do not even remember if it was good or that pakbet does not go with corned beef. Ek!

     On our flight home though, we were served the standard airplane food tray. Whew! I obeserved though that everything is disposable now; tray, dessert dish - everything. Even their not so disposable utensils (which I take home) are now cheap disposables. Boo! Poor Mother Earth! 

     What happened that morning? Is that how breakfast will be from now on on board PAL?

     Anyway, I can complain and dramatize this but I will still ride PAL if only for the more decent airport.

    Oh and it was fun playing Tumbling Tower with the leftover crackers....

Not Another Manic Monday

2011-10-26T22:58:00.002+09:30

I love Mondays. I love Mondays because to me they echo a fresh start. I love Mondays more when they are busy ones. Yesterday was such a day, I had a job site meeting at at 8:30am, followed by another trip to the home depot to buy tiles, followed by traveling around 60 kilometers south to another project that is in the landscaping stage.

     Since I had no choice but to leave home at 6 am to avoid the rush hour traffic, I was early for my 8:30. I have not had coffee and no wonder I was a zombie. What to do? Head to Starbucks. =-)

     I already had a breakfast sandwich in the car but hmm...I did not want just coffee. Lo and behold, this morning Banana Hazelnut Tart was staring me in the face as if to say, "Try Me!" So a tall Caffe Americano and a Banana Hazelnut Tart it is.

 

     The pair was pretty good. It made me a happy, white banana-lovin' monkey. I always have black coffee with anything sweet. But the tart was not at all too sweet and the hazelnut goo in it was just right. I enjoyed the flaky crust too. (hmm...I think I will have one again tomorrow. LOL!)

     I was so ready for my first meeting.....

.....and the rest of the week.

  
     Bring it on!=-)

     Thank you, God for fresh tarts...er starts and Mondays! =-) Hee!

Sweet Circles

2011-10-23T17:55:00.001+09:30

Last night, we ate in Cerchio with my with mom's side of the family. We all heard mass together and H and I suggested we eat there. It is a good thing we made reservations since the place was packed. Read about my previous post about it here. I am so happy to announce that they have solved the shared washroom problem. Now there is a separate gents' washroom on the second floor. Not only that, Cerchio has adjusted their menu and the food is now even better. I, as a costumer really appreciate it when restaurant owners consciously and constantly think of ways to please their patrons. Cerchio was not at all bad before. In fact it is one of H and the kids' fave. With the recent improvements, we love them even more. Muchas gracias!

Meanwhile on to other wonderful news, we just discovered Monfort's Kitchen in the Karl Edward's Bazaar at the NBC Tent a few Saturdays back. We brought home the following goodies.

Revel bars

Choco Chip bars

...and my favorite the

Fudgy Bon-Bons!

Do try to visit them at the tent. The nice lady selling them is also so sweet which is a plus. =-)

Like Father Like Son

2011-10-19T05:21:00.001+09:30

Single ladies, listen up...

Because for me, 
it's too late..

Aren't they cute?

My beloved boys!

Happy Wednesday!

Back to the 80's: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

2011-10-17T03:57:00.000+09:30

Well, whattayaknow it has almost been 25 years since I graduated from high school and of course the grand homecoming which in my Alma Matter is called the Velada is beckoning.

     I have not been doing as much as I had planned to do with regard helping out in the preparations, fund raising and everything because my life has been crazy. I saw to it though that I would be there for my batch's biggest event before the Velada which is an dinner/auction/bonding night entitled, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun".

     I promised my good friend, Toots I would be there early to help her set-up the bidding table. The place was all prettied up to be 80's. Honestly I am not a big fan of anything 80's except the music.

     The colors were indeed 80's black, white and red which is making a comeback now. Scary!

     Guess who was my early drinking buddy that evening? Gotcha, Sr. Carla!!!

     There was an AC's Got Talent thingy and I was to sing back-up with my two besties. I was nervous about it. So I was not really the best photog that night but I tried. Hick!... Hee!

Can you take the 80's fashion?

Me and my besties

So nice to see 'familiar' faces that night.

Our two super sexy hosts

While I re-ya-lly like the outfits of the two hosts....

I wish they covered their shoulders....

Trivia: Guy on lead guitar is Eazer if True Faith....You aaaaare...never mind...

  The night was a great success. Three cheers to all who worked so hard to make it possible. It made everyone look forward to the Velada next year. =-)

     Now, where are my shoulder pads and hairspray???

Simply Happy

2011-10-13T23:27:00.000+09:30

I am a lucky girl. I celebrated my birthday four times this year; the first one with my Saturday art class buddies, the second one with a quiet dinner with H and the kids, the third one with my co-mommy friends and the fourth one I shared with my cousin, Ana and the rest of our extended family. Meet our HAPPY SUNDAY group....

      When both my grandparents were still around, Sunday lunch was always spent with them in their home in Quezon City. Nowadays we still manage to meet up at least twice a month and have stayed close. Birthdays of course are occasions we don't fail to share with each other.

    It was one of those crazy weekends and I couldn't really do much in terms of decorating for the lunch and stuff. I settled for a Mondrian themed luncheon. Easy! haha! It began with the cake... 

   My niece Sheelah Pe made this for me. I picked up the colors of the cake and brought them to the table setting. =-) Sorry no centerpiece....Like I said it was one of those weekends.....

      In case you have not noticed, I also made my guests wear the same colors for 'phtotogenic' purposes. I love doing this and the pics come out so much better.

   But what is all the fuss about the color theme for if the food is so-so. I had that covered because again my niece Sheelah cooked for us a scrumptious meal. Look!

      My mom who cannot NOT bring anything to any party also brought this.

    and lanzones from her farm...Yum! 

    It is not hard to make an otherwise simple celebration special. A few simple touches often more than suffices.

    Now to open my presents. What?? No one gave any? LOL! The perils of getting older....

You can reach my niece Sheelah Pe and have your very own private chef at home through 09178321516. 

Christmas

2011-10-12T20:03:00.000+09:30

    Christmas is coming. But unlike other years, this time Christmas, I believe is just gonna slip in quietly.
     Our country has been through typhoon after typhoon. A lot of our countrymen are living in flooded homes and villages. People are hungry and getting sick.
   But we, Filipinos are not to even think of giving up or skipping this holiday. The true meaning and reason for Christmas is the One thing that sees each of us through.
     I am still actually looking forward to it because without fail, it never ends up less than special. Hard times or not.

     .... and I know already what the soundtrack of this Christmas is gonna be...I can't wait.

     God bless us all!

Stacy's: Dining With Cath Kidston

2011-10-06T11:22:00.001+09:30

I was one of those girls who could not be happier when floral and other dainty, vintage fabric designs popped back in the design stream via British fabric designer, Cath Kidston. I loooove her stuff!!!

Sadly, fakes are all over Manila. In fact only one or two stores sell the original ones here and with limited, count-with-your-fingers-in-one-hand supply. So the Cath Kidstons most people in Manila know are the knock-offs. I have reluctantly stopped using my Cath Kidston bags ( I have four.) since they are not given the proper respect they deserves here. =-((( But I still use my wallet, make-up kit and cellphone case. =-)))

I read about this little cafe, close to my house like Felicity Patisserie, Stacy's. The kids and I decided to check it out one morning after church. H was away.

The aprons hanging on one of its walls caught my eye instantly....CATH KIDSTON!!! Of course my kids had to get excited and began fussing over the familiar prints around the cafe. "Mom, it's your bag!", "Mom. it's your wallet!" Sheeesh!!! Inside, I was pleasantly thrilled myself.

The place is oh, so pretty, American country too.=-)

Great a big jar of Tootsie Roll Lollipops....of course my kids will want some.

Pretty touches everywhere.....(SIGH!)

Yep, and a pink SMEG ref. How can this place have everything? No fair!

But we were here for the food....Good old, hearty comfort food...Need I say more?

Vanilla Milkshake

Potato Chip Fried Chicken
P 165

Monkey Toast P 145.00

You also get two pieces of Butter Ball candies with your receipt,just like the way our grandfathers would bribe us with candies when we were little.

We were back a few days after for dinner, H with us this time. It was a rainy, evening and we were all in jackets. It was just the perfect place to be... and we ate too much....(heck!)

Check out Cath Kidston here.

Stacy's
Capitol Greenstreet Commercial Center,
1 Capitol Hills Drive, Quezon City
Email: abynachura@gmail.com
Mobile: +63 927 326-2244 | +63 933 442-7661 | +63 917 847-2229
Facebook: Stacy's Resto

Once You POPPED: A Book Launch

2011-10-01T09:09:00.000+09:30

......You Can't Stop

The above line would have been an apt continuation of the title of this post because that is exactly what happens when you start reading Chinggay Labrador's bestselling book, POPPED.

No less than the author herself, recently joined the second round of our collage/ mixed media class. I know Chinggay from work since we both are contributing writers at the Summit Media, I have always found her so intelligently and cute. She is like the little sister everyone wants to have. (not that I am much older... hee!.)

As the class progressed and we got to know Chinggay more, (...and her to-die-for brownies!!!) our curiosity about her book grew until we all got copies and started reading. Hence, from art class, Saturdays became my art class and book club day. (which is gradually becoming art therapy Saturday but that is for a different post. haha!) We could not stop talking about the book. =-D

What is this book about? Hold your breaths because if you know how old I really am, (we all really are) you might fall off your chairs. It is about the love and life of a K-Pop fan girl...... Hello, are you still there? Keep reading....

While before reading Chinggay's book I had no interest whatsoever with Korean Pop, Korean soaps or what not, the main character in the book is the same. She takes you, the reader with her in her journey. Chinggay's smart. witty, super hilarious writing cannot be a more prefect vehicle to take you to the world of K-Pop. I was shocked (along with the rest of my family) to be laughing my head off over some scenes in the book.... What? I could not help it!

Like Korean soap obsessed teens, our Saturday art class found ourselves sucked in fantastic world of K-Pop...... haha!

Recently, Chinggay launched the sequel to her book, POPPED TOO and we were all there to cheer her on...And hopefully baka may Korean Pop star. Eeeeee!

The event was held at Subspace (luv, luv, luv) with the most gracious hosts Wilmer and Thor together with Summit Media.

Toots, yes our art teacher and I were there early and hungry. the cafe was closed for the event and we could not order food. So Toots stepped out and came back with some secret stash from the closest convenience store....Korean na naman?

One thing about being early I could have a good look at this lovely coffee shop....again....

And the party was in full swing....

Loved that they fed us first.....

What? No chap chae??? But the food was really good....Two more trays pleeeeeease????

Chinggay read some snippets from the book. So nakakakilig!

Everyone was so into it. You can even listen with your mouth open. Right, Vicks?

The event was a blockbuster. Congratulations, Chinggay!

We are all super proud of our art classmate!

Even if you are not a K-Pop fan, do grab a copy of the Popped books series and enjoy a light, fun, hilarious and unexpected adventure!

At your favorite bookstores.....=-)

Single Parenting Weekend

2011-09-29T05:49:00.000+09:30

Whenever H would be out of town before, I would totally shut myself out of the outside world and concentrate on work and being both mom and dad for a while. After some time though and after turning down so many tempting invites, I made a conscious decision to okay, give into some.

The weekend before last was one such weekend and I am glad I did what I did. Since you, guys sent me such sweet messages about my last post the other weekend, I decided to fill you in on another one. =-) Is it okay?

Friday 9-19-11

Friday afternoon at 5 was when my weekend actually began. I was meeting up with friends from design school who were working on their exhibit. I wanted to take a peek and say hello. They are my former batch mates after all. Mommy-hood and architecture-hood made me go lighter on my school load and delayed me by a year. Itchokay!

I was with our Ethics teacher who is younger than me (and cuter) and the minute we entered the exhibit hall which was already in crazy construction mode, I was every one's Tita (aunt and actually mommy to some) again and a proud one.

Please do visit their exhibit when it opens October 1st at SM North Edsa, okay?

No, this job site is not spared from the funnies! haha!

We had dinner with some of them after. Gosh, I am so gonna miss them all over again after tonight.

This is gossip central, turbo-blasted. Haha!

The one on the left is our teacher.....Pechay has a microphone pa.

Saturday 9-20-11

Saturday morning found me sleepy but excited for collage class. This is our second round of art classes and I don't want them to end. I was looking forward to going a bit quirky and almost Hallmark-y with my current piece but Teacher Toots will not hear of it. Teehee!

That afternoon was pleasantly free so I stayed in my room and read.....the afternoon away.

My two besties friends that day. Thanks for the book, Ms. Ge!
Yes, I am into K-Pop. Will tell you about it soon. =-)

That night I could not sleep I began sorting out things in one of my closets and it was freaking me out to leave it like this....

So between 'facebooking' and actually organizing stuff I finished this...dawn the next day....YAAAAAAWn!

Sob, sob, sob! So many more closets to go.....

Sunday 9-21-11

The kids were joining the Temple Hill Children's Choir in playing music for the 9 am mass at the chapel in White Plains. So it was another early start for us. Yaaaaaawn!

My two kids play the violin. Guess which ones they are.

I don't know what it is but every time they play for church, we all get super hungry after. I will post about the place soon. It is another wonderful 'northern' find, Stacy's.

The last leg of the weekend found us at home again. I am on term break after all and had nothing to do. Yellow got busy baking in the kitchen and I got busy figuring out (with Blue's help) H's new coffee contraption......Hala!

The perfect end to a perfect single parenting weekend. =-)))

Mid-Century Modern Love

2011-09-21T05:57:00.000+09:30

I spent my early childhood living in a typical Filipino chalet completewith large capiz windows, wide wood plank floors, a silong and a breezyveranda in the entryway. My parents are both fond of traditional Filipinoantique furniture and our home was filled with them. We did have dining room furniturethat stood out because it was ‘modern’ but it was the set I loved the most. In fact I found myself then to befascinated with other people’s ‘modern’ furniture more than ours. They were not antiques or vintage then.They were relatively new. In the early 70's mid-century modern was relatively new.

Little by little I saw these pieces and homes being discarded ordemolished. Sad, I thought.

A few years ago, a lot of mid-century pieces began popping up everywhere. You see them in blogs, magazines, even eBay.

I know who owns this house on the cover of RL Jan-Feb 2009!

I could not be happierthat I am not the only one who loves them. There is a whole universe that does too. =-))) I must admit there is also an alter-universe that thinks it's groovy …butthat’s just them.

There is a store that shares my lovefor mid-century modern in a very mid-century modern way - not a glossy, highway robbery type of store and it isSpace Encounters.

Furniture pieces are reproductions but nonetheless beauuutiful!

Little cutesies too....

is that? huh? yep!

My faves are the pillows...

Though pricesare not cheap especially for a struggling architect/ writer like me, browsing isfree right? ....or maybe I can get a special discount somehow…Let me check….Wilmer? hehe!

I did not go home empty handed though. I don't think anyone can....Look what cuteness I got!

My new camera case!!!!

I am also looking for a new office desk....and am thinking of getting this....

Hellen wanted this...

But my friends and I cannot disagree that no one cannot not love this...

Space Encounters frommid-century and beyond…..Love it!

Custom-made Furniture. Accessories. Curiosities. K-pop.

Mon-Fri: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sat: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Unit B Mezzanine,Padilla Bldg., F. Ortigas Jr., Ortigas Center

Mary Grace, Never Fails

2011-09-20T05:25:00.000+09:30

When H and I want a good, reasonably priced meal on an ordinary workingday, we head to Café Mary Grace. They have a branch in Robinson’s Ermita whichis near the office. =-)))

What started out as an ensaymada business in bazaars is now I must say acafé staple in Manila. They havecertainly come a long way from ensaymada. They have salads, pasta, sandwiches,delicious flavored iced teas and of course their wonderful desserts.

We were at their Trinoma branch last week on a Tuesday as I was doingpreps for a shoot. Happy with our meal as usual....

Their yummy iced teas

Classic Carbonara P 208

Prawn Salad with mango P 275

Mango Bene P 115

Black Velvet P 100

Mary Grace's ensaymada is a pasalubong favorite or welcome gift to friends but that is not the only thing you take home with you from Mary Grace.....

Five Days in the Life of Me

2011-09-17T10:30:00.000+09:30

I promised to blog every Wednesday and on weekends. Last weekend though I simply posted this. It was not exactly a busy weekend but I had lots in my mind and lots more to put into it since finals were looming in design school.

Saturday....

But first I had to finish preliminary designs for a bath house....I know big project..haha!

Then I had to study for Professional Ethics....

Blue and Samson kept me company. Look at the mess. No, this is not my living room.

I had to get dressed for dinner with our cousins, Jojo and Marve at Maimee's Garden Cafe . They are becoming our steady foursome dating buddies. =-)))

Dinner was wonderful at Maimee's but I could not take good pictures of the pace since there was a party happening there that night. I shall return and tell you more about it soon. For now....droool...hehe!

Find our more about them here.

Sunday...

After church was breakfast at my parents' house for Grandparent's Day. Of course my mom served bacon which Blue loves....

Then back home to study again until midnight.....

(Of course I was not studying the whole time. I played with Samson, scolded the kids, etc)

Monday....

EXAAAAAMS!!!!

Dropped by Starbucks before school to study again.....

I am loving their new sandwiches.
This is Tuna Waldorf...Yums!

After school, my mom fetched me to attend the blessing of the new chapel of the St. Paul sisters' retreat house complex in Alfonso, Cavite.....A bit of postmodern there.

Tuesday....

Did preps for a shoot and lunch at Mary Grace with H and Yellow...

Click! This is for the November issue of Real Living, organizing your bathroom sink...Watch out for that!

Had a long night...slept roughly three hours to make it to tomorrow's submission....

Wednesday...

Last plate submission for trends in interior Design under Arch't Gene Flancia....

This is my take on design forecasting. I am looking forward to the use of more earth-friendly materials as cork, bamboo, reclaimed wood, earth plaster and refurbished vintage furniture. Sheets and upholstery made of organic and natural fabrics will hopefully be the norm. Personally, I am loyal to mid-century modern. As for the style? I guess being an architect makes me partial to clean, modern lines which I believe can house any style of furniture.

=-)...but that's just me....

I headed to the job site after but I did not take a pic. I was there five minutes (SHHH!) ....I wanted to go home....

...................5 days!

September Day-Off Part 2: Subspace Coffee House

2011-09-16T10:08:00.000+09:30

    But we, mommies were not done yet so a noisy, car -ful of us headed to Ortigas Center next. For what? Where? To a K-Pop inspired coffee shop. No kidding! I have been hearing a lot about Subspace and though I am ALWAYS in the area I have never been there. It is owned by two very talented interior designers, Thor Balanon and Wilmer Lopez. Yes, the same owners as Space Encounters.

     H and I went circling the area actually to find the place a few days before but we couldn’t find it. Thanks to my friend Chinggay who gave me more specific directions. Why don’t I ever just call the place??

    The facade is simple and straight-forward which is probably the reason why we kept on missing it. It is on the ground floor of Grand Emerald Tower on F. Ortigas Jr. Ave. which is a Cityland development. If I knew that I would have spotted it right away..But then again because I could have just called...

I liked what I saw the moment I stepped in! I thought I was in K-Pop/ mid-century modern coffee heaven....Haha!

After scanning the place and my friends and I realized we were the ‘older’ ones there. Thirty something is getting old nowadays. Snort!

Clearing my throat...It is our first time here. What is good to order? The sweet short-haired girl said the purple potato latte. That is what Chinggay told me to order. Okay, I am having that. Vilma and Hellen had hot choco and Cecil had a Korean soda.

We were so happy to sit near Neil Armstrong....For awile I was saying Steve Armstrong in my head. Naaah, Steve Armstrong is the handsome cartoon leader of Voltes V. =-))))

The guy kept looking at us....

I loved the purple potato latte.

It is my new fave coffee drink. =-)))))

The place was so conducive for hanging out and we could not stop talking about the interesting vintage pieces around us. Hey, my grandfather had this or we had a gate similar to that. Friends, great coffee and nostalgia are always perfect buddies.

     We wanted to see more stuff so we decided to head over to Space Encounters which is a building or so away.

     Before heading out of Subspace we saw an elderly Korean couple come in and sit on the first set of chairs by the entrance.....

     Yahoooo! Told ya we, mommies were so rocking this place too. =-)))))))

September Day-Off Part 1: Casa Roces

2011-09-15T10:52:00.000+09:30

It has been ages since my co-mommies from Yellow's school have seen each other. These beautiful women and I have been friends since kinder (er since our daughters were in kinder) which makes it nine years. Wow, long time already!

   It was Hellen's birthday a few days back and we planned to meet up. I heard about a relatively new place, Casa Roces in the Malacanang complex in San Miguel, Manila. Yep, right across where our country's president holds office.

   It is the ancestral home of the Roces clan which has been renovated and restored to this time house a restaurant. Restored? Renovated? Those are magic words to me. We have lost so much of our history and culture demolishing old homes and structures. People should really re-think first before tearing something down. How can you let go of something, especially one as beautiful as this?

Architect Tina Bonoan did beautiful work here.

   This is the art deco door from the street side for pedestrian entry...I love the weathered blue and machuka tile detail.

This is the other door from the valet entrance. I kinda like this better though but that's just me. =-)

We actually entered through here and it opens to a lovely parlour.

It was breakfast time and the side of the house facing the east was open to diners. Perfect! I loved the way the soft morning sun filtered through the trees and trellised sliding doors. This is Cape Chino.

I so love the mismatched chairs!

Outside was equally pretty. How I wish I could live in a house like this!

By Impy Pilapil

Also by Impy Pilapil

At first you would think modern sculpture for an old art deco home? But it makes prefect sense if you think this home has been renovated, updated and converted from a house to a restaurant. It punctuates the fact that it is alive and here again but different.

And we were here to EAT....

There were three pieces of longganisa. I tasted one already before this shot. (!)

I loved the arroz caoldo! So good and comforting!

Basically, everything was really good. Though my their tapa is not the best and would be great if the servings were a bit bigger.

But then, that's just them talking....Haha!

Of course we had dessert. This is their best seller. We totally understand why....

This is a light lemony souffle with pistachios. Is it obvious I have forgotten what it is called? Sorry but it was yummmmy!

      Lots of other desserts and take-home treats to try. Of course you can't go wrong the Cravings group which runs the place. =-) We missed the Vigan longganisa empanada thought. They were out at that time.

    This is feels so much like home. Spending the morning here made me miss my childhood, waking up to my mom and dad. I just might take them here for a merienda, mid-afternoon snack. I saw dinuguan on the menu.

     My dad and I share that favorite! =-)


Photo op with the girls...Thanks for the treat, Hellen!

Oh and one more thing.....

This staircase leads to the second floor. It looks like one that would serve an inn. Very cute! Upstairs where the bedrooms used to be are small function rooms.

Casa Roces

1153 JP Laurel cor Aguinaldo St.

San Miguel, Manila

735-5896

Weekend Art

2011-09-09T19:00:00.000+09:30

Still finding my way around the art of mixed media....

I made this for a friend...

Happy Weekend, everyone!

North Perks: Felicity Patisserie

2011-09-05T17:29:00.000+09:30

     Nowadays, thanks to Starbucks, cafes have been sprouting like mushrooms all over the country. Most of them follow the Starbucks-ish package of dark interiors with a play of browns, army green and mocha. I don't mind. It is warm, cozy and intimate. That is why it works.
     A few days ago an old friend sent me this link about a cafe so near where I live.
     I live in the northern part of Manila. It is not exactly the 'happening' place but I love living here. It may have its inconveniences in terms of the distance and time my family and I spend on the road to anywhere. Anyway, ze link made my mouth water. Felicity Patisserie, I am so gonna be there.

It took a while to convince H to go with me. I had to threaten him about going with another friend...We went just a few hours ago and its name could not be more apt. It was Felicity!

Add caption

I loved the place instantly. It looks like it has been around for a while though. The manager was there but I did not get an ambush interview. Though she seems really nice.
The interiors were laid back and very Decor8 if you ask me. Lovely and refreshing! The cafe scene could seriously use some of this.

But we have not talked about the food...

For starters we had manna crisps...hmm!

One plate of pasta each for H and me.....

Kai Vigan Pasta

The bread that goes with the plate of pasta is also yummy! They are for sale at the cafe. We were having a great, not so light lunch. Dessert was the Frozen Brazo De Mercedes. Too good! I had to stop myself from doing the happy dance at this point. How can I get so lucky?

We just had to take some Felicity home with us to share with the kids... I couldn't choose...

We ended up getting them these....

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Graham Cracker Cheesecake

I know, I know calories...calories...Well, as far as I am concerned; love handles and all, I can always make room for felicity.

(Happy Dance...sorry I just had to.)

Felicity Patisserie

2F Unit F Holy Spirit Drive corner Don Matias Street,

Don Antonio Heights Subdivision, Quezon City

Tel. No. 442-2660

Open from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily

Bawai's Vietnamese Kitchen: Eating Vietnamese-ah!

2011-08-30T12:22:00.000+09:30

The last long weekend found my family, extended family and I enjoying the rainy, er stormy weather indoors where else? We were just a short drive away from Tagaytag and all we planned to do and eat but the weather made us do otherwise.
It cleared up a bit Sunday and we got to hear mass at the Chapel on The Hill of the Don Bosco brothers amidst strong winds and a short power failure.

God rewarded us I believe with a wonderful meal at Bawai's Vietnames Kitchen at Sandari Batulao. It is my new favorite Vietnamese restaurant. Come to think of it I don't really have a
favorite one until now.
It is a family-owned resto of the Tatlongharis. The couple's son, Paul inherited his mom's culinary skills and was our chef and most gracious and funny host for lunch that day. =-))) My sister told me that their other branch is actually their home and is warm and quaint but I like the place in Sandari. Look!


The koi pond did it for the kids!

But it was the food that did us all in, kids included. Everything we ordered was prepared and cooked perfectly. Some dishes did take a little longer to be served but it was all worth it. Prices are reasonable too. I wanaa go back!

For starters we had these...Chao Tom and Goi Cuon

and we drank Pandan Iced tea...

The kids of course had noodles, Pho Bo

Those trying yo eat healthy all had the shrimp salad, the Bun Tom

We all loved the prawns, Tung Rang Me

Goi Thit Tom

We ordered a chicken curry dish too but the mouths were too quick for my camera....
And so we ended the meal with Vietnamese coffee, my love... and a cuchinta-like sweet which was also so yummy, Pandan and Yellow Mong Bean Cake

How can you not love this?

Check out Bawai's Vietnamese Kitchen here.

Do reserve and call in advance. They do not accept walk-ins.

Thanks for the treat, guys!

C is for COOKIE!

2011-08-25T20:22:00.000+09:30

My classmates in design school have been abuzz for while about cookies. I read about it on their facebook status and comments, heard them talk about it in school. I was drooling... and hurting inside. Haha! Where are they getting them from anyway? Finally I bumped into my professor, Arch't Edwin Enriquez and I learned his wife Timmie bakes them...Hmmm...I shall order! I checked out the facebook page of The Cookie Dream. Chocnut Cookies, Cookies & Cream Cookies, I couldn't decide on which to order so I settled to order four flavors first.

I promptly received an email reply from Mrs Timmie Enriquez that I can pick up the cookies in school the next day. :-))))) Arch't Enriquez himself handed me two brown bags of cookies. I told him to which he chuckled, "I'm excited!"

Yellow who was on a school holiday was in the car waiting. We were not even two blocks away from school and she had already sampled all four.

If you used to watch Sesame Street and how Cookie Monster used to gobble up cookies, you wouldn't think of eating The Cookie Dream's cookies that way. It wouldn't be fair. These cookies, every single kind we tried that day deserve to be savored, bite per bite to the last crumb. No not an om, nom, nom but more of a hmm-mmmm!!!

Each cookie is inspired and actually made with everyone's favorite chocolate bar. =-))) How dreamy is that?

I totally love and support home bakers. I can just imagine their homes engulfed in the sweet smell of their creations.

Cookies & Cream

Dark Choco Chip Kisses

Hershey's Semisweet and White Choco Chip

Chocnut. Yes, our very own Chocnut

Our instant favorites were the Chocnut and Cookies and Cream. =-)))

Find out more about The Cookie Dream here.

Now I know what the kids in school are talking about. I can't wait for my next cookie stash....Rainiets!!! Hmmm, mmm!

Sunday Foodie Sunday: Hits and Misses

2011-08-21T20:15:00.000+09:30

I was dreading last Sunday. I was afraid it was gonna be another diet challenging, belly bulging, non-stop burping day. We had a breakfast invitation. a food fair and a lunch invitation as well. I mean not on a Sunday when you are so programmed to eat, indulge and ignore the calories....

Anyway, the day began with a leisurely drive to the Ayala Triangle. We were to have breakfast with close family to celebrate a birthday. I was excited about the place BFAST. I love Chef Laudico, even his Selecta ice-cream concoction I so love. I liked the interesting interiors right away. I love that it was designed green.

Thumbs up though for green design!

Sadly my excitement was thwarted by how terribly late the staff was in preparing the breakfast buffet. Finally when it was served, still not everything though everything was terribly oily. Whatever flavors or innovative efforts the chef intended to share was so hard to appreciate. It did not help that the staff took forever to serve our drinks from a simple bottle of water to coffee. Good company though made up for it- at least.

Between breakfast and lunch my kids and I stopped over Podium in Ortigas to catch the Pinoy Eats World fair. The free native bag was enough a come on for me. hehe!

We found and tasted quite a number of good stuff. My friend Toots strongly recommended Irving Farm's coffee, It is 100% organic and is know to improve your skin and even aids in slimming down. Hmmm?... Give me some of that!

Right beside it is a stall that sells interesting cookies and pastries, beautifully packaged too. We loved the apple strudel!

We had to skip the paella though it looked really yummy....

OC's Kitchen was there too and I met Aleth who is the sister of my former office mate Anna. Check their facebook page here.

They have come such a long way in terms of their products. So nice to hear of such passion.

We especially liked their camote and taro chips with three yummy dips too. A must try and must buy too are the two-bite brownies. (also recommended by Toots)

It was a fun and intimate affair...and yummy!

Another things we enjoyed and brought home...

I don't tell you about lunch...you don't want to know.

(had more pics to post but my desk top is acting up....)

.....till next time!

Tween Room Update

2011-08-16T23:35:00.000+09:30

Remember my 'rainy' week? Well, I survived it. Of course, because of God's grace,we all do. Just in case you are curious about how Yellow's room is turning out. Allow me to share some pics...Sorry, nothing final yet....Let me refresh your memory with some before pics here.

See what we have been up to...

First up, the walls. We instantly loved the light turquoise. =-)

Yikes, Yellow and I were not liking the pink on the drawers and shelves at all....gulp!

But putting all her stuff back with the exclusion of trash, clothes that no longer fit and others was the most challenging task of all.

Still in the mock up stage...for me anyway.....

     I chanced upon this mid century modern office desk in a yard sale. P2,000 only. No kidding!

     She seriously needs new bedding....Perhaps a little black?

She loves where I temporarily placed her desk though I intended to put a two-seater there.

Well, how are we doing? =-)

Happy Wednesday!

My Angel In Heaven

2011-08-13T06:11:00.000+09:30

Allow me to warn you. I write this post with tears in my eyes. So skip if you don't feel like reading a sad post today/ =-)

Last week, I lost a dear friend...

    In 1993 my parents bought a property in Alfonso Cavite. My mom wanted to give her cut flowers business a go. Alfonso is the part of Cavite province that is very close to Tagaytay hence the weather is cool and wonderful. But the Tagaytay weather and fresh air were not the only 'charms' of this place. It is in Alfonso that we met Fr. Redy Corpuz. No, my parents did not meet him in church. They met at the tennis courts of Royale Tagaytay Country Club. Father Redy was a sports buff. He and my parents would later have endless Saturday dinners and even go to Europe and the Holy Land together.

     It was around this time that he commissioned me to design the adoration chapel in his parish. he was then the parish priest of San Juan Nepomuceno Cavite Parish also in Alfonso. I worked with him closely on the chapel. He gave me his complete trust and our wonderful friendship began. He later became my confirmation ninong ( I know right? I was in my mid 20's) and he also wed H and me in Caleruega Batangas in 1998.

      Around four years ago, I encountered one of the most difficult and painful time of my life. I thought of no one else to run but to him. I would travel countless times to the Imus Cathedral ( his parish then) in the early hours of the morning and he was always there, waiting for me, his shoulders for my tired weary head and a box of Kleenex. That's how he was always available, with a hug, words of advice, a smile and his signature boyish chuckle. His message to me then was unwavering, marriage is number 1. What H and I have is number 1.

He fought with me in preserving my marriage against the rest of my world who seemed to be doing otherwise at that time. I owe him my life and my beautiful family today.

On August 2, he died of a massive heart attack in the middle of basketball game. He had just turned 65. Hundreds troop to his wake; priests, nuns, children, students, teachers, whole families. Each person had a story to tell about him. Each person's life he has touched. Each person not without a tear in their eyes. I took comfort in knowing so many others shared his life and giftedness with us.

Blessing of our new farm house. Feb 2011

Good Friday, Way of the Cross 2011

   Last week, I lost a dear friend, my singing partner, my ninong, my confidant....

   Last week an angel took flight from earth and is now looking down on me from heaven....

     I will miss you for the rest of my life.

my singing partner

but he co-wrote and left us a song...Kahanga-hanga.
More about him here and Going to the Chapel

What's in My Daily Mommy Survival Kit?

2011-08-10T04:42:00.000+09:30

It's 2:36 in the morning and I have beaten the alarm clock again. Some mornings though I am not that early a riser and I am grateful for my in-house wake-up call.

After it sounds it's first alarm, our day's story begins. Will it be an action packed morning? A mellow dramatic one? During school days though it is never a comedy. I wish otherwise ...=-(...Let the day begin.
Here are the other things that help me maintain my sanity. (and decrease the incidence of major outbursts here and there) As a working+student+mom, it can be easy to lose your marbles so to speak.

In my work as an architect, exact measurements are a key element. I have loved and lost too many measuring tapes. Recently, some have managed to all find their way home. So now I have an entire bowl of them. I never have to look for one anymore.

Pencils, ball pens, markers....How ideal to have them all in their respective containers. In my complex household of kids and helps, it becomes close to the can-I-just-pull-my-hair-coz-I'm-pissed level of frustration. Hence the just-dump-it-all-here pen holder. I have a 6 inch by 6 inch square glass vase for this.

I bought this stamp set during our last trip to the States. I get to play teacher to the kids and give them pats on the back for good work. They need it constantly.

Sweet perks. Nothing like sugar to raise and exhausted me's spirit.

Thank God for Lego. My kids' imagination continues to soar and their childhood prolonged.

These clips put together anything and everything. Bills, receipts, school circulars.

Okay, okay I need to replace them but my reading glasses and its packaging tape first aid is still a big help.

Lastly, I am never alone. What's hard becomes easy. What's crazy, at the end of the day makes perfect, poetic sense. =-D
How about you? What's in your own survival kit?

When It Rains....

2011-07-27T20:56:00.000+09:30

Whenever a new project big or small lands on my lap, I always get excited. =-) This is even if I at times am already swamped. I just feel so honored and privileged to be trusted to do the job especially when it is something I love to do. We have been experiencing a lot of rainy weather in Manila lately. In my past entries though I have explained how I love the rain. So I have been busy….happy busy….

I began this week with a little project with the kids. I bought this cute book at Powerbooks.

I figured it is something we can do together and bring us together amidst the 'usually' chaotic, almost over-dramatized every day. It has worked. Here is one of my entries....

I love drawing food but not as much as eating it. Kids are shy to have their drawings posted here. I will try to sneak out some soon.

I am thankful that one of my projects is winding down. A 29 square meter challenge. I like how it is turning out. I also love that it is located just across the street from my Manila office.

Then of course I have school and my plates.... I am enjoying the two subjects I am taking now; Professional Ethics and Trends in Interior Design. I have gotten slow in drafting and drawing though. No, I cannot blame this on the epidural but I still manage.

Then of course I have two writing assignments and shoots both due by next week for Goodhousekeeping and Real Living. =-) Thank, God for this little gadget. I can write anywhere.

But...not to be beaten is Yellow who insisted on having her room re-painted in the middle of the first semester. Grrr! I just couldn't refuse her. So all her stuff are in my room including her, my happy camper.

Stay tuned and see how it turns out...

It may be raining outside but the world is raining its love and 'trust' on me...and when it rains, it pours. =-)