81. A different Buho

It was a different Buho that I came to see during the recent holiday we had. The place, the atmosphere, the people...everything seems different. I don't know if I can still identify myself with the place today...but one thing is certain...I am and will always be part of Buho!

80. Max's

Masarap Kasama, masarap Kapiling...yan ang Max's. The House that Fried Chicken Built...that is the tagline for this resto that has been serving Filipinos with traditional fried chicken over the years. I remember how we visit one of its very few branches in EDSA Crossing many years ago. As a child, I long for those visits...and not surprisingly...my daughter developed a liking for the same kind of food that everywhere we go, she asks for Max's. In this photo is one of those times when we headed to Greenbelt with my Nong Mar, Nang petz and my cousin Feng. 

79. Santacruzan

The traditional Florez de Mayo and Santacruzan are some of the filipino tradition that I wanted my daughter to see. Flores de Mayo (English: "Flowers of May") is a Catholic festival held in the Philippines in the month of May. Lasting for a month, it is held in honor of the Virgin Mary. The Santacruzan refers to the pageant on the last day of Flores de Mayo, held in honour of Reyna Elena and Constantine finding the True Cross in Jerusalem. This time, we headed to Amadeo where the Parish Priest decided to present this festival in a traditional way. The reynas were all beautiful and the gowns are all splendid. 

78. Blowing bubbles

Nothing beats the simples joys of life...blowing bubbles is one of them. Here, my daughter frolic in the bubbly atmosphere of colors brought in by the bubbles. 

77. Typhoon Chedeng

Its a gloomy Friday! Typhoon Chedeng is expected to shower Manila and its neighboring cities. For us, it is an opportunity to just relax and enjoy the company of the family whom we have not seen for quite sometime. Over a snack of hot turon and suman, Typhoon Chedeng pass us by unnoticed.

76. Paradizoo

75. Tagaytay Highlands

74. Bonding with my SISTERS

73. Manila Ocean Park and Mall of Asia

72. Nuvali Eco-living

71. Nicholas and Isabel Bedua clan

70. Ayala Museum

69. Marikina, the Shoe Museum and my cousins

68. Nong Mar and Nang Petz

67. Myth of the Human Body

66. Hair Rebonding

66. Buho Fiesta

65. Shopping @ SM Dasma

The people around us were busy preparing for the fiesta...and what have we got to do? We went shopping at SM Dasmarinas. It was a good experience for my daughter to ride a jeepney and how the drivers tries to squeeze in as much people as he could into the poor jeepney. She enjoyed her first taste of Pinoy food and her first day of chillaxin...pinoy style!

64. Bingo

As part of the festivities and celebration of the fiesta, we attended a Bingo soiree at our place. It was the first for my daughter and she really enjoyed playing. We never really won a prize but it was the experience that counts the most. We planned to have a lot more of new experiences for her...let us just see what the next week has in store for us.

63. Driving in Pinas

Any driving in any place begins with acquiring a driver's license, or in my case, renewing my 6-year passed validity license. Standing at the Land Transportation Office was no fun, thanks to the friend who helped me processed my license in the least amount of time possible. Well, its not that I am planning to drive around in this country, but its good to have a license to serve as a valid ID. Afterall, MIM is what reign here!

61. My Tagaytay

What an amazing sight! My very own Tagaytay transformed like nothing I have seen before. I say my own because I have always considered this city as the place where I began my life, after all I was born in one quiet corner of this beautiful place. Seeing the city after so many years, I could not help but feel nostalgic and the transformation just floored me. Tall buildings are everywhere and all the brand seems to be flourishing in sight. A mini-Baguio, I must say...my city is fabulously growing and beautifully evolving!

60. Twenty-two hours on the move

Traveling has always been my favorite things to do. And seeing places and meeting people is what excite me most. In the last two days, we have been on the move. Flying by Malaysian Airlines...again (after more than ten years) did not change my opinion of the company and their service. It was a tedious trip and we could not sleep much...but then, the means justify the purpose!

59. My Last Edit Meet???

How can one concentrate on a meeting when she is anxious of what is to happen next. This is what happened when we had our editorial meeting today. To discuss further on the next few months of our magazine issues, we had to sit down and plot the article and assign writers. I guess, I was able to contribute my bit...but my mind was clouded with what to pack and how to go over things for the trip that we have to embark on. The title???? Well, haven't you notice the question mark???

58. Mother's Day 2011

Today is a special day to celebrate being a child and being a mother. For sometime, I always blame Hallmark for instituting and popularizing these kinds of special days. I always thought it is just a marketing gimmick wherein people buy their mushy cards. But then, with internet who buys cards nowadays. But the celebration continues. And then people appreciate the true meaning of these days. Today, I celebrate being a child of a mother who selflessly devoted herself for us. I can never forget all her sacrifices to get us to where are today. And today, I celebrate my child...the reason of my being! I had a wonderful mother's day in the company of my husband and daughter who treated me to a day of fun and feasting...not to mention, shopping! I thank God for the blessing of mothers.  

57. Packing

I love travelling but I hate packing. I am always afraid of excess baggage because I tend to plan to take more than necessary. If my family is going on a trip, I would pack a couple of extra pair of clothes in case of emergencies...too many in my mind. Nothing of that sort happens so I end up bringing them back untouched. But anyway, that is me! For this trip, I intended to pack just right but then again, what about the emergencies??? I just hope we don't get in trouble at the airport...yep, with my excess baggage!

56. My English

In a meeting with some high-ranking officers in the IT business, I was asked if I ever studied in England. How I wish I did!!! But no. All my studies were from my home country. In the oldest pontifical university in the world..I will always be proud of being a Tomasino. But then why did he asked me??? Well, according to him my English is flawless and I speak the language like a native. Oh yeah! I never really realized that until he pointed it out to me while the others (in the meeting) chorused in agreement. Looking back, I would say I owe it to my training in broadcasting. Days and months and years of getting up early to be in the studio in time seem to have paid off. Those days when I grumble about working so hard for a pittance is now keeping me in good position. Awesome indeed, isn’t it?   

55. Papuri at Pasasalamat

I cannot contain my happiness as to how things are going for me these days. One after another, blessings are pouring on all sides. There was a time when I almost gave up...and as usual, my husband and daughter...two of my biggest supporters cheered me up. I guess patience pays off, but more than that...prayers are answered! Papuri at pasasalamat for all the blessings coming my way. I am sure it would be difficult to choose between options in front of me...but I am not complaining. How many people are given options like these???

54. Facebook

I am a person who likes to plan ahead of time. My daughter calls me an OCD due to my perfectionist attitude. But I can’t help it. I don’t like things going the wrong way because I did not think of it much earlier. For our holiday trip, I have Facebook to thank for. I have been arranging our schedules and talking to friends as to their availability to meet and getting feedbacks on places to visit through FB. How wonderful it is! It does lessen a bit of my worrying and its just awesome!

53. Worry-freak

It’s just Tuesday and my energy is already waning. I have not been getting proper sleep and my anxiety over all the things that’s happening around me is killing my mood. Visa’s, exit permit, other papers that need to be attended to, shopping, getting things organized at home and at the office, etc, etc. When it’s time to sleep I cannot sleep, and when I do not have the right to sleep (when I have to be in the office and work) I feel terribly sleepy! I have nothing but my rocking chair to blame. Huh! Yep, my worries...which as they say is like a rocking chair...it will give you something to do, but will not take you anywhere! I better do something about the worry freak in me...but then again, it’s still awesome that I worry because that only means I have a lot of things going on in my life...good things...so, who am I to complain?!?

52. Funk Jazz

My daughter and I are always on the look out for fun places to spend time and bond together. Today, we discovered Funk Jazz, a cafe and donut & hotdog haus at Besant Nagar. This little nook is heaven for evening snacks. Located along the beach front, it is frequented by beach walkers and youngsters from schools around the area. By the taste of food and accessibility to home, I am guessing that this place is going to be one of our favorites! Yummy donuts and mouth watering hotdogs...heaven!

51. A good scrub...

Working mothers are always guilty that they do not have enough time to spend with her family, let alone take care of the work at home. So, on weekends, when they are supposed to be resting...they end up cleaning. Today, I turned the house upside down to clean the corners and all the places that the maid often 'forgets'. It was a good feeling despite the headache and the back pain afterwards. But I am still grateful that I have to clean...this only means, I have a house to clean.