Event photos

 at Resorts World Manila

 Elle Decoration launch with my friend, Havaianas lady boss, Anne Gonzalez

had dinner with my old neighbors, Raymond & Anna Rufino at L'Opera, thanks guys!

Just  sharing some photos at recent events

Happy Sunday...

Sshh, it's a surprise!

 ice cream cake from Dairy Queen

 Time for pizza and mojos!

 Funny!

 The boys goofing around and having fun at the Jaguar/Ferrari/Maserati showroom.

 The Ferrari worth 28M pesos (about 700,000USD, depending on exchange rate) and it is SOLD Most of the high end ones were).  Who would think this is a third world country.

Set up the table with autumnal plates (thanks to Rima, gift from her), very, very simple, children's party



As I love throwing surprise parties for my loved ones
Yup, already gave 2 surprise parties for my hubby, 1 for our eldest and now for our youngest
I love surprising people and making them feel really special

My youngest loves having friends over
and was asking for a party
Told him, who's going to organize?  cook? invite?
So told him, let's just have a family dinner which we did (as blogged previously)
Nary a clue that everything was already being organized by Mommy dearest

Then Friday came and my maids decided to not report to work!
Really?  Seriously?
Good thing our house is clean all the time so I just needed to spruce a bit
and thanks to my OC-ness, I already hired a waiter from my good friends - the Laudicos (thanks Roland & Jackie, as always!)

My son and his friends were so happy and excited
Love seeing the children have fun
All the work is worth it

I was smarter this time, I just ordered in advance from Yellow Cab and mojos from Shakey's
Bought my son's favorite ice cream cake from Dairy Queen
And presto, we've got a party
Didn't even have to bother my already busy chef husband

I love being a mom
and everything that goes with it
Do I get stressed
of course, at times
But it's the kind of stress that makes my children realize
How their happiness means the most to me

Now, I've given surprise parties to the whole family
When I asked them why they haven't planned one for me (though back in the day, I've been given like 4 surprise parties by friends, suitors, etc)
They all stared at each other and smiled
To which I answered my question, Oh yeah right, am such a control freak that if the flowers and setting are not right,  I would probably just say, why like this, should've been like this, hahaha.  They do know me so well.

Oh and by the way, special thanks to my good, good friend, Maureen Soong, she was the one who gave me the idea to do it at their showroom, to show the kids the cars.  Thanks, Maureen, they truly had a blast!

Here's to surprises, birthdays, celebrations, and a whole lotta love.

Enjoy the week!

Happy birthday!

 I love this photo.   Our family sleeps early and can't stay up late (this was just past 8 p.m., btw) , came home from dinner but needed to have the cake.  Not typical of me, I didn't even get a cake stand and just opened the box.  We were so sleepy and tired.  Love the expression of the birthday boy.

 dinner at L'Entrecote

my steak man, he loves steak!

This week is so full
But the most special of all
Was the birthday of my youngest
Had a simple family dinner at L'Entrecote
He loves steak!
Then went home to have cake (actually he's the only one who had)
Am preparing a surprise party for him,  sshhh, he has no clue!
Super excited!

Will do away from my usual sentimental notes
and just greet the love of my heart & life
Happy birthday!!!
Love you the most!
Thank you for all the joy you bring, everyday.
Dad &  I must've done something good to have been blessed with you.

God bless!
 

Makati Garden Club

 plant arrangement from the Makati Garden Club

with the members of MGC


My good friend, Maureen Soong, invited me to give a talk on entertaining to the Makati Garden Club members
I was scheduled to do it on a Thursday at their club
Since I had a lot on my plate that week and transporting plates, cutlery, etc would be too much of a hassle
I decided to tell her that we'll just do it at my place and it will be hands-on seminar, hahaha

It was great, getting to know new people
Some, of course, small as Manila is, I know their children from one time or another
They had so much fun and were so enthusiastic about everything I say and everything they see
I love this age group, hahaha
They always make me feel like I'm the daughter they always wanted, haha

Thank you to Maureen Soong for inviting me and believing in what I have to say
And thank you to my new friends, I think am starting to have this age group as my regular buddies

 Here's to plants, flowers, life, beauty, and, as always, growing old gracefully and happy!

Santi's Global City

 w/ Sito & owner Judy Berger

Congratulations to Werner & Judy Berger for another store right in High Street
Our favorite store is now in Fort

Go Swiss!

Expat Travel & Lifestyle magazine

I like how architectural this one looks

Though I really feel that our home is still not at its maximum potential
I still have a lot of ideas
I just couldn't say no when asked for it to be featured
I want to be gracious everytime and not act like a diva or OA (haha)
So, here's another feature on our home and am glad the magazine's viewership is with the expat community in Manila

Thank you to Francesca Ortigas and the Expat Travel and Lifestyle magazine for featuring our home in their latest issue.

Hope your readers take something from the article.
In leading bookstores.

17 years

It's been 17 years since our first date
and yes, to this day,  we still celebrate it
That day led us to where we are now
and with those two adorable products that came from the union

Our first date, we went out for a movie
and I didn't have a clue that he would be the one I'd say "I do" to


Here's to love and why we shouldn't give up on it...

Enjoy the week!

Phil Cancer's Society's Best Dressed

 w/ Ana, one of the best dressed for Phil Cancer Society and Rima

supporting Ana


Congratulations to my good friend, Ana Amigo Antonio for being one of the best dressed this year
for the  Phil Cancer Society
Great charity to be part of
Thanks for invite!

Lills' special event for Luke

 the beautiful and fresh looking, Lills

 their Assumption group plus me

w/ Toots, Eds, Lills, Jeanne, Rics, and Laura


Lills hosted a special celebration for her youngest son
and we trekked to her party despite the weather
I've known Lills for decades, since U.P. then we worked for the same company after that
As small as Manila's world is
Her friends are my friends from different stages
Eds and I were both entourage to our good friend, Bess Lim's wedding
then godmother to her son
Rica and I were co-parents in school then became good friends
Jeanne, we have a bond since people say we look alike
Laura, her mom is my friend, hahaha
And, Toots, I covered her exhibit  for Town & Country last year at Ayala Museum

Whew, Manila is indeed small

Thanks for the lovely time with lovely friends
and good camaraderie

Congratulations again, Lills! 
God bless you always!

Family Congress

Family Congress, Saturday, August 25

Got this invite from my friend, Rowie Matti.

She's one of the organizers to this event.  They will have speakers to help build family relationships and parenting, dealing with bullying, internet, etc.

Hope you can come!  Just click on the photo above for details!

My found lamp!

 saw this in a magazine (either Veranda or Elle Decor )  AFTER I saw the lamp below

 my found lamp!  Love it!



Before the continuous rain, I was doing some redecorating and went to have some shades of my lamps changed
While in the store, being my detailed, OC self of asking the sales staff to try on several shades
The owner came out to chat with me
Probably sensing am not one they can get rid of right away, haha
He started talking to me about how the company was started
Which people and hotels they supply to, etc, etc
He even made me use his computer inside his office!!! (yeah, got too excited and wanted to show him some sites of lamp inspiration)

Half an hour later
I was still at his shop, deciding on the sconces I want to have made for our guest bathroom
I can be quite makulit when explaining my vision
That he offered to show me their factory

That's when I saw this old, old lamp, am not sure if he said antique (antique needs to be at least 100 yrs old)
but really old
They found it and want to copy or something
So, I guess it's not for sale

Days later
I called and asked if he would sell it to me
I guess you know the answer or I won't be blogging about it, haha
Yup, he said yes and will refurbish it and do whatever I want to be done

Then I came across the 1st picture from a magazine and thought, it's a keeper!
I love it when I come across originals like this
Can't wait to see it refurbished and hanging in our home.

Smile, Mr. Sun's out!

Dinner with Brandie & Roy

Since I have a lot of backlog and I usually post by date
I figured, will do it differently this time and do it per group of people
Here's the dinner with Brandie & Roy at Restaurant 101 in Enderun
when they recently visited Manila
This is after seeing them in LA
Always, always a fun time

Was great to see you in my turf, guys!

Night in LA with Brandie & Roy

 w/ Brandie David-Kaneshiro

 our cotton candy with foie gras

 w/ Roy & Brandie

 the Bazaar's ladies' room

The Chef, Jose Andres, is the "real" (Brandie's term)  protegee of El Buli chef, Chef Ferran

One of my favorite couples to hang out with is the Kaneshiro couple, Roy & Brandie
Met Brandie 16 years ago when we were both bridesmaids to a common friend
Though Brandie studied in IS for gradeschool/highschool then went to Boston College onwards
We have maintained our friendship through all the changes in our lives

Funny thing was, when we were both laughing at our bridesmaids' dresses, we got to talking about her hometown, Los Angeles
Told her, 16 years ago, that I would vacation there and stay with my uncle in Torrance
Turns out, she was the Brandie which was the prom date of my Cousin Donnie, haha, small world
and that my uncle was super good friends with her family
The rest is history...

They would take me out (even before they became a couple) when I'm in the States
and they would visit me everytime they're in Manila
even in Hong Kong once!

We had dinner at The Bazaar at SLS Hotel
Brandie knows where to take me and the kind of places I would enjoy

Thanks, Brandie & Roy, can't wait to get together again!
If only LA was not a plane ride away...

My latest work

Here's my latest painting
Gave it to our guest
Some of my other classmates can't part with their work
For me, if you can't share your talent
Then not worth having it
Planning to give my paintings for Christmas
Hope the recipients will like it...

What do you think?

The table is set!

 My table set up for my friends from LA, my new Ralph Lauren plates which I got for a steal during my recent trip to LA

It's been continuously raining in the Philippines
Classes and work have been suspended
What's one got to do but stay home
But, just for the record, my friends and also my colleagues from the Church
are setting up relief centers for those affected
Please send donations to San Antonio or Shabuway for them to give to the victims
My helpers and driver have been off since they were affected
am just thankful not that bad

Since my posts have been few and far between
I have such backlog
Have so many nice photos from our trip to Beijing and LA
But I guess will just start with whatever I fancy

Was entertaining a lot of friends from LA, Europe
So I figured will share the set up I did for my LA guests

Am using my Ralph Lauren plates which I purchased at such a good price, unbelievable!
And just put together whatever stuff I have existing at home
Tip is to make sure, all your stuff are things of beauty so you can just throw them together
If you can, invest in nice placemats or chargers, they'll be the base of your setting

Here are photos,  enjoy...

The Wenger Penthouse on Daphne.ph

Hi guys,

Please check out the lovely feature of Daphne on our home.
One of the few blogs I check regularly...
Thanks again, Daph!

http://daphne.ph/the-wenger-penthouse

Enjoy...

The Irony of Modern Art

I like modern art.  I get it.
I guess when you visit museums and exhibits, your brain and eyes get trained to appreciate a variety of things.
There is much to say about modern art,
I know how some love it vicariously
Others love it passionately
While aplenty just don't get it
They think it's child's play

So was so funny when I came across this canvas at  the LACMA store

MODERN ART = I COULD DO THAT + YEAH, BUT YOU DIDN'T

Haha, that is funny
Though I must admit, there are some modern art which is just plain
What were they thinking? or what were they not thinking?
But for the most part
It is the simplicity that they try to convey
Beauty in simplicity
If you don't get it
There are  thousands of other kinds of art
For anyone to appreciate

Believe in Art!  Believe in someone else's talent!

LACMA

beautiful installation at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)

Just got back from our short trip to LA
One of the highlights I take with me was visiting LACMA
Thanks to my cousin Donnie for taking us
Loved it!  Love it!
I was on a high just looking at all the inspiring images, art, sculpture
And just the whole simplicity and beauty of the place.

Back home...  Got tons to do... Have a great week ahead!