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...