Christmas dinner with painting class

 w/ Leah Lorenzo, Karen & Pat Wu, Marichu Kahn, Abibs Espiritu

 w/ Nathania & Tani Villonco, Marichu, Leah, Abibs, Pat & Karen

Maureen Soong joining us

our food ordered this time from bff's Chef Laudico's Bistro Filipino

my very practical iced tea dispenser which I got from last year's trip to LA

I love taking photos after to see how party went

Hosted an intimate dinner for my painting classmates a week after my annual party

As always, it was filled with lots of funny, inspiring stories, and just hanging out with people you like

Hope you get to feel the happy celebration we shared.

Here's to the next!  

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!

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!

Brownie Points to Be a Cool Mom

watched Green Lantern at Rockwell

My son treated his friends to a movie and dinner yesterday

I was the sole chaperone

Being a teenager, he was very picky who to invite, what to do, where to go

The day before, he even asked me, rather, instructed me not to ask questions

from any of his friends

Oh-kay

I answered, "I will let this go just because I know you're a teenager

Can I ask what they want to eat?"

"Yeah, that's fine"

So, we are now going through that stage where I might say something embarrassing

Yes, it does happen

When they were kids

Everything I say was gold

Well, truth be told it's not bad

But he does speak up his own mind now

But I still try hard to be considered a cool mom

Well, if you're cool , you don't need to try, right?

Hey, it's my relationship with my son we're talking about!

His friends even vote for me on stylebible, haha

Without him or me knowing it

One time I was in school and his friend said,

"Tita , I voted for you, twice"

How cute is that?

So I always tell him, I am cool

Your friends think so

But then again, I'm a mom

So it was really a high for me yesterday

When , while his friends were choosing what flavor of gelato they want

He hugged me and said, "You're the best, Mom!"

And he just kept thanking me for being cool!

Yahoo! I scored big points!

I've always wanted to be that cool mom

Disciplinarian but hip

Strict but approachable

And yes , nothing beats being cool in front of your TEENAGED son

Biggest compliment ever!

Cool mom signing off!

My David Beckham

at a Chinese wedding, my hubby's teammates in soccer

w/ Mio, Cel's sister

Attended a wedding last night

I know, my life is so full

but yeah, not much time to sleep

Though I was lazy to go to this wedding

as I have never met the couple yet

It was important to my hubby as it's his coach's son's wedding

He's been playing soccer since we moved back to Manila

and he's the only white guy in the team

well, there's a couple but not regulars

He's their rockstar since he's white

Even when they have guests from China

Everyone would want a picture with him

Because he's white, hahaha

Last night, though I was being a brat of not wanting to go

I was glad I did

I got to meet his teammates

and saw how welcome he is

and how they like him being part of the team

Man, they even made him officer and made him read in Chinese, go figure!

I was also amused how they all come up to him

and even when we were waiting for our car

They were like schoolboys calling out his name

from their cars

And some while walking to the parking

Just cool and amusing

And now I understand why Sunday football is important to my hubby

And why he really enjoys it

Good workout for the body and soul.

Nice to be part of the team

Bells ringing, a new life starting

w/ Mandarin Oriental's Director of Public Relations, Charisse Chuidian

the Presidential table set-up

beautiful set-up though my camera setting didn't give justice

my hubby giving his speech as the chosen Principal Sponsor to give it

I've always loved weddings.

Even before the time I did my first flower girl gig

Even more so as I got older

There's just something really magical and inspiring and enchanting about the whole event

I guess I'm just such a romantic at heart

And no, it doesn't get less as I get older

My husband was again asked (for the nth time) to be a principal sponsor at a wedding.

Never met the couple before though

My husband has mentored a lot of chefs

He's given so many opportunities to so many chefs that I feel so proud of him.

One thing I respect about our marriage is the common belief of sharing what talents we have to others.

I was in awe of how, even after he left the hotel industry more than 2 years ago,

there's so much respect for him

He's like a rockstar, they all want a picture with him

I was so touched with the speech he gave

Like always, there's a hint of me

His parting words to the bride?

"I will give you my wife's number,

She sure knows how to tame chefs"

And I was thrilled all over again.

Don't you just love weddings and new beginnings?

To all the married couples out there

Always remember your wedding day

And why you're with your partner

And choose to see what's good

Happiness is a choice

And it's yours to make

Best wishes!