Diamond Christmas Party: 2016 Christmas Photo Dump No. 1

I have decided to make a photo dump of all events Christmas-related this year since 1) as much as I’d love to be all detail-y with everything that happened/would happen, I don’t think I’d have the time and energy to do just that and 2) I want to get this over and done with, no more backlogging ‘cos it might just lead to laziness which means zero content for my blog, my blog which is already suffering from futility. Huhu, I’d hate that, hehehe. SO HERE GOES… 

December 11, 2016 | Sunday

Appreciated all the helping hands that contributed to this undying love for our high school batch and Christmas partying – mainly Justine, Katrina and Julie Ann! :) Next year again? Yes? Lol! Special mention to Jonathan, Alexa and Kevin for the on-the-spot support. :)

So happy that the Tolentinos were ever so welcoming and accommodating when it came down to lending their terrace/garage for us, despite our noise!

I was so happy to see other faces of classmates aside from the regulars who show up every year! May they all never get tired of each other’s noise and fun!

Happy holidays, FAM!

Photo sources: Jonathan Hibek, Justine Dador, Katrina Tolentino!

THE WKND SPECIAL Vol. 8

An early throwback.

Be warned: This is a long post because this is about my whole July.

July 01, 2016 | My Birthday

It was a good thing that I was on leave on my birthday since I opted for just a simple celebration at home. I ran some errands that morning. Then late in the afternoon, I went to the supermarket to buy some ingredients for dinner.

Birthday dinner celebration consisted of some home-cooked dishes by Mom and the company of my family and my boyfriend. It wasn’t fancy, but I’d say I had more than what I needed.

I was actually having a, I wouldn’t say breakdown (that would be too much), an ugly moment perhaps? I wasn’t feeling good about getting older. A bulk of realizations came crashing down on me. I let out some bad emotions days before, in written form. (I should probably post about that here. I will. Soon.) I even thought I wouldn’t have my spirits lifted on the exact day of my birthday. It was that bad. But I can say I’m past that now, not totally because there will always be bad days and bad days trigger ugly feelings, but at least I understand my situation and know myself better now. Everything has purpose.

That dinner gathering meant more than just some dinner to me, and it did help me feel good.

My thank you goes out to all the people who greeted and remembered me on my birthday. I love greetings, especially those that are sincere and heartfelt. THANK YOU! :) :) :)

Belated happy birthday to me! A year older and a bunch more accepting – yey!

No photos, duh. Lol.

July 02, 2016 | Ate Delee and Kuya Jerry’s House Blessing | Haya’s 7^th Birthday

I am so happy for Ate and Kuya. They’ve always been a nice couple. Maybe they’re not perfect, but when people see them, people see a married couple who is happy. It’s easy to say they really do love each other.

Their love and hard work paid off as was evident during the house blessing of their new home. I found out that they were both really hands on while it was still under construction, so I could only imagine their happiness during this special day. The family, with some of their friends and other relatives, was invited for some lunch and a house tour.  

When Mommy and I got to tour around their three-story house, I saw a lot that I wish to incorporate in my dream house too. I am talking about glass walls, a high ceiling, a rooftop, a walk-in closet! Dreamy! My most favorite of all is this particularly cozy reading bedside just after the stairs. It’s perfect for cuddling and reading, perfect for mornings and midnights!

WAAAAAAAANT

Congratulations, Ate and Kuya!

Mother and Ate Delee!

Then come the late afternoon, my workmates and I attended the birthday of our officemate’s daughter.

It was suddenly raining hard, so the party program had to be rushed before the situation could get worse. After eating, when it was already dark, we decided to play by the photobooth before heading home! Souvenir-ing!

I love going out with my officemates. It’s not often that I get to bond with them outside the office, so I make the most of it every chance I get.

Thank you to our officemate Yeye and her husband Jervin for having us!

Yeye's family!

Happy birthday again, Haya! May you grow a healthy and kind daughter!

July 05, 2016 | Impromptu Night Swimming

We were taking a drug test when Jason’s phone rang to an invitation for a night swimming. It was the middle of the workweek, a Tuesday, but since the next day was a holiday, we said yes!

Jason’s clan rendezvoused at Southwinds Resort in Pansol, Calamba. Even when we opted for a public swimming resort, we were still lucky that it wasn’t packed that night. Few gazebos were occupied. Also, we got in early, so we had first dibs at the clean pools.

The truth was I’d been missing swimming in pools. I’ve had my fair share of water adventures last summer, but all of it was at the beach. Living near a lot of pool resorts and going swimming to many of them all my life, maybe I got tired of them for a while. But lately, I’ve been back to appreciating and craving swimming in pools again. Water in my system is always welcome.

Jason’s family is nothing short of pool-loving people. I had tons of fun trying and failing miserably to mount a pyramid, fearfully sliding in the semi-kiddie slide, and being helplessly played a prank on by his aunts and cousins.  

July 17, 2016 | Post-birthday Celebration

Obviously, not much happened on the very day of my birthday, not that I was unhappy about it. I always believe the exact day of birthdays should be spent with one’s family, usually at home. When there are other birthday plans, they must be done another day.

A few weeks late but at least my boyfriend and I still got to go on a post-birthday date somewhere. A whole day was spent strolling around all the Solenads in Nuvali.

A lot of walking must be compensated by a lot of eating as well. We had late lunch at Banapple upon our arrival. We ordered our ultimate favorite, Hickory-smoked Barbecue Country Ribs! Serving was huge like always, so we were full right away. And then right after emptying our plates, we had Banoffee Pie. This, my friends, was a revelation to me. I’m not really adventurous when it comes to desserts. As much as possible, I order the staple cake flavors. I am glad I tried this one because it tasted so good! The fresh bananas balanced the cake’s sweet taste! No photos though because the pie was too good to delay. Lol!

Since we were already being adventurous with food, we then went to Café Seoul Hwa: Korean Dessert Cafe to try out another new food. We were on a roll. This shop is best known for its bingsu which is basically a shaved ice dessert that comes with different sweet toppings. We had Chocomilk Bingsu, and it was sooo good. And sooo cold inside the mouth! Yay!

And for our last meal of the day, Nonna’s Pasta and Pizzzeria was the choice for two reasons: 1) because it’s obviously my name right there sans the extra n and 2) because we wanted to try brick oven pizza which was another first for us. 

Nonna’s is the sister of another great Italian resto in Solenad, Mama Lou’s. Our pepperoni pizza paired with the resto’s signature honey sauce was the major bomb. We would’ve also ordered pasta, but we knew we would not be able to eat everything if ever. Next time hopefully!  

I’d say I may have compensated way too much because at the end of our dinner, I was feeling like all that I swallowed wanted to come out. Ugh, no!

This has been the grossest and funniest thing ever because I’m not really the type who gets sick and pukes easily. The truth is the last time I threw up was when I was still in elementary, so when it did happen on our date, it was so odd and awkward for me. Too odd that my boyfriend was laughing at me up until the last seconds before I headed to the comfort room because he thought I was just playing a prank on him. Thanks, Jake. Oh, my God! Hahaha! Absolutely memorable!

Thank you so much for the date, Jason!

July 22, 2016 | TGIF Date with the Girlfriends

After a couple of postponements, my girlfriends and I got to sit down together for a dinner date. The struggle to be with these girls lately is major, but they are worth it. :)

It was catch-up night with lots of talk about adult things, adult as in buying a car, getting a house, wedding planning among other major responsibilities. Wow, look at us! There was also a little bit of post-birthday celebration for Jusz and me, but only I got the birthday song and ice cream because Jusz came in a little late. :) Thank you, Shakey’s. Haha!

And because my boyfriend was with me that dinner date, I asked him what he thought of my friends. He said they were just like me – bubbly, funny, loud mouths! He said he enjoyed their company even when it wasn’t obvious. Haha! Hope he talks more the next time he joins us for dinner. He was too quiet. Hmp!

July 23, 2016 | Heidi’s Birthday Celebration | Heidi and Tita Hazel’s Despedida

Another bonding with Jason’s family!

I was invited for a two-in-one merienda celebration one weekend afternoon. Jason’s family’s favorite hangout place, their kubo, is the perfect Pinoy merienda spot. Situated at the back of their compound, it has a farm of rich green leaves as its background where clean air and nature’s sounds pass through freely.

Pancit na puti, spaghetti and tuna shanghai were the best! His family is a family of really good cooks, lucky me. Haha!

Tita Hazel and Heidi are hustlin’ and werkin’ it in Manitoba, Canada right now. Hoping for the best for them. :)

July 29, 2016 | LB Date

We were being spontaneous human beings when Jason and I decided to go to UPLB. We went there because we missed the place, and we wanted to hang out somewhere not so near but not so far either.

I’ve always loved UPLB because of its vibe. It’s always full of energy. Students are everywhere. Shops of unique accessories, cute apparel and creative things are always open. Food chains vary their offerings from desserts to heavy meals. Coffee shops know how to set the mood too. In general, I love how, even during late nights, people are still out and about.  

Just when our mouths were all set for Big Belly’s Cheesy Garlic Chicken and Krispy Kare-Kare, lo and behold, the resto was closed! *tears* We were not sure if it was just closed that day or permanently. (Hope it’s the former!) 

Instead of moping around though (what good would it do us anyway), we decided to just head to Chubby Habbi Mediterranean Grill. I ordered Beef Koobideh which tasted a little sweet for me while Jason had Shawarma Plate which was what you would expect from it. Both were really good! They mixed so well with the garlic sauce. I wish the servings were bigger, though. I wanted more, but my plate was already empty. Hahaha!

July 30, 2016 | Tintin and Jeff’s Wedding

It was a reunion with my Reyes Family!

Tintin’s an elder cousin from my father’s side. She got married to his boyfriend at a private resort just last, last Saturday. The sun was at its peak, and everyone was out to celebrate with them. I attended with my Kuya Leo Dan, Ate May, nieces Nicole and Elaine.

The best part was seeing some old faces again. In the few known faces to me, most were of aunts and uncles. I could tell they were also delighted to see us. Though this was the case, I was still awkwardly shy because I didn’t know what to say or how to start a conversation. Smiles were mostly all I could offer to the attendees I wasn’t familiar with. We didn’t stay for long, but I was glad we came. Maybe when Daddy comes home, I should go with him to visit our relatives on his side, should be fun.

Big regrets though that I wasn’t able to even snap a few photos for souvenir and, more importantly, so that I would have something to send Daddy. All I got is this photo of the fondant cake giveaway which tasted really nice, not too sweet for me.

Best wishes, Tintin and Jeff! With a baby on the way, congratulations and good luck too!

Photo sources: Sweet Photolicious FB Page, Heidizel Dela Cruz, yours truly

THE WKND SPECIAL Vol. 7

I’ve been doing this series for quite a while now. And even when this is my own making, I still get confused about what I actually mean when I say weekend.

As a personal definition and for this particular blog series, weekend may refer to Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, 5PM onwards after work on a Friday, work-off days, or days when I’m absent at work.

THE WKND SPECIAL Vol. 7 is the gist of my life for the month of June. I thought it was going to end being just another one of those humdrum months.

June 05, 2016 | Drew Gabriel’s 1^st Birthday

Drew Gabriel is my workmate Nick and friend Danica’s son whose baptism Jeck (godfather) and I weren’t able to attend. We kind of wanted to make up for that absence by attending his 1^st birthday party.

Drew is such a fluff ball overflowing with cheeks and fatness. His birthday was a simple gathering of their family and friends with a little Doraemon-themed party for the kids.

We went home with some photo souvenirs to remember this day by. So nice, right?

Belated happy birthday again, Drew! Stay cute!

June 18, 2016 | The Conjuring 2 Date

When was the last time I’d been to the cinemas? Oh, wait. It was just a few weeks back when I watched Love Me Tomorrow with mommy to satisfy her movie craving.

But with friends? I can’t even remember! So it was a good call when Julie and Katrina invited me for a spontaneous movie date. Yes, please!

In fairness, The Conjuring 2 was a goody. No, let me correct that. It was way better than the first movie installment. I admit I had some serious screaming moments. I couldn’t help it. Big screens and creepy faces don’t mix well for me. I’m not really brave or anything, but I still enjoy torturing and scaring myself with all these horror movies. Aside from some crazy horror content, there was also drama, romance and slight comedy which made it much nicer. There was even that one moment where right after an intense scene, everyone, including me, applauded in triumph and relief. We were that carried away.  

Btw, huge thanks to Julie Ann for the movie treat! Next time again, yes? :)

June 24, 2016 | Basaan Festival 2016 | MTV Music Evolution

I wasn’t really keen on joining Basaan Festival 2016 that morning in Calamba City because it sounded a lot like hassle to me. Splashing water all over me while parading my whole self in the streets? Uhm, no thanks.

This was why I was glad I, together with Jason, participated anyway because it was surprisingly fun. While parading with all the other attendees, we were being water showered by fire trucks. But not just us.  All students, passersby, bystanders, sari-sari stores, food chains, schools, even funeral parlors covered by the procession route were not spared from the entire wet snafu.

And people couldn’t do a darned thing about it. They couldn’t complain, weren’t allowed to because it was all part of a fest, a tradition. And that made it all the more fun.

Basaan Festival 2016 was celebrated in honor of the Feast of Saint John the Baptist.

Come the gloomy afternoon, I was off to attend MTV Music Evolution 2016 at the SM MOA Concert Grounds.

I went to see some acts perform, but, most importantly, I went because I wanted to be with friends again. I hadn’t seen my college mates for a month or so then, and I consider that a long time already since I’m used to seeing them often. I was reunited with Jerome, Jonas, Kreng, Liezette, and Masa that night.

Fest-wise, it didn’t go well for us. The stage set was really nice. It was huge, full of party vibes and well-coordinated. The lineup of performers listed big names from both the local and international scenes. What went wrong, the only thing that went wrong of all the things that could have gone wrong, was the weather.

I had no idea a tropical depression was forming that day. It was a vicious cycle of it raining then stopping then raining again for hours. So even when we were provided with free disposable raincoats, we were still drenched in rainwater. And it wasn’t just that, we were also wet in sweat because 1) it felt hot wearing the coat and 2) we were like sardines along with the other fest-goers squeezing and tugging at each other while watching.

We were unable to last long in such a pathetic situation, so we left halfway through the concert. The only acts we got to watch were the local ones and zero international artists who we really wanted to see, huhuhuhu. No OneRepublic and Bebe Rexha for us!

June 26, 2016 | Lola Itang’s 80^th Birthday

Even when Lola Itang already passed away and despite the heaviness in that loss, the Dela Cruz Clan still made sure to celebrate her 80^th birthday.

It surely would’ve been a happier celebration had she been there with us alive, but we took what we could get. We just opted to visit her in the cemetery and share some good food and good Lola Itang memories together.

Happy birthday, Lola Itang! Take care up there!

June 29, 2016 | Amber’s Baptism | Feast of Saint Peter | Abakom June Babies’ Birthday Surprise

Yesterday was a big day because my college friends and I celebrated the abovementioned big things.

I don’t know how many godsons and goddaughters I already have. All I’m sure of is the list in which Amber is the newest addition keeps on growing. I’m not complaining because I’m happy to be godmothering such a charming little baby.

Welcome to the Christian world, my love!

It was also a good thing that her baptism was done just in time for the Feast of Saint Peter because I happen to love feasts. They mean great desserts and friends.

And since this was a time we knew many of us college friends would come together, we didn’t pass up the chance to throw a simple birthday surprise for our June babies – Jerome, Joanah, Jamie, and Marfi. It was a bit sad that only Jerome and Joanah got to attend, but we were happy to see they liked our little gifts to them.

S/o to Liezette for baking the yummy cupcakes and Jason for doing the layout for the party hats and cupcake toppers.

Happy birthday, guys! Let’s all be older and wiser together!

Looking back now, I can tell the recent weekends have been full of socializations after all.

Photo sources: Kalan + Banga etc. Facebook page, Antoniette Pulutan, yours truly

Baler 2016: Surf, Stroll & Stall

The joy in getting something done always feels way beyond itself. It goes to as far as throwing away the value of that something being either just a small or great feat.

As for this trip, the true accomplishment was getting high school friends to say yes without backing out at the last minute and really actually pulling this off. That and checking Baler off our list. Baler’s been on our minds since before we graduated in college, so one can only imagine how fulfilled we must’ve felt when things finally came through.

But enough of being sentimental. This is supposed to be a fun adventure story.

DITUMABO FALLS (MOTHER FALLS)

A 30-40 minute hike through a trail that involves a stream, a damp concrete pathway and a stuck (I think) dam leads to Ditumabo Falls. Hiking, though a bit hard, was made fun by the relaxing sound and cooling feeling of stream water. Also, we started early, so it really wasn’t that hot yet. 

The falls itself had strong and wide torrents cascading that made for solid viewing. Water was, as expected, ice cold. Swimming for long could result to some serious shivering. 

There was even a mini-falls on the way near the main falls. It was crowded during our visit. We were either sitting or standing side by side other groups, so we didn’t stay long.  

HANGING BRIDGE

Though scary-looking, the wooden hanging bridge was something I enjoyed crossing. It didn’t make me feel queasy but jolly like a kid instead.

It has been built to link two barangays, but because of the nice river view it provides, it now also serves as a tourist attraction. I enjoy bridges. They can take you to two or more places at a time. They can make you feel exploratory.

After crossing though, there isn’t much left to do aside from checking out souvenir items on sale at the stalls or riding a boat back to the other side.

ERMITA HILL

Ermita Hill is symbolic of the catastrophic tidal wave that once hit the town and wiped out parts of it way back the 1700s. In memory of those who died, a structure was erected. In front of the hill, a sculpture of seven persons climbing and scrambling up the hill represents, according to our guide, the story of the seven families who tried to save themselves from the said tragedy. 

Aside from this sculpture, a white cross may also be found atop the hill, but one must take on the challenge of going through 200 steps to see it. Moreover, Ermita Hill also has viewing decks that let tourists get a glimpse of the overlooking beaches around.

As for us, we decided not to climb up the hill anymore. We were already solved after seeing the sculpture and being in the viewing decks.

DIGUISIT ROCK FORMATIONS

The Diguisit Rock Formations, as the name implies, is best known for its rocks and islets. Since it was low tide by the time of our visit, we got to really see the small rocks beneath the water. We also saw tiny sea creatures. 

We then kept walking into the water until we came close with the huge boulders. Even from afar, I could tell they have rough surfaces and pointed ends. 

We didn’t go to the beach proper, though. We took turns taking pictures since it made for a nice photo backdrop. It had that dramatic look to it.

BALER CHURCH

It is nice how, in every trip, either planned or unplanned, we always get to include a church or two in our itinerary. Since most travels take up much effort and risks, it’s an instant chance to give thanks for an amazing opportunity and pray for a safe adventure. 

In a way, there’s also much that one can tell about a particular place based on the story of its church/es. 

As with Baler Church, I’d say I didn’t see anything that stood out for me. Research told me that this wasn’t the original church constructed here, so this one is still fairly new and have yet to make history.

AURORA QUEZON’S ANCESTRAL HOUSE

Little info: Aurora Quezon was Manuel Quezon’s wife. They also happened to be close cousins. Unconventional but yes, it’s true.

As per the ancestral house, it’s still the original house but not really. Some parts of it have been renovated to ensure its stability. Inside it are photos, furniture, paintings, and writings relating to the couple’s family. A favorite display here is the vintage vehicle Manuel Quezon used when he was still president.

It is a typical ancestral home, not grand, not palace-like. There isn’t much to be explored here, but what would leave a mark to visitors is its ambiance inside. This ancestral home reminds me just how houses from before could be so ventilated and comfortable, so homey, to live in despite being small and simple. 

MUSEO DE BALER

First eye-catching thing about Museo de Baler is its façade because it gives off that rustic impression to it which only seems fitting considering what this place contains inside.

Visiting Museo de Baler is like time travelling to the past of the town through exposure to photographs, writings, dioramas, and antique earthenware inside. 

Displayed on the first floor are mostly artifacts like old porcelains, items of clothing, church bells relating to Baler while more abstract paintings may be found on the second floor of this two-storey building. This place is perfect for student field trips. It is seeing these antiques that makes history more interesting and less boring.

SABANG BEACH

The waves were a-calling, and we obliged.    

When people say they want to go surfing in Baler, this is where they go. First of all, it’s important to remember what it’s for. One should not expect anything spectacular as per its view, fine white as per its sand and clear as per its water. But whatever it lacks in all of the above mentioned it makes up for in its waves. 

Sabang’s waves are just the right kind for amateurs who wish to at least be able to stand on the board and, if luck’s on their side, actually ride the waves.

When we got there, we were welcomed by beginners and instructors alike. I was instantly inspired. My friends and I were each assigned an instructor to give us a 10-minute lecture about the basics. Afterwards, we only had to be a few meters away from the shore to ready ourselves and catch some waves. 

I wasn’t scared of the embarrassment of falling off because I could see that most of the surfers were also just beginners. And so I did fall off, many times. Then I got to stand on the board, and then fell off immediately. This was apparently because I wasn’t extending the distance between my two feet enough which would then make me lose my balance. Balance was everything here, but being able to push yourself up was also key. Then I got to stand on my board longer and longer. That first time I did get to follow the waves from start until I was almost ashore felt so gooood. Gratifying even. And it was all I did for one full hour, sometimes even playing with my friends who were also already able to control their surfboard.

Be warned: It could get tiring.

DINADIAWAN BEACH

Dinadiawan Beach was where we capped off our first night and jumpstarted our second day. It is technically not a part of Baler but the neighboring town of Dipaculao. 

The ride to this refuge was zigzagging, so it was a little inconvenient and risky. Good thing the view of the coastline was able to turn our worry into awe. It was hard not to notice the vast crystal green, and sometimes crystal blue, gracing our eyes. At first glance, it was very enticing to look at, what with the sand color complementing that of the water. 

When we went swimming, the waves were strong enough to lift us up and move us, so going farther into the water wouldn’t be a good idea. Also, while the shore looked all sandy, it was actually rocky beneath. Swimming meant the possibility of gaining scratches here and there. But I couldn’t keep myself at bay. I dipped in for some playtime with the waves; what good were they if I didn’t make good use of them myself anyway, right? With everything that I mentioned about Dinadiawan Beach, my heart was happy and contented with it.

MILLENNIUM TREE (BALETE TREE)

After heading out to buy souvenirs and before hitting the road home, we stopped by the Millennium Tree.

It looked more striking physically than in photos. It’s huge, as in huge-huge. Contrary to its name, it’s only 600 years old, leave or take a few. What’s more is locals say that its enormity is the making of many Balete Trees that have sprung and branched out from the original Balete Tree. The roots are long, thick, curving, and branching making the tree so big. It’s so big and wide that 20 persons can actually fit inside it. We just circled around it and took some photos then we were on the road again.

It was a good idea that we took a local tour guide with us. I learned that he has undergone some kind of training plus he’s a local, so he knows his business. The destinations are already beautiful by themselves, but knowing how they have come to be just adds color and interest. Also, talk has better recall than books.

Every destination we visited, except Dinadiawan Beach, was packed. It was a summer weekend then, so that was expected. More than that though, I’ve come to realize that there is only one and the same Baler tour being offered here, so people basically follow the same itinerary and do the same activities. That’s understandable since Baler is just a small town. Beach options are the only thing that differs in every tour.

The trips I’ve been a part of lately have leveled up activity-wise. From simple island hopping activities, we have upped the game by pursuing extremes. We have begun exploring and appreciating places not just by their breathtaking sights but also by how much they can satisfy our want for adrenaline rush. The truth is we don’t really look for these thrills, but they just happen to be available where we decide to go. As for the (kind of) adventure-seeking bunch that we are, we never want to pass up the opportunity ‘cos who knows when we will come back to these places we’ve been and (I know this can be irritating to read. I can think of another way to reword this, but let’s be real here and now), Y-O-L-O.

Being in places like this makes one wish days could stretch.

Published this post today because more than a week of rainy days needs a share of a little sunshine and warmth. :)

Photos by Froiland Pajutan and Charles Cornejo!

Photo edits by yours truly!