Saturday, July 12, 2014

12 hours with our 2 boys

This  is Joshua , 18 years old.


This is Jacob , 17 years old. 


They are brothers.  They are  two of our "many children" at Queensville School.

I first met Joshua when he was 3 years old.  He was enrolled as a Nursery student in our school at that time.  Jacob, then, was two.  After a year, they went to the US and stayed there for good.

In 2008, Joshua and Jacob, together with their younger brother Jeremiah were back  in the Philippines and enrolled again in Queensville School.  Joshua enrolled in Grade 6,  Jacob in Grade 5 and Jeremiah in Nursery level.  Having stayed in the US for quite some time, the two older boys had to overcome a lot of culture shocks related to Philippine education.   They found  difficulties in Filipino-based subjects such as Sibika ( Social Studies ), Pilipino ( a study of the Filipino language), and Home Economics.  During those days, my  husband and I felt like real parents to these boys during school hours. They came to us " for rescue " against bullies;  they came to us for some pieces of advise about school work.  They approached us about anything in school; anything about life.  At the end of the said school year, they went back to the US again and continued their studies there.

Thanks to FB.  Through the years, we have seen how these two boys grew up into good young men.

Yesterday, God gave us the opportunity to be with these two boys  young men again for twelve hours (12 hours ) and we had so much fun.

Our first itinerary was a visit at the Crocodile Park in Manila.

This Macau bird amazed us with his basketball tricks . . .



We were very much impressed with this Big Bird's ability to segregate garbages . . . better than some humans indeed!



We couldn't help but clapped our hands when this incredible bird biked her way



After her awesome performance, Macau posed with our two handsome young men...

After that brief bird show, we were introduced to the yearlings . . . the young crocodiles!


Joshua and Jacob had the chance to feed the crocodiles

The hungry crocodile waiting for more meat . . .

Did both of you find it exciting to feed these yearlings with fresh meat?  It didn't take long for the yearlings to finish the food.




This is LONGLONG. . . direct from Davao!

It's the crocodile's turn, Joshua!

It was just like an educational trip for Joshua and Jacob to be at the crocomuseum...

Joshua never had second thoughts to take hold of this python  . . .

Are you nervous, Joshua?

What is this python looking for?  

In facing life . . . and death , they're real brothers!

the tail versus the head

I just couldn't imagine having this python as the cord during wedding ceremonies . . . haha

Your butt, Josh!!


Finally,  Joshua  got to hold hands with a long lost brother, Orange!



Like real brothers to Orange...



Hey, Orange!  Don't get Jacob's loom band!!

Safe and secured under the eagle's wings

Jacob and Joshua with their new found brother, Orange.  Who's the handsomest of them all?

These two brave young men... sa ibabaw ng buwaya!

Lunchtime stroll in the biggest mall in Asia...

They're no longer small boys . . .

They now love scents for men . . .

PA POGI LANG . . .

Pero sino talaga ang mas pogi? 

Now at the Ayala Town Center (ATC) .  Mas pogi yung naka yellow shirt... hahaha

wow . . .  sexy legs and curvaceous body!
 

After the long walk, we had our dinner.


Jacob finished his dinner first.   He started sketching using a skewer and some left-over chocolate.

While we were busy clearing our plates, Jacob concentrated on his art work.

And this was Jacob's finished product . . . a sweet young man , complete  with his tagline.. 

It was a successful day, indeed, with our two boys...


Happy  Young  Men

So when will we see you again?

On August 4, 2014, these two young men will go back to the US.  Joshua has decided to pursue a noble job at the US Air Force while Jacob will be on his final senior year.

We do not know when will we see them again.  We only knew that we have been a part of their lives and that what matters most to us.

God bless you both, Joshua and Jacob!  Till we meet again...

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Where Good Friends Dine

Hey! Hey ! Hey!  It's a happy Sunday once again!  With my regular Sunday  buddies,  Papa, Eunice and Angeli, we  went to TRINOMA and had our lunch where good friends dine!  Oh by the way, meron palang nakipagkita sa amin . . .  It's Banjie Baladjay, a.k. a. Banzai .  We've been missing her in the church for quite sometime.  Bakit kaya?  Hmmmm.... balik na!


The main entrance


menu cover

Why Abe?
 
Have you tried  Abe's sister companies?
 
Yes, you're right.  We visited  Abe Trinoma Branch  and feasted on some of their best sellers.


This is the Crispy Pork Adobo ni Lola Ising.  These are choice pork belly slices stewed and then dried in garlic and special sauce, served with achara.  It's perfectly crispy on the outside but tender on the inside. 



Sinigang na Boneless Bangus Fillet crushed with Ripe Guava.  This is another style of the famous Filipino sinigang dish with crushed fruit of ripe guavas , sour broth slightly thickened by "miso".  This is my father's favorite one-dish meal.


Crispy Shrimp Binondo~ These are finger picking little salted shrimps fried to a crisp in their shell dipped in vinegar with chili and red onions.

This is the Sikreto ni Maria.  You should try this for yourself to know the real secret.  I tell you . . . it's super yummy!

Fresh fruit platter. 
 
It's was almost forty-five minutes past the hour of twelve and we could no longer battle against the long queue for a table set-up inside the air-conditioned room.  So here we are . . .
 
 
Ayun oh , si Banzai!  Mahaba na ang kanyang buhok at dahil sa mainit,ang panahon,  kailangan na niyang itali ito!
 
We had a big industrial cooler on  our side kaya ok na rin kahit walang air-con.
 


 
 
 Oh, I almost forgot.  Abe serves  UNLIMITED RICE because one order will not be enough for the rice fanatics!  Am I right, Angeli?  hahaha
 
After lunch and now on our way back to the parking area  . . .
 
Papa and Eunice in a  STOP OVER!  Papa can no longer walk continuously for  two minutes.  He has to rest in between.


These simple fountains in Trinoma balance the hustle and bustle of city life by creating  a very relaxing mood


and so with this mini  man-made waterfall . . .
 
Thank you, Princess Fish!  God bless you more!
 
So that's it, pancit!  Thank you for visiting my site and see you again in A Bit of Artz!
 
 















Mom and Tina's . . .

One of the activities that I look forward to every Sunday after church is the lunch date with my father and Eunice, my youngest sister.   It need not be expensive to make it special.  What matters most is our chance to share each other's experiences during the entire week.  In other words,  it's our chikahan and bonding moment.

Last Sunday, June 29,  we visited  Mom and Tina's Bakery CafĂ© situated along Sgt. Esguerra St. in Quezon City.  It is  strategically located right  in front of  one of the country's giant networks, ABS-CBN.  It looks like a two-story,  white residential house turned restaurant with a parking lot.  Eunice described it as " a little house on the prairie. "  haha . . .  But in fairness, the place is very clean and bright.   I love its ambiance, too!



The signage


Papa and Angeli at the parking area



The frontage.  Across Mom and Tina's is the ABS-CBN Building.

the table placemat


Smile Angeli!  By the way, she is  my youngest niece.

Papa and Angeli

My sister Eunice and me
 
my constant lunch dates recently
 

my favorite spot at Mom and Tina's
 
I was a bit excited to try their food because this cafĂ© was once featured in Kris Aquino's everyday morning show KRIS TV and as she tasted all the food served to her,  she said  nothing but "Sarap!"

We're a bit hungry and as we looked at their menu, I immediately ordered mushroom soup,  chicken relleno, beef stew and US beef tapa served with eggs and pickled green papaya.


Chicken Relleno ~ a baked stuffed chicken slices served with tasty sauce, coleslaw and  a choice of plain or java rice.


Beef Stew with potatoes and carrots.  It is served with rice
The mushroom soup
These raisin rolls were served together with the mushroom soup
Crispy strips of marinated beef served with rice, eggs and achara ( pickled green papaya).  It's really an all-new-way to enjoy beef tapa.



A yummy dessert ~ Mango Cream Pie
 

The soup was immediately served.  After 15 minutes,  all our orders were ready. 

Next time I will visit Mom and Tina's, I'll never order again the chicken relleno .  I was expecting a chicky-meaty-veggie taste chicken relleno but I was very disappointed.  It tasted very fishy and a bit salty.

  If you love curried food,  maybe you will appreciate their beef stew.  Unfortunately, HINDI AKO MAHILIG SA CURRY so I'll never order their beef stew again.  Papa also loves beef stew but this time, he said NO.

Maybe next time, we'll try their steaks and other pies.  These were their best sellers according to their friendly waiters.

 I simply enjoyed their US beef tapa and in fairness, I loved their pickled green papaya, too!

Our meal was capped with a  yummy , sugar-free dessert, Mango Cream Pie!  At least, our dessert made us full!

Before we left the place, we had some photo shoots in front of the café for posterity.


My outfit for the day:  plain yellow sleeveless but collared blouse and chocolate brown pants from a THRIFT STORE; brooch from BIHIRA FASHION;  brown  peep-in toe wedged sandals by VIA VENETTO;  and handbag by LONGCHAMP

(L-R)  Papa, Eunice, Ne and Angeli

 
Happy Sunday everyone!  See you again, next week!





Friday, July 4, 2014

Baby Laica... Our Joy Toy!

I am now a certified MAMITA to  Baby Laica, my very first grandniece.

For almost an hour of playing with her, we did nothing but laugh.  For every move she made, it brought  joy into our hearts! 

Thank you, Lord, for our JOY TOY!  Thank you for Baby Laica !

  
What a sweet smile, Baby Laica!  Tanggal lahat ang pagod ni MAMITA!


Aba, gusto nang bumangon!  Ola . . . mukhang kayang-kaya na!



In between her pretty little feet, you can see the innocence of a child that can melt  one's heart...



And she enjoys the play . . .  Eat, bulaga!

Hey,  she's  excited  'coz  she's  got a friend...

and she wants her friend beside her


Look at her sweet smile!  Isn't she lovely?

She doesn't seem to approve what Mamita Bengga is saying.  " Sama ka Baby Laica?"

Hahahaha . . . BELAT!

We enjoyed it . . . kaya paulit-ulit  di ba Baby?
 

Aba . . . nakasapatos na kahit maluwag pa!

What are those, Baby Laica?  Hindi mo na kami pinansin... haha

She's so calm with her toys .  . .

Bye, Baby Laica!  See you again ! I'll never forget that look in your eyes!


She turned 5 months yesterday and she  turned BIG as well. 

GOD BLESS YOU, BABY LAICA!  GOD BLESS OUR JOY TOY!