Orig4 Yellow Christmas

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And here is a post on our annual paying-it-forward and Christmas party with my lovelies! It was another meaningful fulfilling tear-jerking moments of giving. This time, we chose the gasoline station boys and security guards working hard during those holidays! Ang sarap sa feeling!! We then thought of doing it semi-annually. We'll see. :)

We started of course by grocery shopping and Metro Gaisano was still our top choice! We opted to give away sandwiches with something sweet and something to quench their thirst.

The mandatory grocery shopping photo with my girls fear. Rabbie!

We checked-in at Parque Espana Residence Hotel since it's an apartment style with the utilities we need for our preparations.

Elevator groupie!

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CHICAGO Night

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Last December 20, after dressing up the first ever Miss Merie bride, I headed to Mall of Asia for my college barkada's musical date. We were not complete that time yet and was rather early for the musical so we had dinner first at Lugang Cafe. I was already feeling a bit under the weather pero tuloy pa rin! Syempre catch-up catch-up with everyone. On a non-musical-related note, I am so proud of what my friends have achieved so far, feeling nanliliit ako in terms of the career we started taking, we took up business courses. There were career-shifts (one thing I am really really praying for which I find it hard at this career stage of mine), promotions, expansions and even setting up charity organizations on top of good business. Clap clap!

So to the musical-related part... It was a first for everyone of us inside The Theatre Solaire. The broadway musicals we've seen were all held in CCP. The Theatre Solaire is something similar to Resorts World only bigger. The place looks untouched, obviously newly opened. The sound system's really good. The stage is nothing like CCP. I guess it won't hold much musical shows. But it's a good venue for other shows like pageants and concerts. 

Of course photo op everywhere! Ang mahal kaya ng ticket sulitin pati ang posters everywhere! Hahaha! Seven out of ten SFF were present! Ang saya! One of our biggest gatherings hahaha! Tin, Jose and Kat have been my musical buddies and this is our second musical for 2014. Glad that Candy, Roma and Kaye were also available this day! 

Now I know why Chicago's the longest running musical show. It was really good and entertaining! The music and the dance moves are to watch out for. Something happened to me halfway through the show so I kind of not completely watch it boo but this musical should be on anyone's list of must-watch musicals.

And now I leave these photos of selfie-podding we got a little crazy somewhere in Solaire's carpark. 'Til our next musical date!

Credits to Tin and Kat for the photos.

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SAVED Festival 2014

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October 11, 2014

Smart Araneta Coliseum

My third time to attend Saved Festival and finally with my churchmates!! :) 

Booked our tix as early as its first day of release! And not to be dismayed it was an awesome worship night!!! It's the only Christian event I've been to that noone screamed "mooore moooore" towards the end, not because people are bored or bitin but because this event gave us a glimpse of how worshipping in heaven would be like - non-stop!! Victory Worship and Esterlyn bands lead the first part of the worship. A short message was delivered by Francis Chan. Finally, Israel Houghton lead the worship for the rest of the night. Waaahhhh gave me the same feeling of hearing them on my player. Such an anointed band! Blessed to have experienced this night.

With this pretty bunch! Wasn't able to see the rest of my churchmates!

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Hillsong United Manila 2014

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June 13, 2014 -- At the Smart Araneta Coliseum, I witnessed the gifted worshipers of Hillsong United. This is not a first time. Too bad that this Friday I had a jampacked schedule that we arrived late. All of us came from work, together with Jezrah, Grace, Emily (who again flew all the way from Davao) and boss amo. I on the other hand had to squeeze in between a client meeting. As shown in the photos below, we were not able to get a good seat, we were at the bad side of the coliseum. Konti na lang likod na hahaha.

We were not able to fully appreciate the event but we witnessed how the Spirit moved the audience. I saw a lot of jumping, hands raised, voices lifted -- I felt hearts longing for worship. It looked like a typical contemporary concert, only that it is for His glory. I prayed during those hours that let these very people share the goodness and grace of Christ through Hillsong United Manila's music. I prayed that the event is not the end. 

I also felt glad that they still sang their earlier worship songs. Yes people, they also had One Way as the encore, the very song we labelled as the youth's "national anthem". I had a nostalgia of remembering my youth days as an active youth ministry member. I uttered a prayer -- a prayer that I've been waiting for an answer since early last year. 

They also sang Mighty to Save, one of the songs that always captured my spirit. It was a beautiful scene. When that part "shine Your light and let the whole world see..." was being sung, that photo above happened. The lights were off, and only flashlights or phone lights were waving while a sound of angels were singing the lines. 

It was another night dedicated to the Most High with this pretty bunch. Now we are looking forward to Saved Festival 2014. 

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Beng's 26th Bee-day

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Jollibee, Commerce Ave.

June 21, 2014

A kiddie birthday bash for Beng's 26th! Fun games and Chicken Joy-spaghetti-fries-sundae combo! Thanks Beng!! To two decades of friendship and more birthdays to celebrate together. May God bless your heart for giving back to the kids who don't have slippers! :) Excited for them to get the pairs.

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Ang ya-Yabu Niyo!!

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Yabu, Glorietta 5

May 10, 2014

This was supposed to be a celebration of Seph's (who would be flying back to the US of A) and Candy's birthdays, and also the chance to gather us again after the wedding. Boo. E ayun ang yayabu drawing. We were just four and a plus one. Kaya Yabu dinner na lang.

Yay, at least kudos Geh you made it and glad to meet your girlfriend. Ayieee. Nagbibinata na hahaha! It was yet another night of laughter and catching up.

So SFF, kamusta naman tayo? Kailan na tayo mabubuo?

Cr: Tin for the photos!!

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Seph and Reatha's Wedding

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Need to blog on this, despite the three months lapse, because it's just the second wedding among ALL my closest friends! And the first was last 2010?? 

Seph is a close college friend. He just migrated to the US and had first tied the knot there last year. Nakakalungkot ang layooooo. But as they (with his wife) promised, they went back here last April to again give their wedding vows Philippine edition haha. 

We traveled to Pampanga, the couple's hometown, last April 26, to witness the unfolding of another chapter in their lives. Sadly, SFF wasn't complete. C'mon it's a wedding and still we can't be complete! Haha! We've been to Seph's place in Pampanga a few times during college days. And being back somehow relived them. We then just needed some escape from the toxicity of college life and now we're back for a wedding. Time flies so fast. 

Seph's "coursemates" and co-owners of Aedes Corp. were also present making the group merrier. Seph is the second one to tie the knot in this group. Cindy was first. Guys, pakasal na kayo please invite niyo ulit ako. Oh the joy of happy endings and exciting new beginnings of weddings. Dali dali dali! Haha!

Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!!!

I liked the reception set-up wherein there was like a gallery of the prenup photos. Gives me an idea hmmm...

The newly weds!!

Purple theme!! Of course it's my favorite color. Makes me wonder what them I'll be using on my wedding when the time comes. My eyes also feasted on some of the gowns of the sponsors. If only I took photos of them. The purple gown worn by Reatha above is to my liking. 

You know you are getting older when friends start to be engaged, get married, have babies. And this is one of them. Somehow, witnessing this made me wonder when my turn will be. Hmmmm. Tapos lumalabas pa yung pagka-hopeless romantic ko when I heard their vows. I pray that their love will continue to blossom and excited for SFF's baby!!! See you soon again Seph and Rheata. We are willing to be ninang's and ninong's!

Now, who's next??

Cr: Tin, Kat, and Cindy for the photos.

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Mama's 55th on an Easter Sunday

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Crisostomo, ATC

April 20, 2014

Two months ago hahaha! Trying to ease all the backlog and be back on track. Oh well papel gusto ko tuloy ng bagel. Ang labo. So yeah, Mama turned 55 two months ago, on an Easter Sunday so it's like a double celebration! We always rejoice on the commemoration of the day The One Way rose again. :)  

Anyway here's Mama with the goodies she got from us. That Conti's choco mousse is a hit. Yummmm. 

Mama with her favorite godchild. O ayan terno pa sila on her birthday.

Yup, biglang lumaki si Otep in a span of an hour hahaha! I kid. That's my brother's best/friend.. I'm not sure. Boyfriend? I kid again.

And of course, Clarete's adopted eldest, Boss Amo Luke is present. Joke. Boyfriend ko po siya. 

One happy extended family!! We had dinner at Crisostomo's in ATC. We enjoyed every dish we ordered. It's a tad expensive but worth a try. I must say there was always that twist on the typical Filipino dish. I also liked how they creatively named the dishes.

Adobo Damaso Php345
It's my kind of adobo, the right mix of sweet, salt and sour. 

Simon Php 485

Maria Elena Php225
It's kangkong and lechon kawali chips. It's a hit that night!

Ensaladang Erehe Php195
Every ensalada is good to my palate. 

Iday Php180
Suman with Chocolate Fondue. We tried this as per a friend's high recommendation and it didn't fail!!

We also had a photo op as soon as we got home. My Mom nowadays "Picture-an mo ko anak... Picture-an mo 'to anak. Anak picture picture..." Hahaha oh social media what have you done??! Patol naman ako hahaha! And this is how we celebrated.

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How to Spend a 'Holiday"

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While most of the nation’s spending this “Independence Day”, I was at work doing well my tasks. Anyway, just to compensate it, had my LOOONG OVERDUE massage… It was our first time to try Kartini Spa, in ATC. After having a rather early dinner of our favorite General’s Chicken at Recipes, we pampered our bodies through this surprisingly really soothing massage. It was a good choice! We might even go back for their packages. :)

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