Truly an Artist

The facial sketch was created by a good friend of mine.

Thank you Vivilene Vitto-Caparas!

A perfect wedding gift for a friend!

Thank You for Your mercy, thank You for Your grace. Thank You for Your Cross that's made a way. - Didache, May 17, 2012

Friuli Goodness

Few days before our departure, my childhood friend Norren requested us to join her and Ramil for  dinner. They brought us in a small, relatively cheap Italian restaurant within the vicinity of UP village.  Forgive me, I cannot recall the exact location but adjacent to it is a chain of brasseries. The place is quite safe but you just have to be patient to queue.

I've tasted their Mozzarella sticks with tomato sauce and it is delightfully cheesy.
They also serve pizza and variety of pasta. I love their puttanesca pasta!
A gelato dusted with nuts seemed refreshing and nice but we couldn't afford to absorb more.

That was a lovely evening!

With my childhood friend Norren. She is like a pillar of support to me.

Beautiful Thing Called Friendship

Singapore became our second home since 2007. We were so lucky to have the Mataacs and the Dys as our extended family. What we've got was not a shallow friendship, it was rather real and transparent. They've shown us genuine kindness and generous spirit.

 In December 2010, we received our first correspondence from the Canadian Embassy stating that our application for permanent residency has finally been processed. We felt extremely happy as the Lord never stopped to  lavish us with great blessings and answered prayers. 

At last, we will start another "bahay-bahayan" in another foreign land.

When we left Singapore, we felt that we have left good friends behind, friends who have painted us with so much caring. I was not too melodramatic about the parting as they all shared their excitement and happiness with us. A promise of constant communication remains.

Ricky with Baby Ulrich

Taken at Pasir Ris Ave.

With Melissa and William during Singapore's Flower Festival.

Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimps

I miss Mel's delightful dishes.

They are not just friends, they are family!

The best ships Are friendships

I'm sure we all have good memories of better days.
I didn't spend the season of lent just praying, reflecting, exercising my panata and observing the tradition by fasting. I'm so lucky to have witnessed a faithful, playful and relaxed friendship.  Listening secretly to their conversations unlocked the thoughts of my younger years. I suddenly started missing my own circle of friends. Lucky, my childhood friend Norren was present. We shared a slice of Puto while exchanging stories about love and life - such kind of friendship is intuitive.

I am so thankful that I am blessed with friends who I don't get to see often, but when we do, there's that natural impulse of picking up where we last left off. Friends who know no demands and expectations. Friends who constantly comfort me in times of sorrow.

AC's friends at San Beda with Annelyn and Pipes
Taken at Tres Reyes Island

Angge's lovely pose.
Taken at Poctoy White Beach in Torrijos

To my good friend Dhel, I want to hug you at this very moment! I know you are entangled in a web of pain and I'm so sad that no words could probably comfort you right now but let me touch you through prayers.

Indulgence After Duty

After being exhausted from the morning shift, a good friend invited me to have a taste of fro-yo. I value goodwill tremendously so I gladly grabbed his invitation. It's a blessing!
I didn't know about Sour Sally until we came across a colorful kiosk at Wrisma Atria.
This yogurt chain can really attract your attention because of its fanciful display named Sally, whose persona  can really woo yogurt fans. The chewy toppings blend with the frosty yogurt with great panache.

A Sour yet Sweet Sally!

Thanks Joe!

Sour Sally

There is a girl named Sally
all bright-eyed and merry.
Even when the dark and dreary.....
Sally's always up and cheery.

You're so sweet!

The color reminds me of St. Patricks day.

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To my dear friends Rodella and Cris,  may your blessings multiply and exceed the number of Shamrocks that grow. God bless!
Kiss little JT for me.
Happy St. Patrick's day!

Photo credit: Cris

Bestfriend ko si Shawie!

Joe's Lovable Mila

The life of a stray cat is uncertain - some may struggle to find food to survive, the vulnerable may be abused, and many become accident victims. Others are fortunate enough to be adopted by caring people, but the fact remains that there are not enough homes for most of them. - D. Moss

I just found myself purchasing a book about cats. It might be a unique present for Joe. I want him to be happy in my own little yet sincere way!

Amazing photograph by Bian Huibin

Their survival instinct is something that is truly admirable.

You sexy little thing!

Yearning for L-O-V-E......Oh,  poor little creature!

 A colleague asked me to visit him and take pictures of his Persian cat named Mila. 

At first, I was quite hesitant because I really don't like cats. I mean, I basically grew up having dogs and cats at home but I've learned not to become fond of them, perhaps because I was bitten by them several times when I was young and I had to experience the agony of anti-rabies vaccine. I've also tried the local traditional remedy known as 'tawak'.

Contrary to me who don't like pets, my sister Richelle adores them. She looks like the motherly type to them. She adopts stray animals (commonly dogs and cats) and providing decent home for them makes her truly happy. She would even sleep with them (always been the subject of our argument!), feed them (with her bare hands!), kiss them (oh, she's not even afraid of rabies!) and bathe them (that's quite tolerable).  
But honestly, I envy the way she would mingle and talk to them.

Muning's humble little shelter with my sister Richelle who seemed to have that strange magnet to animals.

And another thing, I'm a certified novice! I don't think I could even render a good shot.
 ....Until one day I've got the chance to meet Mila, the lovable cat!

Come closer Mila!

My first encounter with Mila was agreeably fine although she became quite apprehensive and coward of me when I took my first shot using a synchronized quick flash. I didn't know that cats are too sensitive to light to the extent that it might cause them having serious vision troubles. Anyway, Mila knows how regretfully sorry I was, (lucky I didn't step her slender tail or else....!).

Nonetheless, she still welcomed a stranger like me with the greatest excitement, evidenced by her continuous flirty wiggling tail as she tried to slide her body against my legs. Oh, she is so domesticated, graceful and submissive!

I'm just starting to appreciate her.

Meet lovable Mila!

According to Joe, he would oftentimes chase her around, giving her marshy thumps.

Mila values vanity. Like ladies, she also has her own early morning beauty regimen.

I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat.  -Edgar Allan Poe-

Oh Mila not that catnap stare, please give me those beautiful expressive looks!

And meet her Daddy Joe!

No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch.  -LoeDworken-

Yes, I'll see you again, lovable Mila!

A Date with the DYs

Aside from the Mataacs, the Dys became our second family since we decided to work in Singapore in 2007. They are very pleasant, friendly and somehow we value the same interests including having a candid talk with Mrs. Dy whenever we bump into each other at the kitchen - slight 'tawanan' becomes inevitable too.

I love the fondest way they love each other. You'll frequently catch them in the kitchen - the scenario - Mr. Dy being preoccupied doing the preparations while Mrs. Dy do the cooking or it can be the other way around. The menus they prepare never fail to amuse us. You must try their own version of 'Sinulbot na Saging na Latundan' with caramelised sauce, ice cream and a bit of Tequila to taste. It's better than the chocolates and tarts that I've tried from the a la cart at Tampines food court. They really got the so-called Gordon Ramsay's secrets! Mrs. Dy's pasta with her unusual gourmet sauce is exceptionally the best. And not to mention their own version of Mojito. It's a real throat cleanser and I like it!

There's only one thing I dare not join them - playing Xbox... talking about how awful dancer I can be. Well, there's just no beat nor rhythm. I really can't get them anyhow.

We spend literally everyday together but we seldom go for a double date, not until we realised that it's the flower festival again and we decided not to miss it this time.
It was drizzling when we reached the festival boardwalk and I was a little bit worried that we couldn't take decent pictures of the flower display. Thanks to Mrs. Dy who thought me on how to adjust the ISO of our camera. Easier for an IT expert to do it, right? See how ignorant I was! Anyway, we had a great time walking and talking along the boardwalk. The couple grabbed a mixed of cheese and caramel popcorn from Garrett and unselfishly shared with us. Again, we are grateful for their kindness.

Oh flowers really intoxicate me! I love seeing them. Suddenly we became busy, a 'walang pansinan' mode, bending here and there trying to get a closer picture with the flowers. It was indeed a simple yet a happy date.

After two hours of mingling with different flower species and a quick dinner, we decided to take a peep at the casino. Well, there's nothing much in it except for the extremely elegant chandeliers, live entertainment events (songs played are in Mandarin, anyway) and of course gambling facilities with bankers and tons of chips awaiting on the baccarat tables. They don't really charm me in any way!

We went home past 12 midnight. The Chinese taxicab driver delighted us with his Tagalogs. It's amazing that he can very well speak the vernacular specially those vulgar ones, words you prolly wouldn't want to hear either.

It was truly a nice experience with the Dys! We're hoping to have another date with the Mataacs soon!

In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends.
-Kozuko Okakura-

Photo credit: WiL and MeL

At the Merlion pathway.

I will be the gladdest thing under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.
-Edna St. Vincent Millay-

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.
-Emma Goldman-

Flowers are love's truest language.
-Park Benjamin-

A winning warm Teh Tarik

This is what you call a candid classic shot :D
It works at least for me!

yes, we are the boss!... 
and they just respect that!

Nice frame :D

                                                                            

Blessedness

After travelling solo, I'm back to my hubby's embrace. I know this sounds cliche, but oftentimes I feel sad and lost without him. I wish I was able to share with him the excitement that I've hugged while I was in Marinduque/Manila.

If you are a mother like me, you may let vanity prevail only when and if you have an extra budget to sustain it.

It's been awhile since my last step into a salon so I decided to give it a try. After having hair spa, we went to FixBench to pimp it up again. Surprisingly, hair relaxing is quite cheaper than hair rebonding and you'll not have a painful butt due to sitting for a long period of time. Thanks to my Aunt Mila for introducing me to her hair stylist.

 My 2011 CNY look

A Bag Bliss - Aunt Mila gave me a designer handbag! Am I too kind to her to deserve all these? Well, I'd like to believe so...Nonetheless, I felt incredibly happy.

Welcome to Cafe Lydia - After spending two hours at the posh salon, Aunt Mila brought me to a contemporary Filipino restaurant which offers authentic Pinoy cuisine and gourmet meals. Their entrees are served with mashed potato and mixed greens that will surely give zest to your appetite. 
I didn't have the opportunity to take pictures as I didn't bring my camera with me.

Located at Calumpang Marikina City

Self Indulgence at Bioessence - I also had a great experience of having  diamond peel and oxygen facial at Bioessence. I might as well try their body spa on my next vacay.

A walk at Dangwa - I love flowers! It felt so good walking along the small roads of Sampaloc where colorful flowers in yellow, bright red, pink, purple and blue hues are scattered around. Aunt Mila again introduced us to a florist who offered us a fantastic deal for my brother in law's wedding in May - flowers such as Cymbidium, Roses, Carnation and Gerberas.

Taken at Dangwa - Carnation Flower

A quick break at Razon's - I'm not really keen on sweets except for halo-halo. It has only three ingredients - saging, leche flan and macapuno. Despite its minimal ingredients, it provides an excellent and classic taste.

Razon's

 A spoiled friend - Me and my friend Norren had our last minute bonding. She offered me a ride going to terminal three. We had a nice and sad 'chikahan' along the way. Not only that, she gave me a head pillow for my travel comfort.

head pillow given by Norren

I'm so grateful for having such wonderful blessings and unforgettable experiences but one thing remains a fact...that there's no pure bliss like having your man around to enjoy and share them with. 

Di magbabago gusto ng puso ko. 

Wala ng hahanapin pa kundi pag-ibig mo....

At mananatili 'to at hindi magbabago!