Sunday, December 24, 2006

Tala ng Belen


Sa ngayo'y laganap na dilim at lagim
Sa buong daigdig at sa bansa natin,
Huwag tayong masindak … tayo'y dumalangin –
Saka sama-samang ating taluntunin
Ang landas na tungo sa Tala ng Belen.
- Soc Rodrigo, Disyembre 23, 1990

Maligayang Pasko at Malayang Bagong Taon sa inyong lahat!

Franco, Rinnah at Aina

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Little Christmas Tree


I am proud of our little 6 ft-Christmas tree. Kahit hindi siya fresh, may 1000 lights na siya for $9.99. Almost all the decorations are from the kids' art, the dollar store, tirang candy-canes from lat year :) or bigay. Read more about it in Frugal Immigrants.

Post pictures of your Christmas pics or trees, or anything that signifies the Christmas spirit fo you and your family.

And though hindi tayo magkikita-kita sa Broadway this year, I will miss pala the lechon and the reunion with the Enriquezes and the Ayuyaos, and the lack of space in lola's room to eat!

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

Minotte

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL



TO OUR ENTIRE FAMILY,

MERRY CHRISTMAS! AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

TENG JASHZ AND TICO.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

As Seen By Google Earth



Google Earth is such a fascinating software. I spent countless hours searching and visiting familiar and yet to be discovered places in the comfort of my home. Take a look at our 13th Street and our Kapit-Langit as seen from outer space. Post your homes too, as seen by the creatures from a different universe.

Friday, November 24, 2006

Thanksgiving Day 2006

This year we decided not to have the traditional turkey...why? Kasi we always end up having turkey sandwich, turkey salad or whatever turkey for a whole week (and to think hindi naman kami mahilig sa turkey). So this year we cooked our favs. I made the prime rib roast (picture is on the left beside Anton) the pork loin roast (on the right beside me) with caramelized apples and raisins and whipped mashed potatoes. Joy made lemon pepper salmon (infront of Jenny but you can't see it) and she brought meat and cheese platter too( right beside the fish). Jenny made prawns with lemon butter sauce (behind Jorell and Kevin) and she bought 2 pies from Marie Callendars. She also took care of our coffee, sodas, veggie and shrimp platter and many more. Janette made the Brazo de Mercedes (beside Janette) and she also made pasta with alfredo sauce (picture behind Carlos). The table pretty much had everything we wanted. I didn't even know what to eat first.


We said prayers before we started eating and we thanked God for having us share this special day with the people we love. I hope that we will be able to share days like these with people close to our hearts for years and years to come.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Thanksgiving Day


A day to reflect on the things to be thankful for, the first Thanksgiving Day was actually celebrated when the pilgrims first set foot in America, and gathered the natives for dinner.

My mom cooked this 23-lb turkey for 10 hours. I made buttermilk mashed potatoes with chives from scratch. After filling ourselves up with turkey, (we kinda missed lechon!), Magu played 2 songs on his beginner violin.

I think this will be a nice tradition to start! Only missing were Miguel, Mikko, Sylvia, Chiara, and Gaby. Maybe next year, we can all be together. And maybe with dad in 2008, when he visits us!

Saturday, November 18, 2006

A Video Chat with Lola Med



Lola Med turned 92 today and I thought it was a good opportunity to have her see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren abroad. We set up a video chat via Skype and I asked all the cousins to get a Skype account and have their webcams ready.

There were three schedules set. The first batch would be the west coast Rodrigos. I set-up the session in my dad's office computer. The first group was scheduled at 11:00am Manila time. Marijo and her children, Kevin, Kenneth and Jorell were first to chat with Lola. Jenny and Joy couldn't make it but they sent their greetings through Marijo. Janet, Arlo and Carlos arrived in Marijo's house and took their turn in greeting Lola. Minotte, Ricky and their kids, Maui, Nico, Magu, Selena and Monica called a few minutes after the session with Marijo. Lola kept mentioning that Monica looked like a little Minotte. After the first group, Lola had lunch with her friends.

The second session was with Rammy from Vancouver. We established a connection at about 3:00pm Manila time. Only Rammy was available because it was 1:00am in Vancouver and he had just arrived from work. Chinggay and Paco were sleeping already.



We had a Mass in the terrace at 7:00pm and then dinner was served. I set-up my laptop in the terrace for this group so all the cousins in Manila could join. The last batch from the east coast got online at about 8:30pm Manila time. Mikko, Sylvia, Chiara and Gabby went first. There was initially a problem with the audio but it was eventually fixed (naka-mute pala). Mayoy and Lia were together and they called in next but they refused to turn on their webcam because it was early in the morning and they were not prepped up for the camera. Ur went to Mikko's house and he got on board next to greet Lola. Teng and Jashz were next and we enjoyed watching Tico eating all by his lonesome. We switched back to Mikko because Miguel had arrived. Lola wasn't able to have a video chat with Miguel but she already talked to him over the phone early in the day. Kat and Xavier were picked up by Ur but they weren't able to make it on time.

We missed Kit, Ched, Callie and Katie.

I forgot to do one important thing all throughout this video chat. I forgot to take Lola's picture as she was talking to everyone. I also failed to grab screenshots of each cousin so, I just posted my screenshot hehe!!

Thanks to all! Lola Med was so happy to see and hear all of you. She especially enjoyed the happy birthday songs from her apo sa tuhods.

Let's try this again soon. Maybe Christmas or New Year? Sana by that time Yahoo Messenger for Mac will have a voice option. Skype does not have a video option for the conference mode. I had to put a caller "on hold" when Lola was speaking to someone. In YM, puede sabay-sabay.

- kofranks

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Halloween at the Deveras Residence in Alabang


Tito Raffy and Bebop

Allee, Ate Rhea and Tonito

Mia, Rocky and Carmela

Pochito

Nico, Pepeton, Pochito, Danny, Nicole & Bebop's nephew

The sisters


Tinee, Tita Geegee, the injured Matty & Tito Boogie

Eena, Rhea, Tinee, Mia & Carmela

Friday, November 03, 2006

The Sevillas in LA October 2006


Tita Ditas, Tito Cary and Pixie went to LA after visiting Ate Minotte in Antioch. When they were here, they spent time with all of us. They went out with Jenny, Janette and Arlo for lunch or dinner??? (i don't know), then they went out with Jenny and Joy for lunch yata. Rey reserved VIP seats for them to the Ellen show and they enjoyed a lot. Tito Cary saw his all time favorite singer (Barry Manilow) live...he had the best time of his life (per Tita Ditas). We ate at Hometown Buffet and of course a lot of kwentos. Thank you for spending time with us and hope to see you soon.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Jersey Girls



HIPPIE CALLIE and POP STAR KATIE







with Chiara and Gaby. . . .


Halloween 2006 - LA California

Jorell as Batman, Denise as a Witch and Marty was Burger King guy...no picture!
Jorell as Batman, Kenneth as Spiderman, Melissa as Ragedy Ann and Carlos as a Pirate.
Anton as a nerd/geek.
Kenneth as Spiderman
Jorell as Batman
Kevin as The Grudge

Diva and Pirate




FROM EDISON N.J.,-------GABY AS DIVA AND CHIARA AS PIRATE

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Cinderella, Witch, Devil, and D' Vampire



Sobrang nag-enjoy yung adults as vampires--we had more fun with the kids this year!

I highly recommend dress-up for adults next year! Hmm. . .if I could get Ricky to do Santa. . .

Zoobic and Ocean Adventure






Sorry I don't have any Halloween pics to share for now. I have some pics though of Paoi, Maia and Santi that were taken a few months back during a trip to Subic w/ Pauline's family.

Aina's Halloween Frenzy

Aina decided to join the Tilamsik Halloween Picture Parade!! Her costume ... A GIRL SHOPPING IN NEW YORK'S FIFTH AVENUE!! Our dog Maxie also joined in the fun.