Mayoy's 43rd. . .

Happy Birthday, Mayoy!

Mayoy hardly celebrates her birthday in town. Lia nudged her to to do so this year.


Mayoy served ribs and rice, Honey Chicken, Red Ribbon Mango Cake and Brazo, pancit, and lumpia. Jashz brought garlic shrimp. Lia and I had some Patron Silver. We discovered that Mikko had a fan. . .

"so good-lookin!"
(according to Mikko's fan, LQ.)

Cheers!

Aina Graduates from Assumption San Lorenzo High School!

After 9 years in Assumption Grade School and 4 years in the High School, Aina finally graduates and bids Assumption San Lorenzo adieu! Graduation ceremonies were held today, March 31 at 2:30pm. Venue was the Mother Rose Auditorium inside the campus. The event began with a Mass followed by the graduation proper. Rinnah and I are so proud of Aina. We have to admit that it was not smooth sailing all along but she came through and now looks forward to her Multimedia Arts course in La Salle's College of St. Benilde.



Last Friday, they also had their Graduation Ball which was also held inside the school grounds. Her gown was done by Rinnah's friend. I took her pictures with my Mom's house as a backdrop and she looks so elegant. Her date was Lee Panopio, a senior from Xavier who was paired by her classmate. The fathers were asked to be in the school that same evening to surprise their daughters with a first dance.

Sa wakas, College na! Konting kayod na lang!

Franco

Bagoong Club in Manila Bulletin

Another newspaper has featured our resto, Bagoong Club. Gene Gonzalez, renowned chef and owner of Cafe Ysabel, had good reviews for our place. I'm sure this will attract a lot of customers the same way the Philippine Star article did last month. The only drawback is that there is road work currently being done on our street. The road is being widened and the sewer lines have been replaced. A temporary inconvenience but surely a good thing once it is done. What is heart warming is that despite the rough road, there are still patrons who come and visit us. We just say that the rough road adds to the rustic feeling of the place.

Nicole's Junior Prom

Nicole had her Junior Prom last February 23, 2008, Saturday, 4pm, at Alabang Country Club. Her date was a guy named Mitch, whom we met for the first time that day. He was a friend of her barkada. It's not your usual junior prom: the juniors had a choreographed Cotillon de Honor dance with their escorts and a Rigodon de Honor dance with their fathers. They also had 2 short ceremonies involving their mothers -- candle lighting and handing over of the statue of Mama Mary with a blessing. I was very involved in the organizing, so I missed breakfast and lunch on the day of the event because all the last minute problems and preparations! It turned out ok however. I forgot to prepare the candles (110 in all) so right there, we adjusted the program of events while Bebop and another Dad ran to nearby Rustans Store to buy all the candles they could find! If it weren't for the program, parents wouldn't know that we delayed the candle ceremony for some 45 minutes. Seeing these pictures, I felt old na. I have a grown up daughter!

Assumption HS Chorale in Concert

I guess the next generation are more of the performers than ours. After months of rehearsals, Aina joined the Assumption HS Chorale yesterday in their annual concert entitled "Bridges". It was held at the Francisco Santiago Hall at the PCI Bank Tower in Makati. They had two shows, a 3pm matinee and a 7:30pm performance. The show was a celebration of 20 years of Mrs. Tina Yulo-So as moderator of the AC Chorale which was why they were joined by some alumna for some of their numbers.

Aina is one of the 13 seniors who are graduating and leaving the AC Chorale. She has been accepted in the De La Salle - College of St. Benilde and she plans to take a Multimedia Arts course next year.

Happiest Day

At last, hindi na ako napipi. We watched Martin Nievera as a guest of Society of Seven and Lani Misalucha. I had him sign the CD I bought ($30! mahal!) and we chatted a bit. Mom told him my eldest son was named Martin. He said, "I hope it wasn't my fault!"

He held my hands while we chatted and we took many pictures! (See parang close na kami no?)

Check out our Vegas adventure here.

Philippine Star Features Bagoong Club

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum

Enrico followed his heart to his high school's theater's presentation of A Funny Thing Happened to the Way to the Forum--a comedy that starred Nathan Lane. Deer Valley High School presented the play from February 6 to 8 and 13 to 15.

He got a small role as a soldier and also understudied to the role of Hero. But Nico's Grade 7 teacher told me, "There are no small roles, just small actors."

Phillia and Hero

Proving himself a hard-worker, he used what he learned in Ateneo Children's Theater (ACT) to balance school and play. I think he had a good time because he has found a group of friends and has now adjusted better to life here.

Nico is only a sophomore and is already planning to join the next play in the Spring.

Miguel's LA Visit

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant
Warner Brothers Studios
Warner Brothers Studios
Miguel's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Miguel!

Miguel visited us last week. It was such a restful week for him (I hope!) because he isn't used to the "provincial" pace of life here at Antioch, which he kept calling the "'burbs."

He slept late, played PS3, and ate 3 full meals like he doesn't in NYC. Our favorite meal remains to be the talangka, shrimp, and lechon kawali we had for lunch when he came in from the airport. That meal was so big for me, I ate only once that day!

It was a pleasure to have him. He even helped us pick out a suit for Ricky's job interview next week. Investment daw. He also took the boys shopping in Target, where they got their wardrobe updates. The younger ones got toys and PS games.



Before he left, we agreed that it is better to be more kind than to be more right.

Happy birthday, Mig--no longer the baby brother I had, but a grown, mature, and extremely driven man who made the most of the cards life dealt you.

May the lessons you have learned tide you over in this second part of your life.

Ate

Yosemite National Park

Here's a pic of us at Yosemite National Park, when we went last week.



And a little something about our ice-skating escapades here.

Happy New 2008 to all of us!!

Bagoong Club Dry Run and Blessing

For the past two days, our resto, Bagoong Club, at 122 Scout Dr. Lazcano, Sacred Heart, Quezon City, held its dry run and blessing. The first day, Tuesday, we had our friends and business partners sample our dishes and give our staff the actual on-the-ground scenarios. The second night, Wednesday, began with the blessing of the resto officiated by Fr. Mac Reyes, SJ. Afterwards, we had some guests over for dinner. Most of them were those who assisted us, in one way or the other, in this business venture. Cheers and have a Happy Bagoong Taon! Pics to follow. We open our doors to the eating public on Saturday noon.

Moments of prayer.

It all began with Kuya's dream.

Kuya with QC Councilor Babes Malaya and the Barangay Captains of Sacred Heart and Mariana

Our youngest business partner, Katya Araneta, with her father Vince. Manny de Luna seals the deal with Kuya. Another partner, Atty. Ronnie Ortile with Vince Araneta and Kuya.

Dad chills out with Santi while Aina munches on sisig. Rinnah and Pauline are in the background enjoying their Sinigang na Salmon Belly.

Our kitchen geniuses, Chef Tristan Bayani and Chef Roy Cantos.

Bagoong Club: Ready for Take-off!

Bagoong Club Resto, the restaurant put up by Kuya, Randy and me and some of our friends is ready to open! After months of preparation, construction, training, headaches and heartaches, we are ready to welcome our patrons.

 

Welcome to Bagoong Club!

The Non-Aircon Dining Area

The Main Aircon Dining Area

The stairway leading to function rooms

Hallway to the function rooms with repro of "Sinigang" by National Artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco

Function Room A

Function Room B

Al Fresco Dining

MANILA 2007

As expected, my holiday trip to Manila was very enjoyable - thanks to all!...yoy