Rodrigo/Velez Thanksgiving 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.

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!

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

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

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.

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

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.

TICO AS BUZZ LIGHTYEAR

Halloween Pics, Please. . .

Don't forget to post pics of the kids in Halloween costumes!

Selena, yaya Syrel, and I will be witches. We couldn't convince Monica to be a witch, so Cinderella siya. Magu will be a vampire. I am hoping the big boys and Ricky will be draculas, too.

Let's see the babies: Tico, Paco, Xavier, Carlos, Santi, Maty, Kenneth and Jorell. And the not so babies, too, okay?

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween!

Bonding at Starbucks Concord, No, not Greenhills!

It took me months to share this shot with the cousins here, but I just had to. That day I spent with Minotte was precious. I travelled halfway around the world just to meet with her at Starbucks, not Greenhills nor Makati, but Concord, a small town in San Francisco's Bay area in the U.S. Thanks to my Dad! I stayed with my mom and Reena in the same building as Tita Priscilla, just 1 floor below her. Of course, kulang yung time namin together ni Minotte, but that 1 special day made all the difference. She specially freed that 1 day to spend with me. Knowing how hectic life in America can be with 5 kids under your care, I truly treasured that day. I felt as if we just picked up from where we left off. As usual, it was so easy to talk heart to heart. No need to sugar coat anything. Like Franco said, para na tayong magkakapatid, hindi lang magpipinsan. I'd like to add something to that -- dearest life friends.

Sierra Mail N More

Jenny and Bong at the counter of Jenny's business, "Sierra Mail N More," a local mailing service. Jenny has a second business now. Hats off to you Jenny!

Short Visit to Sta. Clarita, Summer 2006

This shot was taken at Jenny's kitchen in Sta. Clarita last Summer 2006. Late post, but better late than never. Just like New Manila, their kids were running through the house, playing. Reminded me of us.

tita ditas, tito cary, and pixie visit SFO

here are pics of the sevillas and tita rowena when we met up for lunch last saturday. we had lunch in tribu--a hip and upcoming filipino resto in the bay area. the owner, kit, is randy's friend, too! they have the most delicious bagoong rice and bangus belly.

back in their staybridge hotel, we spent the afternoon catching up with lots of kuwento (sorry, censored!!)
--and lots of tita ditas' special brazo de remedios for dessert! (check out the yummy yema filling oozing out! nangalahati na si ricky). help, mauusbusan ako.

great lunch! the closest i got to broadway lunch at lola's in more than a year. . . .

Give A Little

Somewhere on this planet, someone has a solution
to each of the world's problems.
It might be one of us.
The future is in out hands and the hands of our children.
With your help, we can build a more hopeful world.
What can you do today, tomorrow, next week, next year?
And if you sometimes think you haven't enough time, energy, or resources,
remember the Stone Soup folktale;
When we each give a little, we can feed the world.


-Marianne Larned, author of Stone Soup for the World: Life Changing Stories of Kindness and Courageous Acts of Service


Litlle kids have done so much inspite of their age and condition. Read more about their inspiring little non-profit foundations in Organizations Started by Teens and Kids