Grieving the Loss of a Dearest Mother, Mommy Lydia

One of my fave pictures of Mommy Lydia taken last July 30, 2016 during my 50th Birthday Celebration

It’s been two days since we brought my mother-in-law, Mommy Lydia to her final resting place last December 7, 2016.

She joined her Savior and Creator last December 2, 2016 at the age of 79

I love Mommy Lydia dearly…like my own mother. And she treated me like her own. Jonjie  always say that I am the daughter and he is the son-in-law.

Much as I want to focus on my pains, but I know that Jonjie is suffering more than I do. And he’s doing it silently…

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Daday’s Kitchen: Creamy Bacon Chicken Pasta with Pechay

Today, Daday prepared another surprised dinner…he’s own take of the Creamy Chicken Bacon Pasta with Spinach.

Earlier, I heard him telling Ate Lyn, our house angel, to take out the chicken from the refrigerator. Then, he requested her to go to the market and buy bacon and pechay.

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Our Glamping Experience at Caliraya Mountain Lake Resort

Lake Caliraya is a man-made lake situated in the municipalities of Lumban, Cavinti, and Kalayaan in Laguna province, Philippines. Lake Caliraya was created after the construction of Caliraya Dam, an embankment dam started in 1939 by US Army Corps of Engineers, with the approval of Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon. It is situated approximately 1,200 feet above sea level, and is perched high in the Sierra Madre. The lake experiences cool climate all year round.

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Undas 2016: Remembering Our Dearly Departed

Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day.

Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed and very dear.

~Anonymous~

Prayer for the Faithful Departed

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all faithful, grant unto the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins; that, by pious supplication, they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired. Grant this, O God, Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.

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I Love You, Even If I Do not Say it Often

There are days when negativity crept up on you unexpectedly and caught you at one of your vulnerable moments. And however you tried to rise above it, you can’t.

Today is one of those days for me.

I am crying inside. Trying to hold on to my sanity. Even “counting my blessings” which usually lift me up is not working. My heart is so heavy for all the “what if” and “what could have been”.

And then silent tears begin to fall.

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Daniz 11th Birthday Celebration

Oh how time flies! So fast!

Another year had passed. Daniz turned eleven years old today. This year, we gave her the freedom to decide how she wanted to celebrate her birthday.

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Highlights of My 50th Birthday Celebration

I turned 50 years old last July 20, 2016. My ever loving and supportive husband, Jonjie, turned event planner and fulfilled my dream birthday party.

• WHAT: Sunflower Kiddie Party @ 50
• WHEN: July 30, 2016, Saturday, starts at 3:00pm
• WHERE: Plantationville Resort, Sitio Mainang, Bamban, Tarlac
• ATTIRE: As comfortable and as young as you can be
• BIRTHDAY WISH:
  • Old Fashioned Birthday Card with written message
  • Donation for Charities (intended for abandoned children or home for the aged in Pampanga...old toys, clothes, books or foods such as rice, canned goods, noodles)

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Sarsa Kitchen + Bar by Chef JP Anglo

During our staycation in Manila last September 11, we decided to have our lunch at SM Mall of Asia. We checked the bayside restaurants first. Then we crossed the footbridge to the mall area. Unknowingly, while I was on the bridge taking pictures of Daniz and the MOA Eye, Jonjie went ahead of us and scouted the area (it’s been years since the last time we’ve been to MOA…so much had change).

After a few minutes, he said there is a restaurant by Chef Jayps. Of course, who wouldn’t know him. He became a household name during his stint with MasterChef Pinoy Edition. But the restaurant, Sarsa Kitchen + Bar, its the first time.

According to the stand menu board located before the entrance,

As far as we remember, Filipinos have always loved putting all kinds of sauces and condiments on their food. The unique eating habit of Filipinos is what led to the creation of SARSA. We thought, why not combine the best local ingredients with a range of new signature sauces to create exciting but familiar tastes?

SARSA features the best of traditional Filipino and Negrense dishes, done with a contemporary touch and using the best local ingredients. Bacolod born chef JP Anglo has created a range of signature sauces to complement and provide a new take on dishes.

We hope you enjoy our dishes and “sarsas”, and that you have as much fun trying different combinations as we had in creating them.

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15 Snapshots of our Road Trip to Manila

Last September 11, instead of road tripping to the province for the weekend, we traveled to Manila for a change. I started clicking my smartphone camera from Anda Circle, Port Area until bayside parking area of SM Mall of Asia.

We’ve been passing this road numerous times since 2003, but I never took the time to look at it behind a camera lens…until this trip.

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Staycation at Belmont Hotel, Resorts World Manila

During our trips, we seldom splurge on accommodation. A comfortable bed, a clean toilet and bath with hot water will be enough. Why? We will be outside most of the time to enjoy everything that we can wherever we are. We only need a place to sleep, to bathe and to…you know.

Last weekend, September 10~12, was a 3-day respite from work and school for most. But not for me, I have a work schedule on that Saturday. So instead of going on a road trip, Jonjie and I, once again have the same idea…why not a staycation in Manila.

We checked some luxury but affordable hotels and we chose Belmont Hotel Manila for two things. First,because of its rooftop swimming pool for our daughter Daniz. Second, it is within the vicinity of the famous Resorts World Manila. The discounted price is within our set limit. We booked it and we are good to go.

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5 Things We Love About Spanglish Restaurant in Clark, Pampanga

September 8 is Mama Mary’s birthday. It is also the date when we had our marriage vows in a civil wedding ceremony at Imus Regional Trial Court in Cavite, 17 years ago.

Yes, we just celebrated our 17th year of wedded bliss.

September 8 is not a coincidence…it was our choice to be married on that day. And though it is our official wedding date, but we always celebrate it simply. For years, it was always dinner at home, painstakingly prepared with love by our “home-cooked chef”.

But yesterday, Jonjie suggested we dine-out for a change. Come to think of it, maybe he just wanted to relax and not be stressed with all the task of cooking…but it’s just a thought. For I know he enjoyed cooking and for him, it was not a task. And the kitchen is one of his happy places.

Dine-out, it would be. We think of possible restaurants near and inside Clark, Pampanga. But there is one restaurant which stood out among the rest…

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Minalungao National Park, An Ecotourism Marvel in Nueva Ecija

July 2, 2016…a Saturday. And our wandering feet strikes again. We embarked on a day trip to satisfy our wanderlust. We left our house with just a light breakfast, our swimwear, and a few clothes…nothing else. Oh, and the tent that never left the trunk of our car, ready to be pitched anytime, anywhere.

The previous night, Jonjie and I talked about a possible place to explore. But for those of you who are familiar with our road trips, our destination is never final until we reached the place.

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July: My Birth Month

This year, I welcome July with fervor. This is my birth month and I will be celebrating my golden year. Yes, I am turning 50…and I am blessed and I feel awesome.

I hope to celebrate it not with fun fare but simply with a child-like atmosphere…a kiddie-themed party…with the people who became and are still part of my 50 years journey.

The two wonderful people who brought me into this world may not be here to celebrate it with me but I know they will be looking down from heaven…smiling and proud (I hope) of their first-born child. I love you Itay…I love you Inay…thank you po.

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Gratitude 2: I Put My Hope in You

Last week was a challenge for me to “give thanks in all circumstances”. I complained…and mumbled…and protested, though silently. I lost my patience and gave in to my temper.

And when it seem that I was going downhill with all the negativity around me, you send me a ray of hope…a flicker of light in the horizon.

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Gratitude 1: Faith Amidst the Pains

Thank you!

For this day...for another sunrise.

For your grace and eternal love even if we continue to sin.

For waking us, beside our family, our loved ones.

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Home Staycation at Lily of the Valley Organic Farms in Benguet

We traveled to La Trinidad, Benguet several times but only to go to Strawberry Farms. We never knew that there is a place called Lily of the Valley Organic Farms and Homestay until it was featured in Kris TV last January 1, 2016.

In the span of 3 months since then, we tried to book a room for the weekend but the reply we would get is “we are fully booked over the weekend”.

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7 Things To Do at Prado Farms in Lubao, Pampanga

The place was once a sprawling sugarcane plantation owned by three of the prominent families of Pampanga. It has its own airfield and back then having one was of course synonymous to vast financial capacity.

In the 1960’s, it was acquired by the husband and wife, Victor Gutierrez and Amanda Ocampo. In 1970s, They converted the frontage of the property into an LPG refilling station.

The LPG refilling station is long gone. What remain is the gate made of “LPG tanks” which is just the tip of what lies inside Prado Farms.

Inside are collections of junks turned into colorful and beautiful pieces of artsy junks. At Prado Farms, nothing go to waste...everything was transformed into something else.

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Prado Farms, A Gem of a Farm in Lubao, Pampanga

Through the years, much had been written about Prado Farms but the one thing that’s common is the gate made-up of “old LPG tanks”. And if my memory served me right, it was even featured in one of the episode of Korina Sanchez’s Rated K.

Prado Farms is located in Brgy Prado Siongco, Lubao Pampanga, less than an hour travel from Manila. It was just a few kilometers from Mabalacat City where we are currently residing.

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My One Word for 2016: GRATITUDE

Since I started blogging in 2014, I came across WotY (Word of the Year). It is a method of choosing one word that will guide you throughout the year.

I just scanned it, but never paid much attention to it.

Until today when I gave in to a small voice within me which, for several days now, is persistently saying

BE THANKFUL

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God is With You in All That You Do

The picture was taken last January 10, 2016 along Gil Puyat Ave, Clark, Pampanga

Since last week, we’ve been worrying for the outcome of our company activity for today and tomorrow. With all the documents to prepare and the last minute changes…some requested with apologies, others imposed regardless of consequences with its linkages…we have to give our best.

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