Through the Years

Friendships like ours, are not made in a day or even a year.
Friendships like ours, are built with long talks and revealing our true selves.
Friendships like ours, make us feel accepted and loved.
On your birthday, I want you to know I feel blessed to have you in my life.


I'm glad to have a wonderful friend like you. See you in June!

Freska-tastic!

Last Saturday was an 11-hour brain drain event for my class. Aside from the pressures entailed to finish the Business Game, it was our second round as host teams.


All eight teams were very competitive and gave their all. For my group, we got two valuable stars. Yet we didn’t win the grand pot prize. Still, we enjoyed and learned a lot from the experience.


To refresh ourselves from the grueling exercises, a few classmates went out and had dinner/videoke at Freska, an Ilonggo inspired Seafood restaurant along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City.

The buffet was appetizing but what we feasted primarily was the ample oysters. It was so good and the price of the buffet is way too cool. All of us enjoyed the servings from the buffet line that we pretty much stuffed ourselves.


One thing that was totally new to me that night was seeing the Beer Balloon. It was a new innovation and the beer maintained its taste and stayed cold up to the last drop.


As we eat our hearts out, the round of singing started. Everyone had their chance and belted their favorite songs. I cheered with the rest of the group whenever we know the song and joined in the chorus.


It would have been funnier if everybody came but since class ended so late, not all was able to make it. Still it was a good number. I enjoyed the company of 11 of the precious MC-B.


Singing and dancing ended before the stroke of midnight but we stayed a bit more and had some serious discussions before finally calling it a night. Before parting our separate ways, one MC-B mentioned that will have another round of singing, dancing and beer drinking before the end of the month and another suggested to make it a regular affair.

Whew! A regular gig of booze and funfare, I definitely need to catch up and practice. Until the next round!

A Double J Celebration

It was a rainy Thursday when Vangie sent a personal message informing me she’s already in Manila for a short period of time. It’s a double header celebration for her two beautiful daughters – Julianne’s 2nd birthday and Jasmine’s baptismal. As always, the party fell on a Saturday. Knowing Vangie, she won’t take no for an answer even if I did give her my valid reasons.

Since I have class till 6pm, I asked my sister to buy my presents. I asked her to buy my twin’s two daughters dresses at Rustan’s Makati and to have them gift wrapped for the occasion. Dutifully, she obliged despite not having eaten lunch that day!

Back to my story, class was extended for a few minutes and as usual, traffic in EDSA was the worst. As we were going to the De Jesus’ residence, I can’t help but reminisced some of the funny moments with Vangie during our ES/HS days.


The party for the kids started at 3pm. We came in at around 7pm. Even though we are 4 hours behind, there were still a number of guests. Food as always was provided by Corrhin’s Catering. I got to taste again Nanay’s special fried chicken. Even my sister enjoyed the Hotdogs. Yum!


Although we were late, I got to chat longer with my twin. We talked about almost all the topics that can be covered while I ate dinner and enjoyed each other’s company. I always feel at home whenever I’m at the De Jesus’ residence – para ka lang nasa bahay!


As I said my goodbyes, I can’t help but be teary eyed. It was as if we were just mere students the other day and now my twin is a mom of two beautiful girls. As the night goes deeper, I got good news – she’s coming home for good before the end of the year. Definitely more time for bonding and as I was leaving, I kidded her, one more round – make it a boy!

Gie, don’t forget to get me a room at the Venetian! Let’s have some fun in Macau before you head back to Manila for good.

A Crack at the Spotlight

Our Program Directors assigned eight host teams for the whole course duration on our first day of meeting. Last Saturday was our first hosting engagement for the whole class.


Together with Iyah, Jigs and Abeth, we are HT #7. As host of the MC-B class, we came in early to prepare ourselves and our stuff for the day.


We rendered the Opening Prayer, a brief recap of the previous session and provided entertainment with two fun-filled energizers to the class.


Aside from that we also tendered morning and afternoon merienda for everyone. We served chocolate chip and double chocolate chip cookies, tortas from San Lo’s Famous, various puto from Goldilocks, pancit sotanghon, canton and pork BBQ.


Everyone enjoyed the food and even the program directors from the other class came to munch with our goodies.


The only sad part for the day was that Erson, Cat and Edwin missed the class and wasn’t able to join in our Famous Person activity and our class picture. Nevertheless, we can still have another class picture next Saturday.

As for our next hosting gig, we will make it better and with more surprises for all! Go team!

Real or Reel

In Philippine show business, it is a fad to have love teams. They usually are pair a cute couple, market them to the fans and if they click, they become instant pop-idols. Usually love teams are for teenagers or young adults. Some are just for television and in the movies but some relationships go beyond the klieg lights.

In class, we do have two love teams. One side of the group, there’s the tandem of Kristian and Aileen. I don’t know if there is really a thing with the two since they are usually seated on the other side of the room.


While on the other side of the group, there’s the tandem of Ian and Iyah.


From both tandems, I’m more in the Ian and Iyah group. Iyah’s my seatmate since Day 1 and we hit it off from the start. While Ian, what can I say, the known chick boy in class. Ha, ha, ha! Peace, Michael!

I can’t remember when they started teasing the four individuals but all that we can say it makes the class more exciting and lighter. As per Cat’s term, “parang high school”.

For my part, it’s just like my first year in UP. Kakilig moments!

S-S-S

Saturday. Surprises. Strawberries.

Last March 7, 2009 was another extraordinary Saturday for me. Days before Saturday, one of the KIDS, informed me that she’ll be in the area and asked if it is okay to visit me during class hours. What else can I say but yes! Though I was looking at my notes, I saw the note that visitors are not allowed, hahaha! Screw the rules for a day. I can spare a few minutes.

Two classmates celebrated their respective birthdays but the uber generous Erson had a Buko Pandan delivered for Owen and Venz. Because of work related commitment, Venz left after the morning session and wasn’t able to enjoy the cake but Owen gladly posed and enjoyed the birthday cake while being serenaded by the class.


Jannice texted me that she’s already in the area and I sneaked out from the room during the start of the afternoon session. It was a little bit over five minutes and with a few hugs and smiles and it was over. I can’t stay longer since I can’t miss a lot from class and we can’t go out after the end of the class since I have earlier plans. We just exchanged gifts and promised to meet again on the 21st and will ask the rest of the KIDS to join us. For sure it will be a riot full of laughter and gossip and most of all food!


The lesson for the day was very informative and helpful for my daily work yet as usual I drifted for a few seconds in the computation part, whew! It was a bit of a nosebleed since we are without the handy Excel worksheet.

As most of my friends know, my top three fruit choices are Grapes, Cherries and yes, Strawberries. Ian was in Baguio City for a client presentation and he brought me a pack of fresh hand picked strawberries. Sweet! He gave the strawberries after class and I brought it home and had it chilled before I started munching the berries. Thanks so much, Ian!


Another fun-filled Satuday it was. Next Saturday it will be another one for the books. I’ll be one of the host team members with the very pretty, Iyah, and the equally guwapo, Jigs; and to top it all, I’ll have dinner with Moises and Weng after class.

I can’t wait for Satuday Sunshine! Countdown begins…

Twenty Weeks

For the past six weeks, it has been a very interesting and intellectual phase for me. I gained further knowledge about business, relationships and I gained new friends. Why so?

I’m back to my alma mater and currently attending UP ISSI’s 89th Manager’s Course. The Manager’s Course is a 20-week program dubbed as a compressed, non-formal MBA geared to equip top and middle managers from various industries to enhance organization, marketing, production, financial and information management skills.

I also have been exposed to different ways of thinking. My classmates have been very open to share all of their thoughts about certain things. For my part, the experience is a delight. As if I’m back in college with countless readings, brainstorming and nosebleeds. Fifteen more weeks and it seems a bit too far yet time flies fast nowadays.

Anyhow, with the numerous readings, I am sure every Friday is a cram day! All the same, knowledge is power and with our technical and the necessary management skills, we will surely increase our assets as managers.

Oops, I need to start browsing for Saturday’s module. I wonder if we will have a good one this time?

Julianne's First

More than a month prior to the birthday party, my very good friend, Evangeline “Vangie” O. De Jesus-Cruz was already informing me about her daughter’s first birthday celebration.

Julianne whose exact birthday is May 8 celebrated her first birthday with a Hawaiian themed party at the Poolside of Legaspi 300 Towers in Roxas Boulevard. They flew in to Manila from their home-based, Macau, on the day of the birthday. The family decided to celebrate the event here with close family and friends.

Since it was a Saturday and I have plans every Saturday morning, I told Vangie that I’ll be late since I’ll be coming from the other side of the city. Just as I told her, I was late – big time! Traffic was bad and some parts of the Metropolis were experiencing a terrible rainfall.

I arrived with my sister just in time with the blowing of the Lilo-inspired birthday cake. It was great. Julianne or Lianne is such a cute girl though she doesn’t like being passed around to visitors – good thing when I was talking to her Mom she gladly came to me even for just a few seconds.

The food was good since Vangie’s family catered the event as well but since I was late I only took just a few bites and spent the rest of the time chatting with my so-called twin.

Sad part was it rained and most of the guests were seeking cover in the tent. Since I still have to meet with my brother and my parents, we left and said goodbyes.

To Julianne, happy birthday! To Vangie, it was just like old times. To Vangie and Jayson, congratulations and wishing you all the best during this happy, happy time.

Classmate Sighting

Last Saturday afternoon, as I was walking to the Clubhouse of Casa Milan I saw a familiar face. I literally screamed her name… Cathy Cariño!!!

Yes, after all these years, I was able to see in person Atty. Cathy Cariño in a summer getup. She’s still the same; petite and beautiful.


I was so excited that I completely forgot to ask for her mobile number, but nevertheless, she’s just an email away.

See you again soon, Cathy! Hopefully with the rest of our fellow UP Baguio Batchmates!