Australian Aby in Abe

Aubrey “Aby” Sacramed-Bader was in the country for just ten days. For the ninth day, she was able to squeeze us in for dinner. Yippee! Six members of the EconBlock3A-92 were able to meet with Aby at Abe Restaurant in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

We had Gambas Al Ajillo, Sinute Baby Squid and Chicharon Bulaklak for appetizers while waiting for everyone to arrive. For the first time, we had the pleasure of having Orlando “Pasky” Pascual graced our get-togethers. Naks! Nakakapanibago seeing him but he is still the same Pasky from way back 1992 during our freshmen year. Galing talaga!

When Aby arrived, we ordered our dinner already. We had Mutton Adobo with Popped Garlic, Pinakbet Wen Manong, Sinigang na Bangus Belly with Ripe Guava, Binukadkad na Pla-Pla and Sugpo sa Aligue ng Talangka. Sarap!

Aby hasn’t changed at all! She is still pretty as ever and still sporting the long hair. She is with Australia Migration and frequents the Philippines on business trips that usually last for a day or two only. This was the one trip that she was able to visit again for a longer period of time. Buti na lang!

As I type this entry, Aby’s already on her way back to Melbourne and hopefully will see her again soon and maybe if our plans push through, we will see her on the 2012 Australian Open. Yes, Aby and I share the love for RF!

HBD = HKD

Again, I celebrated my birthday, 04 June 2010, outside the Philippines. As early as 6:00am, my parents were already singing the birthday song from the hotel telephone as I was getting ready to take a bath. It was a work day in Manila but since I'm in Hong Kong for a convention and today is a rest day for us, it only means one thing - off to see the sights!

I celebrated my 34th birthday at the Happiest Place on Earth with my one of my cheeblings, Chloe. We had a great time despite the tremendous heat! Only problem was we missed our dearest brother, Reyboy, terribly!

This is my second time in Hong Kong Disneyland. My first visit was last year when I brought Yaya Helen to her first international vacation.

I had so much fun with Chloe and I know for sure she enjoyed the special day. It was nice being a kid once again and indeed, Disneyland is still the Happiest Place on Earth.

As we left HKD, it was too late for a birthday dinner so we just ate the goodies we got for dinner and had the famous egg tart as dessert. I'll have a big birthday lunch tomorrow - Chinese birthday lunch it is!

I would like to thank all who sent greetings through email, text messages, diverted calls and FB messages. I had fun on my 34th!

For The First Time

It was a spur of the moment, fast-paced but fully-loaded dinner and it was their first time. Yes, for the first time in their lives, as they mentioned to me during our dinner, that it was their first time to eat in Glorietta 3 and in California Pizza Kitchen (CPK).


Maricel and Malou are friends and former officemates of Jannice Bautista-Vejerano. Jannice is my former staff in a former workplace and a friend and a kumare as well. I met Maricel and Malou through Jannice.



Maricel is an assistant of Jannice in CSM and I’ve met her since 2006 and then I met Malou during Jannice and Roger’s wedding day in December 2006. We bonded and both are such sweethearts.



Malou now works in a specialized school library system. Her only son, Aaron is such a cute boy and very playful. Just like Jannice, Maricel is also my kumare. We are both godmothers of Jannice’s son, Paulo Matteus.

I only had a few open dates before my winter holiday so when I had an opening and I can have dinner for a few hours, I called both girls and we met at Glorietta 3.


We had dinner at CPK and devoured the sumptuous BBQ Chicken Pizza, Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, Fried Calamares and Fettuccine Alfredo. Of course, we had to have dessert. Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae was such a treat and even both girls enjoyed their Raspberry Iced Teas.

I tried calling Jannice to join us that night but she won’t answer my calls. It would have been nice if she was able to join.

We had fun catching up with various stories and promised each other to visit once everybody is free. It would be Maricel’s birthday on January and she would love to have another get together.


We parted early that night, it was getting late as well and we live in different parts of the Metropolis. We exchanged Christmas presents and Malou even made personal Christmas cards and what’s written inside the card made me shed a tear.

Maricel and Malou – thank you so much for the laughter and the gifts. I’ll treasure all of them. Have a great holiday and see you soon!

Back to UP

After a few months and a number of “rain-checked get togethers”, I was finally able to meet with Cutie Iyra and Jer, last Saturday, even for just five minutes. It was enough though to make updates and photo-ops. They just had to sneak out during a class that afternoon, hehehe.

Iyra is still a sight to see; still petite but I sense a lot of stress from her eyes. As for Jeremy, he’s still that same jolly person and has not lost his thoughtfulness.

I wish we could have bonded longer but I had errands somewhere else in the campus and the “kids” had a class to finish. Even so, we promised to see each other soon with the rest of the “kids”. This is a PAGING CALL for Sheryl, Mike, Marvin and Ja.


After that, I took a few more rounds around the academic oval and a lot of pictures of my alma mater.


2008 is a big year for us – mga Iskolar ng Bayan, for it’s our Centennial! I missed the opening ceremonies two weeks ago but for sure there will be more events to cap the celebration.

Oops, before I forget, thank you Tuesday for the heads up regarding the Mini Oble. I’ll get my statue next week with Emerson.

Go, UP!

Keeping Old Times, Strengthening Old Ties

Year in and year out we make it a point to see each other during special occasions. If we can’t make ourselves available in any ordinary day, we see to it that we meet at special dates within our lives. For years, I’ve been a little bit off in keeping my word with BFF Ruth in terms of seeing each other whenever it’s our birthday or the holidays. Time and distance are some big factors behind it but whatever date I miss, I make it up with constant emails, love letters and sending SMS.

For this year, I made it a point to lessen my shortcomings. BFF is always busy with her chores and I on the other hand have my own excuses. After I visited her at Cardinal, I told her that I’ll see her soon for the holidays. Lo and behold, after a number of missed get-togethers, we saw each other one more time before 2007 ended!


Over Chinese lunch and hot tea, we celebrated an early Christmas Lunch at the Highlands China Palace with Teddy and Elian. Baby Emilio’s still small so he stayed home with the grandparents.


Elian’s my godson and last time I saw him was three years ago in their residence in Don Antonio. I missed some of his birthday celebrations but I know I’m forgiven, because I didn’t forget my gifts! How’s that?! Hehehe. He really enjoyed the stuff I brought and was happy that we ate Chinese since he loves siu-mai.

Teddy, on the other hand, is looking very good; Ruth also. It looks like parenthood suits them both.


Seeing Ruth again with her family makes me reminisce the old days; the night-outs, the movie-dates, even the special lunches. Nowadays, it is really hard to do all the stuff since she’s already a mother of two and I’m always on the go.

Nevertheless, even if our bonding times are less, the true bond of friendship is still strong and will continue for a long time.

He's Big!

Last December 20th was the first time I laid eyes on my newest godson, Paulo Matteus, the first born of Jannice Bautista and Roger Vejerano. All that I can say when I saw him was “he’s so big!”

Pau was born last May 21st via caesarian section at Cardinal Santos Medical Center and baptized last August 18th. I was not able to attend the christening of Pau because I was in the US for the Kapatiran 2007. Though I was not able to attend, Maricel gladly shared to me photos of the christening and was able to inform me of the happenings.

I deliberately didn’t inform Ja and Roger of my Cainta visit since I’m not sure of my timetable. I had the window of time that Thursday morning and brought my gifts for the Baustista-Vejeano family.


Ina was there and she was babysitting Pau while the proud parents are at work. It was fun seeing another baby and cuddling him. He’s so cute, a carbon copy in color of Ja, might get the height of Roger and with features of Ja’s kid brother.

Pau didn’t cry when I carried him but he was already hungry and sleepy so I only spent a little time.

Though the visit was short it was still sweet – at least I’ve seen him face to face. Now, I have to see the parents. Hint, hint, hint!