Turning 36...

I can’t remember the last birthday that fell on a work/week day. For the past several years, I was not working as a full time employee. Based on previous experience, whenever my birthday fell on a work/weekday, it was always filled with too much work, stress and that “ME” time was impossible.

Last 2010, it fell on a Friday. I was overseas attending a convention that week but on the day itself, I was able to visit and relax at Hong Kong Disneyland. Last 2011, I spent most of day with my pillows while Mom prepared my fave dishes. I even had dinner with the family and was showered with lots of Hello Kitty presents. Not to mention, my birthday cake was divine.

This year, on my thirty-sixth birthday (I call it my 18^th!), I was supposed to be attending again a convention overseas but I opted not to join from the line-up. A week ahead before the 4^th, I already planned to have a catered lunch for my work colleagues, a visit at St. Andrew’s Church in the morning and possibly dinner with the family after work.

Whew! What a day to start! I was already up as early as 3am, waiting for all of my office-mates to arrive at NAIA T1, after a final SMS from my fellow Yehey Productions member that all of them are already present and waiting in line, I turned BBB into silent mode and slept for another hour before I prepare for the day. Lo and behold, as I unlocked BBB, 12 missed calls and 10 messages!

I was excited, hoping they were birthday greetings and callers as early as 530am. Hindi pala! So, my 18^th birthday started not so good. A case of “katangahan”, of course, not by me, led to the not so good mood of almost everyone at work. Whew!

Knowing that I will not dampen my day with bad vibes, go, go, go! Breakfast of champions with my Cheeblings and visited the nearest church that we pass before going to work. Paid my respects at St. Andrew’s Church and was happy for the blessings given and wished for more in the coming years.

At work after Church, it was a madhouse! I was surprised with the gifts, I got two at work. (Haven’t opened them yet!). I have a full load for the day since I was kept late still last Friday. Good thing; I know how to work fast, accurate yet fast. 

Before lunch break, Chloe arrived with Mom and Yaya Helen. I invited them to join the office lunch treat and took some good pictures. Since Yaya Helen was the one taking pictures, we completely forgot to take our picture.

Sir Bobby gave a wonderful prayer and wishes and blessed our food. Corrhin’s Catering never fails with their good food. Everyone was satisfied with the lunch buffet: Molo Soup, Japchae (Korean Pancit), Chicken Cordon Blue, Pork Pastel De Lengua, Fish Fillet and Black Gulaman with Lychee. Burp!

After lunch and clean up, it was back to work. Stressful work day for me, and yet I was still positive that I’ll be able to leave work at 5:01pm. My bad. It did not happen. I left the office at 7:10pm. Hungry and tired and wishing to just cuddle up with my pillows and sleep.

Then I remembered what Haydelin mentioned earlier during our Chikahan while working…

H: Ma’am, birthday na birthday mo, pinagtratrabaho kita.
R: Oo nga, 3am pa lang tapos bad news pa ang sumalubong sa umaga ko, tapos hindi man lang ako nabati ng HBD.
H: Pasencya na po, pero mabilis ka naman magtrabaho, matatapos mo din naman agad.
R: Okay lang. (Sabay biglang tumawa ng malakas na malakas parang Donya Buding).
H: Bakit po?
R: Naalala ko lang, weekday ang birthday ko at workday. Basta ang birthday ko, work/weekday, palaging loaded sa trabaho. Minsan, may party sa bahay, nanduon na lahat ng bisita, ako na lang ang wala.

I missed my birthday dinner. Even BFF Ruth was waiting for the venue. I asked for a rain check and we will have our usual birthday celebration on Friday. I have another birthday celebration on Wednesday dinner. I even have a movie date/lunch/dinner with the only Sistahud in Manila and hopefully a date with some of the beautiful and gal pals (Sem, Sheena, et.al.) before the end of the week.

Even though it was a very hectic day for me, I am still happy that a lot of friends remembered and greeted me by SMS, email and through FB. I even got a birthday card thru post. Thank you for the greetings and the gifts... receiving such made my stressful birthday/work day still a good one!

Twelve Thousand Nine-Hundred Fourteen and a Half Days Old

35 is just 20, with 15 years of experience!

I just celebrated a milestone birthday, 04 June 2011. I would like to give big birthday thank you to my Mom, Dad, Sister and Brother. Thank you for making my birthday a very special day filled with the wonderful treasures I'm keeping - yes, the special gifts and pictures.

Thank you for always taking the time and making the effort to make me feel special. I would like to thank the Lord for giving me another year to be productive and thank You for the blessings that You continue to shower me and my family. Thank you to everyone who remembered my birthday! Each greeting really meant a lot to me and absolutely made my day. I just wanted to thank you all for the birthday wishes!!!! It means the world to me that you all are thinking of me on my special day :)

I spent my 35th birthday relaxing and spending tons of time with my pillows. I went to Church and thanked God for all the blessings and even watched the church people prepare for a mid-day wedding. I had breakfast prepared by Yaya Helen, had another breakfast with Mom and Reyboy that they bought at the Salcedo Saturday market, then took a short morning siesta.

Mom with Helen, Clara and Mario prepared lunch of Pancit Bihon, Pako Salad, Beef with Water Cress, Inihaw na Hito and Pork BBQ, Squid and Fish Balls with Leche Flan and Sherbet for desserts. Dad arrived from Taiwan just in time for the scrumptious feast.

After the hearty lunch, I took my afternoon birthday siesta while waiting for Chloe to arrive from Cedric’s Baptism. I was sleeping my heart out since I was awake in the break of dawn just to watch Roger Federer beat Novak Djokovic in the French Open 2011 Semi-Finals. Hoot, Hoot, Roger!

After tons of sleep, we left for dinner. We decided to try the Makati version of the legendary Malate restaurant, Lolo Dad’s. This branch is more accessible to us compared to the Malate restaurant. The concept of these two restaurants is quite different. The food and the prices offered are not the same. Nevertheless, it’s an adventure just to eat in any one of these branches.

We started off with the Charcuterie Sampler, Pop – over bread and Parmesan and Pimenton Pastry Twist. Chloe even ordered more Jamon Serrano since it’s our ultimate favourite. The Warm Spinach and Sauteed Mushroom Salad was even good.

For the main course, I had the Steak Sampler of U.S Rib Eye steak, Tenderloin, Striploin, Tajima Wagyu Topside with Mushroom Risoto. I heart the Risoto! Yum-o! As we are almost finished with dinner, we had a sighting of Gretchen Barretto. She came in the restaurant chaperoned by a nanny and with such funfare. He, he, he. Overall, we were happy with our experience in this place. Good food and impressive customer service. Kudos to our server, Nińo!

After the dinner, we went home for dessert and gift opening. I opened twenty-seven birthday presents and enjoyed my majestic birthday cake. Based on the pictures, you’ll be able to guess, that the theme for the night is Hello Kitty! Ha, ha, ha! It is a long time childhood addiction that only a few people know about.

It was definitely a great milestone birthday! For the following days, there will be birthday blowouts with my precious friends! One by one and hopefully will be able to see them all!

Thirty-Five!

Happy New Year!

Celebrate and make it the best year ever!

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!

They're Engaged!

"Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart." ~Author Unknown

Congratulations on your engagement!


Wishing you both happiness as you begin this exciting new phase together!

Moises and Weng: Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.

Sister-rific Chloe

Together we laugh, we cry
We sometimes fight; we often cheer each other up.
There's no better blessing than having a Sister who is also a Friend!



Wishing you a very Happy 29th Birthday, Chloe Jean!

2-0-1-0

Hope the New Year starts off with a blast! May We Soar to New Heights in 2010.

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!

Fabulous Christmas

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a holiday that's filled with cheer and a very happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year!

Thirty-third

The Best Mom Ever!

You fill our home with love and laughter, warmth and comfort, life and hope...




...You're the secret ingredient in this family.


Happy Mother's Day, Mami!