Almost four months ago . . .

Stage 2 of the Sky Way construction at the South Luzon Express Way began during the 3^rd week of March.  That’s almost 4 months ago.  It caused terrible traffic during the first few weeks of construction.  Going to the office and traveling back home after a hard day’s work were a nightmare.  We had to start earlier than our usual time leaving the house and we had to contend with the bumper to bumper vehicles on the expressway!  Thank goodness, “counter flow” was invented.  We probably would never arrive at our Makati office on time if not for those precious counterflows that we took.  It’s just sometimes we always have to keep our fingers crossed that the counterflow opens before we even get to the opening!  Otherwise, we go thru the experience of roving the horrendous Alabang to Bicutan stretch!  And imagine, that’s just going to work and that we’re just half way thru.  The other half is this:  the normal 1 hour ride going home has been doubled and for me it was truly a waste of precious time!  It meant lesser time being with CJ all the more.  Hahaha.  How about on weekends?  We don’t try passing thru SLEX, at all!!!  We’d rather take the Coastal route.  And besides we usually stay at home on weekends.  If it’s not that important, our cars our parked Saturday and Sunday at the garage!

We have to thank God the construction’s progress is steady fast.  A lot of posts have been built and it seems workers have been working round the clock!  Compared to the construction of Sky Way’s 1^st stage way back the 1990s, I guess Stage 2 will be done sooner!  More visible are the equipments, construction people and pre-fabricated steels and thrushes.  They are beyond doubt so quick.  I suppose we can attribute it to the enhanced superior technology nowadays.

At present, there’s still traffic but it’s more manageable.  There are still traffic jams but before was super worse.  Probably, the ease was brought about by the fast progress in the construction and probably also because of the notion that people are more acclimatized to traffic already!  Everyone seems to be expecting it. 

Noteworthy though that the flow from Alabang to Calamba is so much better now.  My brother said his travel from Alabang to Sta. Rosa is so smooth.  It only takes him 15 minutes to arrive at home.  Now, isn’t that wonderful?

I wonder if Sky Way Stage 2 is completed how fast could traffic flow from Makati to home?  Haaaay, I’m sure it’ll be a breeze!!!  What’s not a breeze is the pricey toll fees that may be imposed!  Well, I can only hope that it’s not gonna be that unreasonably steep.  =)

 

Goodbye Mr. Moonwalker

Michael Jackson is a legend. He is truly an icon that brought zest to today’s music. Controversial even to his time of death, MJ made it big for a fact! Though I’m not a big fan, his hit songs were songs that I like to listen to. Some of it, I even know and memorize by heart. ‘She’s Out of My Life’ and ‘Heal the World’ are personal favorites. His dance moves were to scream for. The crotch-grabbing “you know I’m bad” step and the moonwalk were a blast!

The King of Pop

To the King of Pop, may you rest in peace as you are welcomed by God’s loving embrace. Thank you for bringing “Thriller” to the world. A lot of people mourn your death but a lot more believes in your music that brought magic. Forever your music will live on!

 

Father’s Day

It’s daddy’s day this coming Sunday and since the aH1N1 (swine flu) scare is still in town, we’re doing our celebration within the confines of our home. It’ll just be a simple get together. Nothing really grand in a sense but the thought of just being together as a family, it enlivens me. We’ll all be in Papa and Mama’s place at Pilar. Lolo is there and my brother’s family will be arriving! Haven’t seen my nephews for a month already and when they last called, they said they are excited to see CJ soon! Come to think, they’re all boys pala! It’s actually a “riot” when you see the boys playing and running all over the place! Hay naku, superrrrrrr “gulo”!

Anyway, this is to say thank you to Papa for having been a very good father to me. Thank you for providing well and for always making me feel beautiful, loved and good all the time, from the day I was born and to this day! I will always be your little darling angel on your shoulder. I love you!

Jijan Bro, it’s nice to see that you turned out to be a more responsible man that I thought you would be. You make me proud sistah! Keep it up so that your kids may mimic the good man that you are! Just do us a favor, stop the smoking.

And to my dear great love of my life, I’ve always been a proud wife knowing that I have found my better-half, my Mr. Right and my BFF (best friend forever)! But I’m prouder now, because you turned out to be the wonderful and loving daddy to our son, CJ. Thank you for being a good-worthy father to CJ! I love you very much!

 

Panatang Makabayan

Didn’t get to memorize this when I was a kid.  It wasn’t required in school so I didn’t mind not until the question came, “Are you a Filipino?”.  Actually, I am a Filipino but what’s my commitment to the country?  It’s all summarized in this “PANATANG MAKABAYAN”.  It says it all but it’s only words. If only all Filipinos know this by heart and practice it, especially the ones serving in the government, the Philippines could have been more thriving in it’s economic state, could have been more successful in conquering corruption and red-tape and could have been more contributory to a better world.  But why look at others, it should start with me and others may follow suit.  I’m doing my part as a contribution.  Be a responsible and disciplined Filipino citizen.

 Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas
Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan
Ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi
Ako’y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan
Upang maging malakas, maligaya at kapakipakinabang
Bilang ganti, diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang
Susundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralan
Tutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin ng isang mamamayang makabayan at masunurin sa batas
Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan nang walang pag-iimbot at ng buong katapatan
Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa.

English translation:

I love the Philippines.
It is the land of my birth;
It is the home of my people.
It protects me and helps me to be strong, happy and useful.
In return, I will heed the counsel of my parents;
I will obey the rules of my school;
I will perform the duties of a patriotic, law-abiding citizen;
I will serve my country unselfishly and faithfully
I will be a true Filipino in thought, in word, in deed

 

Antonio’s

My dad, my mom, and my family (Cloyd and CJ) went to Antonio’s (at Tagaytay) on a cloudy Sunday.  It was actually a lunch treat for Mama who just celebrated her birthday a day before.  Eating at Antonio’s was really on my list of things to do this 2009.  Since we still can’t travel (because of the little kid), we opted to do things that are within reach.  Now, you’re wondering why my brother and his family weren’t with us?  My nephews Don and Dongee have the itchy chicken pox virus.  They’re banned from joining us since CJ is susceptible to these kinds of viruses and I wouldn’t want him to get it at this early stage.

 Anyway, making the reservations was a breeze.  I just called 0917-8992866 (Liezel was the one who took my call) and in no time we have a table reserved for us already.  Thank goodness, they weren’t running full. 

 Finding the place was also easy.  There were visible signages after the Mendez traffic light.  Directions were easy to follow and it accurately led us to the talked about place.  The huge wooden gate of Antonio’s welcomed us. 

Antonio's gate

As expected, there were already lots of cars parked inside since it’s a few minutes pass noon.  We were seated at the main dining hall because the receptionist saw that we have a baby.  I wouldn’t risk having CJ getting rained on so even without a garden view, seating at the main dining hall was the best option.  Besides, it was near the kitchen so I suppose the food will get to us faster.  And gauging from the cars parked outside, I knew there were lots of dining guests so there was really no choice.

 And so we ordered.  Cloyd and I had the Grilled Certified Angus Beef Prime Rib Eye Steak (with mashed potato and rice with olive greens), my mom had the Antonio’s Trio Sampler, while my dad tried their Seafood Sampler. 

Antonio's Trio Sampler

All entrees were served as set meals, which includes the fresh house salad with raspberry vinaigrette, soup of the house (oven baked tomato soup at that time), the sweet desserts and coffee/tea.  I upgraded my salad to Foie Gras Potato Truffle Tempura and I just love it! When it was served, we all start digging into the salad.  I did not get a chance to take a picture of it.  The main entrée were all delectable, although nothing really mouth-watering.  It was cooked the way we expected and wanted it.  What was notable was the service.  It was the experience of having the courses served one at a time at your table by the courteous waiters.  Of course, CJ was kind of restless while waiting for each course to be served.  In between, Cloyd, Mama or I take turns in distracting him. We had to bring him out in the garden at times (good thing it was just cloudy and not raining).  He particularly got amused with the koi pond and he liked the mashed potato (that came as side dish with our main entrée’) I gave him in minuscule amounts.

 Anyway, back to the food.  Since I really have a sweet tooth, I just had to overindulge on their desserts.  What my mom, dad and Cloyd couldn’t finish, I finished.  As in, I literally ate everything on their dessert plates after they said they don’t want it anymore! 

Antonio's Flourless Choco Cake

Papa had the Dark Chocolate Souffle.  Mama had the Pana Cotta with Caramel and Chocolate Notes.  Cloyd had the Poached Pear in Port wine with Mascarpone Ice Cream and the finest of them all, my Antonio’s Flourless Chocolate Cake!  To be exaggerated about it, “It was to die for!” (Hahaha!).  I just love the sweet bitter taste of their chocolate!

 After the meal, we also got the chance to wander at the well-manicured garden of Antonio’s.  It’s just awesome. The garden was simply beautiful and I’m sure the owners are really proud of their gardeners for having done a great job with creating and maintaining this garden.

 Here is a view of the garden from the staircase.

 

Antonio's Garden

Antonio’s is every bit grand and gorgeous.  It’s beautiful!  You get to really experience a remarkable dining ambiance.  There’s not even a pressure to dress up (like you would have to in hotels, for instance), and you get an overall pleasant meal with exceptional service.  But of course, exceptional service always comes with a price.  It’s worth paying a few thousand bucks anyway.

 Good thing we were able to take pictures in the garden.  A few minutes after leaving Antonio’s, heavy rain poured.

 

My life-giver on earth turned 60

Mama celebrated her 60th birthday last weekend and we were all happy to share with her 60 years of a healthy, happy and fulfilled life. It’s indeed a piece of good fortune for her to have reached this age still healthy and fine good-looking. Hopefully, we get to reach her age too at the same state.

Mama is one good person. She is very loving wife, a very kind sister and a very dear friend. Mama is also an epitome of a good mother. Jijan and I need ask for more. Mama is an equally good grandma to Don, Dongee (my nephews) and CJ. She is good karma, personified! Truly we are blessed to have her in our lives! And as she celebrates her 60th birthday, we could only wish for her continued health and countless happiness!

God bless you always, Mama! We love you very much! We look forward to celebrating another 60 more years!

 

Scandal

The Kho-Halili and Kho-Reyes videos continue to shock the whole Philippines. Everyone is just so interested in watching them. For one, I am so curious that I had to copy the video files from a friend who has a copy. It’s all over the news and it’s been widely commented by most people especially by the Senate, my officemates, group of friends, in the department store (imagine, the cashier and the bagger was talking about it!) and even in corporate meetings (as side topic, hehehe).

Well, I have to give my 2-cent opinion on this. When I watched the video, it was like watching an x-rated movie. The actors or should I say the victims, made all the flesh come alive given that almost all the sex positions were done. I couldn’t even imagine that the act would last for more than 20 to 40 minutes or so! They were really some kind of a ‘total performer’ and all these were caught in video! Dr. Kho must have really some kind of psychiatric problem for recording his sexual acts with his girls, or both he and the girls must have taken drugs. I just can’t figure it out why it had to be taped/recorded, why it wasn’t discretely kept by the videographer (allegedly Dr. Kho), how it was obtained by other people and why it has to be released for public consumption. Is it money, fame, betrayal, revenge or just for the sake of art?

The videos may or may not have been probably gotten with the girls’ consent. But something has to be done about women’s right to privacy and exploitation. The Senate must really enact a law and not just do this for a show just because it’s near election time!

Here’s my other cent: Come to think of it too, why did the girls engaged themselves with Dr. Kho knowing fully well that he and Belo are still together and very much publicly known as a couple? Why did Katrina Halili come into the open knowing fully well that she’d have to go thru a very tormenting ordeal although that video shows it’s as if she likes what they’re doing?

Wonder why Belo took Hayden back? Must have been love or should I say could it have been the “performer” quality of Hayden?

Scandal? Perhaps. Just my opinion. I’m entitled to it, right?

 

8 Things

Saw this from a friend’s blog. She got tagged. Just wanted to do my own enumeration.

8 Things I’m Looking Forward To

1. CJ growing some teeth
2. My LV bag (from UK, Monogram Neverfull)
3. The new built-in cabinet to be installed in 2 weeks time
4. Buying GAP, Old Navy and Nike stuff for CJ
5. CJ’s 1st birthday celebration
6. Having a baby girl next year
7. Traveling to Hongkong Disneyland with the family
8. Winning the lotto and saving it for the future

8 Things I Did Yesterday
1. Went to work
2. Ate lunch with girlfriends at Mom and Tina’s
3. Got the stuff (party favors) I ordered on line
4. Spoke with my agent at Manulife regarding and educ. plan proposal for CJ
5. Ordered cake at Goldilock’s for my mom’s 60th birthday on Saturday
6. Played with Daddy Cloyd and little CJ till 10pm
7. Surfed the net
8. Watched TV

8 Things I Wish I Could Do
1. Shop everyday
2. Travel every month
3. Take care of CJ 24/7, wahaha! Feeling super mommy!
4. Buy a house (300 sq. meters lot at least)
5. Go to the gym, exercise and get a massage
6. Speak several foreign languages like Latin and French
7. Work from home
8. Eat at Spiral tmrw for breakfast or lunch

8 Shows I Watch
1. Nigella Feasts
2. House
3. Desperate Housewives
4. Handy Mandy (cartoons, I make CJ just listen to this)
5. Disney Playhouse (also cartoons)
6. Only you (Teleserye of ABS CBN)
7. project Runway
8. CSI

 

When CJ was about 1 month old . . .

My little baby knows how to smile!

 

Our bundle of joy has finally arrived and completed our lives!

CJ

 

 

Baby CJ (Cloyd Joseph) was born last November 20, 2008 at 8:32 am.  God gave him to us a few weeks before Christmas and we must admit it has been our best Christmas ever although what Cloyd and I just did on Christmas eve was just watch CJ sleep and just stare at him.

 

CJ is so loved by his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  I could see how happy they are to have CJ around.  He’s been long awaited and we’re happy that CJ is growing fast healthy and cheery!  The warm welcome that the family gave him is so heartfelt, and it’s a joy for a mother to see that many other people love her child.

 

My only prayer for CJ is that he stays healthy as he grows up to be a fine man: happy, handsome, intelligent and God fearing.