Charityrdelacruz's Weblog

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!

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

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!

 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.

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!