Last night, I dined out with my girls Aileen, Rey and Paula at Bigby's Cafe to celebrate mine and Rey's December birthdays. It was fun! Bigby's gave us chocolatey treats (picture above) and sang happy birthday for us. It was nice!
Unexpectedly, their food came in huge servings, there were actually leftovers of our Food Trip Platter, Belly Buster and Chix Ahoy. And I thought we were giant eaters...
The food was great + super fun company = another unforgettable night!
To all Mindanao-Davao bloggers out there, check this out. . .
The DigitalFilipino.com Club is organizing a fellowship/networking event where e-commerce industry players and bloggers can catch up and exchange updates. This will be on October 21, Tuesday, 6 to 11 pm at the Pantawan Hall, Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City.
This event is sponsored by our club member PAGCOR.
6:00 - 7:00 Registration and Dinner
7:00 - 7:30 Guest introduction / plugs Welcome Remarks - PAGCOR Branch Manager Arthur Malatag
7:30 - 8:00 Updates by Janette
DigitalFilipino Web Awards 2008
DigitalFilipino.com Club Updates (online workshop and other efforts)
Ratified.org Philippines Top 100 Blogs 2008 (blogs that had big moves in 2008)
8:00 - 8:30 - PAGCOR Updates by President and COO Rafael "Butch" A. Francisco
8:30 - onwards - Raffle, Networking, Games
Bloggers are welcome to attend this event for FREE!!!
To register, you can either go to Davao Bloggers Haven or DigitalFilipino.com.
Labels: bloggers eyeball, DigitalFilipino, Janette Toral
I have this friend from the States who kept on telling me to read this Best Seller book for some time now but I never got to buy the book. And then, in one episode of Oprah, it was featured and of course the author himself was there, Mitch Albom. The book was made into a movie already and some parts of it were also shown in the show. It was that Oprah episode that pushed me to buy the book right away the next day. Luckily, the bookstore was on a one-month sale so I got it for a cheaper price.
Labels: For One More Day, Mitch Albom
Yesterday, Che dropped me a yahoo message and asked if I could accompany her for lunch as she was crying and had to go out their office to calm down. She fetched me from our office and decided where to dine. We spent quite some time to decide and then she remembered our favorite lunch date meal before, when we were still working together. Then, every payday, we'd treat ourselves to a descent meal and we always go to Blue Post Lanang and eat our very favorite Christopher Ribs.
Labels: Blue Post, Christopher Ribs
I am just proud to be a Dabawenyo!
Labels: Davao
Labels: Pizza Hut, Sausage Pop N' Dip
Last Saturday night, after a trip to the grocery, Pia declared she's hungry already and that she wanted to eat her very favorite siomai. I thought any siomai will do so I held her hand and walked towards Chowking which was the nearest resto that time but she changed direction and kept on pulling me heading to Mandarin. I said to myself, "Oh okay, so Mandarin's siomai's her favorite." That I should take note.
Labels: dimsum, Mandarin Tea Garden, rice toppings
Sometimes, kids just say things unexpected from them and I've had a taste of these from my little girl, Sophia. She just utter words which are inappropriate for what she is trying to say and it just makes me laugh listening to her.
There was this one time when I was cooking and she was busily playing with her dolls in our living room. I caught her watching me, observing me in a way, but I didn't mind her that time. And then she told me:
Pia: Mommy, sabi ni Teacher Fretzy, children should help in the household chores daw.
Me: Okay, tomorrow, you wash our clothes ha. (kidding her)
Pia: Okay, I'll help ate.
Me: No, you wash them all by yourself. Di ba sabi mo sabi ni Teacher Fretzy, you should help.
Pia: Oo nga, ang sabi nya, HELP!
There was this one time also when I got home from work. She usually meets me at the door and give me a big kiss and hug. But that night, it was different, she excitedly opened the door for me and said, "Hello Stepmother!"
Last Sunday, we were at Maa and she thought we were going to pass by GAP since she's familiar with the road already (something about her which I find amazing, she's really good with directions.) I assumed she was really hoping we'd pass it by cause after some waiting, she asked me "Mommy, bakit di pa natin nakita yong carabao na may tattoo?" (Kasi di ba ang carabao sa GAP may nakatatak na GAP sa bandang puwet? She thought it was a tattoo.)
Lastly, late night conversations with Pia are always the best. We'd talk just about anything. She'd ask me what my dreams are, I'd ask her what's hers. I talk to her like an adult and I always enjoy every conversation we have. One night, she was thinking really deep, and I asked her what's wrong and she just said, "Mommy, pwede bang palitan na natin bukas ang name ko? Pwede bang iba na naman? Pwede Cinderella?"
These are just some of her funny lines. Innocent, senseless but sometimes, it also makes me think and say "oo nga naman."
Last night, on our way home, we passed by this grilling station along Vinzon St. in Obrero. It was the first time we saw it open since it only opens at 11 AM and we usually pass it by early mornings. And since we didn't know what food our helper prepared for dinner, we decided to try and buy some at the station.
Labels: Eddy's Grill Staition, spare ribs
I was watching Without a Trace last night on C/S at RPN when one commercial caught my attention. I thought it was some testimony about a product but it was actually a feature on one of the great talents discovered in the show Britain's Got Talent. This man is a mobile phone seller and at first, I say this without any offense intended, I really thought that he was a"special child."
Labels: opera, Paul Potts
"Question: Another question for you Ms. Adora Gracia. For you, define darkness.
Answer: Well, that is a very enlightening question indeed. And if I were to define darkness, it’s sitting right beside me."
"If God knows, God knows!"
"Ako and babaeng bawal hawakan dahil baka di mo na kayang bitawan. Ako ang babaeng inosente sa tingin pero hayop ang dating."
This one's my personal favorite:
"I may never be a real woman, I may never be a real sister, I may never be a real mother but who knows, I may be your long lost father."
The Thank You Girls is Produced by Brooklyn Park Pictures in cooperation with Bicycle Picutres and Alchemy of Vision and Lights. For those who do not know, Alchemy of Vision and Lights is a Davao-based film and television production company who has done a lot of contribution already in promoting Davao through films. More and more of these works will boost even more Davao's economy and tourism.
According to sources, The Thank You Girls will have its premiere here in Davao on Monday, September 8 and the regular showing will be on Wednesday, September 10. For a teaser, just click on the link below.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x64mfi_the-thank-you-girls-teaser_shortfilms
Labels: thank you girls
Now tell me if you agree with me....Don't they just look alike?
Labels: babies
I had lunch with Ate Doris today at Kangaroo Coffee Company located at Tionko Avenue fronting Sunburst Chicken. She was inviting me for how many times already to try this cafe since it's one of the newest here in Davao. Today was our chance, good thing she didn't have work because of USA's Labor Day.
Anyway, we headed straight to the cafe after she fetched me from the office. Luckily, it wasn't at all that crowdy and so we didn't have a hard time looking for a parking spot. The place ain't that big but my first impression was it was really clean but not scenty though. Since it was a self-service cafe (I never really liked self-service restos), we searched for something interesting to order in their wall menu. Now, my second impression would be, it's too pricey! Very expensive, really.
Anyway, I ordered Baked Penne, a creamy red sauced penne pasta with lots of cheese at Php 140.00 and a slice of New York Cheese Cake at Pho 135. I had four seasons juice to go with it. All in all, my orders amounted to a total of Php 333. I enjoyed my pasta cause it was really creamy, but I did not even finish 1/4 of my New York Cheese Cake. It was fluffy, airy and not so good-tasting. Oh well, I guess I'll have to try their other pastries if there's anything I'd like.
By the way, if you're interested to taste one of the most expensive coffee in the world, you might as well try their Kape Balos which is their Civet coffee (Kopi Luwak), the type coming from Alamid's poops. But then again, it's worth Php 300 a cup (eh kaya nga most expensive.)
Labels: Kangaroo Coffee Company
August 23, 2007 at the SM Parking Lot C, we sang and danced to the groove of Earth, Wind and Fire's timeless music. We sponsored the ticket validation system for the concert and so we got to watch it all for free. We served as validators for the night and right after everyone has entered, we transferred near the stage and enjoyed the music and danced with it for the rest of the concert.
Labels: Earth, Wind and Fire
Last Sunday, we just stayed at home the whole day and did nothing but watch TV and eat. Maybe due to boredom, Pia busied herself with drawing. She just loves to draw and I'm actually happy with it cause I really didn't have the talent in drawing. But sometimes, it just irritates me when she makes a mess of our house with all her drawings. Inuubos nya double-sided adhesive tape namin just so she could post in our walls her drawings. Oh my! Still, whenever she makes new "masterpieces," as we call it, it still makes me really proud.
Labels: pia's masterpiece
I just turned on the TV to watch ASAP and I was just in time for Gary Valenciano's performance giving tribute to his 25 years in the industry. All these years, listening to Gary sing never fails to give me goosebumps. His music is indeed timeless and I just can't get enough of it.
Labels: gary valenciano
Che, one of my best buds since college, scheduled a lunch date with me today at our favorite kebab diner infront of Ateneo College. Unfortunately, we've been dining there for years now and I still don't know the place's name.. :"> We met around 12 and headed to Jacinto St., where the place is. To our dismay, they're no longer there! According to the nearby stalls, they already transferred to Ecoland. Such disappointment and to think we were really craving to eat their juicy kebabs.
Seven years ago exactly from today, Dennis and I exchanged marital vows by civil wedding in one of the courtrooms of the City Trial Court. We were actually on the tidying stage for the church wedding at that time, matter of fact, everything was all set...but then, we just decided to arrange a civil wedding one month before the Church rites because we believed it is equally as important as that of the Church. And without everyone's knowledge, except my mom's and Dennis' parents, we vowed in front of Hon. Jose Emmanuel Castillo that we be together forever as husband and wife. I can still remember that right after the rites, I cried heavily and hugged my mom so tight...I got really sad thinking I'd be leaving my mom already. Still, that day is one of the best days of my life.
For seven years, Dennis proved to be the most loving, sweetest, most understanding husband to me and the greatest dad to my daughter. He never failed to put a smile on my face when I get pained or stressed even. He is always patient with my tantrums and "kamaldita." He willingly embraced the kind of life I wanted to live. He accepted me for who I am which really amazes me because Dennis and I are truly OPPOSITE from each other. He accepted everything about me, my family, my friends, my life's drama. When I get really hurt, he need not say anything to console me (he's never good with words anyhow, hehehe)...his tight hugs and long kisses are enough to assure me everything's going to be alright.
We've had crazy moments, teary moments, challenging moments...but there was never a tiring moment for us. Of course, married life is not always bed of roses, of course, we've had our share of fights but then again, it's when working things out no matter what true love is proven. They say it's when a couple reach their seventh year, when all challenges pour quite heavily. I'm crossing my fingers on this. We've spent our first seven years as happily and as sweet as we can and I wish that the next seven years and the years after that will be spent equally as happy and loving and sweet as the previous years.
And with all these, I am endlessly grateful to God that he gave me Dennis, my bestest best friend....who, after seven years, remains my favorite part of the day...
Labels: PSP
Labels: carbonara, grand slam pizza, shakey's
Labels: hip hop abs, shaun t
I love prawns!!!
Yesterday, I was craving to eat one of my favorite dish which is batter-coated prawns or more know as camaron rebosado. And then I remembered I have prawns in our fridge so I hurriedly searched the net for the camaron rebosado recipe and pleaded Dennis that we pass by the grocery store so I could purchase the rest of the ingredients which are almost all baking aids.
I just love to cook and my biggest fan is my husband. Whatever I cook and serve on the table, maskin kabalo ko na walay lami, he would always say "Lamia Lab oy!"
Now, this would be my first attempt in cooking camaron rebosado but the procedures are real easy so I didn't really have a hard time preparing it. And this time, I can now conclude that the best marinating ingredients for fried food are only salt, pepper, vetsin and calamansi juice. For just about 30 minutes only since the calamansi juice is real strong.
In fairness to me, my camaron rebosado looked like it came from the restaurant! ^_^ I so love myself...
Labels: camaron rebosado
Yesterday, before heading home from our Sunday family day, we passed by the new Merco at Cabaguio Avenue. I invited Dennis to grab a bite first before going home since we haven't had our lunch yet.
Labels: ice cream shakes, merco, pizza
Last Friday, July 19, was Fojie's despidida party and we agreed that they'd sleep at the house afterwards and we'd watch Prom Night. Rey decided to come along as well. So after getting drunk at Light Repast, we headed first to Star Mart's Coffee Plus to get some hot coffee and by 2:30 AM, we went home.
Labels: sleepover
I grew up in the province and at a time where in our municipality (Maniki, Kapalong), the trisikad has not been even discovered yet, thus people has to walk wherever they want to go. Then, my favorite playmate was my Manong Raddy (my older brother), and I was kinda boyish then so wherever he'd go, I'd kept following him. What we most love doing together was catching huge frogs in our neighbor's pond...we'd let go of the frogs though.