Old faces. New Year.

What better way to spend the last day of the year than with the family that you hold dear.

From the Morales family, Happy New Year! (In a few.0

Hello Sunshine!

After almost a week if cold, damp,weather, it's so good to feel the heat and sunshine on our faces!

Hello Florida! You definitely deserve your title as "The Sunshine State!"

Lolo Love

Being Lolo to this adorable little boy is one of the best feelings. Ever!

Hope to hold you again soon, Baby Noah!

FMM: That's where we want to go...

Since we're heading off to Florida tomorrow, let me play this Friday Magic Madness song that begins with "Off the Florida keys..."

That, of course, is the 80s classic from The Beach Boys.



Yup, that's where we want to go.

With the mostest!

No kidding.

I can just stare at the Hostess rack the whole day.

'nuff said.

We meet again, mi amigo...

During my time in Mexico, I had a super favorite, go-to snack.

It was such a favorite that it became a joke. Whenever people would ask me what my favorite Mexican food was, my instant reply would be "Pinguinos!"

And, a few days into my US visit, look what I found!

Good to see you again, mi amigo Pinguino!

Holiday Surprise

During our Christmas dinner in 2017, we talked about our plans for this year's Christmas celebration, and they were pretty clear.

We were celebrating it in Manila. Tita Evelyn would fly in from Barcelona and would spend the holidays with us again. Biboy would try to come home. So, they were pretty standard plans.

Then, November happened.

Last November, there was a collective decision to just spend the Christmas holidays in GA. My parents and Biboy and his family are here, Ate Lissa would fly in from Utah, Kuya Marv already booked their flight.

The only missing links were Ate Bullet and me. By the 2nd week of November, Ate Bullet and her family had their US Visa renewed and their ticket booked. So, they were all set to fly to GA, too.

Which left me. And the rub was, my US Visa expired in November.

So, I scampered to get an appointment for a visa renewal. Hopefully with enough time to book a flight and fly to GA in time for Christmas.

And by December 14, a mere 11 days before Christmas, I got my visa and flight!

So, despite the plans made last year - surprise, surprise - the entire family is now celebrating Christmas in GA!

Sometimes the best plan is to not plan at all.

ATLast!

From our family in ATL to all our families around the world...

The gang's all here!

This finally happened!

From MNL to GA, wherever we may be, family is priceless!

Time to be complete!

Finally arrived at the first leg of my trip to GA!

Hello again, Doha!

FMM: Mind you!

Starting Sunday, Georgia won't just be on my mind, it'll be part of my holiday routine.

Time to bring out this Friday Magic Madness song from the 70s, from the great Ray Charles.



See you, Georgia!

Gonna shake it up!

Here's something I'm looking forward to next week!

After 2 years, I get to eat at Steak and Shakes again!

I'm shaking with excitement!

Full in so many ways!

Our annual Christmas lunch with the creative team left more than just our tummies full.

We were also filled with laughter, good cheer, stories, jokes both millennial and Tito in nature. And it also left me filled with gratitude for having an awesome team to work with the past year, and the year to come.

Merry Christmas team!

Baby in da club!

Another adorable photo of my adorable grand nephew!

I don't know what he was doing when this was shot, but he looks like he's ready to hit the club.

Can't wait to see you again, Baby Noah!

Hotdog!

There's a new addition to my "so cheap but so good" list.

This!

'Nuff said.

A toast to tradition!

Traditions do more than keep the spirit of the company alive, it also binds us together with a common experience that we'll cherish for the years to come. Just like what we do at the office before Christmas.  The management team gets together for a traditional toast with Finlandia Vodka, and a wish for a better, brighter year.

Kippis!

Angelic

While I'm not a fan or follower of Netflix, there are some trailers that make me want to sign up immediately.

One of those trailers is for this animated feature entitled "Angela's Christmas."



The trailer is super intriguing. It's one of those trailers where you don't know what the story is, or where it's going. But it's something that's definitely worth watching.

Maybe it's time to sign up for Netflix now.

FMM: Togetherness

And just like that, it's confirmed!

Our Christmas will be spent together in GA!

This calls for a song from "Grease."



Yes, we'll all go together this Christmas and New Year. And I couldn't be happier.

De-light!

Someone adorable can't get enough of the street lights in Clearfield!

I swear, that smile just lights up my day!

Heads up!

Here's a random - and interesting - photo I found from last week's party.

Three heads are better than one!

Three generations of greetings!

Happy birthday to the best Dad, Grand Dad, and now, Great Grand Dad!

We're all lucky to have you!

Chicken it out!

Random runs to 7-11 often leads to interesting discoveries.

A few months ago, I came across Frabelle's Salted Egg Fish Skin which was a clear winner.

Today, I found this!

Flavored Chicken Skin sounds deadly! But we had to try it!

It was good. Really, really, R-E-A-L-L-Y good!

Lauded!

On today's edition of "I'm definitely growing old!"

My niece, Kai-Kai, is not just graduating from University, she's graduating Summa Cum Laude!

Way to go, Kai! That's an accomplishment worth lauding.

What to bring?

No, Lawson, that isn't the plural of "Food."

Proofreader, please!

FMM: Dancing with the Stars

Still on a "Stars" hangover, the Friday Magic Madness song I chose was a staple during the 80s.

Dad had a few cassette tapes of this, and we'd play it occasionally whenever we wanted to just stand up and jump around. (Our version of dancing as kids.)

The song, of course, is "Stars on 45."



Doesn't it make you just want to stand up and dance around?

In a Galaxy not so far away...

The Guardians got together to party!

Presenting the Creative Department's team costume for 2018. We're a combination of Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Infinity. This is our interpretation of this year's "Outer Space" theme.

Well played, team. This is out-of-this-world!

Goldi-good grief!

You'd think that "Chunky" would be easy to spell, right?

Apparently not.

I'm quite shocked since this came from Goldilocks.

Proofreader, please.

WATN: Where's all that?

In the 90s, everyone knew Rachael Leigh Cook.

And everyone knows her from her iconic "going down the stairs after the makeover" scene in "She's All That."

Fast forward to 2018, and I'm wondering where she went.

WWe need to see her again. Stat!

I'll follow her!

Yes, I just can't get enough of Julia Roberts! And I can't get enough of this segment on Ellen where she talks about joining Instagram and Ellen trying to get her more followers.



Heck, I'll follow her anytime. (Though I don't have Instagram, so I can't. Harhar.)

Precious Diamond

It's Mom's diamond year! Just like the gem, Mom is multi-faceted, sparkling and is someone super precious to all of us.

And yes, she's our family's bright bling!

Happy 75th birthday, Mom!

Let's get ready to RomPol!

It was a wedding that people waited a decade for. That's why when it happened, everyone had to be there to witness as Apol and Romeo sealed the deal with the sacrament of marriage.

The ceremony and reception was very intimate, light, heartfelt and authentic. Pretty much like the couple.

Congratulations, RomPol!

FMM: Twist it!

Today feels like a 90s hip-hop day. Don't ask me why, it just feels that way.

One of my guilty pleasures during that decade is this uppity, boppity, hip-hoppity song from a group who's name isn't the most politically correct - nor accurate - one.

It's a 1992 classic, "Tap the Bottle and Twist the Cap."



Yes, the group is called "Young, Black Teenagers." And yes, some of the members are actually white.

But enough overthinking these twisted factoids. Let's just enjoy the music.

A different point of view

It's fun to discover how things differ if you look at them from a different point of view.

Snowflake? Or Chandelier?

It's all in the way you view things.

She's Golden!

Growing up, if there was comment about me and Ate Bullet that people kept on repeating, it's that we look exactly alike.

Several people said that if Ate Bullet were a guy, he's look like me. Conversely, if I became a girl, I'd look exactly like her.

They say it's our bushy eyebrows. Some say it's our eyes. Others say the similarity comes from our tendency to smile a lot.

But aside from our physical similarities, another thing I noticed growing up is that we're also alike in certain traits.

She's very creative, and she expresses it through her cuisine and her cake decorating skills. She's into traveling, and she cherishes and chronicles every trip she makes with her family. She's into fashion, and has a keen eye for clothes and what suits her best. She also has a penchant for shopping and finding bargains.

On the flipside, Ate has certain qualities that I don't. (And wish I do.) She's very patient and kind. She's extroverted and can talk to anyone, anytime. She's an intrepid, go-getter, and works hard to get something once she puts her mind to it. No wonder she's very popular among her circle - whether it's in business, school or her friends.

These are the same qualities that make us gravitate towards each other. The same qualities that make me glad and proud to have her as my sister.

And on her golden day today, I wish her all the happiness and blessings in the world. Because she's a blessing to others and has made a lot of people happy.

Happy Birthday, Ate!

Chatime takes its time

It's been about 20 minutes since my order. And my order is just large strawberry milk tea. But still, it isn't here.

Worse, they're not even making it yet.

There's one guy inside who's checking equipment, listing things, cleaning up - he looks like he's doing everything. Except making any of the tea orders that are already there. So, you have a couple of cups of tea waiting to be made, and no one making it!

Sometime soon, please, Chatime. Sometime soon.

Heart to Art

While passing through SM Megamall on the way home, something caught the corner of my eye that made me stop and do a double take.

On the window display of Kamiseta, there were several dresses, blouses and skirts that has beautifully drawn artwork as prints. And you know I can't resist a good print, so I was immediately drawn into the store.

It turns out that the beautiful paintings were all done by Heart Evangelista, and translated to fashion pieces through a collaboration.

Almost all pieces were showstoppers, but there was one that was truly, beautifully irresistible. This pleated skirt (see, it's a trend) with a delicate print of 3 women.

There's a certain Gustav Klimt quality to the painting, and it's sure to be a conversation piece. Now, since the skirt is very artsy, it has to be the focus of the outfit. So, for the top, a plain, black Uniqlo blouse with puffed sleeves is just what the fashion doctor ordered.

Together, this ensemble screams Art Gallery opening chic!

You gotta heart this ensemble! You just gotta!

Color Story: More Earthen wear

Yellow, brown and taupe are tricky hues, mainly because they're too muted and have a tendency to look blah.

When done right, though, earth tones can be very refreshing and stylish.

Here's an ensemble that did it right.

The skirt is from Memo. It immediately struck me after seeing it on their display window.

Pleats and pleated skirts are enjoying a resurgence, and this is one of its latest incarnations. Aside from the color play, the shapes in this skirt are also eye-catching.

For the top, I was looking for one that had a complementing color and a non-traditional shape. Enter this top from Uniqlo.

The color echoes the middle tone of the skirt, which give the ensemble a unified look.

See, earth tones can be very refreshing and stylish. And considering this is the 2nd ensemble in 2 months with the same earthen hue, you know it's a trend that the earth is really buying.

Somewhere, Someday, Sambal

Whowouldathunk that shrimp-chili paste could be used as a bread filling!

Apparently it can. Exhibit A, a grocery find in SG.

It tastes strange, but strangely interesting.

It'll probably take some time before I get used to the taste, though.

FMM: Fortunati is Bananas!

By some twist of fate, the 3 creative directors at the office are all born in November. That means there are 3 scorpions in the group, and there's 3 times the celebration.

Needless to say, during tonight's birthday bash, 80s music was king! After all, you've got three 80s babies in the house.

One of the songs that was heavily requested was an 80s dance ditty by Michael Fortunati. It's a dance floor classic from that decade - "Give me up."



The reason why it was the popular choice was because it sounds so much like another hit 80s ditty, Bananarama's "I heard a rumour."



Have a listen and find out for yourself.

Uncanny, isn't it?

Mule love it!

As it was during my last SG trip with Mark, my shopping chores were actually done before my arrival.

Did a few shopping runs at the zalora.sg website the last month, and all I needed to do was to pick them up from Jo.

My favorite purchases from this run? Mules!

First, this mule with tri-color fringes. It gives it this carefree, bohemian vibe, but because of the color, it's very classic chic.

Second, this velvet, bejeweled pair. Can you say luxe?

Ate has had a mule phase of late, that's why I'm sure she'll love these!

Graphic Novel

It was a feeling of shock after seeing this book on sale near the Children's section of a book sale in SG.

A cartoon depicting a shooting! Complete with blood spurting from his chest!

Amazing what you can read - and see - these days.

I'm still a Fan-ta!

Last time I wrote about Fanta Grape, it was in Tokyo with Mark.

It was a pleasant surprise to find my favorite Fanta flavor at Changi Airport yesterday. Ergo, I just couldn't resist!

I'll always be a Fanboy. A Fanta boy.

Lit!

This pretty much describes SG these days.

The streets, the malls, the parks - they're all lit up in anticipation for Christmas.

I like it! A lot!

Eat's about Singapore

No visit to SG is complete without noshing on my favorite local eats!

My favorite bread.

My favorite prawn mee in Golden Mile.

And my favorite fast food.

Eat's perfection!

Ad Infinitum

Whenever I'm in SG, one thing consistently on my agenda is meeting up with my advertising friends from MNL and HKG.

So, I did.

Tonight, it was a great catch-up night with Arnie and Sheilah Marie. We used to all work together in DY&R and Adformatix, and now, these 2 are raising the Philippine flag in SG advertising agencies.

It was an uplifting, interesting and enriching conversation about the changing face of the industry, our beginnings back home, and funny moments when we were still working together. It was one of those moments when it feels like you were just with them yesterday, even if it's been more than a year since you last got together.

That's one of the hallmarks of a friendship of long standing.

We should do this more often.

FMM: Going to Sing

Just because I'm in SG this weekend, let me play this Friday Magic Madness song from the 70s. From the Carpenters, no less.



Just sing, Singapore!

One in a million

"A Million Little Things," is another series I've been following lately.

It has a simple but intriguing premise, but what I like about it is how much it's grounded in reality. No big plot twists, no mind boggling reveals, just simple, honest drama.

The same things I want in a show to watch.

Who's the Ross?

I'm always interested to see who the November cover girl of InStyle is.

Since it's my birth month, there's this certain affinity I feel for this month's headliner.

It's the same feeling when I found out who she is this month.

Tracee Ellis Ross!

I've always loved her comedic chops, especially in "Blackish." And of course, there's the fact that she's the daughter of the original Boss - Diana Ross.

Good choice, InStyle. Good choice.