Found in translation

It's true that you learn something new everyday.

Example, I was today years old when I found out that "Chicharon Bulaklak" has an English translation.

Somehow, it sounds more fine dining when you call it "Flowerfat."

This Singer is a Driver

Chanced upon this photo on the internet that instantly resonated with me.

We had this exact Singer sewing machine at home, and I'd often pretend to drive using the sewing machine wheel. So, I'm basically the kid in the photo.

This made me miss the good old days of my childhood.

New Year, Old Frendz

Though we might not see each other as often as we used to, or as often as we want to, it's always a riot when D' Frendz finally get together.

This coming 2026, here's to more meet-ups, iyak-tawa moments and discoveries with these long standing friends.

From spreads to jams

Another month, another party organised by the creative team.

Since it's October, we wanted to do something related to Oktoberfest, but not too obvious.

Thus, Oktober Jam.

It's probably the longest party we've had so far. It extended until after midnight ,which is testament to how much everyone enjoyed it.

This jam was a success!

Way back Wednesday

Facebook just reminded me that this happened 14 years ago!

This was one of the times that the siblings were all here in MNL, so we decided to have a photo shoot. This was at a garden restaurant in Antipolo, and it was so much fun.

Gosh! Time really flies when you're having fun with the family.

One of Four

It's going to be a "good kind of busy" week .

Today is the 1st day of 4 days of shooting. We have today and tomorrow, then Thursday to Friday.

It's going to be a lot of fun! 

(And the studio for the Thursday and Friday shoots have a Lawson in the same building.)

On a Quest

It's been a few months since I discovered "Royal Match."

This is a game where you're supposed to complete challenges in different levels. 

One of the features that this game has is the "Lava Quest." Basically, you have to complete 7 levels consecutively, and when you do, you get the grand prize for the quest.

I've tried to complete the quest several times, but only went as far as 5 levels.

But that all changed today:

Yes! I've completed the Lava Quest!

The grand prize is 10,000 coins. But because you have to share it with other players who joined the quest, my coins amounted to just over 1,500. Not bad!

Now, it's off to the next quest!

...but make it creative

For the office Christmas Party this year, our theme was "Safari."

Of course, the default costumes would be the usual khaki sets, animal prints and the occasional animal onesie. 

The creative team - being the crazy, creative folks that we are - decided to take a different approach to the task.

Our concept: safari-inspired brands in the Philippines.

Here's my costume:

And here's the team:

Safari never looked this different. 

And fun.

And creative.

Happy Tummy, Happy Team

And with this week’s festivities, team must be doubly happy!

First, a Japanese-themed birthday lunch at Yabu for our October babies, Kat and Jake.

Second, a grill fest to Seafood Paradise celebrate Abe’s and my birthday.

But wait, there’s one more next week!

Happiness indeed.

Still Never too late

The "never too late" story continues. 

But this time, it's not about Leyte. It's really about being never too late.

The SMC gang was able to finally get together more than 2 weeks ago. We haven't been together with Jo and Marls for years! The last time was in 2018! Needless to say, we were so happy and excited to see each other.

So, even if this snap is more than 2 weeks late, it's never too late to post it.

F4

No, this isn't about that super popular Taiwanese group in the 2000s. 

This is about today's lunch time activity since Biboy and family are in MNL and we're trying to squeeze in as much family time as possible.

F # 1: Family

Our family isn't the picture-taking type of family. We often have get togethers, and don't have photos of it. We're happy with the memories created by those gatherings, and also get to engrossed in the moment that taking snaps is often an afterthought.

Good thing my sister-in-law is here since she's always reminding us to take a picture of the moment. Just like this shot where she said that told us that a family photo was in order since the 4 of us are here. Hopefully next time, Ate Lissa will also come and visit MNL and will be in the shot with us.

F # 2: Fresh

Eat Fresh is a long-time fave. I'd frequent their Banawe Branch often because of the Black and White Gulaman and claypot rice. When they opened a branch near our house, we always made it a point to eat there. 

They have HKG style cuisine that's close to authentic - especially the claypot rice. Since both Kai and I were former HKG residents, we gladly reminisced our time there while enjoying the food. And yes, we ordered a lot of food.

F # 3: Fun

We were the biggest group in the restaurant, and we were probably the noisiest one. Well, it's normal that everyone gets all excited and hyped up when we're all in one room, and today was no exception. It's so fun to see 3 generations of the Moraleses in one frame.

F # 4: Freebie

Whenever we eat at Eat Fresh, Mom would always point out the HKG-style lunch boxes that they have on display. She would always talk about how she had a similar lunch box when she was younger. 

The lunch box was for sale for P1,400, or you can get it for free if you order a minimum of P8,000. In our previous Eat Fresh visits, we always offered to buy it, but Mom didn't want us to.  She said that if we can get it for free, then good. But we shouldn't go out of our way to buy it.

Because of today's big crowd, our bill passed the P7,000 mark, but still below P8,000. Seeing how close we were to the freebie, the fam started to compute and make additional orders, then compute then make more additional orders. And after a few backs-and-forths, Mom finally got her lunch box. FOR FREE!

And that's how we spent our Sunday filled with family, food, fun and freebies!

And yes, this story is brought to you by the letter F.

Mother of Celebrations

Good thing Biboy and family came just in time to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

Double happiness

When I was living in China, one of the popular beer brands was Double Happiness.

But this post isn’t about that.

It’s about today’s Double Happiness!

We had a double happy birthday celebration for Dad and Mom. Today is Dad’s birthday, and Mom’s was last Friday.

Of course, it won’t be Dad without a wacky photo.

With family, food and fun, it was truly a doubly happy day!

Taco treats!

After 3 years, the townhouse finally held the annual trick-or-treat activity!

The kids were undoubtedly excited and came out decked in their best costumes.

But my favorite part was our neighbor’s cute dog - Taco. He gamely manned their candy station, and it was really a treat to see him taking part of the festivities.

It really was a treat!

At ease, Patis!

It’s a few weeks late, but tonight, we finally got together for the virtual Birthday celebration of Patis!

Just like our Birthday girl, the get together had an ease and relaxed vibe to it. Peppered with excitement from Kahoot and the “Name that Tune” game.

Hopefully, our next Birthday get together will still have the same ease, but in person.

Happy Birthday Patis!

Caught!

There’s something about those online GIF games that ask you to catch an item in the middle of an outline. Whenever I see one, the tendency is to stop and play.

And often, I catch them in one go! Just like this fish!

This, then, is the catch of the day!

Rache-Ing out

As Claire announced, time to Party like an Aussie for Rache’s virtual celebration!

Because it’s a Melrose celebration, it’s expected to have a lot of stories, a lot of laughs, and a lot of games!

Rache’s Birthday kicks-off our celebrations for the year. So, we’re expecting more gatherings like this very soon!

Happy Birthday Rache! 

A (Scorpio) Night to Remember

No, this is not a post about Shalamar.

This is about last night’s get together for the Melrose Scorpions. Which includes me!

Since there were 3 celebrators (Lisa Girl, Cutie and myself), the background was apt because the online meet went on 'til late at night.

As the meeting was wrapping up, everyone agreed that a face-to-face meeting is long overdue.

That should happen soon.

Triple Double

The awesome thing about Kevin and I celebrating our birthdays just 1 day apart?

A 3-day celebration!

Yes, it's true. We had dinner for Kevin last Friday, then dinner for me yesterday, and tonight...

A street food get-together for the both of us!

This is a Sunday well-spent.

Virtually Physical

Inspired by Rikki's Wellness conversations during our last few Melrose get-together, the group decided that her post-birthday get together should align with that theme.

So yesterday, we decided to get physical!

Yes, the headbands and caps were our attempt at "gym wear."

Even if the celebration was virtual, we were still able to pull-off a lot of "exercise" activities. 

It's so Melrose to find ways of making these virtual meet-ups in-theme and fun!