Fam-meal-ia

Nothing beats the feeling of a hearty meal shared with the family.

What makes it even more special is the fact that we're with Biboy and Liz, both who just flew in from the US.

We should really have more of this.

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.

Just my luck

We've long been talkin about trying this Chinese restaurant called "Best of Luck" in Cubao Expo.

Today, we finally did!

And "luck" is an apt word because I'm lucky enough to share this experience with these wonderful people.

We call ourselves the "Matira ang Matibay" gang. Context: we've long been planning a get-together, things were finally set, and when the date was near, they started disappearing one by one. Except for the 4 of us. Thus, the name.

The situation reminds me of that saying that the best people in your life are the people who always show up. 

And I'm lucky to have this group who always shows up.

F&F

Nope, this isn't about the in-house fast-fashion brand of Tesco.

(Gosh, it's still a bummer that they don't have that brand in MNL anymore.)

It's about how today was spent.

Still on Christmas mode, today was a get-together day with 2 groups of people who have been part of my life - and holiday celebrations - for ages.

FRENDZ!

We were almost complete today. We gathered at Mona's house - per usual - and marvelled at how the kids have grown and how many stories we missed in the years we haven't seen each other. (This was my first time to see Rona and TinTin in 5 years!)

FACULTY!

It;s also been a while since our last get together as a Mass Comm faculty. This was actually the first time in a long time that we were able to gather this big a group. 

Of course, we all had our share of classroom stories to tell. And admittedly, the half day we were together wasn't enough to talk about all the shenanigans.

So, to sum up today, I'll also use an F word.

FANTASTIC!

Iba ang may pinagsamahan

This classic tagline from San Miguel Beer is so apt for our group.

Kin, Jing, LuAnn, Maricar and I were all part of the Corporate Affairs Office of San Miguel. It was during that short SMC stint that the friendship between us started and flourished. (Well, except for Maricar because we've been friends since college.)

Even after my departure from SMC, this group which we now affectionately call "JKLM," stuck together and the bonds of friendship grew even stronger. We've been to out-of-town trips to Pie's weekend home, out-of-the-country trips like HKG and SG, weddings like Lu's, among many others.

We've been planning to visit Jing at her home in QC, but we went a step further and eventually visited her at her home in Laguna. And as expected, it was an evening of catching up, reminiscing and laughing a lot.

So, like San Miguel Beer, I'd say that this friendship is "iba."

Happy Tree Frendz

What do you do when you get together with Frendz at the mall?

Take a snap at the Christmas Tree, of course.

Christmas is definitely in the air. 

So is friendship!

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.

Long overdue, part trois

Here’s another overdue get together that finally happened during Christmas break.

Before the pandemic, we’d often go out for lunch - either at Aysee’s, JT’s Manukan, Hainanese Delights or any restaurant with unlimited Korean BBQ. Aside from creativity, we all shared a passion for food, travel, funny stories, and just plain old Kaniguan.

It’s been almost 3 years since we last saw Miggy. While the last time that Ed and Migs joined us for lunch was Christmas 2021.

Great to see these kids again. And what’s even greater is how our creative bond has flourished even if we’re in different agencies now.

Long overdue, part deux

It was Christmas 2019 when D' Frendz last got together at Mona's house.

Now, as we welcome New Year 2023, we were back at Mona's house with some of D' Frendz who I haven't seen in more than 2 years!

Gosh! The kids are all grown-up now! Especially Lucas and Becca!

It took time before we saw each other, so thanks to the New Year for allowing us to meet each other again.

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.

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!

That’s a stretch

This is another example of how fast time flies.

It’s been a year since Melrose had a virtual meet-up to talk about passion projects and stretching our imagination. (And our arms.)

I guess it’s true that time flies when you’re having fun.

Beautiful people

I don't see this group of friends as often as I should (except for Kin, who I often run into in the middle of the street - go figure), but when we do, it's always a riot.

Although this "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" get together was almost instant, what's important is that it happened, and we got together again to enjoy the music and the company.

And of course, when we're together, there's always great food to go with the great conversation. Plus a lot of planning for the next outing.

Let's do this people!

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.

Oz-stentatious!

This sudden Melrose get together is courtesy of Rache and Jeepoy who are visiting from Australia!

It was too short a get together, but any amount of time with this crazy group is time well spent.

See you again before you leave, Rache! (And mucho thanks for the Tim Tam!)

D' Kids are growing up

It feels just like yesterday when they were wee little babies that we'd carry and pass around.

Now, they're gregarious kids who run around, make friends with other kids in the restaurant, and - best of all - prepare a Happy Birthday dance for me as a gift. They even have an official title for it - "Flying Hearts."

They're growing up to be really great kids.

Circle of Friendsters

Yes, our monicker puts a date our friendship.

We got together during that time when "Friendster" was the social networking site du jour. We did the whole Friendster thing - invited each other, wrote each other testimonials - cheese and all. Eventually, we started hanging out, having impromptu dinners, going on road trips, and other things friends would do.

But we weren't just friends, we were "Superfriendsters." I don't remember who came up with that monicker, but it stuck. And it's stuck with us until now - two marriages, three kids, and several job jumps after.

So while the social networking site "Friendster" might be gone, the "Superfriendsters" are still very much around.

Watch out!

I've seen this photo of D' Frendz a couple of times, but it was just today that I noticed that creepy pair of eyes watching at us from behind.

That's the biggest photobomb I've ever seen.

Mirror, Mirror

To celebrate Toni Maroni's graduation, we ate at this restaurant in Katipunan called Bahay Ligaya. It's a quaint restaurant that serves very good Filipino food. But what makes the place even more interesting is the antique store beside it. Aptly called "Luma't Bago," it was a trove of curios and antiques, ranging from hand operated sewing machines, to beautiful narra furniture.

Outside, there was a wall which had different types of antique mirrors. It was such a photogenic spot, that I had to take photos.


A photo with Ate and Javier checking out the mirrors while I'm inside one of them.

Then, there are a couple of shots with Javier playing around with the mirrors.





It really was a wonderful spot to take photos.



These snaps are perfect testaments to that.