My 31st

Hubby promised to treat me to Side A/Freestyle/Juris concert on my birthday but didn't set my expectations that high. I mean, he's someone who doesn't give a fuzz about birthdays and I'm getting used to it. But he was such a darling and he was being true to his promise. So, after my coffee with my favorite PAS girls, we head off to Waterfront to watch this birthday wish come true.

prior to the concert with my favorite PAS girls

thanks dad --- you're the best

with hubby's cousin, Pam

Though my feet hurts, I was standing the whole 2 and a half hour concert. Side A and Freestyle brought the house down with their renditions of some classic ballads and of course their original songs which made the audience sing along. Juris Fernandez, yep that MYMP vocalist, who by the ways is going solo, was also a welcome treat singing songs from her new album including the remake and ost of the movie (of the same title) "I Love You Goodbye". Hats off to these musicians!

Then capping the night off, we head off to FORMO with Ms. Joy and her hubby, Dennis. I didn't get to finish my beer --- I don't want to get another hangover (I just had one last weekend still at Formo).

partying with Ms. Joy @ Formo

It was one of the best birthday celebrations ever. I had a BLAST!

But one thing that made it really complete is this...

a little note from my little girl, Alex

Thirty One

In a matter of days, I will be turning thirty one.

I'm almost off the calendar, I know. But who cares about numbers. They don't really matter that much nowadays. There's no point dwelling and stressing over age and numbers. Life offers more than that like family, friends and moments spent with them. Looking back at those 31 years of my life, I wasted so much of it complaining, expecting, hurting, hating and comparing my life with others. And for the most part, I was never happy.

I wanted to change that. I wanted to BE HAPPY...FEEL HAPPY...EAT HAPPY...SLEEP HAPPY...BREATHE HAPPY. It takes a lot of strength though because there are days when life really, really sucks.

So, bring on the HAPPINESS starting TODAY and ALWAYS.

That's me and my little sister Magee circa 1984 during one of our birthday celebs (her birthday is on Feb. 3)

Sinulog 2010

My entire body was achingly sore with the endless walking marathon and squeezing our bodies in what seemed like human sardines during last Sunday's Sinulog festivities. When I saw the sun shone brightly in the middle of the morning, I decided to just go ahead with the plan. Alex was overly excited waking up as early as 7am. Armed with my Sinulog gear (food, shades and headgear), we braved the crowd and head-off to our usual "place" in Mango Square. My sisters and some of their friends joined us so it was total fun. We have to take turns in carrying Zabbie who was oblivious of what's happening around her surroundings. She was grabbing people's hats, playing peek-a-boo with a stranger and often raises her arms when the drum beats.

We also got ourselves a temporary ink (henna tat) just so we could get some roof when the rain started to pour in - nice move, really. A few stars and politicians showed up - well, I just saw three or four, to our yaya's disappointment haha.

Anyway, it was a fun Sinulog (always been fun) and I daresay that next year, we'll still be on the streets to join the excitement. Who knows, we might be joining the photo-contest too...but we have to buy some kick-ass DSLR first.

Here's a photo overload of what our Sinulog 2010 has been... (apologies for the crappy pics -- we didn't get a good view of the parade)

taken after the solemn procession last Saturday

Alex and my sister Ann...getting ready to conquer the streets

our Zabbie is also ready for the heat. LOL

I forgot the name of this contingent hehe

that's Matt Evans waving at US err the crowd diay

with my sissies

this will be as far as I can go when it comes to skin art but still thinking of getting a real tat soon

Heating Up Sinulog 2010

It's raining. It's pouring. (quite ironic with my title noh?)

While the Sinulog fever is heating up around the metropolis with parties left and right, the weather doesn't seem to cooperate. It's been raining the past days and and I dreaded the shower come Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday. My sisters and I are planning to be on the streets to join the merrymaking and witness the parade of colors. We'll be bringing Alex (who has been bugging me nonstop that she has to see the parade this year since she missed it last year when I gave birth) and my new one-year old Zabbie. However, if the weather persists to be like this til Sunday, we have no choice but to stay under the roof = home. It's also Granny's birthday celebration (hubby's grandfather) this Sunday so we might decide to be in his house early considering the traffic during that day.

It has always been like this during Sinulog but the rain will never dampen the festive spirit of the Cebuanos and even the tourists and visitors...all for the love of the Blessed Señor Sto. Niño. I will also be joining the solemn procession tomorrow with my sisters after two years of being absent. I will be walking the mile come rain or shine as my thanksgiving to the Blessed Child for all the blessings we have received all these years.

A glimpse of our Sinulog 2008... expect an overload of photos this year. Here's hoping for the sun to shine on Sunday.

A Birthday Note

Dear Alex and Zabbie,

TODAY, both of you are turning a year older. Isn’t it amazing how you celebrate your birthdays on the same day? It’s a one in a million phenomenon for siblings who are exactly six year apart to share the same birth date. No words could ever describe how happy and grateful I am to have you in my life. I’m sure your daddy is also happy just having two beautiful creatures to amuse him every day.

I wanted to wish you the moon and the stars but that’s quite impossible. I have simple wishes for you though…

• that you may always be in the pink of health and that we zero-in our trips to the ER or to the pharmacy

• that your days may be filled with so much fun and laughter

• that you may be surrounded by friends who are willing to pick up your fights

• that you may continue to create and chase your childhood dreams no matter, even if you’re old and gray (just like in the movie “UP”)

• that you may continue to protect each other, be the best of friends, hold each other’s hand, share each other’s dreams and secrets and always love, love, love each other despite the gap, the differences

• that you may grow up to be sweet, respectful, caring and ambitious girls, ladies and women.

Your dad and I may not be able to provide you with everything but we’ll try with our might to offer what’s BEST for you.

Happy, Happy Birthday My Angels!!!

Much love,


Mommy