Christmas 2011

The planning for Christmas starts with the menu. Erika wanted to have turkey this Christmas. Tasted yummy in my mind and I agreed.  Turkey is meant to be shared with family. 

The last turkey dinner we had was the last Christmas with Papa. It was a quiet and nice dinner. We had the driver picked up papa and mama. We recently had the garden painted and new plants installed.  I miss my Dad. 

Anyway, we invited Uncle Roling's family. Good too, that Marj would be flying back to Manila for Christmas.   Then Uncle Nonoy's family.  Last year we spent Christmas in Ilocos to be with Auntie Rose.  This year we hope she can be with us. 

So did a text brigade. Who would best convince her to be in Manila - but her brothers and sisters.  Text-text-text. I think Auntie Vis and Auntie remy did a few phone calls. Finally a yes! 

So last Dec 21, right after work drove to Ilocos to fetch Auntie.  Stayed for an overnight then left. Had enough time to go to Vigan and of course pick up Vigan longganisa. 

 Kid fell down the chair. 

 Pang new Year ! 

 Eto na ang mga shoppingera. 

And so, midnight of the 23rd we all came back with Auntie and Grace.  Wanted to bring Lucille along but her Mom also just got back from abroad. So it was me (Gigi), the 2 uncles, and Cheyenne with Auntie Rose and Grace.

Here are pictures of the set up and the food.

 We didn't want to post the food photos in facebook in deference to those who had none or little to celebrate with  because of Sendong.

 Wine stand from Thailand.

Gift opening. Big gift Ate Suzette is opening is for Auntie Rose. 

Hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. For those who are away from their families or working this Christmas, everyday is Christmas.  

A Pleasant Surprise in La Union

Driving back to Manila last May 2011, we stopped by the Shell station in La Union for gas, breakfast and wee-wee.  (Thank you Auntie Rose sand Chayong for the Vigan longga bfast!) We usually pass through a back end road to avoid traffic in the main city. 

Ate Suzette spotted familiar faces: Uncle Ador and Auntie Siony ( all the way from Cebu!) 

They came from Laoag and Pagudpod to bring their family to see the sites. All of them are based in Cebu! And they had the whole family in tow in a rented mini-bus/van and a back-up fierra. 

Wonderful! 

Building a Garden for Papa

Papa bought a lot for Lolo Simon and Uncle Arthur's final resting place in Bislig. The original site (from what I heard) was in Piapi (sorry di ko alam kung saan yun). The intent was to reunite Lola Maxima and Lolo together.

From what I was told he loved the place. It had a view of the Bislig Bay and river and  of Mangagoy. Just a scene from Out of Africa. On a clear day you can see the steeple of the Mangagoy church and on a misty day, the mountains gets covered with fog and oh so picturesque. 

Sorry my camera could not justify the beauty of the place. 

Moving on,  when Papa passed on he wanted to be buried in the same place.  We bought the ajoining lot so we can have unobstructed view.  Running joke is to build a beer garden. 

We went back last summer to build a garden, not a beer garden. 

Before: 

Planting mode ( we used cuttings from different gardens of family and  neighbors)

After:

Ending the day with a prayer:

Auntie Rose's birthday party May 8, 2011

Vacations, celebrations and birthdays in Ilocos always start with the story of food. 

Here is Betsy IV before being taken to the slaughter house.  Betsy is given the best of table scraps weeks before the celebration to ensure the fat and meat content are A-okay. 

Here is Betsy now in her final glory- an act of self sacrifice. Now the conversation piece of the buffet. 

And the birthday girl, Rose, ever glowing. 

With the equally gorgeous Suzette:) 

The kitchen abuzz with the prep. 

Ever reliable old kitchen.

All ready now.  

Take note, May 8 was also the same day as Pacquio's fight vs Mosley. Auntie Rose still packed the house with guests and well wishers.  After the food and the fight, the house was quiet again. 

Cocoy's Kids

Saw Cocoy's kids in Davao.  

This school year they are moving schools from Gensan to Panabo. 

On the left is Jason King (Iking) , 10 years old.  And on the right is James Roy (Igor), 12 years old.  Igor is in 2nd year high school. 

 Pogi ng mga pamangkin ko:) 

The cousins, the next generation.  Iking, Cheyenne and Igor

Eks and Cocoy

The Montero brothers and sisters

Here are the pictures of the Montero brothers and sisters. 

Lola Maxima's funeral

Up closer... So young. I think, Auntie Vis was just 16 or 17 here and Uncle Nonoy was 2. 

Here they are,  binata't dalaga na. 

The latest reunion, unfortunately without Uncle Rudy's family. May 2010. 

Papa's funeral. 

So sad that family reunion  pictures started and ended in funerals. Shouldn't we plan for a bigger reunion marked by birthdays, weddings, or  baptisms instead? 

Sagala

May is still 2 months a way but I couldn't resist holding off publishing Ate Suzette's sagala pictures.

This was in 1974 Reyna Elena picture in Forest Drive.