FUN FAMILY DAY AT TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS

I was really looking forward to the weekend because I haven't been to Tagaytay for quite a long time. I think the last time that I went to the place was when I was still teaching at CDSL for our yearly retreats (note: I miss going to retreats too).
It was really fun this time around because I was with my family... plus, the fact that we were going to unwind at the very posh and much-talked about exclusive residential and leisure place overlooking the Taal Lake--- THE TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS.

The group met at a Shell Station along SLEX.

Diane... apparently bored.

Siomaing while waiting at Hen-Lin... hehehe

this was the same gas station where an entire ATM machine was pulled out and stolen... talk about desperation and determination.

A short stop at CROSSWINDS TAGAYTAY

Here, soon, a house shall rise... but for now, pine trees... hehehe

Ging, Nanay and Ate Gina (who appears to be smelling something... hhmmm..)

TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS

Nanay and me

HIGHLANDS RESIDENCES

Highlands China Palace

"MANO PO 10" cast: Me, Ate Gina, Nanay, Ate Marlene, Ate Agnes

Highlands Club House

The Gym

The Dining Area

Me and my Casenas Pamangkins (JR, Ging, Brian)

My Lunch!

TIME TO BOWL

THE CABLE RIDE

Diane and Me

Niko and Micah

Bridge to the Pool Area

Wish I brought my board short so I could enjoy the pool...
oh well... pa picture na lang...

MORE PICS!!!

A mannequin chef... who bakes and cooks better than I do... huhuhu

Enjoying the view...

GROUP PICS!

DINNER TIME!

The day was also in celebration of JR's birthday and his first year wedding anniversary with wife, Pia. (According to her, magpaparamdam daw sya sa hangin... hehehe... uwi ka na Pia!). It's been a year... but it's as if it was just yesterday...

THIS IS THEIR WEDDING MUSIC VIDEO:

LET'S EAT!!!

A Chinese Food Fest!

Whatta fancy Fruit Plate!

It was a fun family day!
We should do this more often!.. hehehe

ONE SATURDAY with FRIENDS, FAMILY and CHARICE

I was expecting a busy yet fun day last Saturday... and I was right. The much-awaited FCA 55 get-together finally happened. Although, most our classmates were not around (but promised to be present on next month's meeting), we still had a great time.

BUFFET ATTACK!

FRIENDS AND FOOD!

TRANSFORMERS PHOTO OP!

Then, to our "headquarters"... Deby's condo unit... hehehe

Ate Agnes and I had to leave early because we were going to watch the first major concert of Charice at SMX, Mall of Asia.

But of course, we had dinner first... yup, kainan na naman... at HOLY COW!

Kuya Alan, Ate Marlene, Ate Gina and Ate Agnes

Salad and Calamari

Cheese Sticks with Garlic Dip (I looooovvvvee this!)

Rockefeller Oysters

Pasta (don't know the name... didn't order it)

Now, THIS was my meal!

Grilled Pork Chops and Beef Steak with Onion rings and Mashed Potatoes

About to make them disappear... hehehe

on our seats inside SMX

I didn't take a lot of pictures during the concert because I wanted to enjoy the musical experience... besides, I'm pretty sure it will be shown on TV (there were TV cameras all over)

Charice... opening with "And I'm Telling You"

Christian Bautista sang "The Prayer" with Charice

the finale... "Note To God"

MUST LOVE DOGS... and a massage

I was at my sister's house in Marikina this weekend. Ate Marlene, who is the third eldest member in the family, decided to cook up a feast of scrumptious dishes for... uhm... well, no reason. She just fed us. That was it.
This occasion (or non-occasion) gave me a chance to get close to the most cherished members of their family--- their dogs. I was a bit intrigued because I have heard my sister mention that these cuddly creatures cost an ample amount of money to maintain. Their shampoo cost P800 and their toothpaste P300. There were times when I used shampoo and toothpaste strictly on sachets... hence, the intrigue factor.
I'm not really a dog person (I mean, dogs are okay as long as they don't smell and they don't see me as a meal) but, somehow, I found this group of canine quite endearing...

MEET THE CANINE CLIQUE!

This is NEMO

... a cocker spaniel

well... okay, he's a bit camera shy...

Princess, another cocker spaniel, seems to love the camera

Me carrying Princess with my niece, Diane

The seemingly scary wolf-like member of the group, BLUE

She is a Siberian Husky

okay, I was not strangling Blue. I was just trying to make her look at the camera (Note: No animals were harmed during the photo shoot).

Now, this one is just adorable... Smoochie!!!

... a snorting Bulldog

Smoochie isn't a fan of the flash of the camera though...

I was already sweating at this point because Smoochie is a darn heavy pooch!

I also loved this non-canine addition in their family...

The Massage Chair!

I was cynical at first because I thought that it's the same thing that I saw inside the malls. You know, the ones that just shake and vibrate. But this one is different. It's actually a bit scary. It's as if there's an actual person doing the massage.

ahhh... but it was like fifteen minutes of heavenly bliss...