from left: Ed Wenceslao, Jun Naranjilla, Bunny Concepcion, me, Nick Celino, Gerry Paras, Pam Lazatin, Boy Abunda, Nini Borja, Bettina Aspillaga (Boy’s PM)
Last December 23, Talk Show host and a dear classmate Boy Abunda invited old school friends to an intimate dinner at La Cocina de Tita Monings near Malacanang. I had always wanted to try the place for the longest time so when I received the invite I immediately confirmed.
I liked this group photo we had after dinner. I just placed a Sepia effect as the old house with an appropriate painting of the house owner hovering us, seemed to be more fitting.
It seems we were part of the movie “Somewhere in Time” or the play “Portrait of the Artist as Filipino”.
Ever since mom passed away, christmas has been different. Moreso when dad followed her. I never really look forward to it. The excitement of the season has gone from my heart.
However, as I pray and meditate, I realize that I must not feel that way for christmas is a celebration of Christ’s birth.
This belen in our living room has been a permanent fixture ever since mom decorated it before she passed away. We never removed it. Since mom left us, dad didnt want to put up a christmas tree or any other decor. I insisted once but after he also left me, all drive to decorate the house for the holidays is gone. If I had the means I would have flown back to the US to be with dad’s relatives this christmas but the expected payment for a project never arrived.
This was the noche buena in my house. My cousin invited me to spend it there but I didnt want my helper Maricar to be alone in the house. Her mother was the one who took care of my paralyzed grandmother so I owe it to her not to leave her christmas eve. Maricar, my driver and I partook of this simple meal I ordered at Contis near our house - Pastel de Lengua, Garlic Sotanghon, macaroni salad which I taught maricar to make, some fiesta ham and quezo de bola.
Noon time, Beverly arrived without Aling Miguela who was home sick. We both napped long so it was late when we made it to Heritage park to visit my parents. I bought the flowers and boquet the day before as all shops are closed christmas day. We stayed a while to pray then proceeded to nearby Bonifacio High street to take dinner.
I had beem craving for crabs for a long time so we went to Claw Daddy. Our experience will be the subject of a different post in the new My Online Reviews Blog.
By the way, next to our table at the restaurant were the family of showbiz couple Ric Cepeda and Snooky. I wonder if they are back to together
After dinner, we took a walk to melt down the sumptuous crabs. Lots of new conversation piece structures around the park such as the one in this picture. So many kids were putting their heads inside this red cylinder which kinda bounces when you push it.
We asked the guard where and what time the musical sympony will start. We walked towards the area of Fridays since the next ’symphony’ of sorts will start there.
There is no orchestra but christmas songs are heard with the lights following the rhythm of the music. We listened to two sets of the music then proceeded to the other side of the high street to take dessert.
I wanted to try the other dessert places but somehow the new christmas decor of my favorite Cupcakes by Sonja beckoned so we ended up ordering two cupcakes with a shared capuccino. Actually one was enough for we hardly touched the other.
We ended close to midnight. Bonifacio High Street was still teeming with people when we left. Yes it was just another christmas day. At least I didnt give myself a chance to mope at home during christmas cause honestly deep inside I miss mom and dad a lot and I actually can’t feel the christmas of old when they left.
I am not really fond of christmas ever since my parents passed away. I haven’t gone to a bazaar, tiangge, nor shopped for gifts. Maybe I have not yet gotten over their sudden passing and it saddens me yet christmas will remain.
When I came across this song on the internet by one of my favorite singers Karen Carpenter, I decided to watch and listen and it made my heart cry but realized that it is the Lord’s day and I must remain hopeful for He has continually given me the gift of life.
I was telling my friend last night that if by chance I come across a huge sum of money, I will immediately get a ticket for the US to spend a white christmas with my relatives.
