#laagnitantong

With the arrival of a new and wonderful angel, baby WanWan, the mother, my sister En has planned the 1st birthday party for almost a year. And several months before the date, the theme was finalized and the venue was prebooked. Several days before the date, the party needs were canvassed, bought, and prepared from tarps to balloons, party hats, souvenirs, et cetera. Also the cakes were ordered, the food were home-cooked, the decorations were personally managed. Then July 6 arrived. It was Sunday, and a perfect day to gather families and friends. True enough, a total of 107 guests arrived and enjoyed the swimming pool party, especially the accompanying kids. The party lasted the whole day, the food lasted and served up to the last arriving guests, the adults and kids alike free-flowingly joined the jubilation. To top it all, our little Wan, the celebrator, led the joy and laughter, there was even screaming of happiness. She enjoyed the pool, enjoyed...

Since relocated in Manila in June 2014, Mama Dulcing celebrated her 69th birthday in the metro; her first time to enjoy July 2. Having landed a new job with reasonably huge monthly compensation which just started in July 1, I felt that a thanksgiving is fitting. And since July 2 is Pasig Day where my work station is located, so it was a local holiday. A perfect day and opportunity to do the thanksgiving and to celebrate Mama's birthday. With Papa Tantong driving, I directed the way to Quiapo. The perfect place to offer thanksgiving to God for such great blessings: my new high-paying job and Mama's 69th birthday. Not everyone got a high-paying job, and not everyone got the life expectancy of 69 and beyond. The entourage was composed of Papa Tantong, Mama Dulcing, my eldest nephew Entoy, my youngest neice WanWan, and her nanny Tatang. We paid a visit to the Black Nazarene and then proceeded to Intramuros, dropping for a while at the newly refurbished Manila ...