being wholly AND holy (part 1 of 2)

Since going to Marinduque (or anywhere far, for that matter) for Holy Week was not possible, we made the most of what we can here in Manila.  Maybe a stay-cation won’t be too bad.

The Visita Iglesia we planned with our friends pushed through, only, 3 hours later ;).  I knew 8am wasn’t going to happen.  Kami pa! On a non-working day!  To make it very-TTF (TTF: the name we call our friendship), we started with food .

hotdogs, pancakes and a list of churches under the Diocese of Parañaque

We had to do some changes to the route since we were running late.  We also wanted to avoid the very unfriendly Alabang-Zapote road (READ: Maynilad construction!  dadaloy din ang ginhawa).  We visited 14 churches in Las Piñas, Alabang and Parañaque.

in Crissie's car, Adel driving and Dennis as the photographer, ay navigator pala ;)

Our 7^th station was at San Beda College in Alabang Hills.  Mind you, all of us in this Maundy Thursday activity were Benedictine children, except that I was from St. Scholastica’s College, and they, from then Benedictine Abbey.  It was no surprise for me to hear recollections of their childhood.

will always be Benedictine Abbey to them

Just as we parked, Crissie said “Why does it look smaller?”  Lumaki lang kayo Crissie! Haha!  Everyone started to identify with old classrooms, playgrounds, a dried up creek/river, footbridge, and oh, the basketball court!  Adel walked up to the basketball court alone.  It was so hot no one wanted to walk further.  Even from afar, I saw how wide his smile was.  I had to give off that smile too.  I told our friends, “Umiiyak na yata yun!”  In high school, he was a player of the basketball varsity team, hence has very fond memories in that court.

Adel, Crissie, Alvin, Ingrid and Dennis in the school chapel 

Very late lunch was at Gloria Maris at The Pergola in BF Parañaque.  It has been quite a while since we last dined in Gloria Maris.  The last one was, I think, at the branch in Starmall Las Piñas.  That one is closed now.  I don’t think anything has changed; food was average.  We had century eggs and jelly fish, hainanese chicken, sweet and sour chicken and beef with broccoli.

It’s very comforting to know that you can pray and be wicked with the same people.  We capped the day with coffee and chips at the nearest Starbucks, before going to our 15^th station: our house ☺.

coming soon...

This afternoon, I was digging into these - as in ALL OF THESE!

cream cheese and carrot muffin

blueberry muffin

banana peanut butter muffin

chocnut and langka pie

pecan pie

lemon meringue bars

berries nuts arugula

grilled prawn caesar

roasted vegetable and pasta (or what's left of it)

roast beef cheddar rye (layers of beef inside)

spanish sardines

ham and cheese panini

The photos do not do them justice.  All shot via iPhone cam only.


Soon to be available for all of you ☺☺☺ !!!

happy anniversary to our champion and savior

I met them 11 years ago, I was nervous then ;).  I was ‘briefed’ by my, then, new boyfriend how they are.  Our goal back then was to make the right impression.  After all, I was told (by the entire family) that I was the only girl their 2^nd born ever introduced to them.  Naks!

Since then, we’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, Christmases and New Years together.  Not to mention Mother’s day, Father’s day, Valentine’s and Holy Week.

a "pre-Mia" New Year's Eve

I wish I had e-copies of older pictures.  You’ll see how thin we all were! ☺

If you knew me, you’d know I lost my Daddy when I was 8; Mommy never remarried.  So seeing Papa and Mama, how they are as partners, as parents and as grandparents, relived all my very happy childhood memories.

while we were entertaining friends during my birthday, Papa, Mama and Chami played with Mia

Papa was a military man and Mama, an educator.  As a couple, they were brave enough to start on their own.  Stories of their humble beginnings inspire me to work harder for our own young family.  Amidst constant changes in their life, they have remained strong, together and so much in love.

Papa and Mama are very affectionate of each other.  Sa kanila namin na-mana ang PDA ☺

You should see them together, they’re always so sweet.  They can pass for a BF-GF out on a date.  And going out on dates, they still do!  Malimit nga lang, may chaperone na ☺.

Chami is their always willing chaperone

Papa, who became the highest ranking PNP General, is our firm believer.  His steadfast faith in his wife, children and in God, above all, have kept this family going.  I remember, just as when Adel and I almost doubted if we can hold it out on our own after getting married, Papa was our steady champion.  He saw us as tenacious, but provided comforting words only a father can give; “Don’t worry.  I’ll be here to catch you when you fall.”

Mia crashing Papa's private den

their 1st time together viewing Taal volcano

Papa looking over 2 of his angels

when we celebrated Adel's most recent promotion

And Mama, she’s the savior always a step or two ahead of us.  She makes the impossible - possible, the scary - funny, the weak - strong, and the dark - bright.  It is said that behind every great man is a greater woman – need I say more? (insert *wink*wink)

during one of Mama's salmon sashimi dinners

Mama always visits Mia at home

Finding the perfect gift for them, individually and as a couple, has always been a big challenge for me.  How can it not be when you know they have almost everything?  They have the finest of material things and have traveled around the world (pero take note, hindi sila banyaga sa sarili nilang bansa), what else can we give them?

We stuffed them with food, until we realized we were not helping them physically.  So we try to keep it as healthy as we can.

celebrating Adel's birthday

healthy Christmas gifts

In October 2008, Adel and I knew we gave them the perfect gift, their 2^nd baby girl – Mia ☺.

Papa's look-alike

Mia receiving her birthday gift from Papa and Mama

New Year's eve 2009

Happy Anniversary Papa and Mama!  I was struggling how to say all these the best way I can, so here goes. This is a product of the limited time that makulit na Mia allowed (she’s here beside me, getting both my hands every now and then saying she wants to hold hands).  See you in a couple of days!

their favorite girls - Chami, Mia and Sugar (Sunshine, not in the photo)

We love you so!

from Bo-j, Arlyn and Mia

only the burgers drift-ed

I thought this was the best I will have for the day, considering I was out of the office and out of the house.

Sea Salt Fries and Truffle Mayo

Not that it wasn’t good.  In fact it was gourmet fries!  You won’t even feel it was deep fried.  But the day couldn’t be just all about fried potatoes.

In the car before driving away, I got a tiny post-it and listed down wifey chores I can do for the rest of the day:

1 – get seafood from Ninang’s

2 – pass-by Mama’s house to get bills for payment

3 – pick-up repaired BB

I stuck it on the dashboard where I can be reminded, then I sent an sms to my old pal Ejit to feed me when I get to their house (her mom is our wedding ninang).  5 blinks after, the post-it note rendered itself useless for the next 3 hours.  Forget about chores.  Ejit and I were suddenly meeting up for early dinner.  She’s treating!

She wanted burgers, and a new place.  We decided to meet mid-way at Drift Burgers in BF Parañaque.

this small counter is where you place your orders
i wished they placed the water dispenser elsewhere

Drift Burgers is a small burger joint along Aguirre Avenue.  It’s interior looks like it was taken out of the movie Cars.  I learned from the crew that the owner collected cars, so there goes.  You will also find this on one of its walls.  It made me really hungry.

panini buns - drift dressing - crisp veggies - cheese - 175 grams pure beef patties - flame grilled to perfection

The wrong half found her way to a perfect burger haven.  I am that half.  My sweeter half (naks, sipsip!), Adel, is the burger person. He would’ve appreciated this more.  They would’ve earned more from him!

My date arrived and got us some starters.

nothing really different about these fries and rings
i appreciate they weren't soaking in oil

I got the Shroom Burger with cheese.  I have a thing with mushrooms.  I like them with pasta, omelet, quiche, veggies, soup, gravy and even sautéed with garlic and butter.

the Shroom burger

Ejit had the Drift Burger which had that crunchy tomato mine missed.

the Drift burger

True to its claim, it does looks and tastes like pure beef!  When you delve into the foil wrap that filled your hands, the smoky flavor will immediately please your senses.  The patty was tender and flavorful, char-grilled to perfection.  Even the onions were flawless!  Every bite was overflowing with flavors that one can still taste even an hour after.  I think I’ve fallen for burgers! Oh no!

Dropping the chores was all worth it.  I discovered I can finish up a 175-gram burger in one sitting, and most importantly, that our 16-year old friendship never drifted apart.

16-year old friendship

P.S.

I brought home what they call the Drift Killer for the burger monster.  Imagine 3 beef patties in one sandwich.

3 beef patties topped with bacon and cheese

Try the Sea Salt Fries at Café Republiq, Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila.

Drift Burgers is located at 216 Aguirre Avenue, Phase 2, BF Homes Parañaque.

a happy ending

Crissie missed us ☺.  So we had dinner last night.  It was difficult to decide where.  We knew it was going to be in Alabang and that was it.  Half way there, we decided dinner was to be at Sophia’s.

Adel by the entrance of Sophia's Mediterranean deli

Adel was set to have Grilled Lamb Chops.  He saw that there was also a Whole Slab of Ribs on the menu, so I got that so we can have the best of both dishes.  Crissie contemplated, and referring to a review that we saw, ordered Chicken Kebab. The review said, “it melts in your mouth”, let’s see.  We also got Pumpkin soup and Greek Village salad.   

Much to my lamb chops-loving husband’s disappointment, they were out of stock.  We were told after all our orders were already placed in the kitchen.  This means, they were not briefed on what menu items were unavailable.  Hay!  Umasa pa naman kami.  I ordered Osso Buco instead.  The server said this is their specialty, so I was hopeful it will really please me.  I was hungry!

Crissie and I started with the salad.  I really enjoyed it.  The greens were crisp and the tomatoes were sweet which perfectly matched the capers and black olives.  The sourness of the balsamic vinegar dressing was prominent but not overpowering; went really well with the generous chunks of feta cheese.  If (IF) I go back to Sophia’s, I will definitely have this salad again.

Greek Village salad

Adel is a pumpkin soup guy.  He was not pleased with this bowl.  Its texture was too thin.  So if you want that ‘pureed pumpkin’ feel, this one’s not for you.  From the spoonful I had, I thought it lacked flavor and creaminess.

All the main course dishes were served at the same time.  That’s good service there.  So we had 3 huge platters on our table.

Crissie’s Chicken Kebab did not live up to its review.  There was no way it could melt in the mouth as it was dry.  It also did not live up to its name as it was served off the skewer.  Chicken kebab minus the skewer equals dried grilled chicken.  Alas, it looked like a really healthy dish with those fresh greens.

Adel’s Whole Slab of Ribs was served already sliced.   He was expecting a whole slab - in tact, dry-rubbed, grilled to perfection.  Oh well, ribs are ribs.  They were tender and flavorful, just a bit too saucy for my husband’s taste.  The Aglio Olio that went with it was mine.  Good.  More garlic and parmesan shavings can make it better.

My Osso Buco was red!  Not that it wasn’t supposed to be.  Crissie described it as “like afritada” only it wasn't chicken, while Adel said “it looks like mechado”.  Both of those, I am not a fan of.  Patay!  In all fairness, the veal shanks were huge and the meat was fork-tender.

Mashed Potato was paired with Osso Buco

If you’ve dined with us, you will know it should not end this way.  We want to go home happy.  HAPPY ENDING = COFFEE.  Proud coffee junkies we are, Crissie and I.  So across the street we went, to UCC Coffee Café.

What with this sight, I was instantly happy!  It was heaven on earth!

UCC's cake display will welcome you into their cafe

I stood in front of this for a good 10 minutes, looking at each sweetness there is.  Grabe!  Deadly, as what Crissie says when she sees a Canonigo.

Whilst taking a mental note on what to try on the next visit, I voted for the Chocolate Xanadu as the night’s finale.  It was faultless with UCC’s brewed house blend.

it had everything!  chocolate ganache, chiffon, marshmallow-y mousse and a nougat-y base

Curiosity had us try this wasabi and caramel cake.  It wasn’t at all bad.  A bit too sweet, but the wasabi kick sets it aside.

If we pushed it further, we could’ve ordered for BTS.  It is a chocolate cake that is probably so rich, sweet and to-die-for.  I assume it is.  What else can be Better Than Sex? (insert *wink)  I did not want to try it for I would not want the validation of its name to come from me.  Adel would’ve killed me! Hehe!

Coffee and cake waited for Dennis to arrive.

Dennis, Adel, myself and Crissie

Before we knew it, we were mapping out our route for our Bisita Iglesia on Maundy Thursday.  14 complete stops were plotted, moving from Las Piñas to Alabang, then finally to Parañaque.  It might help you.

1. Parish of the Last Supper of Our Lord
2. St. Joseph Parish Church - Bamboo Organ
3. Christ the King Parish – Las Piñas
4. Our Lady of Fatima Parish – Philam Village
5. Mary Mother of the Church - BF Resort
6. Mary Immaculate Parish Nature Church
7. Our Lady of the Pillar Parish
8. Holy Family Parish Church - BF Almanza
9. St. James The Great
10. St. Jerome Emiliani and Sta. Susana Parish
11. San Beda Alabang Chapel (Benedictine Abbey)
12. Jesus the Divine Healer Parish – Tahanan Village
13. Resurrection of Our Lord - BF Parañaque Phase 1
14. Presentation of the Child Jesus - BF Parañaque Phase 3

By the way, it was definitely a happy ending.  We all missed each other.  The rest of you TTF, see you on Thursday, okay?

Sophia’s Mediterranean Deli and UCC Coffee Café are both at Westgate, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang.