Mom and Dad's 30th Wedding Anniv: The Food etc

If you missed the first part, click here to catch up. :)

Our surprise for the folks was last Sunday (two Sundays ago by the way). The night before, my mom sent me a text message, asking when will I visit home (them) again. I didn't reply. haha..On the day itself, I fetched my cousin slash adopted sibling with her boyfriend and off we went to Pampanga. I cried, "Maaaa" as soon as we entered the front door of our house. The mother was surprised to see us. And may I just say, I was more bewildered of her reaction because I wasn't expecting her to be that surprised. So you know how mothers are. She rushed to the kitchen right away to cook something for us, but we were just right on time to stop her and encourage her to dress up. I said we were eating out, and it's HER treat. 

We made a lot of alibis. We (my siblings and dad) pretended I had to meet my best friend, Katreen somewhere. Mom only mumbled, "It's okay, it's still early." I swear she was clueless, or maybe I just didn't have any idea what's going on her mind. After almost an hour, we finally reached our destination. The guard opened the gate, my mom's eyes were as big as a tarsier's, her neck was as long as a giraffe's. Still clueless--or maybe she had a hint already. The van parked and we shouted, "Surprise!!! Welcome to Abe's Farm!!!!

Ever ready for pictorial. This was her reaction.

As I've said before, Abe's Farm was a rest house converted to a country-style restaurant. So much things to explore inside. You wouldn't get bored I swear!

Few minutes later, the special guests arrived....

The mother was teary-eyed!!

While waiting for the food, Bim showed a surprise video for the folks from friends and family all over the world.

Okay, here's the yummiest part..The Food!! The waiters were very friendly and accommodating. I reserved for 20 seats and planned to order around 8-9 plates per food. The waiter told me that's too much servings, so I trimmed down to 5-6 plates. (each order is good for 3-4 persons, except drinks and rice)

Paco Fern Salad..I love the vinaigrette!! This is a must try!

Squid Tactics..Supposedly an appetizer, but it's perfect with rice too!

Binukadkad na Pla-pla with balo-balo and mustasa (Pla-pla is an overgrown tilapia)

I don't have photos of Pinakbet Capampangan and Abe's Morcon.
Finally, the dessert..

This is called Sikreto ni Maria..I was just intrigued because it's the only food on the menu without description. It only said, "find out what the people of Magalang swoon about". Well now I'm unveiling the secret. It's made up of vanilla ice cream with fresh mangoes, macapuno and suman inside. Abe's Farm is not air-conditioned, so the ice cream melted right away (it looked like a cream of mushroom soup). That's how warm here in the Philippines. 

buuuuurppp!!! sooo busog!! 

Ethel

Out of bed look

It's the 30th wedding anniversary of my parents tomorrow but we celebrated yesterday! It was a very happy occasion! Thank God! I want to share you guys what happened. Okay, so a brief introduction first (I'll divide this in 3 or more parts). The original plan is for them to have a surprise celebration--an intimate renewal of vows and reception. Unfortunately, there were no available priests 'coz it fell on a Sunday. I was already desperate that I had to tell my dad about the event (and he's the only one who knows how to get to the place). Well, at least only him. We manage to keep it from mom (she was absolutely clueless!!). About three weeks ago, I sent text messages to my mom and dad's siblings, plus their partners about the details. I had no idea that 30 years is a pearl anniversary, so imagine my excitement (pearl is my favorite gem). haha..I asked everyone to wear white and so they complied (except my other aunts and uncle because my dad forgot to tell them). Here's what I wore on the day.

I call this my out of bed look. Seriously, the dress looks like a nightgown. Plus my no make-up look (literally no make-up) and air dried hair.hahaha

I was sweating like crazy so I put my hair into a ponytail. 

dress from Cosmopolitan, necklace and floral heels from Jelly Bean

Can you guess where this place is? It's Abe's Farm! I fell in love with this place the first time I saw it, so it was my only choice for this lovely event. 

Happy Anniversary, mom and dad!! 

(more posts coming up)

Ethel

The Snail Pose

When someone cries "wacky" during random picture taking, I automatically do this pose.

I attempted (many times) to do the usual "Korean wacky shot"- a wide smile with the index and middle fingers poking upward, but for strange reasons, I was very uncomfortable so I settled with the pose above which makes me feel home. hahaha

Meanwhile, I found this photo when I was 3 years old in the same manner-and nobody told me to do this. I just did!

It hit me! I couldn't stop laughing. So this is where it all started. I am officially calling it the Snail Pose. These are just some of the photos, but I plan to have a collection! :) 

What's your favorite wacky shot?

Ethel

My First Skirt!

My Basic Fashion Design and Basic Pattern Making classes are officially over, although I have yet to finish the final requirement in Fashion Design. 

I will miss this class! 

On the other hand, the final requirement for Pattern Making is to make a basic bodice with our own size, then have it sewed using coco fabric. I took the risk and sewed it myself. Honestly, I still don't know the rules, you know, what to sew first. I just followed my instinct. Then after 5 long hours....

Tadah!! My basic bodice is done! Some of the edges were roughly finished because I still lack skills, but then I got too excited and showed it to Bryan right away (thru Skype of course). He gave me an A+ grade. hahaha..I could feel he was really happy for me. Composed and nervous, I rushed to FIP to submit my final requirement. I had to wear it over my shirt just to see if it fits me, and it did! I was expecting a lot of corrections from my teacher, but the collar part was the only one she commented on. The circumference was too wide. Other than that, my work was very good!! Yey!! 

Not only that, I was able to finish my first skirt, well, almost done! Yes, that pink skirt on the above photo.

Let's take another look... 

This is my first project in Sewing classes. A basic skirt without lining. Pwedeng work outfit! hehe..5 more projects to go. I have to give myself a pat on the shoulder. :)

Ethel

Inspiration

Since I started my classes at the Fashion Institute, I learned to appreciate (appreciate is an understatement!) every garment, even the simplest shirt, 'coz it takes time and effort to finish one. When I go to the mall now, I check how garments are made (I don't buy anything, I just inspect..hehe..and get inspiration), like what fabrics are used, were they sewn properly, what's the trend now, yadda yadda. I am almost done with my 2 courses, Basic Fashion Design and Basic Pattern Making, but honestly, I still have a loooooong journey, like it was only 10% (even less) of my dream. I have a big plan in this endeavor, but I'm taking it slowly, and patiently.

Lately, my eyes are glued to these beautiful creations (these are just some). Simply breathtaking! (all photos are from www.style.com) My favorites are from Elie Saab, Marchesa and Valentino.

Elie Saab Spring Collection 2012

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Marchesa Fall and Spring 2012

Valentino Fall 2011

Have you read my Metrowear Rocks the Runway post? If not, click here. I could not take my eyes off the runway that night, admiring every piece, at the same time daydreaming that one day it will be my turn to show off my own collection. But best of all, I would like to be part of someone's life, that one day in her life, I became a fairy godmother and she was the most beautiful girl. Much like Cinderella! After all, Cinderella said that "A dream is a wish your heart makes". And this dream has not died in my heart. 

Ethel

Metrowear Rocks 2012

Here's what I wore last night at the Metrowear Rocks: The Runway Fashion for a Cause, held at the Isla Ballroom of Edsa Shangrila Hotel. 

Everything was recycled here, and I'm so proud of myself! The dress is from Kate Torralba. That same dress I wore in our pre-nuptial pictorial two years ago. This was also the very first dress I adjusted using my Brother sewing machine. Shoes from Pill and clutch bag from S.M Department Store. Gery Penaso made me up again, this time was not the usual vintage or no-make-up look which I always prefer. 

Lookit my eyes!! They're bigger than ever! FIERCE!!! They're still as round as saucers even if I smile widely. You know the kind of smile that pull your eyes into a straight line and make all the fats in your cheeks puff out? Gery chose black and gold for the eye shadow. I love that tinge of gold! I'll say this again. I don't know anything about make-up, so I leave it up to the expert. Gery loves doing experimental make-up (is this even the right term?) and I was an obedient guinea pig. heee

Our Fashion Design teacher, John Herrera was one of the featured designers on the said event. So as his students, we went to support him and also the other designers. The show was great! I am inspired (someday, someday...). Here's John Herrera's collection. That see through gown is love! 

The finale with all the designers and muses.

I won't post other photos anymore as they have poor quality. :(

But, here's a photo with my handsome teacher. :)

We we're able to sneak inside the dressing room after the event. John's staff was still there, so we got a moment to look (and admire) at his creations up close. We tried on the head pieces too, I felt like She Ra. ahahaha

Don't remember She Ra anymore? Here's a photo..See? Even the bangles matched. :P

We were also able to get a loot bag! 

Let's see what's inside..There's a bottle of Tanduay Blue, that's why it's heavy. Anyone who wants it? :)

K.Tnx,bye! :)

Ethel

Teja Faye

I was doing some sketching and water color painting in my room few days ago when I decided to go down the living/dining area and finish it there. You see, I do have a desk in my room (courtesy of my sister-in-law), but I can't use its real purpose because it's piled with books, papers, plastic envelopes (usual teacher thing) and the latest, a sewing machine. So I packed my art materials and off I went down. Minutes later, my niece, Teja and her mom, Ate Jean, went down also to have their afternoon snack. Teja just turned 3 (although she looks taller and bigger her age). After the "little whirlwind" greeted me, "Hi Chee-cha (tita) Beng!", her eyes were fixed on the papers, pencils, water and water color. You know how kids are in this age, so Ate Jean warned her earlier, "Teja, don't bother Tita. Don't touch anything." Teja was still "amazed" (yes, amazed at my disproportional drawings--they seemed infected with poliomyelitis) and gazing happily with what I was doing. Then she looked at me and cried, "Galing, Tita!" Oh my, that was a moment of nirvana! It feels good to receive a compliment, but coming from a three-year-old who's just learning how to talk and express herself. Wow! Just wow! Minutes later, she started to gently touch the paper with her little fingers, followed by the water and pencil. So I gave her a bond paper and pencil to doodle on. Then before they went up to their room, she cried again, "Bye Chee-cha Beng. Be a good girl okay?" I burst our laughing and replied, "I'll be a good girl, Teja. Be a good girl too, ok?" She didn't answer..hahaha..I love kids's antics. 

Here's the very cute, Teja. I grabbed this photo on Facebook. From the looks of it, she's playing mommy-baby over her pink bear. I blogged about her here, here and here when she was still an itsy bitsy, behave baby. 

She's channeling her pacute face here. hehe..Be a good girl Teja, okay? :)

love yah!

Chee-cha Beng