JANUARY 15 - FEBRUARY 16, 2009
NEW YORK*MANILA
January 15-16
Flew out of New York Kennedy Airport on Korean Air at 12:50am, arrived in Seoul at 5:15am the next day. Waited about three hours, there was snow on the ground.
Touched down in Manila before noon and my nephew Benny and my niece Violy were there to meet me. They took me directly to have a nice lunch at Market Market.They then dropped me off in Makati at Salcedo Place where I stayed with Luis, my neighbor in Manhattan.
This area is so near the malls and there is a nice Saturday market in the park right across from the condominium.
A dragon parade on Chinese New Year
TAGAYTAY
January 17
My friend Mel took me and Luis to Tagaytay for lunch at an Italian restaurant, Buon Giorno Café and Bistro, that overlooks the Taal Volcano and the lake
BENNY'S PLACE, MARILAO
January 19
Went for a visit to Benny's house in Bulacan. Also had a nice visit with his sister Violy.
THE FORT
January 23
After a week in Makati, I moved to The Fort's Kensington Place, owned by another friend, Joel, who was still in West Hollywood. Market Market was nearby and another friend, Mario, at One McKinley.
SAN BEDA HS REUNION
January 24-February 1
Our high school reunion festivities started with a Bienvenida Party on January 24 at the Something Fishy Restaurant, owned by a classmate Lito Balquiedra. Then on the 25th, an SBC procession of the Infant Jesus of Prague and dinner hosted by Paco Alcuaz. An excursion to Subic followed the next two days. Then dinner at Yoyong Galang's at Wack Wack Village on the 28th followed by Karaoke and dinner at the rooftop of the PNOC EDC Building, hosted by Paul Aquino, the current Philippine President's uncle. On the 30th was the Gaudete Concert and awarding of medals at the SBC Church followed by cocktails. Homecoming festivities on the 31st and finally a Despedida Party at the home of Rudy Robles in Forbes Park. To view pics of the reunion click here.
BENNY'S PLACE, TAGAYTAY
January 24-25
My nephew Benny picked me up after the Bienvenida Party at Something Fishy and we drove to his place in Tagaytay.
FAMILY GATHERING, MARILAO
February 2
I invited my relatives in the Metropolitan Manila area for a party at Benny's house in Marilao, Bulacan. About a hundred people showed up.
WILLY'S PARTY, ALABANG
February 5
My UPCP classmate Willy Paras and his wife Apipa had a get-together for old classmates at his beautiful home in Alabang.
COLLEGE FRIEND MAXLITO, METRO MANILA
February 7
Old classmate Rey Maxlito Umali took me to brunch at the Peninsula and then drinks at the Sofitel on Roxas Boulevard where we watched folk dancing, a beautiful sunset, and fireworks. More Campari and soda, please.
FAMILY GATHERING, CALASIAO
February 8-10
Next was another family party in Calasiao, Pangasinan where two sisters and their families still live. On the road we stopped and had breakfast at a colorful restaurant in Tarlac. Also, drove to the west coast of Pangasinan where one can see fishing villages and nice beaches.
Thanks for dropping in! MABUHAY!
