MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THESE.

Nothing compares to family. And again this was wonderfully portrayed by last Saturday and Sunday's events. To begin with, my second daughter Christine secretly planned (along with Malen) a surprise for her elder sister's birthday, a sort of belated one tho as April 27 the birthday was actually a working day and she couldn't take leave from her office. But it all began on that day (April 27) kicked off by a simple birthday cake from Christine and a delicious pasta dish put together by younger sister Malen.

It does not take much to make someone happy. All it takes is a willingness to step up and make it happen. You can't buy happiness but certainly you can create it... and create it every living moment of the day and life... that person's and yours. That makes for good memories.

And then came Saturday, May 02...

... off to the second big surprise. Out of the house by 8:00am and on the road for some place outside Manila. But at some point we couldn't simply ignore the breakfast bell ringing in our tummies. Lols! :-) So then stopped at Delifrance for breakfast.

... after such a hearty breakfast, it's back to the cab and on the road again.

After traveling some miles and passing one lovely scenery after another, another bell rang... yup the lunch bell! Are you noticing something, this isn't a travel blog nor is this a birthday blog -- why it's a food blog!! :-) :-) Yeah, the secret is out -- this family is just a bunch of food freaks.

They sure cook good food here. Plus one gets the treat of a wondrous view of the famous and still active Taal Volcano in the middle of Taal Lake. That's the cone of the volcano seen in the background, the rest of it is underwater. On a clear sunny day such as this, you can see it in all of its glory. Another moment that simply takes your breath away.

Finally, here we come to the big SURPRISE....

On the left, that's Christine with her fiance Daniel keeping a close watch and protective eye over the whole scenario from start to finish. Looking at her, I felt a mother's pride seeing her devotion and affection for her siblings, her family -- so way beyond measure. I feel so blessed. Picture on the right, we see Amchit and Malen waving and heading back to us.. visibly pleased, thrilled, and immensely delighted.

Truly memories are made of these.

P. S. There's another big surprise.. the third one which came the next day , Sunday. All about that in the next post. :-)

MY FAMILY HOLIDAY ON BORACAY ISLAND

The previous posts have all centered on the family's Boracay grand vacation in photographs. This current post now will be a bit longer than usual (at the risk of taxing your patience and interest Lols!).... as I intend to put in a few more pictures too. So this probably will be the last segment on my Family Boracay Holiday. I hope this will make your blog visit fun.

There is something that a vacation does to a person aside of course from obviously resting his weary mind body and soul. It makes one think..... a lot. The thoughts do not center on any one thing but churns itself feverishly with every sight and sound that confronts it. Nothing goes by unnoticed... every small detail goes through close scrutiny. This in turn generates a fresh influx of new perceptions or insights. And this is good. Just learn to crack through the thin veneer of glitz, gloss, and glamor.

On that wonderful vacation with my family, the sights and the sounds of the place revved up my senses to overdrive --- the sight of a fabulous sunset, the clear pristine waters, the cool white sandy shores, the green palm trees lining the beach, the people of different colors- cultures- nationalities, the diversity of shops all aiming for your wallet, the flashy display of attractions by hotels competing with each other for patronage, the blaring sounds of music coming out from every pub and bar, the raucous celebration of every sort from different groups in different places on the ground, the aroma of a variety of both familiar and exotic dishes, the sensory thrill of a good foot massage, or meeting the popular friendly canine resident of the island resort who goes by the name of Friday, and many many more. But having my hair braided or my arm henna tattooed would totally be out of the question. That would simply look outrageous on me! As to surfboarding, diving, snorkeling, or wind surfing – that will take another vacation I guess and a good mentor.

I count family time as the greatest moment or moments of all. You can just imagine the joy and pride I felt watching my daughters enjoy this wonderful island vacation and resort. And how I enjoyed the four of us (and my future-son-in-law) on those lovely walks down the long stretch of the shore, feeling the fine white sands under our bare feet, seeking out a good place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, gushing over a delicious scrumptious piece of cake, frolicking on the beach, or picking up seashells washed up the shore, simply lounging by the shore just looking out to a gorgeous sunset, or be one in agreement that God sure blessed us all with beautiful nature and more so in life if we only open up our jaded eyes minds and hearts, or watch them taking charge over the flight schedules and transfers to and from the island to the mainland, or riding a pedicab to church for the Sunday mass, or trek off on an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle. That was fun!) to Mt. Luho, or see their care and concern for my comfort welfare and enjoyment like I remember I once was with them when they were kids long ago. How fast time flies... how they have grown up to be lovely affectionate and responsible daughters right after a mother's heart. I count family as such a wonderful gift from God.

It is good, all good. It tells me how we all go through the same things in life whoever you are whatever you do or wherever you are from. We work ourselves maybe 24/7 to the bone but we too love the idea of a great vacation in some lovely paradise where everybody else shares your idea of rest and recreation. And that no matter which way you want to go, we still are both the same and different all in the same breath. We like and love the same things or not, we hate the same things or not, we have the same thoughts and not too. And nothing lends such clarity to that than a vacation.

Take a vacation, folks. It makes you see life, people, things, the world, God, and your family better. Essentially it gets you connected to your core and restores balance -- Something which we easily tend to lose in the busyness of our lives and living.

So here ends my family holiday in pictures. But it felt good having those wonderful moments, experiences and pictures shared with good friends. So until the next adventure... :-) ...and I hope soon. Well, as Christine says "I'll be back". And I with Amchit, Malen, and Daniel would say to that "You bet!". :-)
Ciao and God bless!!

THE ROYAL SUNSET OF BORACAY ISLAND

One thing is sure -- you will get a gorgeous view of Boracay's sunset right there on the beach. That's what I did (for the three days we were there).... I would sit on the beach, feet playfully sifting the cool sand, and my eyes keenly looking out at the distant horizon waiting for old Sol as she got ready to exit the day. I watched with greater interest and anticipation as the skies prepared itself setting the stage for the Grand Dame's performance.

And Lo! the show began. I was not disappointed, not at all. Here recorded in all of her glory -- magnificently different everyday with beauty unsurpassed -- are the many faces of the royal sunset of Boracay Island.

Do you know what a sunset tells me? It tells me that life is okay, that we can survive the many pitfalls strewn our way, that we need not bash our heads trying to figure out what to do because it always gets solved in the end one way or another by us or something or someone or Somebody up there, that we get more results with a jar of patience than with a huge truck of hustling and bustling until our heads and hearts hurt, and that when the chips are down let's trust in our inner strength hope and faith to make it one more day. Just one more day -- that can make a whole lot of difference. Anything is possible, so give yourself that one more day - Mom would always tell me that. Looking at a sunset always makes me cry.... not because I feel sorry for myself but because I know that like the glorious sunset I too am going to rest my soul for the night .... and too like old Sol will rise in the early morn and shine brilliantly so much more than ever before. Then I would see Mom smiling approvingly at me riding on the colors of a magnificent sunset. This time the royal sunset of Boracay Island.

Note: In the next 'ish.. family time :-)