Yuan's Baptismal Celebration

06.07.09

Ive been longing to blog Yuan’s baptism, so here it is:

Originally, I was thinking of baptizing him simultaneous to his 1st birthday. But he’s growing really fast and at 3 months he’s quite big. I realize how big he could get at 1 year old and will no longer be cute on his baptismal suit. So there, after weeks of planning and preparation, we set the date on the 7th of June (Sunday) at St. John Bosco Parish Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Invitation
For the invitation layout, I chose blue and green, the layout was done by Paolo’s sister thru Digiscrap. I have it printed as photo and just added the site map. For those who can only be reached thru email, I have another version of the invitation with other stuff like more of Yuan’s photos, which I sent thru email.

Godparents and Guests
I want godparents to feel very special, since they are the “chosen ones” hehe.. So instead of visiting them to formally ask to be Yuans godparent, again I utilized the email. Sent individual presentation to each of the Ninongs and Ninangs. Im glad all godparents made it to the ceremony. Of course we are also grateful to see our family and friends grace Yuan’s big day!

Church and the Ceremony
Parishes nowadays are strict. They have so many requirements:
a. Parents should be married in the catholic church
b. Both parents should be Catholics
c. All godparents should also be Catholics
d. All godparents and parents should attend the seminar
e. Etcetera..etcetera

Thank God coz at St. John Bosco, theyre not that meticulous, though we were questioned since we had a garden wedding, so technically not a Catholic celebration. We haggled and made friends with the parish secretary and buti nalang Bosconian (yes, were both Catholic since birth) si Pao. They talked about the priests they both know. And voila! She allowed us to have Yuans baptism there. Thanks Tita Esther! My regret was they don’t allow special celebration, so we have no choice but to have it together with other celebrants as well.

And there, at the event itself, we were surprised that the should be solemn ceremony looked like a “binyagang-bayan” sa sobrang daming biniyagan. So for you guys planning for a baptism, look for a church that allows you to pick your day and go solo.

Photography
This need not to be expensive or spend out for. Just use your resources and ask a family member or friend to cover the celebration for you. As for ours, one of Yuan’s ninong is a photographer; Pao’s sister has an SLR, so there we have two sets of photographers! My only regret was, since the church was too crowded and the ambiance not really good, we failed to take photos of godparents holding Yuan – you know, the traditional photo-op.

Venue and Catering
We had several options for our venue. First we scouted several restos. Restos are a practical choice if you have limited guests with budget range of 25K-40K for 50 pax. But in our case, we need a bigger space. One of our choices was the clubhouse, these are cheap alternatives price range is at Php2,500-3,000 + catering. Try San Jose Village, Sta. Rosa Estates, or South Forbes (they have accredited caterers). We resorted to the St. John Bosco Hall. It was such a perfect venue – indoor, air-conditioned, just beside the church, comfort rooms are clean, and cheap at Php4, 500.

 

We had Golden Verina for our catering. Their service was good, ample serving, and they’re really prompt. The only downside was they didn’t provide a contract and made some price adjustments at the last minute. The whole package was at Php25,000. You may reach them at (02) 823-0878 look for Tita Carmen.

A special AVP presentation was also shown and it really tickled my heart – to see my pics when I was still pregnant and later its Yuan’s big smile!

Cakes and Souvenirs
The cakes were from Anna Banana’s which was perfectly done, and really yummy. Big thanks to Ate Mich for shouldering the cake and cupcakes! We love you Ate Mich! We also had Mernels cake!

For the souvenirs, godparents received cupcakes from Anna Bananas, and relatives and friends - Yuan’s hand sanitizer. You may call Michelle at 0929-6886848.

So there, we want to thank everyone for coming to Yuan’s baptismal celebration and for all who have extended their help! For those who didn’t make it thank you for the blessings. God bless!!!!

Cam Sur Getaway

07.11-14.09

Why I love going places? Because its like peeping at a kaleidoscope full of different figures, colors, and patterns that seems to be endless. To every trips we had, I bring home memories, facts, insights, learning’s, cultures, friends, & self-discoveries, that made me realize there’s gotta be more to life.

And long for more.

On my additional circle of galang-friends:
Sad. Hindi ito ang original cast, few have backed out according to Pao (Well at Php500 b/f trip, why not?) pero syempre we made it worthwhile. Though sabit lang ako, and will always be identified as “Paolo’s wife” (drama) I’m still overwhelmed at knowing these people & be part of the adventure:

a. Mike: Akala ko happy-go lucky, but I discovered a man of humility & responsibility;
b. Reese: Cat woman in the flesh, I cant believe she has adopted 19 cats out of pity;
c. Jaemie: A ziplock freak and is always prepared;

d. Ryan: Sabi nila hindi outspoken, my belief was shattered during our island hopping ( Si Manong namana ksi.. hehe);

On the things we did:

Though the items in our itinerary was not as many as the one we had in our CDO-Camiguin trip, I certainly enjoyed this one too due to its practical adventure:

a. Ang dami naming tric-rides which is really fun, all 6 of us in one tric;

b. Rode a not so ok bus, but twas cool kasi feeling ko nsa province talaga ko,

c. Going to the ruins, nag-hire kame ng isang nananahimik na jeep, na hindi naman talaga for hire;

d. We tried knee-boarding at night at CWC coz we’ve waited till the “pros” are done (I guess you’ll do the same);

e. Sa palengke kame namili ng pasalubong and syempre home-made pili bars by Mike’s Mom;

f. Going to Caramoan, we rode a ferry, but the catch was bubuhatin ka ng mga “buhat boys” para makasakay ka, I was at awe seeing Mike & Ryan first to go, I thought trip lang nila, then 2 men picked me up, hehe.. wala pala kong choice;

g. At no extra cost, we have visited the place where Survivor series was shoot, that’s local tourism;

h. We went to this bar for a nightout and whew such a very awesome performance from these chikkas; a night of envious and insecurities coz ang se-sexy talaga ng mga vaklush!

On our food trips: The food…food.. ahhh food…

Day 1

Breakfast Jollibee Paseo: Burger Steak Rice Meal

Lunch @ Anne’s place: The famous bicol express, sweet n sour fish, chopped liempo, porkchop, ensaladang pipino, super fresh buko juice, overlooking Mt. Mayon;

Dinner @ Mike’s place: ginataang gulay na may malalaking shrimp; laing;

Nightout @Hollywood: Pica-pica of calamari, tacos, burrito, cake complimenst of the club, Red Horse beer;

Day 2
Breakfast @ Mike’s place: pansit na masarap, coffee
Lunch @ Caramoan: Chips, chips, chips
Dnner @ Lutong bahay, Caramoan: 4 sticks of barbecue, bicol express, laing, soda

Day 3
Breakfast @ Lutong bahay, Caramoan: longganisa, egg, coffee
Lunch @ Gastroff Steak house: Haay, as I look back, nagugutom nako.
Dinner @ CWC: Stuffed Squid, plus nakitikim sa pinangat at chicken inassal;

Expenses: Fare Thanks to the Go-Lite promo of Cebu Pacific, we got it at 500 per head (2-way!), Manila-Naga, though weve waited for months since February pa sya booked. Transpo there were cheap since, as Ive mentioned, our means of transpo were tric-jeep-bus-ferry.

Food Either you splurge or skimp. But the food were all worth the price! I totally recommend Gastroff Steakhouse and try the foods at CWC. P1,350 for 6 of us!

Lodging e had big savings since we stayed at Mike’s place for 2 nights. At Caramoan, the room was at 300+ per night. At CWC, its 1,200 a night (for 3), so Pao & I had a separate villa.

So there guys, in general Cam Sur was a total adventure, hope you could come and check it out as well!

25 things before I hit 30

(these are just selfish desires at random thinking)




1. An addition to our family - My baby girl Maria (still thinking her 2nd name) at the age of 27, that makes Yuan 3 years old;

2. Buy 4 sets of wristwatch –I think that’ll be a good investment hehe.. taas kilay ni Pao for sure; (Bu, this will remind me that time is gold and that I should move a bit faster J);

3. Splurge on accessories, bangles, earrings, plus bags, luggage bags (kasi nga di ba maraming travel, wohoo!), can I add new sets of clothes especially when Im back in shape? Hehe.. Its not bad to spend for yourself naman kaya I have to have #9;

4. Travel..Travel..Travel – Plan namin ni Pao na mapuno ng pic namin yung Philippine map na nasa closet. And take on a Cruise vacation;

5. Makapag-travel abroad – hehe mag-eexpire na passport ko wala pa ding tatak.. poor me L

6. Master Excel, and be able to make an application of whatever sort before I die (freak I know);

7. Buy our own house at hmm.. basta here in Sta. Rosa going to Tagaytay;

8. Buy a car / family car (I share #7 with Pao hehe);

9. Find and settle at a more lucrative job or be an entrepreneur on the side (food biz, RTW, stuff, pets);

10. Extreme diet and exercise after baby girl; Play badminton again and be a pro, join tournaments and win!

11. Head to the beach and wear a skimpy bikini (proud of my stitches) after I achieved a fabulous

body from #10;

12. Read at least two (2) books, fiction/chic lit/self-help/whatever basta book, in my quest for continuous learning hehe;

13. Plan or host (‘plan’ nalang maciadong magastos pag ‘host’) events, parties, children parties, costume parties, wedding, baptismal, fiesta, xmas party hehe, kahit ano basta gusto ko magplan.. I enjoy the nitty-gritty of it, then I’ll blog about it, and be useful sa mga mag-host of such parties;

14. Spa – sauna, foot and paraffin wax (no foot scraping please), facial & body scrub, full body massage, sleep. Whew. This can’t wait.

15. Attend family day at Yuan’s school and be a competitive mom sa mga parlor and sport-y games hehehe.. Mang-aaway ng teacher pag pinagalitan si Yuan.

16. Volunteer to Gawad Kalinga and help build those houses, haay, college pa gusto ko na to, I just don’t know how, when, where, and with whom; Or celebrate my birthday at one of the orphanage houses together with family and friends;

17. Mag-lector/commentator ulit sa churc, kasi di ako pwede mag-choir;

18. Meet up with my college friends, high-school friends (hmm sort of a reunion na din pero gusto ko batch by batch – barkada, classmates, then batchmates) and of course my Gardenia friends, PYM friends, mga Elena apartment-mates;

19. Be a regular blogger, net freak, and organize my documents sa lappy-toppy, along with I-Tunes, kahit walang time;

20. Drive Yuan to birthday parties, costume parties, Fun Ranch, Zoo, picnics or what-have-you;

21. Master at least 5 dishes I can be famous of, with my own-style, yung pwedeng ipa-patent, consider having Shrimp Pesto ala Mariana (nyehh);

22. Pay a regular visit to family and relatives and have a feast;

23. Master 5 songs, as in yung almost memorize na and in tune, para pag nag-videoke, mauuna ko mag plug in ng songs ko. Hehe..

24. Get overly-drunk with friends in the beach, then do stupid things like hmmm.. I guess you’ll never know the extent of what you can do when you’re drunk. Im sure with CESTIMA or Orcom peeps to. Haha!

25. I just realized whenever Im making a list, pinaka-mahirap yung last Hmmm.. of course how could I forget, save and invest.. Invest and save!

Resurrected

After years of hibernation from the cyber network haven, I'm back!

The last time I logged in to really do some stuff here is uhmm I really cant remember. Birthdays, Christmas, New year, a few storms, and people came and left.

A lot of things happened and have changed, let me share ten:

1. I got married to a wonderful person inside-out making me a happy Mrs. Mariane Glorioso-Dela Cruz now.
2. I have proven that my genes (and Pao’s) produce good results seeing my 4-month old Yuan’s cuteness and healthy being (now that’s bragging J)
3. My hair is shorter than I ever had before.
4. I have gained a lot. 120 lbs vs my pre-pregnancy weight of 97 lbs (shopping clothes no longer a habit)
5. I now reside in Canlubang (with my in-laws and Pepper).
6. I seldom see my family due to some issues whatsoever.
7. New colleagues at Isuzu, new circle of friends, I still keep the old ones of course (I just wish we still have the luxury of time to meet often)
8. Pao & I (with some friends) have toured some scenic places in the country. Hopefully in the next 7 years international naman with Yuan (older para ma-appreciate naman nya). Yey!
9. Whatelse? Hmmm.. I have a new signature. Haha..
10. I have a new blog!

So long, until I find the luxury of time to share some thoughts again.
Chillax, Life is good.