Party Girl!

I already told you I am lucky to be working with friends around, but I did not mention that we were actually 4 in the group, we were called the G-Girls (G stands for GGAO our office acronym). It was just unfortunate that she had to go for a chance to grow, career wise. We tried to talk her around but after sometime, we let her be. Who are we to hinder her growth? We still see each other every once in a while especially during family affairs. I am a godmother to her daughter and mi esposo is a self-proclaimed godfather (to be) to her son. I'd like to think we have a lot in common, we’re on the same age and I believe we're  on the same wave length. She’s witty and bitchy-sweet. She’s the only one capable of being brutally frank and funny at the same time. She’s a friend to her hubby, a cool and dedicated mommy, good sister and loving daughter all at the same time. I miss her, especially now that I’m raising a kid of my own. How I wish we can exchange notes on motherhood every lunch and snack times and coffee breaks and chitchat times and every time in between. She’s Val btw, and it’s her birthday. Happy birthday party girl!

Below is the tribute we played during her farewell lunch in the office.

Quiapo Day

In my opinion, Quiapo must be the busiest district in Manila. I remember my teacher back in HS said, “if you’re lost, go to Quiapo and you will surely find your way home”. Why not, every possible bound routes to that side of the metro. I technically grew-up in Quiapo, my school addresses there, it’s been my home for almost a decade, and it’s very proximate to where I work now. I love the place and proud of it, notwithstanding the bad impression people have on it. Quiapo taught me to be street-smart, it taught me brotherhood and camaraderie, to treat people with respect to be reciprocated. There’s beauty to that place if you only dared look at it.

But my teacher’s statement may also have different meaning. If you analyze it, it may also be read as “lost soul, pray at Quiapo Church and it will lead you back home”. As everybody knows, Quiapo is where the famous Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, or simply the Quiapo Church, houses. Devotees visit the Church to offer their burden and pray for intercession. This veneration was said started with Filipinos who identified themselves with the poverty and daily struggles and tribulations of Jesus, which the Black Nazarene represents. Every Friday, the Church offers novena to all devotees, it is also locally known as the Quiapo Day.

Today, Friday, Flo and I went to Quiapo. Well, how do you know? We went shopping. Didn't I tell you Quiapo is a bargain haven? So, we shopped - with our hearts out and 'til the last penny dropped. =)

TGIF! 

Birthday Girls

You can never have true friends in your work place, they say. That may be true at one point, because co-employees have interest and competing perspectives. But that does not apply to me. I’m one lucky person who has colleagues who can be considered true friends. And they just celebrated their respective birthdays this month.   

Born on the 13th - Flor/Flo (she writes her name that way): She's one of my HBBs, we met since forever. We live in the same village, our families know each other, classmates at Grade 1, separated for  awhile, and then back as classmates/seatmates/ chatmates/cheatmates/twins/triplets (with her real twin)/barkada/tropa from 1st to 4th year high. Separated in college, and reunited again when she recruited me (and mi esposo) to serve the country. As noble as it may sound, that just means officemates/IMmates/shuttlemates/tropa to us. =) I know, with the boyfriend around, this was her best birthday so far.   

cake blowing with the busy boyfriend at the side

Although not my officemate, another HBB - Liza, shares the birthday with Flo. How do you know, they're twins. lol

sharing birthday and the birthday cake with her twin

Born on the 17th - Lui: She's the sweestest. She's also a recruit of Flo, they're college friends. I'm just the luckiest to be working with her. We belong to the same division so we technically work together and we practically share everything here in the office (gossips included). She's my sister and my confidant and my kumare no doubt. With all the blessings she currently have, we still join her and her husband in praying for that one thing that will make them trully happy and complete.   



tiny cake for the lady with a big heart

Happy birthday sisters! And thank you for being around, you make work fun as play. =)

during the agency's 2011 sports festival



with our respective partners in our boss' office sala 



Baby Shower

My highschool best buds (HBB) are scheduled for a get-together this weekend. It's actually for our annual Christmas party, it’s long overdue I know, but it’s still better than never. =) Everybody seems to be pre-occupied last season to cause this delay, but at least it’s happening. Having said that, we the geniuses among the group, felt that we needed to come-up with "something" to cut down contribution expense (genius I told you) make it more meaningful. Since our HBBs’ wife is due on Feb. why not throw her a surprise Baby Shower? In that way, the couple will shoulder the food expense it would be more special for them as it will be their first born. They will be having a baby girl, and they're naming her Courteney Ysabelle Therese, nice right? 

Fidel (the daddy-to-be) initially wanted for a baby boy, he would joke that he would raise his son as a muslim to marry all of our daughters. Talking about karma this early, huh? lol Anyway, regardless of the baby's sex, the gang is still excited for the new addition to our 4A family. Here is the photo of the gorgeous mommy-to-be, Faith.



mommy-to-be Faith at her pre-natal photoshoot

Fidel took that photo above, he is btw a part-time - freelance photographer. He used to take photos as a hobby, he's earning extra for his passion now. Last year, he even ask mi bebe to pose for him to be included in his portfolio. Ofcourse, stage-nanay as I am, I gamely agreed (even if it would cause a little lump for mi bebe here and there). Mi bebe is still learning to sit by herself that time, she's only 7 months. Here are some of Fidel's shots:



 Other HBBs were also there to take mi bebe's photo, but I only choose to post photos from Fidel, since this is a mini-tribute for the parents-to-be. Some behind the scene photos: 



lightman cum clown cum alalay mi esposo with unpreggy (yet) Faith 

daddy-to-be Fidel showing me the raw footages of mi bebe

the HBBs (we're at CME, it's a swimming get-together cum photoshoot)