A LATE NIGHT FORT SANTIAGO VISIT

Hello!  How's everybody????

I know, I know that I haven't been writing and posting for the longest time. Please believe that it's not because I don't like writing in ERICJAZ FOODIES anymore or that I have lost interest in documenting my pathetic life... 

But as Terry Mckay said in the movie "An Affair to Remember" -- "...if one of us didn't show up, it would be for a darn good reason."

I don't really want to dwell on it (as it could be reserved for another blogpost) but for now, let's just have party party tugs tugs! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Promise though that I will try harder this year not because I just want to, but more on I HAVE to. I feel that ERICJAZ FOODIES was in a way, therapeutic, and it also helped in bringing me simple joys during trying times. So yeah, ERICJAZ FOODIES will always be here and vice versa. 

Anywho, last Christmas my boys and I were deciding what to do for Christmas day, but after our usual family duties, it was already night time. Sooooo oh no! Where to go??? 

The Yub remembered that since we had such a fun time when we visited Manila years before, he recommended to do it again.

"But it's night time???" I beautifully asked. 

He answered "And that's what will make this visit different!"

So even if we initially had doubts the night was indeed so unforgettable and fun. We were all so happy to have visited Manila when it was cool, less people, and in the evening. 

Just goes on to show that even in darkness there is a purpose and beauty in it... we just have to believe.

NAKS!

Leaving at 7:00pm!!!!!!!

MY 46TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

(I know I'm already 50 now but as I was looking at my drafts I saw that I wasn't able to post this.... I was leaning towards not posting it anymore but then I saw how some of the special people in my life were still with me during this time, and how everything was just boringly "perfect." Maybe it's their way of saying that they're still with me??

Praying that life goes back this again...)

--------------------------- 

Another birthday passed and you know what that means:

I'll be 46 este... 36 years old now.
I'll be hotter.
I'll be sexier.
I'll be wiser.
I'll be delusional.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Seriously though what gets me all emo emo these days is how at my age I'm still crazy, weird, and childlike. I thought that when I get older I'll automatically become matured and be like those genteel Moms in Disney films. But nooooooh... I think I'm becoming worse with age. Maybe that's why the boys are so ashamed of me.

CHE!!!! Is it embarrassing to have a Mom who gives the name "Mati Da Pogi" to the barista so that when he calls it out for claiming, people in the cafe would know that Mati is indeed pogi??!!!! Cool kaya!!!!!

I've also started to accept that I am not like other women/moms out there because my craziness is always equal to happiness.   

Anyway.....

So yes, with my big 4-6, I thought it's going to be MEH and ordinary especially because of the pandemic. 

Turns out, it's still my best birthday EVER. 

I know you might say it's OA of me to say my birthday celebrations this year are fun when it's really ordinary and "tipid" to what others do. I don't know. Maybe that's just me. For me I always find joy in the present. And I think I've always claimed that as long as I have my family and my favorite friends, I'll be happy.

Eh pano yan, may delicious food pa?

Sharing with you again my birthday celebrations for turning 4-6... este.... 3-6. He he he he he! I once learned again that it doesn't matter if your celebration are grand or simple, as long as your family and true friends are with you, it will still definitely be AWESOME. 

(Belated) Happy Birthday to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!!!

MY 50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

And the day has finally come...  

I turned 50. 

When I was younger, 50 was like oldy-oldy with grandkids and a ton of accomplishments. 

But ENNNNNNNGK (buzzer sound na matinis) when turning 50 was around the corner, I realized that I didn't have a lot...

a. I didn't have grandkids (not that I know of... well I better don't).
b. I didn't have a lot of major accomplishments BUT I'm working for a boss whom I idolize and respect soooo much in the number one noontime show in the Philippines.
c. I didn't have a lot of friends (well..... just valued the reals and so lazy to make new ones... ha ha ha).
AND
d. I didn't have the reality of what I projected for when I turned 50. 

But you know what? Honestly? Seriously? 

I'M JUST FOINEEE WITH IT.

Of course there will always be room for improvement and goals to accomplish, but the good thing though is that I'm not as worried nor insecure of my non-achievements as I did before when I would celebrate my earlier birthdays. 

So yeah! The golden 50??? Yohooo!!!!!!

I got actually so excited for 50 because my family and I had a lot of plans -- I saved for multiple travels and plotted all the restaurants that we'll be eating in. Yep. If you saw my other birthdays where we did a lot, trust me, it was going to be double this year. 

Or so we thought. He he he he he he! Dan! Dan! Dannnnn!!!!!

I don't want to get into details but like they say if we were initially planning to go West, plans went for the East. He he he he he he! It's okay though because no one may have warned me about life going to be this way (thank you "FRIENDS" series) we still had a LOT to be thankful for. And I think one of the main reasons why I'm now so FOINE and thankful for everything is that life has a way of putting trivial matters in perpective. 

So saying that plans did not go the way we wanted to may be an understatement, but believe it or not, EVERYTHING was still memorable and had it's own special charm to it.

We had many unexpected celebrations but they are all something which I will definitely not forget!

One of the best things too is that we have yet to do our initial plans... so yeah, there is still something to look forward to and excited for....  ha ha ha ha! Party party tugs tugs!

Also, looking at the bright side and valuing what we have right now. I just know and pray that everything's going to be better by the grace of God. 

So here I am sharing also my simple celebrations... yet I assure you, they're the most memorable, unforgettable, and somehow romantic for me.

And if you ask if given the chance if I'll change anything for the last 50 years? (Well.... apart from hoping that I should've followed BTS sooner so that I'll be able to watch when they were in the Philippines....) 

I would say, not a minute.

:) 

I'm 50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aaaaaaaah!!!!!

SENIOR CITIZEN NA AKOWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DEGUSTATION DINNER AT THE CHAMPAGNE ROOM (THE MANILA HOTEL)

Hello everyone! Remember me??? He he he he he!

Yeah... yeah... before you remember me as the person you blocked before (he he he he he he), this is Jaz of ERICJAZ FOODIES who still believes in her online diary. I know I am not writing here as much as before, but work got hectic, annnnnd there are some things happening in my private life (PRIVATE LIFE DAW O) that warranted the delay of my posting. 

ANYWHO...

To say that our year was uneventful is an understatement.... BUT would just like to focus on what gave us smiles and happy tummies. Sooo no chismis for you... Ha ha ha ha ha! Maybe soon!

So last 2024, we were planning how to celebrate Mommy's 80th. There were a lot of options but I came upon THE CHAMPAGNE ROOM at the MANILA HOTEL when I was checking for some promos and what have you. 

At first my bossy kapatids didn't want to go that far as they're allergic to traffic, but later on they changed their minds so as to try out something new, AND because we luuuuuuuuuv our Mummy.

So to THE MANILA HOTEL we went, and we're all sooo glad that we did because it was the start of a beautiful friendship with THE MANILA HOTEL! :) 

We're in THE CHAMPAGNE ROOM!!!!

OLLE KOREAN BARBECUE (LONDON 2024)

While planning our itinerary in our LONDON TRIP 2024, we focused not just on the museums and historical sites but also on the restaurants!!!

We were able to go to a  lot of places but one of places I really wished to go to was OLLE KOREAN BARBECUE. 

You may be thinking... Why would we want to have Korean food when we should just be focusing on Fish and Chips, Sunday Roasts, English Breakfasts, etc????

Well... Let's just say that this BTS fan has learned that OLLE KOREAN BARBECUE is the restaurant that my favorite group went to in LONDON, and if I cannot (yet) be in their presence via a concert, then I will at least go somewhere proven that they have been to, so I could at least get a bit of their essence.

Yeah. Gross I'm gross I know. Ha ha ha ha ha! 

Anyway, the bad news is that as expected, didn't get to see or catch BTS' essence (ha ha ha ha). The good news is that I saw some of their actual autographs and I was able to take pictures with it. So I was able to touch something that they did... WOAH (shivers).

OH and the food was very good too! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Sharing our dynamite of a dinner in OLLE KOREAN BARBECUE and if you're a true blue BTS fan, it is indeed worth a visit. Hoewever even if you're not a BTS fan (like, what is wrong with you???) but craving for some Korean grub while in London, you could check this always packed resto too! 

Yup! Because if BTS loves it, then it's really recommended! He he he he he he he he he! 

Woohooo! I'm at OLLE KOREAN BARBECUE!!! 

SUNDAY ROAST AT DUKE OF YORK - LONDON

While we were planning for our recent trip to London, I saw many recommendations that we should try having a SUNDAY ROAST. 

What's a SUNDAY ROAST? 

SUNDAY ROASTS, as defined by mareng Wikipedia, "is a traditional meal of British origin. Although it can be consumed throughout the week, it is traditionally consumed on Sunday. A plate usually consists of roasted meat, roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes and accompaniments such as Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, gravy, and condiments such as apple sauce, mint sauce, or redcurrant sauce.

ANAK NG... ALL OF THAT IN ONE PLATE??? WE WOULD BE CRAZY NOT TO TRY IT OUT!!!! Ha ha ha ha!

(Ayan I almost said profanities... tee hee)

ANYWHO..... So on a particularly lazy Sunday in LONDON (naks) we decided to go for that SUNDAY ROAST.  The Yub searched around and saw many positive reviews on....  

THE DUKE OF YORK!

LE RELAISE DE VENISE - L'ENTRECOTE LONDON

HAPPY 2024!!!!!!

As my first official entry to my silly little foodie blog, let me share one of our mind-blowing experiences in LONDON during our trip there last December, 2023.... 

LE RELAISE DE VENISE - L'ENTRECOTE LONDON!!!!!!

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD CALIFORNIA 2023

One of the highlights of our family's US trip this year was our visit once more to Universal Studios. 

I know, I know, there are many more places to go in the US... BUT if you've been reading my weird blog, you'll know that if we're there, we cannot NOT go to Disneyland and Universal Studios (hopefully I'll be able to blog on those soon ha ha ha ha ha) as they are my favorite places, EVER.

ANYWHO.... 

I chose to post about SUPER NINTENDO WORLD because it's the newest attraction in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS the month we came. I'm not really familiar with the game but the boys, especially the hub, played a lot of this growing up so it's just important that we go.

And what SUPER time we had there!!!!!!! 

We're in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD CALIFORNIA!!!!!

CHRISTMAS 2022

I know it might be too late by the time I post this, but I cannot just ignore CHRISTMAS especially that we had another blessed celebration this year. 

Of course, I would have preferred for my Dad and BGP Mariane to be with us, still, we are celebrating the birthday of Jesus and it always bring a feeling of gratitude and comfort in my heart. Happy too that we have a new member in the family to party on during this holiday season. 

So with that, thankful we are once again together for Christmas, thankful that we did our usual traditions (most especially the picture by the tree... tee hee) and most of all, thankful FOR ALL THE FOOD. Ha ha ha ha ha!

May be a belated Merry Christmas coming from ERICJAZ FOODIES, but still, here we are. He he he he he!

ENJOY! I know we did!

YOOO to the HOO!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

KUYA LEVS LOMI BATANGAS

When we went to Cavite for our New Year's Eve celebration (which I hope to be able to blog about soooon), we decided to have an early lunch at this restaurant I saw on tiktok --- KUYA LEVS.

I know what you're thinking "Where is this sosy wosy romantic haven that ERICJAZ FOODIES decided to go to?"

EEEENNGGGG wrong answer.

(I apologize for the pathetic text but that's supposed to be a buzzer sound. He he he he he). 

Anyway, come on!!!! As if you didn't know us. Dining at swanky places may be fun BUT we find it more thrilling to discover hole in the wall restos that get our worth in pocket and in appetite. 

So yep. KUYA LEVS was IT. Of course, don't expect to be mind- blown, but I assure you, that if you're craving this certain kind of food but you're in Cavite, then this is the spot to go to.

YEBAH.

Going on a trip in our favorite  rocket ship..... 

And we're here in KUYA LEVS!

HOTEL HOPPING TO WELCOME 2023

AND for the 10th time in this silly little foodie blog, I am again featuring our traditional HOTEL HOPPING to end the old and greet the new year! I know you guys may be tired of this, but sorry na lang because this is a strict family tradition and it's most likely that we'll be doing it until the boys leave us to have a million babies. 

BELAT!!

Seriously though, yes, we've been going to the same hotels and again, we've been doing the same thing over and over again. Still, every year gives a different kind of happiness, a different kind of memory, and a different sense of loving accomplishment at something that my Dad started while we were all little brats. 

The pandemic may put a pause in our lives but not our family traditions. This year, we're excited that my Mom has finally joined us. I think the last time she was part of our HOTEL HOPPING tradition was when Daddy was initiating it. Though she changed our initial plans because either she didn't want to go too far or she didn't want to stay out late, in the end, everything worked out perfectly fun. 

So here we are, sharing our HOTEL HOPPING tradition here in the blog (10th in ERICJAZFOODIES while forever in reality). 

Enjoy!!!

Or not.

I know we DEFINITELY did!

HOTEL HOPPING AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!!

ONE SUNDAY IN TANAY (MIDORIYAMA AND PICO DE PINO)

One Sunday, when everyone made plans EXCEPT to be with us (TRAITORS), THE YAPPY BUNCH decided to... 

Wait, where did my family go you say???

Mommy - has a meeting with her relatives...
Kuya Jay and family - wasn't able to go down from their mountain
Kuya Jon and Andrei - in Japan
Ate Jit and hub - was supposed to have lunch at Mandaluyong but since we all had plans, they went somewhere. They didn't want to go with us! HMP!

ANYWAY....

THE YAPPY BUNCH (minus Andrei) decided to go to Tanay Rizal!!!!! I've been seeing A LOT of tiktok videos featuring the cafes and restaurants with breath-taking views of the mountain, that we decided to join the bandwagon. Alam mo naman kami... Gaya gaya punto maya...

Teee heee!

First stop is MIDORIYAMA!!!!

It was a Sunday and even if there was no traffic, I got a bit inip with the long drive (or maybe I was just hungry???)

ITALIANNI'S WITH MATI (UPTOWN MALL) (2021)

Every VALENTIMES, I always plan a date with my sons. Of course, it's fun to go out as a whole family during this day of hearts but I find that spending quality one-on-one time with your son is also needed. You'll find that they'll tend to behave differently without the brother/aka enemy. Tee hee! I've made it a tradition and I hope the boys do it even when they're adults na.

Usually it's just US with the driver for that definite alone time. This year however, we planned to do it on a night where it was our driver's day off. So who's the next best choice???

THE YUBHUB! Aba syempre... Drayber sweet lover din yan!!!!!

When asked where he felt like going, Mati answered that he's in the mood for some good ol' Italian food. With that, we went to our current favorite, ITALIANNI's!!! Not only does the restaurant serve delicious pasta, pizza, and complimentary bread, BUT, they also have a 50% off promo! Yay!

(Jaz of 2023 - not anymore... bwa ha ha ha ha ha)

Don't you just love Mati for sensing that?? It may be the reason why he chose ITALIANNI'S in the first place!

That's my boy!!!

We're going to ITALIANNIS!

Malamig Yub???

OUR AWESOME YAPPY 2022 (PART THREE)

 

And another year has passed.

This year may have started with me having covid and other mundane matters BUT I never expected in a million years for it to end the way it did. 

Don't get me wrong. I'm still so thankful that my family is healthy and happy, plus the boys are now giants but are still my babies, but losing a best friend, a BGP even, is so unimaginable. 

Anyway I cannot really question His will, and I know that what happened had a reason. Hay.... (I've been formulating sentences that I've been erasing din because I'm feeling a lot of things... Ha ha ha ha ha).

Oh well. I'm speechless talaga.

One thing's for sure though if this year has taught me anything it's really that LIFE IS SHORT. Value every moment and every loved one you have with you. I think that's why even if I'm busy with work, and even if it's midnight, I'll still do my best to record all my special memories via this blog (aka online diary). 

It doesn't matter that it's not as popular as the other blogs out there or if it is old-style. What matters talaga (especially for me) is that all you read here is from my heart which I want to remember forever. 

Also, with the loss of my best friend, I decided that I won't subject myself to toxic situations and people. I'll only stick to those who are worth it. If there's one thing my BGP has taught me, is that TRUE FRIENDSHIP exists and I won't level down of course from the love she gave me. He he he he he! Kahit na kami na lang ni Suga sa mundo, GO LANG! He he he he he he!

Sorry madrama. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Hindi bagay sa first pic. 

So here is me again, ERICJAZ FOODIES, sharing the last quarter of my 2022. It was an ending with a lot of blessings I know but a big part of it was sadness. 

Thank you for joining and coping with me. I'm sure you're seconds away from blocking the cuteness out of me. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Sorry if my intro make no sense. I'm sure, sanay na kayo. Har de har har. 

As for new readers, get out while you still can. 

Tee to the hee. 

SEPTEMBER

September 1, 2022

Is it pitiful of me if I started the last trimester recap with a greeting to BTS' golden maknae?

NO IT AINT!!!

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!

Happy Birthday dear Jungkook!!! Greetings from me and Suga!

A SUMO SAM HOLIDAY (2020)

Last December, THE YAPPY BUNCH went out for some family bonding bonding ekek because it was a holiday.

It may be so tempting to just stay at home and sleep the day away but going out with the boys and treating them to a nice lunch is something we'll not pass up.  Of course because of the present situation, we will still be extra careful and follow safety protocols imposed by the establishment. Yes, we all want to have fun BUT also be cautious at the same time.

With that, we decided to go to Edsa Shang because it's one of the malls I know that don't have many people. When we got there, the guard asked us questions and we answered honestly (we also called the restaurant beforehand).

So yay! Another fun family day. Even if there were a lot of extra things to do to ensure our safety, we all appreciated the caring measures and had an awesome day!  

WE'RE OUT!!!
(Can't buy me looooooveeee.... loooooove)

OUR AWESOME YAPPY 2022 (PART TWO)

As much as I want to always blog, I need to finish recording data and I could do more so at night. Too sad though that I haven't documented much of what's happening in my life in the past few months.

SO, I apologize if this recap came out late. I'm trying my best to record everything to the best of my abilities. Like I mentioned in the previous post, if there's something that I learned in 2022 is to ALWAYS cherish every moment. 

And in my case, blog about it as well so that I won't ever forget it. 

You'll understand more in the next post. For now, enjoy... or be traumatized. 

BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!

Here's the second trimester of the year. Don't block me just yet. 

MAY 

May 3, 2022

Dinner at The Alley!

Because will always choose and treat my guys whenever I can (especially if I have b…. Buni… haha) 🙂

OUR AWESOME YAPPY 2022 (PART ONE)

Another year... Another blog.

And yep, IT'S 2022!!!!!

I know I have been one lazy (or busy?) girl from the previous year that I wasn't able to blog as much as I used to. OKAY fine. I admit. It's not just work, it's BTS! Ha ha ha ha ha! I promise though that I will be doing some changes this year.... 

And one of them is to be more active again in ERICJAZ FOODIES!

This will still be on a personal level though as I have always maintained how ERICJAZ FOODIES is like my online diary. Sometimes I have to admit that I'm doing this more also for myself then the happiness of the people I get to share it with is just the cool sweet end of the deal.

So here I am again with the recap of the year that was. I'm actually doing this on a January so I don't know what 2022 has in store. Like what I said in my New Year's post, this time I'm not gonna say "BRING IT ON," or "EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE BETTER." Instead, what I'm hoping more for now is that "LET EVERYTHING WORK OUT with the help of the power of prayer."

So yep, I'm writing this right now, hopeful and still optimistic of what this year holds for all of us. And since it has helped me so much in the recent years, will believe in the power of prayer that whatever happens, everything will work out.

First things first though... Hmmmm... 1 month in and I have broken many numbers already. ESPECIALLY number 1!!! Ha ha ha ha ha!

Okay. This is not counted. Ha ha ha ha ha! Still, there are many items that I do promise to work on.

And was I able to accomplish them? Hopefully. In the meantime, sharing with you our important and memorable moments from the first quarter of 2022!!!!

JANUARY

January 1, 2022

IT'S A NEW YEAR!!!!!!

HIGHLANDS STEAKHOUSE (MOA)

It's VALENTIMES and like what we do every year, the Yub is tasked to find a place for our loving (kuno) date.

(I said kuno because seriously, we would use ANY excuse to go out for good food. Ha ha ha ha ha!)

Supposedly we would go to our usuals (MAMOU or WAGYU STONE GRILL) but the Yub wanted to try something new.

At first I was complaining because lazy me only want to go someplace near (aka not too far when my tummy comes a-grumbling). However, it's very rare when the Yub doesn't give in to my bratty whims that okay fine, with rolling eyes, I followed na.

And so we ventured out for HIGHLAND'S STEAKHOUSE!

YIHIIIIII!!! DATE KAMI!!!!!

OUR NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION FOR 2022

It's NEW YEAR'S EVE and we're counting the hours till it's 2022.

Dear Andrei was especially excited because we got lots of fireworks for the night. You could say that we all saved a little bit per payday so that come October 31, we'll have enough funds for a whole lot of ka-boooming!

As for the rest of us, I'm sure you'll know, that we're here for the food. Although we're not going to go so much for the homecooked route like in Christmas, we still plan to get all fat and full as we bid the old year goodbye.

And yep, as expected, we did THAT plus so much more.  

Sharing our night as we bid "paalam" to twenty-twenty one and halooooo to twenty-twenty-two!!!!!!!

Wooooo to the HOOO!!!!!!!!

HAAAAAAAAAPPPY NEW YEARRRR!!!

OUR CHRISTMAS 2021

I don't know if it's the pandemic or that I'm turning into a grumpy senior citizen (tee hee) but I really didn't feel the holidays coming up. Sure there were the usual decorations, lights, and chilly weather, but I don't know. It's just not the same.

Of course, shy and suplada me really preferred staying at home or going out with family and/or super close friends. So I can't really blame the covid again on that. In fact, it's one aspect of the pandemic that I preferred -- having an excuse not to see the people I so don't like (tee hee).

Maybe because of work din that I wasn't able to feel the holidays? I got some assignments that got me sort of busy, but still, I was thankful naman because my work is a blessing. So I'm not really blaming that. Truth be told, my work gave the season a little more excitement because I had the funds to order what I liked. Ha ha ha ha! So yeah.. that's not the reason. 

Whatever it is, I'm glad that come the actual day of Christmas we got all that we wished for -- family was together, food was soooo damn awesome, we were all crazy laughing and happy, we got the gifts that we wanted (plus more), EVERYBODY agreed to take a lot of pictures (hay sobrang challenge with my family yan ha ha ha ha), AND that we all felt the love blessings around us.

It was really a blessed day to celebrate the coming of our Lord. So it may be different from before, but I'm not complaining. We all don't have a choice but to accept the situation these days and just make the most out of it. So party on!  As what I would always say, it's the best Christmas celebration yet! 

Many burp moments pa! He he he he he!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!