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!!!!!

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!!!!

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!!!!

MY OFFICE CHRISTMAS NIGHT (2020)

Our office Christmas party is one event that EVERYONE in our workplace is excited for. When I was new, somebody told me how our parties were epic and I was able to happily discover why.

And yep! It was always awesome!

Let's just say that every time I talk about our office Christmas parties to other people, the usual reactions were "WOWWWW GRABE NAMAN!" or, "ANG SAYA SA OFFICE NYO!!!!"

Syempre ako naman, I'd gleam with pride. The Christmas Party at TAPE Inc is indeed the icing to the cake of being part of a very cool company.

Due to the pandemic however, there were so many changes in our Christmas Party celebration. For one, we cannot have a grand getogether because of rules and regulations prohibiting large social gatherings. So with that, we had a zoom Christmas party where attendees from the studio (because there was a live show), from the office (it was a workday), and those who worked from home, all joined in.

Honestly speaking, it was still fun. Of course, the craziness coming from our big and rowdy crowd may be gone but we were still able to celebrate our Office Christmas Party with a more intimate flair into it. The great thing there is that we were able to confirm that it's not just about the large venues nor the rows of buffet lines, or the kalog games that causes maximum enjoyment.

It's actually the Dabarkads. Mismo. Kahit na zoom call pa!

I'm very thankful to work with cool people (who are already like my family) that wherever we were, we still have a great time. So yes, this year may be different, but I will still welcome the night with hopeful spirits

At least may celebration pa din di ba? :) 

Sharing with you guysh this year's DABARKADS Christmas Party... este.... Night, for the holidays. We may have had a rough 2020 but there were still many things to be thankful for.

And one of those for me is still being part of the longest running noontime show ever!! :)

Merry Christmas! 

Our office Christmas Party!!!!

OUR CHRISTMAS (2020)

It's CHRISTMAS! And even though I've heard several times from people how "they don't feel the warmth of the holidays," I beg to differ. Of course, I know where the sadness is coming from. This pandemic truly caught us all by surprise and I'm sure everyone (myself included) has experienced pain and loss. Still, even if our holidays were not as festive and "en grande" as before, we should still remember and focus on the deeper meaning of CHRISTMAS. The season after all celebrates the birthday of Jesus and I believe that is already reason enough to at least appreciate what we already have and (still) thank God for everything.

So yes, even if CHRISTMAS is different this year, let us all just focus on what's important -- family, blessings, love, and Jesus.

With those in mind, I'm sure the heart will find the happiness we all need right now.

Sharing with you what happened to us during the holidays...

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

KTG FOR 2020!

ERICJAZ FOODIES started the year with a getogether with our favorite foodies...

Photo from Timothy Cheung

THE KTG!!!!

OUR CHRISTMAS 2019

Our favorite season comes again and as usual, I'm not ready!!!!

Yep. Last year everything was soooo smooth when it came to buying gifts for my loved ones. Now, because of various reasons, AUUUGHHHHH I crammed as if I was still in college studying for Content Analysis (my best subject but I still hated studying for it).

Would you believe though that everything STILL turned out so well and oh so memorable???

Yep. I guess that's how really the Christmas season works. Because really, it's not about the shopping, the gifts, the bonuses, the parties, etc. it's actually about the birth of Jesus and the love that He has brought out in all of us.

You see when you look at the whole picture, no matter how down the situation may be, the love that you have around you will be more than enough to give you a wonderful and memorable season.

And for us, since the family is all here for Christmas (as opposed to last year when they were all in London) we have all the love we need to have another awesome Christmas!!!!

YEHEHEEEYYYY!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS POHZZZZ!!!!!

MY OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY (2019)

Besides the "isang libong isang tuwa" that EAT BULAGA is very popular for, one of the reasons why I loved working in TAPE INC., is attending our annual Christmas party.

Yep! It's always EPIC!!!!!!

I had my fair share of work experiences (an advertising company, a radio station, a rival TV station, a public service radio and tv show) and I swear they are all NOTHING compared to what I experienced in EAT BULAGA.

Talagang EPIC!!!

I don't know. Every year we have the same food, the same activities, and the same people. But every year, we still experience a different kind of fun that get us talking about it even weeks after the party.

So sharing with your again our EAT BULAGA Christmas party 2019! And if you read till the end, you'll agree that's also something that I will be remembering for a LOOOOOONG time!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMSA DABARKADS!!!!!

COD (CHRISTMAS ON DISPLAY) SHOW 2019

THE YAPPY BUNCH have many traditions especially during Christmastime and one of them is watching the COD (Christmas On Display) Animatronic show.

The tradition actually started when my Daddy would always take my brothers and sister to COD mall to watch their special Christmas programs led by robots. I remember that even if there were no seats and we had to squeeze ourselves between loads of other watchers, we still had an enchanting cold night (that would usually be capped off with a Chinese dinner somewhere). Yep. So fun.

And that's why I wanted to carry on the tradition with my boys and we've been avid watchers ever since.

Yun lang, BOO HOO, the COD show in Greenhills Mall (where it's been "performing" for many years now) closed up. So for two years the Yub and I have been left wondering if our growing guys will still get a chance to watch it again.

Then lo and behold, the COD show is BACK and it returned "home" to Cubao Quezon City! The mall (which it was really named after) may be gone but the legacy it was named after stands tall again mighty proud.

So upon learning that, the Yub immediately said that we should go to COD forour family Saturdate.

"But we were supposed to have a videoke night, remember?" I said.

The Yub, however, stood his ground. Nope. We're going to watch the COD show even if it's in Cubao. This is tradition after all. Besides, it's one of Andrei's favorites too while growing up!

I'm so happy (and thankful) that even my husband recognized the importance of this Christmas tradition and how much it meant to me. It's either that or maybe he's enjoying this kind of night out as well.

Whatever the reason, if the COD show will always be here to make our holiday season more special, then we are sooooo game for it. ALWAYS.

:P

It's the COD show!

CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH THE DABARKADS AND MR. TULFO

I've been a Dabarkads for 10 years and believe me, it's such an understatement how we all look forward to the "culmination" of our employment every year...

The EAT BULAGA CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!!

When I was new in TAPE INC., many people would tell me how awesome our parties were and that the abundance of prizes were incomparable to what the other companies gave.

Yup! It's true!!!!!

I cannot disclose of course the specifics of what we all received but just take my word for it. As in ang saya saya niya!!!!! We ARE after all the number one noontime show for 3 decades now so I'm sure, the company knew how to take care of their employees.

They know how to get us all fatter too!!!!!!!!

Even if every year we enjoy the same food and have the same flow of program, I still have a blast. Every party is still something very memorable for me. The great thing however was that this year, I attended not one but two Christmas parties where both gave me such wonderful blessings that made me go home a winner. It was truly an exciting way to party the last month of the year in my work life.

Check out my Christmas parties at my former company AND with EAT BULAGA. One was truly unexpected while the other was the same every year.

BUT, both were super nights to remember -- in my heart and big forehead. He he he he he he he!

ISUMBONG mo sa DABARKADS!

:p
  

It's another EAT BULAGA Christmas party!!!!!

FAMILY LUNCH AT JOY NOSTALG HOTEL

Usually every Christmas day, THE YAPPY BUNCH would either stay at home the whole morning or visit some of our relatives. This year, my ate thought of treating the family to a Christmas lunch to do something different (especially that our Daddy is not with us).

With that, she suggested to go for JOY NOSTALG HOTEL!!

Heading out to Ortigas this Christmas day!

Since we're going out this holiday, my sister said we should wear something "nice".

Sayang! I was planning to be in jammies the whooooole day!!!! 

When we got to JOY NOSTALG, an adorable Labrador was there to greet us.

I love hotel dogs! They're always big and fluffy and lazy! Ha ha ha ha ha!

For lunch, we'll be at the NOSTALGIA main lounge!

OUR CHRISTMAS 2017

It's CHRISTMAS for THE YAPPY BUNCH and like always, we will be celebrating this holiday season with family, love, laughter, gifts, and FOOD!!!!

Of course, since it's December 24, 2017, we will be doing some last minute shopping!

It never fails. We're crammy that way.

MY OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY (2017)

I know I may sound bias but I really feel that our office gives the BEST CHRISTMAS PARTIES ever! Of course, there are gatherings here and there, but ours is done by the people who gives the country isang libo't isang tuwa every day so it's no wonder that our annual holiday celebrations are indeed, EPIC.
 

It's EAT BULAGA's Christmas Party! Yehesssss!!!!!

We usually hold our Christmas parties in Oasis Events Place or Sampaguita Gardens.  But for this year, the celebration was done in our studio in Broadway.

I wasn't able to watch my favorite Ika-6 Na Utos (hi hi hi! CHE!) because I immediately rushed to Broadway Centrum after lunch. There I met up with my friends, the Titas of TAPE Inc!

A HOTEL JEN MANILA CHRISTMAS

Christmas is DEFINITELY in the air!!  Besides the chilly mornings, what marks the official arrival of the holiday season are the yuletide decorations, bright twinkly lights, the nostalgic songs, and of course, THE FOOD!

Most recently, we dropped by HOTEL JEN to experience ALL OF THAT during their Christmas tree lighting. 

The tree stood quietly near the staircase and it was indeed lovely.




It was a fun place to have Christmas pictures!

SHARE THE RUSTIC MORNINGS LOVE!

It's the holiday season and if you plan on sharing the love, why not do so with these adorable gift baskets from RUSTIC MORNINGS?

RUSTIC MORNINGS by ISABELO, the shabby chic all day breakfast hub in the Marikina side of the Metro, is giving you a chance to take home their fluffy and buttery pancakes. And I'm not talking about doggie bags, I meant the real deal where you could fry them up and pass them off as your own (that's what I would do)! He he he he he!!

BUT, if you're wanting to be in Santa's good side (for this season or all year round) you could treat your love ones to these charming Breakfast Baskets that carry RUSTIC MORNINGS' signature pancake mix, syrup, and coffee. I'm sure that if they're breakfast lovers (like me) then you'll be scoring some cutie patootie points that will get you #blessed all year round too!

Yohoo! We got a special delivery!

RUSTIC MORNINGS' Breakfast Baskets!

These are easy to carry yet so stylist (not to mention tasty) givaways this season!

OUR HOTEL HOPPING TO WELCOME 2017

When I was a kid, my Dad would always take us out hotel-hopping on December 31 before our Media Noche. Why hotel hopping you may ask? Usually on the last day of the year, hotels are decked with special decorations and oozing with that party vibe that we would always troop there and join the fun. We would often have snacks, drinks, and lots of laughs that it was really something memorable for me. I always had a lot of fun during our "hotel hops" that I promised that I would do it with my kids when I have my own family.

Fast forward to 2016 and yes we are STILL doing it!!! Too bad though that most hotels are doing countdown parties that it's difficult for us to get tables (we just relied on our cuteness before he he he he he). So now, we do our "hopping" days before New Year's eve. Though we still encountered certain drawbacks this year, my little family had an awesome again time that we lasted until morning. I could tell that it was a fun night for the little lords because not once did they ask to go home to play with their gadgets!!!

I'm really thankful that my Dad came up with these family traditions that I am now doing with my little lords. Though these days, he would rather stay at home to watch his movies, or go to his favorite mall come night time. Even if he wasn't able to join us, I could tell that he is also grateful upon seeing his apos excited faces when we are about to go. I'm sure he appreciates that we are continuing something that he started up AND having a helluva great time with it!

Yup! Our annual Hotel Hopping is a family tradition that we will ALWAYS be doing. As long as there are hotels, count on THE YAPPY BUNCH to do our usual hoppin' in saying adieu to the old year.

Yoo to the HOO!!!!! 

It's time to say good bye to 2-OH-Sixteen with some HOTEL HOPPING!!!!

OUR VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS 2016 (PART TWO)

Hullo everyone!

This is PART TWO of THE YAPPY BUNCH's Christmas celebrations for 2016. My blog entry on the holiday season was originally going to be one LOOOOOOOOOONG post but since I suddenly felt pity on your beautiful eyes, I decided to make a continuation part.

See? That's just how "concerned" and "loving" I am. Consider it the new "Jaz" this year, if you will.

Tee to the HEE!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE YAPPY BUNCH 2016!!!!

OUR VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS 2016 (PART ONE)

It's Christmas!!! Our favorite time of the year!!!! Not only was our Lord Jesus Christ born during this season, but everything just seems so magical and enchanting. Christmas just brings out the kid in us!

Oh and the gluttony as well! He he he he he he!

So as expected, even if I promised myself a GAZILLION times that I will watch what I eat and control my carb intake, I did the total opposite: I ate everything that I could and even had the gall to pair rice, potatoes, and noodles with each other.

Tsk... tsk... tsk...

Oh well. No regrets. It IS the season for eating anyway (yeah I know I read that somewhere). So even if I gained a ton this December, I'm still happy that I was able to spend Christmas with my posse THE YAPPY BUNCH, and our families. And, unbelievable as it may seem, I have learned to lessen my commercialism of the season and just truly observe the importance of the holidays -- Christmas after all IS the time for sharing and giving.

Happy Birthday dear Jesus!!! Thank you for everything!

Iiiiiits that... time of year when the world falls in love....

It's CHRISTMAS for THE YAPPY BUNCH!!!!

GREENHILLS COD (CHRISTMAS ON DISPLAY) SHOW 2016

Every year, THE YAPPY BUNCH never fail to watch the Christmas On Display (or COD) show in Greenhills shopping centre. I'm happy that my little family is now experiencing it because I used to watch the same show as a kid when my Dad would take us all to Quezon City. It's great that they have transferred the show in Greenhills and it has already become part of the Christmas season for THE YAPPY BUNCH for many years now.

Among the two though, it's my little Andrei who's still very enchanted with the COD show. I'm glad that my bunsoy has such an innocent and simple taste (aka mababaw ang kaligayahan) that even if there are more magical Christmas shows out there, he could still appreciate the rustic magic of the COD. He loves it so much that he often includes it in his birthday wishes for December.

And since the Chinese Dimpol and I are not only just happy to oblige but we are also very sentimental, we vowed to ALWAYS take the little lords to watch the COD, no matter what.

:)

The Greenhills' CHRISTMAS ON DISPLAY show!!!!!

GATS CONDO CHRISTMAS PARTY 2016

Every year, my Gatdula family holds a Christmas party for our GAT'S CONDO staff and their families. At the same time, we would also invite our very close relatives and friends to join us in this great night!

This was during our last GATS CONDO Christmas Party in 2015!!!

Now what will happen in our GAT'S CONDO party 2016???

This year, we have the usual suspects and it was, I think, more fun than it was last year. Besides having again the people who mattered to us, everyone just seemed relaxed and ready to have an intimate getogether in this chilly night. 

Check out our GAT'S CONDO CHRISTMAS PARTY 2016!!!