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...)

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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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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!!! 

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!!!!!!

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!!!!!

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!!!!

ITALIANNI'S BGC AGAIN (2020)

Once again we are out and about in BGC on a Saturday, and once again we will be planning to eat at our "flavor of the month," ITALIANNI'S. This time though my big guy joined us because he got "inggit" with how happy we were in last week's lunch with Andrei.

I don't blame him because we really had a lot of great food that time. I'm sure with this family lunch, we'll have another awesome lunch!

And that we did!

ITALIANNI'S!!!!

OUR YAPPY 2020 (PART TWO)

Never in a million years (as if I lived that long) would I have thought that a certain Covid-19 would paralyze our social, economical, professional, educational, etc., etc., system.

We were all caught unawares!

Still with that pandemic, many of us were able to discover more about ourselves.

I for one appreciated more how cool and loving my family really are especially when I see others post about how bored they were and how they wanted to "break free" from their "prison." Never did I feel that because everyday had a different kind of simple fun in them. I rather enjoyed being in solitude with my family doing simple things like cooking (we play loud music and try out new recipes), cleaning (promise ang kulitan namin at who will wash dishes is so funny), eating (kwentuhan galore), movie nights, praying the rosary, etc etc. Truth be told, I enjoyed our extended family time more that I wasn't able to join zoom or group chats. My focus really became the people who I was with -- my family.

A friend (itago natin sa pangalan na Mareng Gail) told me that at our age, we should now choose to be with people who makes us happy.

And with that, I'm thankful I am "stuck" with the people who not only make me so happy but they also make my life complete. As a result, we really didn't mind the ECQ too much because it became an extended "home-cation" for us!

Sharing with you the second trimester of our year 2020! Usually my "end of the year specials" only have 2 parts, but for this year, I divided it into a threesome. I know that 2020 is the year where many things went wrong and there were no gimiks/outings that happened (too much). Still, I want to remember the good times that we had during the start of the year and I'm grateful that there were still many that I want to remember.

Rock on!!!!!!!!!

I swear that it's still a great year!

OUR MEMORABLE TAKE-OUTS DURING LOCKDOWN

With the current pandemic that's going on, let me ask you this:

How did you cope?

Of course others would give the noblest of answers by answering "with prayer", or "with my family" or "by sharing our blessings." As for me, I'm sure you know that besides that, my quick (and very trivial) answer would be:

WITH FOOD!!!!!!!!!!

You guys all know that my family's love language is FOOD. When there is a special event, "LET'S EAT TO CELEBRATE!" is our usual battlecry. The place doesn't have be fine-dining or expensive. As long as the food is delicious and we were able to create wonderful memories with it, we'll go back to the place again and again.

So during this pandemic, since we're not able to go out and do our usual gimiks, we would just order food for delivery. And woah, I hope you don't mind me saying this but FOOD REALLY SAVED US.

My family and I love going out! As in, date night, family night, movie night, celebration night, etc etc, not to mention the getaways. So to be confined suddenly in one place seemed so nerve racking for us. We then resorted to just ordering food for delivery (even if my Mom cooks regularly at home) to have that feel of "going out." Alas, many stores were closed and it was hard to get a rider to accept our delivery services. I swear when somebody receive our orders I couldn't help but gush my thanks to the rider. Kulang na nga lang e yakapin ko. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Sharing with your the restaurants that "saved us" during the quarantine period. I would also like to give my utmost appreciation and salute to the delivery guys who answered our needs during that hungry time!!!!!!

THANK YOU! OH THANK YOUUU!

MENDOKORO RAMENBA (BGC)

Once upon a time before the pandemic....

It was the Yub's birthday week and as much as we wanted to have loads of celebrations (like what we would do before), we didn't have a choice but to end it after a week because the Covid-19 situation was making everyone nervous.

For the last official celebration though, the Yub and I decided that since it's most likely that we'll not go out in a LOOOOONG time, we should go somewhere that is best eaten at the actual restaurant and not just via take out. So burgers or anything fast food is out of the question (Drats! It's going to be my treat pa naman). Ha ha ha ha!

With that, the obvious choice was RAMEN because soup and noodles were always best consumed as soon as it was served. Also, even if they have all of the Ramen kits in the market, it's still not the same as when you have the actual chefs cook it for you. 

And of course if there was one place where we'll have Ramen it's going to be our favorite  -- MENDOKORO RAMENBA!!!

To think that our dinner there would be our last family outing in a loooooooooooooong time (like 4 months and counting).

 

WOHOO! We're out for some Ramen!!!!

INENG'S SPECIAL BBQ

One Saturday before the pandemic...

We met up with Team Mina in Paranaque-ness. While deciding where, the BGP suggested we go to SM Sucat. Normally, I was fine there but remembering how the BGP is a cancer survivor and that her health defense system is way, way, way down, I asked if we could go somewhere else. I said that it's better if we just go to a restaurant that's not located in a mall. With that, the BGP recommended INENG'S Special BBQ!!!!!
 

WOHOO!

Turns out, this was their surprise (advance) birthday treat for me!

WOAHHH! 

GERRY'S GRILL (2020)

Once upon a time before the pandemic....

THE YAPPY BUNCH were with the BP Group for a staycation in Belmont Hotel and since we got out late, we thought of having our lunch there.

Last night's dinner was a disaster (haaay look na lang in the other blogs he he he he) that's why we thought that for lunch, we should go for a restaurant that we have already tried, tested, and enjoyed before. Of course, we also have to consider the price because we are ALL kuripots in the group. BWA HA HA HA HA HA!

In the end, the winner for us was GERRY'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GERRY'S!!!!!!

MOTHER'S DAY CELEBRATION 2020

It's MOTHER'S DAY. And unlike our previous celebrations, we will just cook and stay at home. Come to think of it, how we're going to celebrate this Mommy event is much like the person we're honoring -- simple yet special. She's not one to expect (or require) lavish celebrations. Like my Dad, my Mom is also the "We don't care where we go, we're happy as long as we're together!"

TEKA. Mantra namin yun ah!!!

Yep! I got it from my parents and I'm so thankful that for this day, we didn't feel "stuck" or "wawa" because we'll be staying at home for MOTHER'S DAY. In fact, we enjoyed the privacy, the practicality (tipid kaya), the food, and the company!!! Promise. I'd rather have THIS than celebrating in a 5-Star hotel with other people.

I think everything about that day was perfect.

Syempre, I have the PERFECT Mommy e!

Teka... Ako din pala! He he he he! Okay lang. I would rather honor the "bestest" lady in my life first.

And syempre, how will I do that?

WITH FOOD! 

(Belated) HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!

A FAMILY DESPEDIDA DINNER IN VALLE VERDE COUNTRY CLUB

One Saturday night, Kuya Jay invited the family out for a simple getogether in the Valle Verde country club sport's room.

WOHOO!

For that night, it was also a mini-despedida dinner for Karen and Rocio (who will be going to Italy in a few days to attend the wedding of Kristine, Karen's sister). 

OF CHARITY AND SAVORY RESTAURANT

One of the things I love about my son's school is how they value simplicity and service to others. Grades and prestige may be important, but it's not the ultimate priority and end-goal in raising their students.

That's why I was happy when his class had a retreat with some "kuyas" who were studying and boarding in their special housing. Mati stayed there for 3 days and 2 nights and bonded with his partner who was also working as a computer technician during the day.

My big guy said he learned a great deal about money and appreciated the blessings. He felt bad how he would oftentimes take these "gifts" for granted when other people were such in need. He was so grateful for the experience because he was able to see a different side of life with the help of his "Kuya."

The Yub, Andrei, and I fetched him and was able to hear Mati's testimonial. We also met his "Kuya" and had a nice chat with him. We were supposed to eat there but decided to just go out so that the guys from the charity house could enjoy all the donated potluck foods for themselves. We were hungry though so we just decided to eat in the first restaurant we'll see on the road.

With that, we saw SAVORY!!!

SAVORY RESTAURANT!!!

OUR YAPPY NEW YEAR CELEBRATION FOR 2020

GOOD BYE 2019... Huhuhu... 

Like what I said in OUR AWESOME YAPPY 2019 (Part One), what I thought to be a ho-hum and uneventful year turned out to be something special with many things to be thankful for (one reader even commented that "ang dami kong ganap" for 2019). So yeah, sometimes we take many things for granted when really, if we just take the time to appreciate the people, the food, the happenings, the amenities, the invites, the boring days, the work, the gifts, the pets, the weather, the meet-ups, etc etc etc we would be oh so overwhelmed at the wonderful year we've had.

Thus, my sadness at saying goodbye to 2019.

Yun lang all feeling of sentimentality got momentarily erased when it was time for Media Noche. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Sharing with you our tasty farewell to 2019!!! Hope you and your family also had a great one!

Hello 2-OH-TWENTY!!!!!

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!!!!!

BULALO POINT (TAGAYTAY CITY)

THE YAPPY BUNCH have been to TAGAYTAY many times already but I just realized that we would eat many things EXCEPT for Yub's favorite -- BULALO.

It's not really because we have this hidden hatred for him (tee hee...) but more because when we eat out we're always on a budget and a big bowl of bulalo is usually priced at about P500.00. Add to that, our little boys don't like bulalo so much and would always get Pizza or Carbonara.

KAYA SORRY KA NA LANG YUB. BWA HA HA HA HA!!!!

Fast forward to 2019 where the little boys are older with bigger appetites. We went to TAGAYTAY for a family weekend in ANYA and when deciding where to eat, the Yub put his foot down and said that we'll be eating BULALO.

We were all like, "Chill grandpa... ", and agreed. He he he. Truth be told, Mati and I were actually very curious to try out this restaurant recently raved about by our favorite vlogger Strictly Dumpling, that BULALO was actually on the itinerary that weekend.

So yeah, dreams finally came true (especially for one panget) and we're happy that our first experience with BULALO as a family was a success.

Would love to go back to BULALO POINT again!!!!!!!

Tapos hindi kasama si Yub...

BWA HA HA HA HA! Kiddingsssss! 

BULALO POINT!!!!!

BALAY DAKO (TAGAYTAY)

THE YAPPY BUNCH went to Tagaytay recently and while planning our itinerary, the Yub insisted that we try this restaurant...

BALAY DAKO!!!

I agreed quietly with him and aired my concerns about how the restaurant was ALWAYS full. In truth, I was SO eager to try BALAY DAKO but I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of being the one who made the right choice.

Teee Hee! Yes I'm evil I know.

WHAT WE ATE IN KOREA 2019 (PART TWO)

THE YAPPY BUNCH were in KOREA and besides the sights, the shopping, and bonding, we were also in this K-pop dominated country for another thing...

FOOD!!!!

And though we were confined to what was included in our travel group, we still enjoyed the authentic Korean grub served to us.

Check out part two of this very tasty tripping!!!!

ENJOY!!! We know we did! He he he he he!

For our 3rd day in Korea, we finally went to Everland!

Check out what we ate in the first part, HERE!