27th Birthday Week (part 5)

And then there was cake!

My cake was a big Habana Gateau from Patisserie Valerie. It was basically chocolate sponge stuck with cream and covered in chocolate batons, topped with chocolate cups filled with zabaglione and fresh cream plus really yummy fresh berries. Mmmmm. Heavenly!

And then there were shots!

Shots were some sort of cocktail concoction reminiscent to a porn star martini sans the champagne chaser (should've kept a bit more from the bubbly earlier). Weird downing passionfruit shots but everyone seemed to enjoy them.

And then...

We had a slight session with Mr. Saxobeat. Haha.

A few more shots later we got friendly with other people around. A & I played a game of 'Guess how old I am today' with a pair of City boys, banking on a round of drinks. The guy thought I was 26, I thought he was 29. He was blimmin' 34. Bar sharks!!!

Few more drinks later, M & I got friendly with two girls outside the club. They were so hilarious - they wanted to pose for photos in every cheeky way! Had a few more convos with everyone in the club and had a round of dancing dancing before we called it a night... or early morning. 

All in all, it was a pretty decent party and a really decent turnout. I wouldn't mind trying out another Late Night London club for other parties as we did have a good time and we did feel like proper VIPs. It's been an amazing birthday week, albeit hectic and dramatic. Many thanks to everyone who remembered, for all your prayers and for all your support.

27 will be great. I can feel it. =)

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27th Birthday Week (part 4)

Had a party at Jewel Piccadilly as recommended by a friend. I was a bit reluctant because Jewel was a bit too glam and 'young' for my liking. I'm not particularly fussed about glitzy things and I wanted to do it somewhere a bit more alternative but I was running out of time so I just agreed. In fairness, it's part of the Late Night London group which is always reliable for party packages and then some. Plus I figured the guests would like it too.

I was hoping our VIP area would either be in Bar Blanca (beachy) or Ruby Room (Buddha inspired) but they gave us three tables in the main bar. It was actually quite pretty with heaps of chandeliers lighting up the place (dimly). We had bubbly to start and some food platters to share. The cocktails could have done a bit more perfecting; I've had better cocktails elsewhere.

Jewel :: 4-6 Glasshouse Street, London W1B 5DQ | 020 7478 0780 | events@jewelpiccadilly.co.uk

As all parties go, it's the people you're with that matters because they're the ones who make it fun! And it was really quite a fun night because my guests were really amazeballs =)

J&J. Bourne and Bell, not Bond

Couples!
E&M // D&P (getting married next year, wooo!) // C&B

JBell & I - yun na yun e.
We look super tanned! And no, this was not photoshopped!

Filos represent! M and K

MY TUNNEY!

The 'confused foreigners'

G!!! =)

P L C

My housemate L!

Boys will be boys

With J, B, C & S!

(TO BE CONTINUED)

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Mixed Tape Series: Emma's Imagination - This Day

I've got the feeling of that first strech in the morning going on 

BBM Sessions: LDN-VIE

 So how's your day going?

Amazing. It's been... like that line from that movie... surreal but nice. And yours?

The usual. Grey clouds on a spring day, lotsa stuff going on at work, heaps of domestic stuff like washing up and ironing to do. Busy busy, but hey... I love today. How's you? Europe treating you well so far?

Europe is amazing. I'll send you a picture look: Happiness is Pinoy food in Europe with a view!Hey can I update this on Facebook with the 'happiness' caption? May copyright ka kasi sa happiness caption.
 

I don't have copyright for the 'happiness' caption! On the contrary I'm trying to spread happiness around :P
 

Got my halo swinging on my finger for frisbee with the sun

Where did you get the idea for that? The happiness: etc. Genuinely cool.:)

It was the whole little miss sunshine thing. At some point my friends were a bit depressed and I was getting depressed because of their depression. So I wanted a happiness project haha! So they'll remember the little things.

Nice. I think the coolest thing about the reason was that it was to make others happy, which ultimately is what will make you happy.

But everyone deserves to be happy. And at that, come visit me when you have time. We need to get kicked out of restaurants again. =)

This day is mine 

And I want to share it, want to share it

I want to share it with you


Find someone who can make you happy. Good luck, be happy.

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27th Birthday Week (part 3)

WEDNESDAY 12.10.11

Awesome tapas at La Tasca

Unfortunately, I woke up to a little bit of unexpected drama which caused us to start the day at noon. Will not bore you with the details as this should be a happy post.

N and I were starving and craving for anything but British/American food so we went to La Tasca, Cardinal Place for late lunch. I was too exhausted from the domestic situation earlier to take decent photos of food. We shared olive bread, gambas, calamares, paella and rump steak in sherry sauce. They were only tapas but man, we were absolutely busog after. Had some coffee and hot chocolate for afters as we were too full for proper dessert. Great meal, which was made even better by getting 50% off with my Taste Card. We only paid a tenner each!

La Tasca :: Over 60 restaurants nationwide
La Tasca Cardinal Place is having an overhaul. Services resume end of October

 After lunch we went straight to Camden, as N wanted to get last minute pasalubong for her family. I really like Camden because it's so - for lack of better word - cool. Everywhere you look, there's a hint of everything cool: alternative shops, vintage stuff and edgy people.

N & I went around checking dress shops and really cool jewellery in the stables and in the lock. There was so much to look at and I'm just grateful we didn't go on a weekend otherwise it'll be so busy and kagulo! We got tired and needed a drink so we went to Gilgamesh for a breather.

Gilgamesh is a pretty (BIIIIIG) restaurant / bar / club. Interiors are lavishly decorated African/Egyptian style and opulence is the first word I thought of when we got in. The bar menu boasts of African inspired cocktails and classic world favourites. However,  the dining menu is a blast from the Orient with stuff like dim sum, sushi and Thai curries. A bit confusing, if you thought you were up for some Afro mezzes or Eyptian fare. Food is a bit pricey (but I take people don't go there to eat), for what you get and cocktails are typical premium London price at £10-13 a pop.

Gilgamesh :: The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AH | +44 207 428 4922 (ext 2) | reservations@gilgameshbar.com

After drinks, we went back to Soho for dinner at UKAI again! Haha! Can't get over that stuff.


THURSDAY 13.10.11

Developed a crazy migraine from the past few days, and needed to deal with 'drama' from Wednesday. Perhaps this is age catching up?

Much needed date with my bed. =)

(TO BE CONTINUED)

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Mixed Tape Series: New Radicals - Someday We'll Know

I'm speeding by the place that I met you for the 97th time tonight
AS Steps, UP Diliman
08 September 2006

"Oh but there's no 'us' naman kasi. We're still friends, and I think we're always going to be friends," I tell a close mate. It was my last night in Manila and we were waiting for my driver to pick us up for the family dinner. We were kinda waiting for you as well but he said he wasn't sure you were coming.

The previous night was a bit... strange. You said you were hurt when I told you we should stop dating altogether and just stay as we've always been. You wanted so much more than being best friends. You wanted to try to make it work even when I'm far away. But you, of all people, knew and understood how much I needed to leave. How much I've given my heart away and that flying off to England was the right thing to do. For me, this time.

Believe it or not, everything you wanted was what I wanted in the long run, too. Except we weren't kids anymore and there was a need to be responsible and practical. A long distance relationship would have messed with our heads, and with personalities like yours and mine it's definitely best to stay out of it. We've effortlessly invested so much into this friendship and I couldn't bear risking it for the sake of something so complicated.

I didn't get to see you nor hear from you that night. You missed out on really good sushi.

I bought a ticket to the end of the rainbow.
Ninoy Aguino International Airport Gate 5
09 September 2006

My phone burst with well wishes from everyone else but you. I laughed loudly about the idea of you breaching airport security, running to give me a warm goodbye hug. Haha. Who was I kidding? You were never the big gesture kind of dude. But you were my best friend and you knew every detail of my flight. Surely you'd have the heart.

Much to the annoyance of flight attendants I kept my phone on all the time - before takeoff, during takeoff, until the last bar of reception was replaced by SOS and Manila felt but a little island away. I had nothing from you, yet my head had nothing but you.

I looked at one of our silly photos from summer. And I knew in my heart that we're going to be fine. We're always fine anyway.

Someday we'll know why I wasn't meant for you

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Versace for H&M

Dear Donatella Versace,

I have always admired your passion for everything bold and colourful (with the exception of your fierce loyalty to orange skin). That said, I have picked my favourites from the collaboration with H&M and I have to admit I am absolutely drawn to your simpler pieces. Possibly because I think playing with really bold prints can be tricky, especially your tropicana trousers - I don't really want to risk having leaves spread across my crotch. However, I do think the pieces below are super stunning and I can't can't wait to see them in real life. 

With love,

The girl next shore

PS - Sadly, I am not as tanned as I was a few years ago. You're still 5 levels up from me.

Versace for H&M in stores from 17th November 2011.

Click here to view the full range.

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27th Birthday Week (part 2)

TUESDAY 11.10.11

First thoughts of the day:

It's 7am. Why am I awake?
What am I doing on the floor?! Where's my bed?
What is going on with my room?! Balloons? Streamers?!
Happy birthday to me! Eff me I'm old!
I need food. My stomach is churning. I need a bin.... NOW!

Suffice to say I needed to wash the hangover pretty badly so that I can actually live through my birthday without indecent events. So G & I went to a local cafe to have some brunch. Coffee please, strong and black. Please, hold the brandy.

I was hoping to visit the V&A and some museums for the day but even after a ham salad sarnie and garlic chips I still felt a bit delicate from the previous night. Decided to rest for a few hours before heading out to town. Sleep almost felt like an indulgence, but what's a girl to do on her birthday?

♣♣♣ 

"Shop," says M.

Got to Central London with lots of time to spare before dinner. I like the idea of shopping, and I love looking at pretty things but what I've realised is that I'm not a fan of actual shopping. I'm easily bored trying things on so unless I already know what I'm getting, I really have to be in the mood for it. M dragged me to Forever 21 (there was just too much to look at), H&M (you see one shop, you see it all) and Selfridges (too many pretty things). Managed to grab a shoulder bag and a dress, before I finally convinced M that I was tired of shopping and in dire need of sugar.

As we were already at Selfridges, we headed off to the much hyped Dolly's Cafe. My stomach wasn't in the mood to drink just yet so we've skipped champagne high tea and settled for some really delicious coffee walnut cake. VERY DELICIOUS.

Dolly's Café :: Lower GF, Selfridges, 400 Oxford St W1U 1AT | 0800 123 400

♣♣♣ 

Shortly after tea, we headed off to Soho for my very intimate birthday dinner at Ukai. I was having a big one on Friday but I still wanted to spend time with my closest friends in the UK. A few others couldn't make it, but I did have a good time with the ones who went.

I really enjoyed dinner at Ukai...except everyone's food didn't arrive at the same time. Some were halfway through their mains when others were served starters. I didn't bother taking photos na as we were famished. I waited a fair bit between my starter (soft shell crab tempura!!!) and my prawn futomaki. This rarely happens when I'm at the restaurant so it was quite unfortunate that it did on my birthday. Saying that, I still find the food superb and still think they serve really fresh sushi and sashimi. One of the best Jap haunts in Soho! Oh and they acutally have a cocktail bar and club upstairs too! With DJs all around!

Ukai Sushi :: 8 Poland Street, London, W1F 7NR | +44 (0)20 7734 1444 

I was all caked out from Dolly's, but still felt the urge for dessert so I got the Matcha Pannacotta (yuuuuum). The ever so friendly staff were so cute, they plopped a candle in the middle and sang the birthday song. Happy happy happy!

As it was quite late when we finished dindin, C & B went home (it was a working night, afterall!) while the rest of us went to Lab for more cocktail and drinks. Wanted to be 'responsible' so we went home in 'good time', but as we felt like a night cap I served more drinkies with N & M.

Because the beer and crisps thing never gets old

Ah. It was a great day indeed... but I was really excited for the rest of the week ahead... =)

(TO BE CONTINUED)

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27th Birthday Week (part 1)

MONDAY - 10.10.11

My friend C works for an airline and had a 30-hour layover in London. She proposed we have dinner, drinks and a bit of dancing until the night rolls into my actual birthday. Sounded like a plan. Good fun!

I got off work early so I went to the W first. Love, love, love the hotel lounge because it's glam but chic, sexy but cozy/comfy, and the bartenders really know how to make proper drinks. When you're paying £10-£13 a pop you'd hope the quality's good, right? My friends D & N weren't working but I met a new bartender from Sydney who made me two really good lychee martinis and a 'surprise' cocktail made with exotic bitters and gin (tasted like a strong Old Fashioned). He only charged me for a drink. Sweet!

Hotel photos taken from the W Photo Gallery

W Hotel :: 10 Wardour Street, Leicester Square, London W1D 6QF | +44 (0) 207 758 1000 | reservations.wleicestersquare@whotels.com

Met up with C & her lovely friend K shortly after. I feared that clubs would be quiet on a Monday so we went to Piccadilly Institute as there were massive queues outside the Monday before. With six different rooms/clubs in the building we were spoilt for choice. We stayed at Club Noir, sexy with its dark and secluded booths and current music. The club had 'happy hours' from 5-9 so we were pleased with drinks, nibbles and girly chat on the cheap until we had to leave. Yes, we had to leave the club because they had to get ready for student night. No bueno!

Piccadilly Institute :: The London Pavilion, 1 Piccadilly Place, London W1J 0DA | +44 (0)20 7287 8008 | info@piccadillyinstitute.com

We wanted to go to G-A-Y (haha!) for some cheesy music, but C got ID-ed because she looked so young! So we ventured along Soho looking for buzzy places. Some promo dude eventually talked us into getting into Club 49 where we had a bit of live jazz and martinis. C almost got ID-ed again but I think her charm worked the bouncer's sweet gravy. The bar was packed on a Monday so we didn't really have seats. The place seemed quite narrow and my cucumber melon martini reminded me of Bath and Body Works body care range. We decided to leave which was a shame as the band wasn't so bad and they had happy hour until 10pm!

Club 49 :: 49 Greek Street, Soho, London, W1D 4 EG | +44 (0)207 439 4159 | info@club49soho.com

Because we wanted proper proper drinks, I took the ladies to my favourite Soho haunt - Lab. But of course! I've first been to Lab on my birthday last year and have been visiting regularly since. The atmosphere is unpretentious but the drinks are absolutely world class. The bartenders have become good friends, even after they've gone off to new watering holes.

The manager shouted us a round of cocktail shooters which were yum. Then we had a round of cocktails and a few more shots. =)

London Academy of Bartenders :: 12 Old Compton Street, Soho, London W1D 4TQ | +44 (0)207 4377 820 | hello@labbaruk.com

The girls had to leave already as they needed to be up for 9am. I didn't really feel like going home yet so I stayed with other cheeky regulars. G, another friend from Philippines, came around as well in time for the birthday salubong shots. After a bit more to drink we called it a night and called a cab. I'd like to claim selective amnesia for the ride home.

This is what I came home to:

As I've had quite a bit (!) to drink, I basically went 'MY ROOM IS A MESS!!!!! OOOOH... AHHHH.... OMG!', called G to have a look, took pictures and then blacked out 'fell asleep. Perfect. *hic*

TO BE CONTINUED....

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Vote for your favourite musikero!

I really miss the music scene in Manila. I haven't exactly been in touch for a while now but it's good to see that some great favourites are still around, and that the indie bands are getting bigger and better.

Someone told me about the 2011 Stagg Awards and well, what do you know - a good friend has been nominated for the Favourite Drummer (Indie) category! Woooooot! Myles has been drumming most of his life and his 'passion for percussion' is absolutely apparent in everything he does. He's really, really good. He gets the pros saying "$#@%^&! That's sick!" and girls of all ages (HAHA!) going "OMG he's soooo galing talaguuuh!"

Check out M in action with his band, Sandata. This is their first single's official music video. Showbiz! Haha!

Liked it much? You can listen to more of their tunes here.

Well, go ahead and vote! All you have to do is 'like' The Music Source's Facebook page and then click on here to vote for Myles! 

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27!

Happiness is having your cake, and eating it too! 

Thanks for remembering chums!

Here's to being 27! =)

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Mixed Tape series: Jim Salinger - Awoken

At last I’ve let my sweet revelry break out of this sad shell

Thank you. One of the things you made me see is that in some strange way, all oddities and quirks and corny bits included, I am actually special and I am actually worthy. No, I may not be the best girl out there for you... maybe not now, maybe not yet, or perhaps never... but now I know I can be will be the best girl for someone who will deserve all of me. I don't think I could've believed in me the way you have. So thank you for making me see.

At all cost I try to hold on to the strength you’ve given me

Thank you. For giving me the chance to help you out, and for making me think. I think you've given me a certain kind of boost, a certain kind of inspiration that I genuinely needed to have and to feel. It was one of those phases in life when you question your ability and realise that you could be so much more.

At times my chances of love still glances and cries with every memory

Thank you. For the memories. It's been a few amazing seasons bouncing off the sort of energy you brought about. I meant everything I said. You were a great reason to smile, even on my deepest darkest days. To this date your memory and our memories still make me feel happy and nostalgic. But not in the bittersweet kind of way we used to joke about. It's a genuine kind of happy you can only get from something or someone that was meant to be there - smack in the right place, at the right time.

At most I’m learning how to love without breaking my heart in two

I'm still scared of a lot of things. But not as much as I was before. I think getting your heart broken is a beautiful thing because the process of putting back the pieces together is amazing. I met you during that time, didn't I?

And with that, I end this with a line from one of my favourite guilty pleasures ;)

“Siguro kaya tayo iniiwanan ng mga mahal natin dahil may darating pang ibang mas magmamahal sa atin… yung hindi tayo sasaktan at paasahin… yung magtatama ng lahat ng mali sa buhay natin…”


27 before 27 blog countdown: 1 more to go!

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RIP Steve Jobs

I was thinking about Steve Jobs a few weeks ago, when a mate and I spoke about the launch of the new iPhone. We were talking contracts and PAYG rates. And then we talked about Steve's recent resignation.

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come

And then I showed him Steve's commencement speech in Stanford years ago (which he says he's never heard of!). We watched it thrice and I think my mate was blown away forever.

He had a way with words - he's been know to state things matter-of-factly. the hidden obvious points, the simplest things and the most honest truths. When you look at the facts - yes he was a visionary, yes he was a Valley institution, yes was a financial figure. But strip it down to the most obvious point, the simplest, the most honest truth - he was a guy with a job he enjoyed and a family he loved.

His passion was purely inspirational. Unlike most of us who dread getting older for fear of settling, he was excited of things to come because he believed in the future and pushed us all to be innovative. To be inventive. To think outside the box.

It doesn't matter whether you've never owned an Apple product, never seen a Pixar film. Doesn't matter whether you're loyal to RIM/Windows/Samsung. The world is in mourning - we've lost a truly great person today.

I saw this on someone's wall today and it's so apt:

The world's greatest apples that changed history forever: Adam & Eve's apple, Isaac Newton's apple, and Steve Jobs' apple. 

Thank you Steve. For everything and more, we'll stay hungry. And foolish.

27 before 27 blog countdown: 2 more to go!

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Thankful Thursday ;)

Thankful for...

For a great Monday. I had dinner with N & Co - such a pleasant reunion after UP days. Trekked it to Lab afterwards which was definitely swinging on a Monday night. Brilliant meeting new people and enjoying great drinks without getting frazzled and tipsy.

For an awesome Tuesday spent with my favourite TV series!

For a great Wednesday dinner with C and J - It was so great to see them after a while. Oh how things have changed, and oh how wonderful it is for friends to have come out of shells yet still be very much the same!

For the Power That Be - for taking care of me despite the palaver I've caused at work! Things eventually turned out right and I am soooo grateful to have been blessed with such understanding colleagues!

Oh, and i'm also thankful for the great weekend ahead!

27 before 27 blog countdown: 3 more to go!

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hump day blues

Hello, first hump day of the birthday month and wow, I can defo feel the hump! This week has been nucking futs and it's not even really halfway! I'm already exhausted and I can only really hope to be able to go home straight after 5.30pm to catch up on sleep, food and TV!

Today has been absolutely manic too and it's not even the end of the day yet!!! Had a busy morning meeting which took longer than I've anticipated. It was fun but it meant catching up on emails during lunch instead of planned food-shopping. Quite a bit to sort this arvo as well plus two events this evening. I've got a canape and champagne reception at a club followed by a chinwag with two friends from uni. Looking forward to the night as it actually sounds fun but my belly's screaming hunger and my liver is on protest already - I've only had some candy and almonds the whole day!

I'm tired na! I dunno how my boss does it. Imagine my job times ten thousand and throw in a husband and three kids. Impressive!

Anyway. I should really get back to finishing my work. Just needed to rant a bit. =) Hope you're all having crazy-but-fun work days too =)

27 before 27 blog countdown: 4 more to go!

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fancy a film?

I've been catching up on old films I've always wanted to see but never had the time for. I found this really cool website that streams thousands of feature films, documentaries and TV shows. When the day is done and I want to unwind, I tend to just switch on my laptop and watch. Easy.

Three movies I've managed to see (and liked a lot) recently.

1. Loose Canons

Tomasso's conservative family owns a pasta business and they pretty much want him and his brother Antonio to take charge. However, his heart is set to do something else. At the turnover dinner, Antonio drops a bombshell leaving everything in shambles and Tomasso no other choice but to stay. He struggles to find the balance between keeping his family happy and setting himself free.

You'll love this if you love your family, imperfections and all. Watch out for the beach scene.

2. Love and Other Disasters
Jacks is one of those quirky girls who is adored by her friends because she adores her friends. She focuses on making their (love)lives better that she tends to overlook her own. The movie evolves around different personalities you'll find in the capital - from gay lovers to artists to Chelsea aristocrats to foreigners - but it makes you realise how we're all more alike than we are unalike.
You'll love this if you love London, British romcoms and Brittany Murphy. Watch out for the dance scene.

3. Trust
In this day and age of social media, it’s so easy to befriend other people who may have completely different identities. And so unsafe. David Schwimmer (aka Ross from friends) directs his second feature film which is totally the opposite side of Run Fatboy Run. With a cast including Clive Owen, Catherine Keener and the brill Liana Liberato as the confused teenage Annie, this movie takes a moving Hollywood spin on Catfish.
Watch if you want to see a darker side of Ross, and if you want to try to understand teenagers. Watch out for the last few minutes.

What films have you seen and liked lately? =)


27 before 27 blog countdown: 5 more to go!

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People who inspire: my Ate in London

Ate T is a pint-sized superwoman who will give you a run for your bottom-dollar/peso/sterling for her niceness. We met online during the glory days of Multiply. I didn't know her personally but she sent me a nice email saying she was based in the UK as well. I didn't have much Filo friends in the country and was keen expand that circle so I got to know her better. When we first met (5th December 2008!), she gave me two packs of some Chocnut-like candy and that's when I knew this lady was going to be a friend for keeps.

From humble beginnings, Ate T has risen above challenges in life. She's moved to the UK to work as a nurse leaving her family and loved ones behind. It's been eons since she left and she's now a first-world country citizen who is well-traveled, well-dressed and well-loved by her equally fabulous friends. But all the superficial things aside and in raw nakedness of human nature, she is an inspiration to most of us who leave home. What I admire about her is that despite the long road she's trekked to get to where she is now, she's never failed to look back. She may have grasped her dreams and more along the way but she still has a clear grasp of where she's come from. She's never forgotten to give back and to be gracious to the motherland. She's never forgotten who she was and who we are as Filipinos.

Ate T in several fundraising/community events

I've always had a big-brother figure in my cousin J, but I've always wanted a big sister too. It took a while to find someone to fill those shoes but I definitely found that in Ate Tin. We have so much in common, from our beliefs about the Filo community to mundane things like Kris Aquino! She's been brill in reaching out to people she cares about no matter where they are. She's very generous, very thoughtful and very fair. She's definitely the kind of friend you'd need in your life because she'll always vouch for the best things - no matter how difficult they can be to accept. Seriously a rare gem. I am really blessed to have someone like her. =)

She's started blogging again, which is great! Check out her blog here!

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