Hearty Christmas 2011
For what it’s worth, Christmas deserves an entry in my blog, the one occassion where I expect all the drama, exhaustion and financial woes life has to offer, without expecting anything in return. I remember blogging last year that I’m a Christmas enabler, what with my joyful vibe, my endless pursuit at memorable get-togethers and a seeming tirelessness at making events happen. Somehow this year indeed saw some semblance of tapering off, with me relinquising hold of some party organizing in the office, and not meddling in the family dinner menus, for instance. But rounding out the participants and where money is needed, I’m as much as tangible this year as I was last.
I would admit laying low on choir this year provided some respite, as being a full-pledged church singer during Christmas season is no cheesecake. The time off however, was more than made up for by gruelling work demands, but I’m happy to note this Christmas has been a memorable one, most especially my family pulling together and pushing through despite Kuya’s misfortune last month. So here are some photos:
Dec 10: Insider Manila Party at Romulo’s Cafe in Jupiter, Makati. We win some, lose some, and fight with many, but after an entire year of making the factory work, we fully took on the Christmas buzz in a party that’s been since Insider trademark: disarrayed, fumbling and prone to side comments and jeering. With people getting drunk and loveteams being flaunted, it was a huge success.
Still feels like a family reunion!
Still THE loveteam: Bry and Mitch
Cheers and more cheers!
A very rare pic with my boss, Jerome
Dec 17: Thomson Reuters Global World of Wonders at PICC was way better than last year’s Masquerade, thanks to a more conducive venue. Lucky Manzano’s hosting made the ceremony more Pinoy than it has ever been, and Insiders confirming last-minute attendance ensured we were strongly represented. Still no raffle winners though.
Enjoying the TR party crowd
Family portraits, woot!
Dec 17: TR After-Party at 7th High in Boni High Street was where the real smashing party started. It almost didn’t push through, what with hesitations and missed reservations and frantic guest list attempts, but we were blown away by the crowd, the playlist and the endless dancing. Jayson and Bryan spent the night, and there were some suka moments at the CR that woke up Jerwin. I regained party boy status that morning.
Tequila'd
THE loveteam again 
Dec 18: Partial Christmas Spring Fling Queen, for lack of imagination, was the designated title of this year’s JIRD party. We had Tom as a guest and witness to our brand of bantering, with some awesome ribs, sidings and milk tea as bonding agents. And exchange gifts galore!
Insert Tep and Ralfh here
Rub Ribs is luurrve
Dec 25: The family’s Eton Centris venture and dinner at Uncle Cheffy’s was the most expensive of the lot, but also one that I worked so very hard for to execute. With the fickleness of my family and the strains my siblings and I went through individually, it was only the kids that made us pull the entire thing off. Which is a rehash from last year, that Christmas for the working yuppies like me is all about enabling the kids to experience whatever the season’s Christmas is.
A real family picture!
Uncle Cheffy's food is superb!
It may be far different from the simple delights and the toned down sights, smells and sounds of my childhood, but nevertheless, it’s one way of saying thank you, because life has still been good.
Here's a cutie: The family that prays together...
The cutest one of all: our darling, Isaiah.
Thea and Dean’s wedding was the main itinerary for the 28th. Most of the gang pulled out and we proceeded to wreak havoc on the sumptuous dinner buffet, the photo wall and the amazing mobile bar. Ria was quite a revelation. Finesse kung finesse.
Dean and Thea: I DO!
Yay photobooth!
The next day, I took the time off to bond with my elementary gang, with Carlo our balikbayan going a stretch to make us feel busog. We sampled Abe Restaurant’s exquisite Pinoy fare, and washed off with Starbucks, both at The Fort.
Elem gang at Abe Restaurant
Friday, 30th, saw me back in the office with a few of the office gang tasked to work on the last workday of the year. We proceeded to get smashed of course. Our send-off for Bulacan boys Jason and Bryan was held at Rue Bourbon. Learned some quirky love angles from Bryan out of this inuman session. Woot woot!
Rue Bourbon with the boys!
Last party of the year was an impromptu Opus stopover on a Friday. Stargazing and thumping aside, found the place too suffocating and steeply priced. Give me 7th High anytime of the day. I was zonked out at the bar and loving it.
Zonked out at Opus.
Dessert: Some of my FB posts and Tweets that got some attention during Christmas week:
LSS: “Pasko na naman, o kay tumal ng pera. Paskong nagdaan pinagbabayaran pa!”
Ang pera tuwing pasko parang may nakaabang na taxi: nagmamadaling umalis sa wallet/atm. Ang tao kapag pasko parang na-rape: di mo alam ano nangyari pero nakatulala ka nalang after.
Isasapelikula na ang 13th month pay: “Binudget Ka Ngunit Kulang”.
Happy Holidays!
