Last week in the midst of the happy frenzy at work, play and family, I got to meet a new cousin-in-law, her mom, her 2 little kids for the first time and a cousin after 30 long years. They were on vacation in the Philippines for a week.

Let me share with you some photos I took...

(Baby Annie with grandma Janet)

Gorgeous nieces!!!

Thank You Boss!

Thank You for family and love.

Give them a safe trip home.

She had always been a classic beauty by any standards.

Pop diva Ms Kuh Ledesma.

For those who have known me since high school, junior, to be exact, my undying love for the songstress is understandable.

When her album entitled Dito Ba came out, we were officially hooked. My father and I.

By some twisted turn of fate I ended up being chosen to sing in a cultural show during our school Intramurals.

The day before the competition!

The only public singing I have ever done was during Music classes in the confides of our classroom. If that could even be counted as 'public'.

The sophomore guy who was groomed to compete suddenly came down with fever or something, they needed a replacement quick.

And I was 'it'.

I came home dazed and confused. I had to sing, in front of the whole school (which had preschool, elementary, high school and college levels!!!)...the next night.

In Tagalog (our national dialect in the Philippines).

Somehow it was all too easy for my father to say, 'sing what you already know by heart'.

There could only have been one Tagalog song I knew by heart.

"Dito Ba" by Kuh Ledesma.

Luckily my music teacher had the minus one long play album. She brought it to our house that night, listened to me sing once and said, "We're good for tomorrow."

I love you my music teacher.

But I didn't sleep well that night.

Cultural Night. I did sing. Wearing a native dress. I didn't hear myself sing. I did forget one line but apparently the judges missed it. Good for me.

I won that fateful night.

And went home with a big smile to my father who had a bigger smile and embrace.

He knew my talents and have always pushed me to go further.

As you can see we bought her albums. We didn't get tired of listening to her voice.

I watched her concert.

My father and I knew her songs and the lyrics by heart. We spent Sundays listening to her music along with his classical albums. He would proudly volunteer me to sing Dito Ba at every family and office gathering. And I loved that.

Fast forward 29 years later. I was one of the floor directors at an event at Mactan Shanrila Resorts and Spa last night. 29 years later I came face to face with the voice. The second she belted her first song of the night tears welled up in my eyes I had to visibly wipe them dry. It was closure. To everything. If only my father was still alive. If only he had not passed away 82 days ago...

It would have been a very noisy excited long conversation with him this morning.

I know he has the biggest smile in heaven right now.

This one's for you papa:

That's The Ms Kuh Ledesma on my left papa.

Yes she has a magnificent voice. She is very beautiful. Just as we have always pictured her to be.

(L-R: Tata, me, Kuh Ledesma, Irene and Ann)

(I did not bring my camera last night. Call time was 7am, event was 7pm. I met Liezl Vidal for the first time and noticed her taking a lot of photos. From the right stage I saw her taking some photos of Kuh Ledesma at the left stage. I ran the whole stretch, almost jumped at Liezl and shamelessly asked her to take a photo of me with the songstress. Liezl you are most kind. I can never thank you enough. You have no idea how big the happiness I feel. Unmeasurable. For the rest of my life. For the memories of my late papa who passed away April 4, 2011. A big big fan of Ms Kuh Ledesma.

Credits of the photo goes to Monalisa M. Vidal)

(video of another event)

Thank You Boss.

My heart is overflowing with utmost joy.

Tears of content.

"Who ordered the juice mama?"
Hehehehe
Last weekend, Joel took us to none other the Mactan Shangrila (Cebu)!
It was a total surprise for the kids as we never told them where we were headed to. Although Alyssa has spied me packing the swim suits and cloths so she kinda figured out we were off to a resort and staying there. She kept saying, "I wish it was at the resort with the cowabangga slide and water guns." hehehe
Mactan Shangrila.
Perfect.
I was amazed when we got there. They have done some major renovations I could see.
I love the lobby!!! Spacious, grand, breezy (so ok, it was hot and humid, hehe). Luxury as far as your eyes can see.
It was beautiful than ever!!! We were staying at the Ocean Wing. Beautiful!!!







Yes, Charity the toy dog came along.

Alyssa absolutely love the mini golf course!!!

And they have these cool cabanas facing the ocean. Absolutely serene...

Yes, of course, my trusty tote had to be there too.

Welcome! Welcome indeed!!! Bananas and mangoes are my girls' fave fruits. They ate everything up.


We love them fluffy pillows and cool sheets. Thank goodness for big pillows!!!

The sings of a carefree weekend ahead. I didnt bother anyone to put away their slippers. hehehe

That's me and Ava, relaxing at our suite before we went back out to swim. This opens to a balcony.
And the couch, it turns into one big bed!!!

While Alyssa favored greeting the sunset by the pool with Joel, Ava and I frolicked around the beach for some salty easy breeze...
Pamie came to join us for dinner. Yey!!! Free wifi at the lobby!!!
I know, I promised in my Facebook to stash away the gadgets and just enjoy the resort...
we were just taking a peek at our emails for anything important... Riiiiiiggggghhhhttt.

It was one of those hot summer nights.
And what more! There was a traditional Hindu wedding going on at the hotel so we kinda had some peek at them entourage.
Beautiful traditional dresses! Beautiful people indeed!!! I love it!!!
It would have been very special to be able to witness their ceremony and Im sure they wouldnt have allowed me. hehehe

Well hello! Good morning my Sunshine and Twinkles!!!

Now this is the cowabangga slide Alyssa was so excited about! Short but cool!!!

Now what better way to see the sun rise early in the morning than lounging at the beach...
Isnt't it glorious?


One of the many attractions in the resort is FISH FEEDING!!! Can you say FISH FRENZY?
It is the coolest for all them big and small fishes to circle around you when you them bread.
Can you see the fishes forming a circle around Joel and Alyssa?

My girls' very fist time to go kayaking! Mine too actually. Went around the sanctuary and enjoyed the clear ocean water.
We could see the corals below.
Note to self: I still do have that much needed upper body strength and coordination.
Hehehehe (sheepish grin)


Ooooopppssss! Houston, we have a problem.
I can't seem to get up and out of the kayak! HAHAHAHAHA

BREAKFAST!!! YES!!! YES!!!
Buffet at Tides. One of their many restaurants. I was in HEAVEN!!!
Delicious danish! Fresh juices! COLD COFFEE anyone?
The kids eat for free of course.

Can you tell that I love cheese? My plate ladies and gentlemen!!!


Cantaloupe. Can you get any more heavenly...I love the nuts!!!
We would have chosen to sit inside just coz it was airconditioned but we couldn't find any vacant table.
But Im glad we had our breakfast outside. Just like being in Vienna...HAHAHAHA!

The kids got 2-hour playtime at the enormous Adventure Zone. They had a blast!!!
And while they did...I hid myself in our room, with shades drawn. And just to give an idea of how blissfully quiet and dark it was I turned the tv on and took a pic. Then I turned it off and dozed out to dreamland. HAHAHAHA





Since Hong Kong, the kids are more aware now of maps and the phrase, "You are here."
The resort has one of the largest and most luxurious spa in Asia, named just rightfully, CHI. But we didn't have time to check it out. Joel did go to the gym for some fat burning session.


Us at the Ocean Wing.
Last summer fling? Well, school started for both girls today.
But hey, this is Cebu. Summer never stops in this part of the world.
Hehehehehe!


Thank YOU Boss.
Thank YOU for taking care of our family.
Thank YOU for the greatest summer ever.
Thank YOU for making it most unforgettable for my daughters.
(and us. hehehe)