Happy Birthday Ate Cacy and Kuya Earl

Mama would always tell me that before I came, she never missed any birthday party for Ate Cacy and Kuya Earl. She always joined the parlor games; sometimes win; bring home the excess food; and balloons for Kuya Anton.

Amidst the joy of joining Ninong Byron and Ninang Carrots in their children's most memorable days, Mama would wish for somebody to bring in children parties who could play the parlor games with her; dance with her; eat with her; and bring home the balloons with her...

Well, God is really good... He gave me to Mama:-) And just like a dream come true, last Sunday Mama and I (of course with Papa) went to Kuya Earl and Ate Cacy's birthday party in Burger King, Welcome-Quezon City. We danced, ate, took home the balloons, took many many pictures and just enjoyed each others companies...

Thank you God for Mama's smile that day. I love her soooo much!

- Elle Marie

Elle Marie conquers Tagaytay Part II

Doing the life of the rich and famous...

Ninong Ruping and Ninang Mel invited us out for lunch at Tagaytay Highlands. I’ve heard a lot about Tagaytay Highlands. I know it is a posh country club in Tagaytay exclusive to members and a far better view than the usual Tagaytay that we visit.

Going to the highland reminded me of our trip to Subic last month because of all the trees we saw along the highway. It made me wonder about the probably of encountering monkeys on the road but we never did. I was kind a surprised when we entered Tagaytay highlands because it was very visible that some parts were not maintained as it should be. We went to the pool area and of course the first thing that Elle did was shout “water” and jump to the water! We did not bring Elle’s bathing suit as we were anticipating cold weather. Hence, Elle and Noy ended up playing with water on their jeans rolled above their knees.

I especially loved the food they served us for lunch. I could not remember the name of ninang mel’s favorite pasta but I know it started with angel. At first I was not comfortable sitting in front of ninang mel maybe, because we used to report to her being the former dti-undersecretary for small and medium enterprises development. But, she was really so nice and made me feel comfortable. We talked about Elle Marie, PEARL2 and her life after retirement.

After lunch, we continued touring the highlands. We went to the small, unique chapel where ninang mel would always hear mass and head to where the cable car is. The cable car is supposed to bring us to “The Peak”, the highest place in Tagaytay. Unfortunately, the wind was very strong and it would be very unsafe for us to take a cable ride. So we decided to proceed to “The Peak” using the car instead.

It was overwhelming on “The Peak”. It’s like having a glimpse of God’s point of view from heaven because you can literally see everything! I can even see the “Palace in the Sky”! Noy and Elle really has a great time there… me, I was so consumed by my hair flying everywhere, fear of Elle being swept by the strong wind and the overwhelming height.

After “The Peak”, we went for a ride the “Funicular”. According to Tagaytay Highlands, it is a transport system which takes guests to the summit terminal from the base terminal and vice versa. It looks like a train but attached to a mountain! Elle slept the whole time we were going down to the base terminal. From the Funicular, one can see Tagaytay golf course, Taal and midlands…

The day was surreal to me… It was like walking in a new dimension and taking a glimpse of the lifestyle of the rich and famous. With the poverty rate like ours, who would think that such place exists?

For the opportunity and experience, we thank Ninong Mel and Ninang Mel. We really had a great time!!!

Elle Marie conquers Tagaytay Part I

Visiting Ninong Ruping’s “weekend” house at Tagaytay Midland

I love Tagaytay. There was a time when I would frequent Tagaytay as often as every weekend just to have lunch at either Josephines or Leslies; see the animals at “Half Way”; bond with friends; contemplate at Canossa and enjoy Noy’s hug through the cold nights. The most challenging part for me about Tagaytay is hiking all the way up to “Palace in the Sky”! I dread going to that place. It was not maintained and just not worth the physical requirement from me. Come to think of it, even Noy’s hypnotic smile was not able to convince me to go to that place decades after my last hike there.

Last March 8, we were invited by our ninong Ruping Alonzo to visit their rest house at Tagaytay Midland. I saw a picture of their house once. It was showed to me by my friend, Michelle who happened to be ninang Mel’s pamangkin. I was excited when Noy told me that we are going to see ninong ruping’s house because I have always dreamed of having a glass house just like what they have. Second, I was curious to see how Tagaytay Midland looks like.

We car pooled with Noy’s friend Cynthia. Though, we missed our ever reliable “UNA”, it was fun riding a “Fortuner”. Ate Neng had one but it was our first time to ride one for an out of town trip. Instead of taking the usual Sta. Rosa route, we took the Batino route. It was a new route for me, less scenic but saved us 14 kms.

Even from the entrance gate of Tagaytay Midland, you’ll know that only the rich and famous can afford a house there. I fell in love with ninong ruping’s “weekend” house the moment I saw it. It was just I have imagined a portion of my dream house would be; the glass windows, family pictures everywhere, the stair, the fresh air, the garden, and most of all the serenity. Ninong ruping shared with us that they are just reaping the fruits of their hard works.

I told myself that someday Noy and I will build a house far more beautiful than that house. We will build it through hard work and love for each other. We will fill every corner of that house with memories of our travels and smiles. Vampy will join us there. I will try to find her a partner for life, someone who will treat her like a lady and give her satisfaction. During weekends, our garden will be jam-packed with cute grandchildren playing with water, screaming and smiling. Elle will cook for us and shower us with hugs and kisses…