Love at First Bite: Twelve Cupcakes

Founded by Singapore celebrity couple Daniel Ong and Jamie Teo, the flavours she liked to bake and he liked to eat. Twelve cupcakes are freshly baked everyday which actually you can taste its freshness. 

This morning before my husband headed to work he brought me to one of Twelve Cupcakes stores. Well just by looking at the different flavours I was like a little child having second thoughts of what to pick. I was so intrigued by the best seller which is of course the Red Velvet with Vanilla Cream Cheese topping, next since I love coffee I chose the Mocha with Chocolate Cream Cheese topping, and the last one which I had a difficult time deciding to fill in the last empty spot in the trio box, I picked Cookies N' Cream chocolate cupcake with Oreo crumbles infused buttercream. 

I held it tightly on my palm as if I was holding a Louis Vuitton purse. I gave my husband the sweetest smile and said, "Sweetheart, I'll wait for you to come home from work let's eat the cupcakes together". As I arrived home, I opened my precious box and smelled the 3 gorgeous cupcakes. There was this unexplainable aroma that told me to taste it. Well, fine 1 small bite wouldn't hurt right, I can still fulfill my sweet promise to my husband that I'll wait for him. 

And then 1 bite, taste extremely delicious, I was like Snow White biting that poisonous apple but this time the Red Velvet cupcake was so addicting. I love the moist cake, the taste was the best I have ever tasted, and the cream cheese topping was perfect! One more bite, and then one more bite, and its gone... Well, to ease the guilt feeling I said to myself, "I can buy 1 Red Velvet tomorrow for my husband!" 

For more information about Twelve Cupcakes visit their site that you may see the mouthwatering gallery and check out their branches all over Singapore. 

http://www.twelvecupcakes.com

La Cage: Opens the soul and touches the heart

It was a story of a gay couple, George and Albin, running a famous drag cabaret named La Cage. Albin starred as Zaza, the queen of the cabaret. The partners were living for 20 years and Albin already raised George's son, Jonathan as his own. But when Jonathan told his dad that he was getting married the problem arise. Jonathan, wanted to marry a girl, Anne who came from a conservative political family. Jonathan suddenly wanted some changes in his family set-up and hide Albin's real identity from Zaza to Uncle Al. 

Inside the theater waiting to start

The dancing and singing numbers were all superb! In a glimpse of an eye I was brought by the play from somewhere else. The stage was filled with lights, glitzy and fabulous costumes. I love the lines of the play it makes me laugh at times but the lines were thrown to open the public eyes that these kind of family set-up by gay couples often judged should also be respected.  

The star of the night, Zaza

In the end, when the parents of Anne found out the truth and Jonathan stood by his acting mother, Albin and asked for his forgiveness for being ashamed of him this scene made me cry. A heart warming song from Jonathan to let Albin know how much he was appreciated and loved in the family sent a message that in this world of differences, LOVE is all that matters. 

The cast during the finale

La Cage was one of the best musical play I have ever seen. And I want to say, "Thank you so much!" to my Ninang (godmother) for the invitation to watch this I love every bit of it. Truly captured my heart maybe the stage actress dream that I had before was still inside me somewhere. 

Inside the beautiful "Durian" Esplanade Theater

Celebrating Life

Last Friday, I flew back to Singapore just in time for my husband's birthday. I stayed in Manila for a month and being away from Juriz even for a short time filled my tummy with butterflies as soon as the plane touched down. Yes I was so excited to see him parang PBB teens lang hahaha! I even retouched my makeup before I headed to the immigration.

Yummy cake for the birthday celebrant

Birthday Boy, so excited to blow his candles

Well I guess the feeling was mutual upon seeing his post on FB, honestly let me say nakakakilig pa rin, even if we were married for more than 2 years and known each other for 19 years, hahaha puppy love or young love sweet love days. I love the look in his eyes as he saw me walking out the airport door and of course kissed me and hugged me tightly not minding the bunch of people around. After all these years he remained sweet and that made me fall in love with him over and over again...

Well please excuse me for being so cheesy. I just feel very blessed by God to have this man as my husband and best friend for life.

I got this Blue Mountain card from a small bookstore at Rob place in Manila. I want to share what the card says because those were the exact words that I wanted to tell him.

My Husband, You Are My Forever Love written by Linda Sackett-Morrison

Your friendship and love, and all of the wonderful things that they bring to my life, are like nothing else I’ve ever known. My heart is complete with the love we share, and our love grows more beautiful each day... As long as I have you, my husband, I have everything I need. Moments of success may come and go, and material things bring us momentary joy. But you are with me always... in a smile, a touch, a feeling, or a moment we share.

Friends enter our lives, sometimes only for a short time, but the friendship we share is deep and secure. Even if everyone else suddenly left me, I know that I’d still have you as my best friend.

We pass through different phases of life with all their changes and challenges, and one day turns into another. But through it all, our love is constant. You lend me strength when I need it most, and give me a precious gift each day by loving me just the way I am.

I don’t know how you do it, but in your own special way, you fill my life and heart with a wondrous joy that will always be present. You make my life complete, and I love you.

Of course with the cook, the happy wifey!

Sweetheart, thank you so much for the life, friendship, and marriage that we share. Looking at you in the morning and feeling all the love that you have for me makes me feel how God loves me for the gift of Life and Love.

With all his gifts

Happy Birthday Sweetheart! I love you so much! God bless you always!

Charming Details

Whenever we come home to Manila for vacation we always stay in our Uncle Mario and Aunt Gina’s house. During my wedding, since we already moved to US our whole family stayed here, their three bedrooms were stretched to accommodate seven of us, my dad, my grandma, my husband, and my sisters. May I mention that this house once accommodated four families who were in the country for our grandparents’ 50^th wedding anniversary back in 2004. I wonder how we managed to fit in. Nevertheless, our family feels that this house is our second home here in the Philippines.

Maximizing this 120-square foot lot made every space functional. The unique decors collected by my aunt from their trips gave a personalized touch. Coordinating pieces made the collection more interesting and pleasing to the eyes. 

Timeless Chic

Vintage phone and customized lamp

Wooden carvings from Vietnam

Antique Ceba pendulum clock circa 1950's from our grandparents' house 

Stylish clock from Malaysia

Ceramic balls as centerpiece

Spanish Inspired, Baldosa tiles 

Ikea hanging lamp to light up the staircase

I admire my aunt with her taste of choosing the chic curtains and colorful printed pillowcases which she said shouldn't go beyond her budget. She loves shopping at department stores like Trinoma and sometimes having the luxury of time visits Divisoria to get a better deal. The secret is knowing the trick of "mix and match" that can create more different looks for the house.

Classic Corners

Sepak Takraw balls made of rattan

Antique table from my grandfather's barber shop circa 1950's 

Personalized Spaces

Customized dinning table

Cozy customized day bed from Abubot, SM North Edsa

Zen Space in the Backyard

Relaxes the senses

This is one of the many reasons why we keep coming back to the Philippines. This house reminds us that we can go miles away but we will always have a family to come home to. Philippines is still Home Sweet Home.

Captured and edited using Iphone 4s photos

New Hope after Death

We all know that death is the last page of our book of life. And death of a loved one is one of the most painful to get through. Some were taken in a snap and the others grieve in suffering of disease. Though any of these, we all caught unprepared to let them go.

My mother died of ovarian cancer she battled with the disease for 2 years. I could still remember clearly the last hour I locked myself inside the comfort room my tummy was aching terribly because of great stress. Somebody from my family knocked on the door and told me that my mom wanted to talk to me.

Sad place, the final resting place for those who left us and a painful
remembrance that they are not coming back.
Location: Himlayang Pilipino, Quezon City Philippines

I went out and stood on the side of her bed, my mom looked at me with tears rolling down her cheeks, she was too weak to utter any word and I said, “Mommy, its ok sleep now and go home to heaven.” I never said this during her battle because I was trying to give her strength to continue fighting.  As she closed her eyes our family knew that it was the end of it. My mom left us that morning and we were forced to accept it as winning the battle than thinking we lost it.

My mom won because she accepted cancer and surrendered her fate to God. She died but she got her freedom from pain and suffering. Our family kept her spirit burning inside us as we pray that she left this world for a better place. She found her peace and has received an eternal life in God’s kingdom.

But we could look at this place with HOPE that our loved ones left for a better place.
Death brings eternal life to those who believe in Christ's kingdom.
Location: Himlayang Pilipino, Quezon City Philippines

And for us, who lost a loved one hold on to this verse from the bible;

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” - Psalm 23:4

For my SuperTATAY

Dearest Tatay,

I am very happy with my married life. God blessed me with a loving and wonderful husband. But there are still times I wish I can go back being your baby girl... I terribly miss our movie marathons, how you say, “Ang sarap ng luto mo Anak!” (kahit parang bola lang minsan), I miss our morning jogging, I miss our trips to thrift stores, I miss everything of you Tatay. Miles away from you is not easy at all. 

Yesterday, we attended church service at Every Nation and they shared some clips from the movie “Courageous”, it’s about four men who are serving as law enforcement officers yet find it hard to face and tackle the real meaning of, fatherhood. All the father’s were given a copy of The Father’s Resolution, and as I read it, you exactly did all what was mentioned a father should do to fulfill his duties.

Tatay, we are so blessed to have you. I have witnessed how you loved Mommy dearly and dedicated your life until her last breath. You were very hurt to see her go but you stood strongly for us. Until now it still amazes me how you covered your pain with strength so that it will be easier for us to accept and let her go. You brought us up with God’s words in our hearts. Your love gave us the right direction in life. Your faith in God gave us strength to accept the trials and face it through prayers.

Your life reflects what a father should be. Your kindness to all the people around you makes me so proud being your daughter. Tatay, thank you for the great love that you have showered us, this same love made me a complete and better person. Soon, I promise you will be a happy grandpa! But for now, let me savor the moments being your baby girl...  

I love you Tatay! Happy Father’s Day

To my Grandfather and Uncles who are Super TATAYS as well, I love you all! 

It's Mommy's Day

I bought an expensive bouquet of red roses, beautifully arranged I guess the most beautiful I ever got for you Mommy. I was trying very hard to come up with something very special, something that I have never given you and the best that I could ever give you.

I said, “Happy Mother’s Day Mom! This is for the Mother’s day that I am not going to spend with you. I love you so much!”

Unfortunately it wasn’t Mother’s Day at all but rather it was your wake. Eight long years have passed and still that speech I made in front of our families and friends was still very fresh in my mind. I guess still painful for the very reason I could have given you more Mom, especially now that I earn my own money and I can take you out and treat you for a relaxing spa massage, shopping, movie date, dinner, but these moments will just be an imagination. You left us so early and I will trade anything just to have one Mother’s Day with you…

Last night, me and my husband went to a friend’s birthday party. We took a cab on our way to their house and it happened we met with a nice taxi driver. He started sharing a story of the old lady who took the ride before us. He said, the old lady got five children her husband who passed away 3 years ago didn’t work as the children were growing up leaving her the sole responsibility to raise the family.

And now, this old mother who brought out children to this world and have given them a good life, a better future, and love them unconditionally refused to take care of her in her old age. She even told the taxi driver that one of her daughters treated her like a maid. The old lady said it will be Mother’s day tomorrow and admitted that not a single instance that she could recall that her children remembered her for this special day dedicated for mothers.

As the taxi driver has said, "I am very angry with these people who got a good paying job, nice house, nice cars, but don't have the heart to love their own mothers, simply don't deserve any respect at all." 

Irony of life, I lost a mom but I am willing to trade anything to spend just one day with her but I believe there were also children who has mothers, fathers who were in their last years of their lives who were just treated badly and worst, being totally forgotten.

We were born to this world by a MOTHER, and these women were God’s angels to nurture and love each one of us.They deserve our love and respect in return. Their sacrifices were unconditionally and they should be recognized.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!