A Thai Food Birthday Celebration at Jack Tree Restaurant in Colombo

My colleague and walking buddy Carlo just celebrated his birthday last Saturday. He treated us to a very exciting dinner with a cuisine so close to his heart – Thai Foods. Carlo stayed in Bangkok, Thailand for so many years that he has developed fascination and love of the aromatic-sweet-fiery taste of Thai cuisine. Now that he has been assigned in Sri Lanka for quite some time, it is no doubt that he has been missing the pride dishes of Thailand big time.

What a better way to re-live that long-missed dining experience he used to have regularly than in celebrating his most important day that comes just once a year? …… And we are more than delighted and willing to join him …… to contribute in the fun …… as he savors the unique flavors. For we know, with Thai foods tickling our taste buds …… it is not just happy but a really very spicy birthday. :-)

Known before as the Siamese cuisine, Thai food is the national cuisine of Thailand. Generally composed of lightly prepared dishes with strong aromatic components and pronounced spiciness, Thai cuisine is among the fastest-growing and most popular world cuisines today. Amazingly, it has established quite a following in the international food scene. Yes, Carlo is among the avid ones and probably will include us very soon. A few more dinner treats from Carlo and it is very likely that we could be a full pledge convert - lovers not only of Filipino cuisine but also of Thai foods.

Thai food is basically prepared light. It has tantalizing flavor and richness but without all the heavy carbs & calories. Like most Asian foods, it is known for its balance of the fundamental taste senses such as sour, sweet, salty and bitter. The significant influences of its neighboring countries such as China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Burma, and Malaysia can be easily traced in its dishes …… blending flavors and cooking techniques that make Thai food truly wonderful. We can’t blame Carlo for loving it so much.

Calle Bistro on 11.11.11, Quality Fun for Everyone

If you love food (and I mean lots and lots of good food :)), pop and rock music, games and adventure and everything in between, read on ……… you’re in for a night filled with sumptuous cuisines, quality fun and excitement ……… all while fully enjoying those things you love. Does this sound thrilling to you? That’s because it really is. It’s seriously exhilarating! Calle Bistro is coming ……… our ticket to experiencing that electrifying moment …… to share with our friends and love ones ……… in an event where food, people, music, games, prizes and adventure will collide ……… into a supernova of FUN. So, book the date …… the collision is happening on 11.11.11. Remember, for boredom and monotonous night out, this is an ELI or extinction level impact. :-)

Calle Bistro is a revolutionized food sale project that would bring together local and foreign cuisines in the metro, particularly in an Open Area in Tomas Morato located within the heart of Quezon City, Metro Manila (Philippines). The food event (and more) will cater to young professionals and food enthusiasts to unwind, socialize and explore the rich oriental and western flavors dominating the Philippine food scene. Promising food retail brands and enterprises will be there to provide a one of a kind food socialization experience where people from different walks of life can get a slice of the world right on their plates.

This is promised to be a night of food adventure and grand time made more special by live bands that will be there to serenade the visitors as they indulge in Calle Bistro …… to fill the air with our favorite music …… while guests are savoring the delicious food dishes featured in the food fair. There will be complimentary drinks to quench our thirst, food-related games to fire-up the night and raffle draws of sponsor items and giveaways for lucky guests …… all to make it a true night of fun, delight and excitement for everyone.

The food lineup includes but not limited to the following: Pinoy Delicacies, Foreign Cuisine, Exotic Dishes, Street Food, Grilled Products, Snacks and Beverages, Coffee and Tea Products, Ready-to-eat Meals and Health and Organic Food.

Pata Hamonado (Pork Knuckle Cooked in Pineapple Juice, Sugar and Soy Sauce)

Here I go again playing with “pata”. As I have mentioned many times in this blog, I really like the versatile “pata”. The popular Philippine cut of pork that consists of the whole hand or arm in the front and the lower part of the leg below the round (“pigi”) in the rear of the swine. Collectively, it includes the ham hock or knuckle as well as the trotter. While I also like trotter, especially in “crispy pata” where it is very tasty and crunchy, for some reasons it is not sold (and probably discarded as waste) here in Sri Lanka so the cut that I will use for this special dish is basically the meaty knuckle or ham hock section only.

But it’s a good thing because the intended dish is “pork hamonado” (also called “pork pina hamonado” or just “pina hamonado”) where the trotter, composed mainly of rind, bones and tendons, will not particularly work well, unlike the hock or knuckle which is so damn good for the dish. Pardon the use of word please. :-)

“Hamonado” is a Filipino dish prepared by slow cooking a thick slab of pork (can be belly/“liempo” or shoulder/”kasim” or like in this case, hock/“pata”) in pineapple juice, sugar and soy sauce. The ending dish is a somewhat cured and sweetened meat that is so rich, flavorful and succulent. It is of course oily with fat and rind covering the lean meat but that’s actually the best part of it ……… seriously, it’s so wonderful ……… could be a little unhealthy but really awesome ……… at least for me ……… and to many people I know. :-)

I have one problem though doing this dish here in southern Sri Lanka. I have no or very little access to good quality canned pineapple juice (like Del Monte or Dole brands from the Philippines). So, like when I prepared the “estopado” (braised in pineapple juice), I will also use fresh pineapple instead.

Sumang Kamoteng Kahoy A La Fely (Cassava Suman)

It’s the Season of Lent and Holy Week is almost here. Apart from moments of reflections, it is a time for family gathering. Expect to see different varieties of native “kakanin” in most Filipino families’ dining tables. It is part of the significant occasion ……… an important element of the tradition ……… particularly on the aspect of “handaan” or food preparation. Just in time for the season, we are glad that our friend Fely of London is willing to share her most requested native delicacy called “suman” (in the Philippines). In particular, a variety that is made from the starchy tuber called cassava or “kamoteng kahoy” or “balinghoy”.

Honestly, this post makes me really excited. True! I love this native “kakanin”. It’s my top favorite among the various types of “suman”. I used to buy it from elderly ambulant vendors directly coming from the barrios and lining the streets of the Tarlac Public Market every morning selling what seemed to me as their home-made “suman” from backyard-harvested crops. That was a score and 8 years ago when I was still a teenager helping my parents attend to our fruits store. While I find the sticky banana leaves wrapping a little too messy, the tasty cassava filling is such a comfort food that I would buy regularly.

For non-Filipino readers, “suman” is a type of rice cake or pudding originating from the Philippines usually served wrapped in banana or palm leaves. It is typically made from glutinous rice (but also from root crops such as cassava) cooked in coconut milk and often steamed. It is also known as “budbud” in the local dialects in the southern parts of the Philippines. It is among the popular sweet “kakanin” or traditional snacks or “merienda” of the Philippine cuisine.

This snack or dessert dish called “sumang kamoteng kahoy” refers to the finely grated cassava roots, mixed with sugar, sometimes with coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. Preparation follows a pretty simple recipe which I have not realized as such until Fely disclosed her recipes with us. It is really very easy. In fact, I could hardly believe the simple process that I tried it myself first to verify the tenacity prior to this posting. :)

Lumpia or Lumpiang Prito A La Sally (Vegetables Spring Roll)

Every mom (or everyone for that matter), who is truly passionate with foods or cooking, has her own specialty dishes. Select entrees which can be prepared by heart, without the aid of any notes, and almost always a sure delight for diners. These would involve tightly-guarded recipes or food preparation techniques which would come in the form of a secretly passed-on cooking knowledge (usually by parents or love ones) or learned through kitchen experiences or experimentations (intended or accidental) leading to process development and perfection and eventual acquisition of mastery through continued or repeated preparations.

These recipes, if we can only collect from our grandparents, parents, other family members, relatives and friends would represent the pinnacle of tried and tested cooking methods and information available within our reach. It can be considered as the best recipes there are, at least within our clan, extended family and circle of friends. For these reasons, I am deeply thankful and really treasure all the specialty recipes unselfishly shared in this website by families and friends for the noble purpose of spreading culinary knowledge for the benefit of others.

In the same tradition of shared personal recipes such as the widely visited “pork adobo a la Dong”, “cuchinta a la Lalaine”, “siomai a la Jhala”, “kinilaw na tanigue a la Rene”, “igado a la Nanay Consuelo”, “binagoongan a la Lalaine”, “espasol a la Luz” and quite recently the “embutido a la Lalaine”, we are ecstatic to welcome here another golden recipe contribution by a friend whom we call Sally with her signature dish “lumpia” or “pritong lumpia”. While I have already posted here my recipe for the same “lumpiang gulay” dish, this version of Sally is just so good to pass on and really worth every minute of our time checking. That’s a promise Sally’s friend assures me!

Ube Halaya or Halayang Ube (Purple Yam Pudding)

Violet was apparently the “in” color in the Philippines at the time I had my annual vacation last December 2010 to January 2011. Lots of mall rats (shoppers and roamers alike) were seen prominently sporting something in purple like shirts, blouses, bags, shoes, belts, sandals, ties, sleepers, purses and even cell phones and smart phones pouches and cases. I and my lovely better half even received a matching polo shirt-blouse presents from family members in a flashy lavender color which admittedly, I particularly like. It’s been my favorite shirt for the last 3 months. :-)

It is so funny for it was just not too long ago that wearing anything in such a striking color is somewhat untrendy and a no-no in popular culture get-ups. It only shows how fashion trends are evolving ……… that what could be considered as not cool today might eventually resurrect and rule the trend-in-style the next day.

Actually, this post has nothing to do with the above. Neither that I am a fashion guru of sort. That’s remote. I was just reminded of the flamboyant purple-attires of many teens I saw in the mall and other popular hang-out places in Manila when I was preparing this dish. Why? Because this involves an ingredient naturally synonymous with the color violet ……… the yam called “ube” in the Philippines also known as purple yam in English.

By the mere mention of the root crop “ube”, I know that, even without reading the blog title above (which I’m sure you did), you and most Filipinos will almost always think of only one food. The dessert and snack food called “ube halaya” or "halayang ube". I don’t know, but I believe it is but natural that when one sees “ube”, he will instantaneously imagine the luscious pudding made from grated boiled purple yam and cooked with milk (or coconut milk), butter and sugar.

Embutido A La Lalaine (Filipino Meat Loaf)

Special occasions call for special food preparations. The birthday celebration of a friend Zenaida whom her close pals in London call Dido (pronounced Daydu for some “naughty” reasons not yet disclosed to me :-)) is one of such occasions that’s why lots of sumptuous dishes were prepared and served when she reached the ripe age of 39. (I wrote that while giggling). Among the many exceptional Filipino foods feasted on by her numerous friends and guests were of course the always hit “cuchinta a la Lalaine” and the very special dish called “embutido” which astonishingly is called “morcon” (a relatively different rolled meat dish in reality) in our towns in Batangas and Quezon provinces in the southern Luzon Philippines.

Quite kindly (probably made helpless by my persuasive power :)), Lalaine agreed to share her secret “embutido” recipe (which she learned from a former admirer (lol)) and feature a step by step process here for the many Filipinos who love the dish and would like to do it for their next family occasion. So while Lalaine treated Dido and their friends with her delicious “embutido” during the blissful birthday bash, I and you, dear readers and net-friends of this humble blog, will be treated with the knowhow of preparing the dish “a la Lalaine” not only for a day but for eternity.

As a disambiguation though, Filipino “embutido” is a type of steamed meatloaf made from minced pork, minced or grated vegetables and lots of spices. In the Spanish, Brazilian and Portuguese contexts however, an “embutido” is a generic term for sausages found in Spain, Portugal and Central and South America which contains hashed meat (usually pork), infused with the flavors of aromatic herbs and spices (such as black pepper, red pepper, paprika, garlic, rosemary, thyme, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, etc.) and served wrapped in the skin of pig's intestines. True, it is more like the Filipino native sausage called “longanisa”.

Match-Science TCT Batch 83 First Gift-Giving Project

Friendship endures. It is never diminished by distance or time. Most especially if it develops during the exciting formative years of high school. For it is firmly founded on shared experiences, togetherness, self-discoveries, unadulterated love and unconditional understanding. It is so powerful……… compelling……… capable of leaving a permanent footprint in the heart…… and most are in fact, everlasting! That no matter how rewarding, forceful, complicated, tragic or life-changing the succeeding personal experiences are, there will come a time that you will look back…… smile and wonder. And suddenly the desire to meet old but never forgotten friends is overwhelming. The feeling is intense but light-hearted…… chaotic but beautiful!

It’s probably the reason why for schoolmates, homecoming or even just an impromptu or haphazard meeting and getting together for at least a day, is one of the most sought-after activities lined-up during the long holiday seasons. When, despite the many family events that occupy almost all available days of the vacation, we would always find ways to squeeze into our already tight schedule, a time for significant gathering of alma mater friends, whoever is available.

This is so true for the High School Match-Science Batch 83 of the Tarlac College of Technology (TCT) [now Tarlac State University (TSU)]. We (or many times it was they :)) always find time to reconnect with one another…… to rekindle the friendship …… to reminisce happy memories …… and spend grand time. While such a simple get-together activity is already important in itself, some batch mates were able to transform the last one we had into an even more meaningful, socially relevant and cause-oriented affair. No kidding. It was many folds better and fulfilling than the usual meeting, bonding, eating, singing and drinking. :-)

Villanueva Christmas Reunion 2010 - Part 2 .... Fun Fun Fun

Reunion serves as a storehouse of colorful family memories ……. a depository of significant family updates, warm pleasantries, light moments, hopeful wishes and fruitful meetings. Happy thoughts of many family members are made and kept inside it. It is therefore essential that the affair is made meaningful, memorable and full of fun……..a truly wonderful experience for all the members, young and old. Quite luckily, the annual Villanueva Christmas Reunion has always been like that and has maintained that standard over the years.

This year’s family get-together, as sponsored by the Villanueva-Dimaandal clan was no exemption. In fact, it successfully lived to the implied objective that the affair should equal or be better each passing year. Not really as a contest, but as a joint family commitment to live to the ideals of continuous development and further improvement in our lives. So that the family will continue to grow, enrich its legacy and effectively serve as an inspiration to the young members to aspire harder, become better persons and eventually acquire the ability to contribute to the family heritage.

All throughout the day, every moment was filled with fun and excitement; from simple chatting, to sumptuous dining, to thrilling games, to raffling of prices and to truly surprising presentations (both well-prepared and impromptu). With funny family members around …… tickling each other’s bones, mocking and frolicking, there was really no dull moments. Whilst the hilarious tandem of Ate Kim and Ate Ethel sure kept the life of the party going, the riotous participation of Tiya Auring was deeply missed. The triumvirate is no doubt an icon of fun and entertainment in every family affair or celebration.

Villanueva Christmas Reunion 2010 - Part 1

No matter how successful we may be, we will always long for that magical feeling that we belong to something bigger than ourselves. Something we could depend on, lean on and rightfully call our own. Something that could give us comforts, reprieve and assurance when everything else seems not working the way it’s planned; the way we want it to be. I’m referring to a FAMILY. You can call it clan, or kinsfolk, or even tribe. Whatever you call it, however you call it, one thing is sure, we all have one ……….. and we all need one.

We can sometimes ignore or overlook its importance, but sooner or later we will experience that yearning to connect back and desire for that relaxing feeling of togetherness. For no matter how far we have travelled or how high we have flown, in the end the most important question is where we came from. For like branches of a tree, our lives may grow and follow different directions, sprout in different places and elevations along the trunk and traverse different paths, yet our roots will remain as one. Collectively, those roots, no matter how low, no matter how deeply laden with dirt, is the life giving force of all the branches…..of the whole FAMILY.

Fundamentally, this is the reason why families including our own, the Villanueva’s of Padre Garcia, Batangas (Philippines) regularly have a family reunion during the holiday season. Formally organized by the highly respected family member, Chito V. Recto, to be alternately hosted by each family, it is one of the most anticipated Christmas activities of our extended family which many members, in pursuit of its individual aspiration, have relocated in various places all over the country and even abroad. But despite of the distance, busy lifestyles and indifferences, we all make sure that we meet and get-together in an annual Christmas Reunion.

Basically, to jointly celebrate the birth of Christ, remember our ancestors, share blessings, have fun and games, rekindle the relation, re-affirm the bond and hopefully make the ties stronger. With the rather adhesive theme “Dikit-dikit... parang malagkit” , which roughly translates to “Sticking with one another... like glutinous rice.” (whew….that was tough Father Donald :-)) the Villanueva-Dimaandal family of Lipa City, Batangas hosted our annual Villanueva Christmas Reunion last 30th December 2010.

Christmas Family Gift-Giving - The Tradition Lives On

As I have featured last year in my post “Gift-Giving on Christmas Day”, our family, for the last 13 years (at the very least), has been distributing modest Christmas gifts to the children of our community or “barangay” as well as to some kids of other nearby villages and subdivisions. This year, through God’s grace, we were again able to sustain the family gift-giving activity which we are doing as our way of sharing part of the bounties and blessings every family member received for the year. A rather small but sure way of bringing fun and memorable moments to the children who eagerly wait for Christmas and the customary gift-giving that goes with it during the most important day of the holiday season.

On the larger context, this is our small contribution in spreading the true spirit of giving and sharing particularly to the mind of young children in the hope that it will somehow inculcate and develop within them a pay-it-forward effect so that the noble gift-giving tradition will propagate and continue to live in the hearts of the next generation. This could just be a speck in a wide ocean but at least it provides a tiny lit of hope in helping parents in up-bringing more loving and passionate children in the volatile era of computer and hi-tech gadgets.

If my sisters Baby, Maya, Aimee and Cha-cha personally prepared 500 gifts last year, they have increased that number to 600 this year to ensure that the growing number of children who eagerly await and joyfully anticipate the gift-giving activity could be safely accommodated and that no child, under any circumstances, will go home empty handed and frustrated. Wrapping some 600 gifts was no easy job but the family was enthusiastic in doing the wrapping ourselves making every gift a true labor of love, caring and compassion.

TWCES Batch '79 Alumni Homecoming

The alumni of Tarlac West Central Elementary School (TWCES) Batch 1979 successfully held their first Grand Reunion with the theme “With gratitude we look back, together we move forward” on the 27th of December 2009 at the Farmhouse in San Isidro, Tarlac City. Although only a fraction of the whole batch of about 9 sections were able to attend, it can be considered as a significant accomplishment as finding and more so gathering, old classmates and friends, separated by 3 decades of varied individual pursuits, alienated by different trades, vocations and professions and scattered not just over the far regions of the Philippines but over distant foreign lands, is quite a feat to undertake.

As cherished and highly regarded by the current school principal and teachers being the first ever Alumni Homecoming successfully carried out by any past graduating class/batch of TWCES, we can say, with all modesty, that just being able to organize one was already an achievement. This should follow that its successful implementation which etched a permanent mark of happiness in everyones' heart was worthy of praise and congratulations. Mabuhay TWCES Batch ’79.

The credit rightfully goes to the hard-working, resourceful and enduring officers elected for the purpose of organizing the momentous event. Through the able leadership of our friend Major Ferdinand B. Lacadin and the untiring help and assistance of Rose De Gusman-Lim, Chona Tanedo-Borlongan, Geraldine Wage-Chua, Melody Reyes-Almazan, Rizza Tadejo, Socorro Martinez, Annalyn Mananguil, Brgy. Captain Orlando Castro, Renato Martinez, to name a few (sorry for those I missed), all constraint, misgivings, reservations, worries and apprehension were converted into a day full of blissfulness, excitement, appreciation, camaraderie and gratitude.

Combined with the exemplary support of course of some of the batch mates who are more than willing to share some of their blessings such as Myrelle Maniego, Leonardo Vega, Ma. Ever S. Miranda-Lacadin and Villamor T. Tuazon, other members who unselfishly devoted time to solicit financial assistance and sell raffle tickets in line with the fund raising program and some select friends and patrons who provided valued prizes, prayers and encouragement, the affair was a resounding success.

In spite of the 30 years added to their age, the female batch mates could still provide a sight to behold. Such descriptions as pretty & sexy, healthy & happy, cute & chubby and gorgeous & curvaceous are surprisingly still fitted to them. But categorizing who’s who is entirely up to you. :-)

The males are still equally charming and exciting :). While time must have added some lines and bulges, the colorful images that follows still provide appealing sceneries and are still strong in making impressions. :-)

It really feels good to chitchat with your classmates which you have not seen for a very long time and yet still remember the funny little things that happened 1 score and 10 years ago in that humble school called Tarlac West.

But of course after the registration, motorcade (sorry no photos) and moments of reminiscing the good old days when everyone were still innocent and naïve, there had to be a program. It is one of the important things taught to us in school - conducting a program. With Soc acting as the Master of Ceremony expect everything to go on smoothly. After Geralyn has led the singing of the National Anthem and the Invocation by Chona, we gave way to Ferdie for his warm Welcome Remarks.

One of the most anticipated portions of the affair was the drawing of raffle tickets. With so many prizes at stakes, it is not surprising to be waited for.

Some lucky batch mates went home with exciting prizes. Some decided to gave the prize they won to other batch mates who are rather in need and financially challenged. For that is one of the spirits of the reunion………..to reach out……….to help………to make a difference.

Dancing is regular part of any affair like this homecoming and some batch mates were willing to prove that they still have the talent and energy to compete with the younger generation (a.k.a. their own kids).

There were parlor games as well. It is so wonderful to see that the class was back to playing with one another. But no ball passing, “patintero”, “piko”, “luksong tinik” and Chinese garter this time. :-)

There got to be some serious stuff of course. Madame Elizabeth Alarios delivered the Inspirational Message in behalf of the current Principal of TWCES, Madame Lerma Gabriel.

As the fun, dancing, games, singing, frolicking and other activities will surely drain out power from everyone, my friend Ferdie and the rest of officers assured that there were plenty of foods and drinks to indulge in.

As always, the crispy and sumptuous “lechon” (whole roast pork) donated by Myrelle is the centerpiece of the feast which includes delicious fried chicken, luscious sweet and sour fish, tasty beef steak, healthy chop suey and creamy spaghetti carbonara.

With such a lavish meal, everyone is with a smile as they lined up for their turn. And when in front of such wonderful buffet table, it’s but natural for Melody, Rizza and Leny to somehow throw the word diet out of the window. :-)

For the boys and some girls like Annalyn, my good friend Amor, generously sent some sparkling drinks that could transform anyone into better singer and dancer. Gorgeous isn’t it? :-)

As the day closes to its end and after Rose has delivered her Closing Remarks, the more we felt like we don’t want to part ways. Old friendship rekindled and the warmth was so comforting. But as separating was inevitable, the promise of seeing each other again was a relief and consolation.

As we are about to feel lonely, Josie who works in Italy, volunteered to host the next reunion in her farm in Tarlac City. She committed to allocating a pond full of freshwater fish for the class……….something that once again, stirred the thrill and excitement among members of Batch ’79.

Thank you very much Ferdie, Rose and the rest of officers and organizers. It’s a job well done.

See you all in the next reunion. I just hope it’s not after 30 years again. c “,)

Gift-Giving on Christmas Day

Christmas is an annual Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated every 25th of December and is central to the Christmas and holiday season. There are many popular modern customs of the holiday including church celebrations or “Misa de Gallo”, family gatherings and reunions, Christmas carols, exchange of greeting cards, special meal called Noche Buena, display of various decorations; such as Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes and lantern or “parol” and of course, the much-awaited gift-giving.

Christmas has, for many centuries, been a time for giving and exchanging of gifts, particularly between family members and friends. A number of figures of both Christian and mythical origin have been associated with Christmas and the seasonal giving of gifts. Among the most popular are Santa Claus or Father Christmas which is a folklore figure associated with the bringing of gifts for children and the traditional Kris Kringle which is the exchanging of gifts among friends, office mates, classmates and family members. Kris Kringle is a yearly activity in our family which we joyfully perform every 12:00 hour midnight of December 24, just before indulging in the Noche Buena feast.

On top of gift exchanging however, the family, for the last 12 years I think, has been giving gifts to all the children of our community (Barangay) which over the latter years also included children from nearby villages (other Barangays). This gift-giving project was conceived by my sister Maya, as a way of sharing the blessings we received throughout the year. The activity is jointly and actively participated in, carried-out and supported by all the members of the family through the guidance of our loving parents.

As the number of children-recipients has steadily grown over the years, so is everyones' level of anticipation and excitement. We have witnessed how a modest gift can really make a difference in the heart of a child during Christmas. The happiness that can be mirrored from their eyes upon receiving their gift is a feeling rarely experienced in our everyday lives. This activity will be pursued by the family for as long as we are financially able to do so. As what our neighbors have said, gift-giving is now our family’s tradition which most kids and parents look forward every Christmas Day.

My sisters Maya, Ines and Cha are the ones providing much of the time, labors and efforts in the preparation, toy selection, shopping, buying and wrapping of all the gifts which this Christmas numbered to around 500 from only about less than a 100 during the maiden year in 1997.

Since we are having our Kris Kringle on Christmas night which sometimes last up to around 3 am in the morning, waking up early on Christmas Day is a feat for us all. So we always schedule the gift-giving to around 10 am, giving enough time for the children to visit their “Ninong” and “Ninang” and relatives first for the traditional hand kissing. Nonetheless, they would always line up early, which for us is only suggesting how important gifts to children are.

The distribution of gifts is always assigned to my younger sister Cha who, this Christmas, tapped the young members of the family to act as Little Santa Clauses and do the giving. My daughter Chiara, nieces Tin-tin and Charize, with the assistance of some young relatives, eagerly attended the distribution.

As we have been doing each year, the ecstatic children were safety guided to an orderly queue to avoid anyone from getting hurt. Even if there are enough gifts for everyone; some kids will always make their way in hastily as we understand that it is human nature for them to always want to get ahead of the others.

Gift-giving is always a wonderful sight to see, no matter how humble the gift maybe. The joy it brings to a childs' life is for us something immeasurable. And with scenes like these? The fun and happiness are not limited to the receivers but also felt by the assigned givers who are themselves kids.

But of course the children who will receive gifts will always have the sweetest smile…….specially on this time of the year.

The fiesta atmosphere continued until all the children who came were given their presents. All children went home with a happy a face and a joyful heart. We just hope that the activity did not only provide them with the material thing but with an appreciation and hopefully a deeper understanding of the true essence and beauty of giving……..that when they grow up, they will as well practice the noble way of giving, not necessarily on this scale, but even on their little own way…….within their families and circle of friends. I’m sure that such inculcation will go a long way, to somehow contribute in making them a better person who, in the near future, will have the ability to make a difference in someones' life.

Since there are around 500 gifts distributed, expect Little Santa Charize to exhaust her energy…………and to bring her back to a cheerful mood, some frolicking by Ninang Marj is necessary.