South – bound road trip…
“A friend loves at all times.”
~proverbs: 17:17~
The youngest in our group celebrated her birthday last November 10.
As a tradition, we have to treat the celebrant to a place of her choice. Rachel, celebrated at Yakimix (Alabang town center), Essie at Bellevue Hotel (Alabang), we did mine at Romulo cafe (Azumi Hotel – Alabang), Anabelle had hers at Torch (Greenbelt, Makati) and we did Theresa’s at Balai Indang (Cavite). In all fairness, on top of the planning stage, trying to fit in with everyone’s schedules, Jhonna – our youngest, opted for the nearest restaurant when she was the one who’s eager to go farther due to everyone’s hectic schedules come November. Since we all wanted her to be happy, we suggested to go south-bound, without any specific destination. It’s gonna be a “Road trip” literally. Jhona calls it “vroom vroom!”
We ended up being the one who’s happy because she surprised us by bringing us to Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
She also brought us to this old church – St. Bartolomew.
And the underground cemetery both of which are located in Nagcarlan.
And her last-minute request was to have lunch at “Sulyap Gallery cafe”.
Knowing the place, I had this feeling that they will surely have fun times as I did when I first saw it. They specifically loved the Kulao (banana blossoms in coconut milk), the Pako salad and the Pancit habhab. It was a satisfying spread for us topping it with crepe and turon ala mode.
“Turon” in the Philippines is a dessert which resembles banana fritters in other countries.
I think the crepe juxtapose that “All Filipino” dishes we feasted on. We didn’t mind, we needed something sweet after that “I need to adjust my belt” lunch that we’ve had.
We went to the Museum too!
We went to the Orchard too!
I must say it was she who made us happy, but knowing her, I’m pretty sure she was happy too because she made (us) her sisters happy.
We even bought “Buko pie” when we passed by Los Banos, Laguna.
This friendship had endured all kinds of weather. And I think, no storm can break it apart anymore. However grouchy anyone can get, at the end of the day, looking at each others’ faces.
These are the faces we’ve been with for the last 28 years. The faces of friends in every sense of the word. And with these faces comes the
gratefulness and realization, that we’re here to stay. It was a bond which eventually became our realm.
Our next destination? Bulacan! We’re visiting Ana’s mansion. We’re
celebrating our Christmas party and Thanksgiving for this beautiful year that was!
Hello 2016!
On Purple Wings 