starshadow_rivaulx (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
starshadow_rivaulx) wrote2010-11-08 03:28 pm
starshadow_rivaulx) wrote2010-11-08 03:28 pm
Um. One month after the fact, and I blog about it now.
Is that a case of offline life eating me up whole, or what?
So last month there was this trip to Iloilo, and I blogged about the first
day shortly after we got home. Here's a sketch of the second day.
First, Dad's relatives called up with plans to take us around.
Unfortunately, Ma has issues with Dad's family dating from the early days
of their marriage - she wants nothing to do with them, in any way, shape
or form, though she will be civil when faced with them. You should have
seen her face when Dad handed me the phone to talk to Cousin G.
Now since I have little to no acquaintance with Dad's side of the family,
they are strangers to me, and my personal opinion is, may as well be
polite. Though I'm not really going to go all beso-beso with them,
either. It fell to me to explain to G that the main reason we were in
Iloilo was so Ma could bond with Tiyay Tita, and that her side of the
family had already made plans for our day. I said they were welcome to
carry Daddy off - since visiting family is what people do when they're in
the home province anyway. They seemed to take it well - Dad's family is
well aware of Ma's attitude, but they keep trying to get on her good side
anyway. Don't think it's ever going to happen, though; between her own
issues and the time one of the cousins nearly killed me by locking me in a
traveling trunk when I was six years old, in our current home - no, I
really don't think so.
So that crisis out of the way, it was time for breakfast. It wasn't a
spectacular breakfast, but it was a very delicious one. As usual, acted
as waiter for Ma before settling down to my own food. Then upstairs, to
do the washroom stuff. Dad's relatives arrived, and I was willing enough
to go down with Dad, but Ma wouldn't let me, so Dad brought his relations
up - as I told Ma that he would - and Ma had to make nice with them after
all. *shrug*
After Dad had gone, sent an SMS to Cousin Heidi that we were ready to be
picked-up any time they were ready; went down to the lobby to wait.
Cousin Mati fetched us in her car, brought us to Tiyay's house, where we
switched over to the family minibus. Tiyay was a bit fussy yet, so we
were taken on a quick city tour, with a look at the outside of SM Iloilo
and the Eastwood-like land development beside it. There's this huge new
mall going up, owned by the local DZMM/Bombo Radyo. There are at least
three new boutique hotels in operation. Apparently city ordinance says
that buildings can't go higher than six or eight stories? So when you're
on the top of a highway flyover, you have a wonderful 360-degree vista of
the city proper up until the sea.
Stopped at one of the local malls to buy the pasalubong/take-home gifts.
Butterscotch, of course. Cousin Mati introduced me to some of her favorite
sweets like peanut mazapan, pineapple and mango tartlets. Then the
Panaderia de Molo stall for everything that's best about Iloilo desserts:
rosquetas, barquillos, GALLETAS, HOJALDRES (my enduring favorite),
biscocho principe (you will never want another biscocho again after
these). Hojaldres look like palmier biscuits, only they are so thin and
light that just breathing on them makes them fall apart. Lightly sugared,
great with coffee...YUM.
Back to Tiyay's house to pick up Elna the PA, Cousin Heidi, and Tiyay.
Then it was off to Tatoy's for more of that wonderful, wonderful
fresh-cooked, truly fresh seafood (I'm talking about fish caught that very
morning just off shore). One of the best lunches ever. We were joined by
Mati's son Chino, a very personable young man who just started his Nursing
course. Good on him.
Then we embarked on a little sightseeing tour, beginning with Molo Church,
to say prayers and take quick evidentiary photos. Second stop was Jaro
Cathedral - more prayers and evidentiary photos. Trivia: All the saints
on display in Molo Church are women, guarded by St. Michael Archangel and
St. Rafael at the church foyer. All the saints on display in Jaro
Cathedral are those of the apostles - all men. Upon learning about this,
Ma goes, "Even the saints they separate by the sexes? What, are they
afraid the statues will have too much fun if they're together?" LOL!
After the church and another swing around the other side of the city
(where cousins pointed out the building owned by the wife of their elder
brother, being used as a mall), we were dropped off at the hotel to rest
up for the big family dinner, where all the cousins and their kids were to
represent. It was while we were in the room that I asked the front desk
about the room service massage. They connected me to the spa, where they
said one hour was a mere Php400...of course I booked an appointment, and
it was heaven getting all the toxicity released from my system. The
therapist even gave Ma a free 10-minute head massage, for which I gave the
therapist an extra-large tip for her troubles, the sweet thing.
Easy to see why retired expats love it here: between the legendary
lambingan character of the southern people, the cost of living is
amazingly low if you're getting a dollar pension. Hotel's five-course
buffet is a mere Php288++, ho yeah.
Dad came back while Ma was having her head massage, with more of his
relatives in tow. Thankfully, since Ma was in bliss, the relatives opted
to leave quietly, thus sparing Ma having to make nice yet a second time.
So the parents were able to have a rest until about six, when we freshened
up and Ma promptly scared me out of my wits by going "thud" onto to the
floor. She was aiming to sit on the edge of the bed, but underestimated
the distance, so when she sat down, she slid against the edge of the bed
and landed on the floor. OY!
So while Dad was about to start swearing, his default mode, I rescued Ma
from the floor (thankfully a carpeted floor!), got her on the bed, asked
if she was all right, and she gave me this look like a five-year-old
caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Awwww. So she was ok, her hip
was ok, I was ok. Dad not quite ok at first, but normalized later. *grin*
(cut to bring Dad to the bank so he could re-PIN his new ATM card)
We were picked up by the minibus, and it was a full house: Elna the PA, Ma, Tiyay, Dad, Cousin Mati, me, Cousin Heidi. Chinese dinner this time, and we were met at the ground floor of the restaurant by Cousin Bing's kids - five out of the six, waiting on their mom and elder sister. Good Lord, but they are a bevy of lovely girls - and now the second eldest is engaged to be married, she introduced the young man to us and I must say I liked what I saw. Easy enough to like when it's clear that they suit, which is what matters most. Ma was totally swarmed over, and we were sent up in state via elevator while all the young 'uns took the stairs.
Once we were settled at our table, there were introductions. Lots and lots of introductions. Now, my tita has six kids. So for my own sense of clarity, here they are:
Marian/Bing and husband Jun = six girls, all nicknamed after something sweet. Sweetie, the eldest, now Mrs. Dignadice, is now preggers with first child after 4.5yrs of trying. She and hubby have taken the opportunity to move to Vancouver, Canada - she has promised to Facebook. *grin*
Ricoy and wife Grace = three kids, the youngest of which is a young man of such adorableness that matrons and gays will line up to shake his hand once he moves to Manila to work, you see if they don't. He is CUTE.
Heidi and husband Ramon = three kids
Gigi and husband Bernard = two girls. Not present because they had the opportunity to migrate to New Zealand.
Matilde/Matilde = one son, the aforementioned Chino. She is the family member with certain marital issues best expressed in that phrase, "It's complicated." However, Chino is growing up a fine young man despite the issues, which shows that Mati is dealing quite well, and this is a good thing.
Jesry and wife Jinky = three kids. Jesry was off on some mayoral thing in Las Vegas (!?) and sent long-distance SMS regards. Yay modern technology! His youngest son looks exactly like him at the same age, though more quiet.
The kids were given their own table, while we elders had another table. Discovered that I still do not like one of the cousin-in-laws all that much, but managed to carry off the night anyway. The food was wonderful, would like to do it again sometime.
A short night tour around the city, then back to the hotel for unwinding, packing bags, and bed.
At some point in time I will get around to writing about our last hours in Iloilo and the arrival home, but don't hold your breath waiting for that story.
So last month there was this trip to Iloilo, and I blogged about the first
day shortly after we got home. Here's a sketch of the second day.
First, Dad's relatives called up with plans to take us around.
Unfortunately, Ma has issues with Dad's family dating from the early days
of their marriage - she wants nothing to do with them, in any way, shape
or form, though she will be civil when faced with them. You should have
seen her face when Dad handed me the phone to talk to Cousin G.
Now since I have little to no acquaintance with Dad's side of the family,
they are strangers to me, and my personal opinion is, may as well be
polite. Though I'm not really going to go all beso-beso with them,
either. It fell to me to explain to G that the main reason we were in
Iloilo was so Ma could bond with Tiyay Tita, and that her side of the
family had already made plans for our day. I said they were welcome to
carry Daddy off - since visiting family is what people do when they're in
the home province anyway. They seemed to take it well - Dad's family is
well aware of Ma's attitude, but they keep trying to get on her good side
anyway. Don't think it's ever going to happen, though; between her own
issues and the time one of the cousins nearly killed me by locking me in a
traveling trunk when I was six years old, in our current home - no, I
really don't think so.
So that crisis out of the way, it was time for breakfast. It wasn't a
spectacular breakfast, but it was a very delicious one. As usual, acted
as waiter for Ma before settling down to my own food. Then upstairs, to
do the washroom stuff. Dad's relatives arrived, and I was willing enough
to go down with Dad, but Ma wouldn't let me, so Dad brought his relations
up - as I told Ma that he would - and Ma had to make nice with them after
all. *shrug*
After Dad had gone, sent an SMS to Cousin Heidi that we were ready to be
picked-up any time they were ready; went down to the lobby to wait.
Cousin Mati fetched us in her car, brought us to Tiyay's house, where we
switched over to the family minibus. Tiyay was a bit fussy yet, so we
were taken on a quick city tour, with a look at the outside of SM Iloilo
and the Eastwood-like land development beside it. There's this huge new
mall going up, owned by the local DZMM/Bombo Radyo. There are at least
three new boutique hotels in operation. Apparently city ordinance says
that buildings can't go higher than six or eight stories? So when you're
on the top of a highway flyover, you have a wonderful 360-degree vista of
the city proper up until the sea.
Stopped at one of the local malls to buy the pasalubong/take-home gifts.
Butterscotch, of course. Cousin Mati introduced me to some of her favorite
sweets like peanut mazapan, pineapple and mango tartlets. Then the
Panaderia de Molo stall for everything that's best about Iloilo desserts:
rosquetas, barquillos, GALLETAS, HOJALDRES (my enduring favorite),
biscocho principe (you will never want another biscocho again after
these). Hojaldres look like palmier biscuits, only they are so thin and
light that just breathing on them makes them fall apart. Lightly sugared,
great with coffee...YUM.
Back to Tiyay's house to pick up Elna the PA, Cousin Heidi, and Tiyay.
Then it was off to Tatoy's for more of that wonderful, wonderful
fresh-cooked, truly fresh seafood (I'm talking about fish caught that very
morning just off shore). One of the best lunches ever. We were joined by
Mati's son Chino, a very personable young man who just started his Nursing
course. Good on him.
Then we embarked on a little sightseeing tour, beginning with Molo Church,
to say prayers and take quick evidentiary photos. Second stop was Jaro
Cathedral - more prayers and evidentiary photos. Trivia: All the saints
on display in Molo Church are women, guarded by St. Michael Archangel and
St. Rafael at the church foyer. All the saints on display in Jaro
Cathedral are those of the apostles - all men. Upon learning about this,
Ma goes, "Even the saints they separate by the sexes? What, are they
afraid the statues will have too much fun if they're together?" LOL!
After the church and another swing around the other side of the city
(where cousins pointed out the building owned by the wife of their elder
brother, being used as a mall), we were dropped off at the hotel to rest
up for the big family dinner, where all the cousins and their kids were to
represent. It was while we were in the room that I asked the front desk
about the room service massage. They connected me to the spa, where they
said one hour was a mere Php400...of course I booked an appointment, and
it was heaven getting all the toxicity released from my system. The
therapist even gave Ma a free 10-minute head massage, for which I gave the
therapist an extra-large tip for her troubles, the sweet thing.
Easy to see why retired expats love it here: between the legendary
lambingan character of the southern people, the cost of living is
amazingly low if you're getting a dollar pension. Hotel's five-course
buffet is a mere Php288++, ho yeah.
Dad came back while Ma was having her head massage, with more of his
relatives in tow. Thankfully, since Ma was in bliss, the relatives opted
to leave quietly, thus sparing Ma having to make nice yet a second time.
So the parents were able to have a rest until about six, when we freshened
up and Ma promptly scared me out of my wits by going "thud" onto to the
floor. She was aiming to sit on the edge of the bed, but underestimated
the distance, so when she sat down, she slid against the edge of the bed
and landed on the floor. OY!
So while Dad was about to start swearing, his default mode, I rescued Ma
from the floor (thankfully a carpeted floor!), got her on the bed, asked
if she was all right, and she gave me this look like a five-year-old
caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Awwww. So she was ok, her hip
was ok, I was ok. Dad not quite ok at first, but normalized later. *grin*
(cut to bring Dad to the bank so he could re-PIN his new ATM card)
We were picked up by the minibus, and it was a full house: Elna the PA, Ma, Tiyay, Dad, Cousin Mati, me, Cousin Heidi. Chinese dinner this time, and we were met at the ground floor of the restaurant by Cousin Bing's kids - five out of the six, waiting on their mom and elder sister. Good Lord, but they are a bevy of lovely girls - and now the second eldest is engaged to be married, she introduced the young man to us and I must say I liked what I saw. Easy enough to like when it's clear that they suit, which is what matters most. Ma was totally swarmed over, and we were sent up in state via elevator while all the young 'uns took the stairs.
Once we were settled at our table, there were introductions. Lots and lots of introductions. Now, my tita has six kids. So for my own sense of clarity, here they are:
Marian/Bing and husband Jun = six girls, all nicknamed after something sweet. Sweetie, the eldest, now Mrs. Dignadice, is now preggers with first child after 4.5yrs of trying. She and hubby have taken the opportunity to move to Vancouver, Canada - she has promised to Facebook. *grin*
Ricoy and wife Grace = three kids, the youngest of which is a young man of such adorableness that matrons and gays will line up to shake his hand once he moves to Manila to work, you see if they don't. He is CUTE.
Heidi and husband Ramon = three kids
Gigi and husband Bernard = two girls. Not present because they had the opportunity to migrate to New Zealand.
Matilde/Matilde = one son, the aforementioned Chino. She is the family member with certain marital issues best expressed in that phrase, "It's complicated." However, Chino is growing up a fine young man despite the issues, which shows that Mati is dealing quite well, and this is a good thing.
Jesry and wife Jinky = three kids. Jesry was off on some mayoral thing in Las Vegas (!?) and sent long-distance SMS regards. Yay modern technology! His youngest son looks exactly like him at the same age, though more quiet.
The kids were given their own table, while we elders had another table. Discovered that I still do not like one of the cousin-in-laws all that much, but managed to carry off the night anyway. The food was wonderful, would like to do it again sometime.
A short night tour around the city, then back to the hotel for unwinding, packing bags, and bed.
At some point in time I will get around to writing about our last hours in Iloilo and the arrival home, but don't hold your breath waiting for that story.