My Eventful 22nd Birthday
Yesterday, in anticipation of my twenty-second birthday, my good high school friends Jan (janbunag) and Ys (waterbaby13), and I spent the day together in what would be and ended up being a packed and fulfilling day. This eventful anticipated birthday celebration can be divided into four parts, the two latter parts more in relation to the twenty-second anniversary of the first EDSA Revolution, which coincidentally or by some cosmic plan or twist of fate preceded the date of my birth by just one day. After posting my lengthy entry regarding EDSA I, I headed to Makati Supermart, the sole grocery store/supermarket in Alabang Town Center. There I met Jan and Ys and we headed straight to the food section to buy our ingredients for the homemade birthday lunch. We had decided, instead of dining in a restaurant, to cook a meal ourselves and still get to enjoy each other's company, not just with food, but also with preparing the food. With the generous help of Ys' helper Ate Cleo, we were able to concoct a successful (and tasteful and filling) full-course meal. We actually rushed our consumption of the meal because we were already running late for the Mass for Truth and Accountability at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, better known as the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran. After the peaceful mass followed by brief speeches from Former President Corazon Aquino and NBN-ZTE deal star witness Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada, Jr. (and even sightings of Ces Drilon and Gina de Venecia), we headed to Ateneo de Manila University (after a stopover at Jollibee on sophisticatedly named 32nd Street in Taguig). We showed up at the humbly-attended Concert for Truth, Accountability and Reform at Gate 2.5 of Ateneo. Following are the pictures from that long yet enjoyable and memorable day.
Ys, Jan, and I outside Redemptorist Church in Baclaran after the Mass for Truth and Accountability
many thanks to Ys' family friend Sari Bernardo for taking this picture amidst all the action that was going on in that place
My Anticipated Twenty-Second Birthday Celebration
Ys, Jan, and Yours Truly
Makati Supermart, Sison residence, Redemptorist Church, Ateneo de Manila University Gate 2.5
Monday, 25th February 2008Part 1
Grocery Shopping
for Libby's birthday lunch
It's Grocery Time!
Ys and Jan pick lettuce from the vegetables section.
Kesong Puti
left photo: Jan looks at the kesong puti. + right photo: Ys looks at Jan to be enlightened about the freshness of the kesong puti.
The Canned Goods Section
leftmost photo: Jan checks out the Campbell's mushroom soup.
middle and rightmost photos: Jan with the canned Del Monte pineapple juice.
The Grocery Shoppers
leftmost photo: Jan and Ys. + middle photo: Jan and I.
rightmost photo: I and Jan, after buying our bread from Delifrance.
Part 2
The Birthday Meal
prepared by Ys, Jan, and Libby with the assistance of Ate Cleo and Ys' other helpers
At the Sison Residence
left photo: Arriving at 38 Hollywood Park. + right photo: Ys' veteran dogs Shadow and Pam. Lovely-looking animals, but the brown one bites!
Food Preparations
left photo: I and Cleo at the lettuce while Jan peels a tomato. + right photo: I working the cheese with Ys' sophisticated cheese grater!
Libby and Ys at the Kitchen
I was peeling the eggplants.
Jan
frying the eggplants.
Our Productive Cooks
leftmost photo: Ys with the cheese grater. + middle photo: Jan putting eggplants into the frying pan. + rightmost photo: Jan frying the eggplants.
Our Productive Cooks II
Ys cooking the tomatoes and Jan the eggplants.
Pre-Oven Bread
The garlic bread before being placed in the oven.
The Cooked Vegetables
leftmost photo: Cooking tomatoes. + middle and rightmost photos: The semi-fried eggplants.
Campbell's
Cream of Mushroom Soup
The Simple Crepe
Ys and Jan prepare this crepe.
Melting Butter
on a frying pan.
Basil and Parsley
The green stuff that will go on top of the layers of the parmigiana.
The Grated Cheese
along with the basil/parsley, eggplants, tomatoes, and cottage cheese.
Layering the Parmigiana
leftmost photo: Lib layers the tomatoes while Jan looks on. + middle photo: The tomatoes on the first layer. + rightmost photo: Adding the grated cheese.
The Pre-Oven Parmigiana
The Eggplant Parmigiana prior to being baked.
Our Table
leftmost photo: Ys already setting the table. + rightmost photo: The salad is the first to be on the table.
The Semi-Greek/Mediterranean Style Salad
Kesong Puti instead of Feta Cheese.
The Kitchen Series
Ys and Jan in the kitchen.
The Kitchen Series II
Ys and Jan in the kitchen still.
Post-Oven Goods
left photo: The eggplant parmigiana hot and fresh from the oven. We called this our parmigiana for truth! + right photo: The baked garlic bread.
Food Ready on the Table
The cream of mushroom soup, garlic bread, eggplant parmigiana, and tomato-and-lettuce salad all set out on the table, ready to be eaten.
Ys Makes the Final Preparations for the Crepe
She opens a can of peaches then places the peaches on crepes on a little plate each.
The Crepes
with the peaches.
Success!
Libby, Ys, and Jan have made a full-course meal. =) Thanks to Ys' dad, tito Jun, for taking these pictures.
My Food from My Side of the Table
My starter, the cream of mushroom soup.
My Food from My Side of the Table II
An appetiser, the salad. There you see too my glass of pineapple juice, which we also prepared.
Lastly,
my dessert: The peaches on crepe with mint chocolate chip and pistachio ice cream.
rightmost photo: The table with our empty plates, consumed garlic bread, and largely devoured eggplant parmigiana.
Part 3
Attending the Mass, EDSA I rite #1
Mass for Truth and Accountability at Redemptorist Church in Baclaran
Arriving at the Redemptorist Church
left photo: The exterior of the church. + right photo: We arrived late so we joined the many people standing outside. There is Jan's head.
All the People Outside
leftmost photo: The event was covered by media so present was a large video camera. In that picture is a media personnel sitting on top of a short ladder. + middle photo: The people standing outside look at the TV to see what is happening inside. + rightmost photo: People of all ages came. Even kids were there, most likely brought by their parents.
The Post-Mass Commotionleftmost photo: The event had just ended and the people inside were coming out. Little did we know that we were standing in the way of where Jun Lozada would be passing after he exited the church. So we were swept up in what Jan called the "wave." It was pretty intense as we were suddenly sandwiched in between so many people and there was little breathing space. All I caught on camera were the rush of people clamoring around Lozada who himself was surrounded by his many escorts (including nuns, mind you), a huge camera being held up by a media personnel, and someone (probably a reporter) holding her notebook.
middle photo: Ys' feet were victimised by the unexpected wave. Her feet were covered in dirt and one of her slippers was broken.
rightmost photo: Large TV networks like GMA were there.
Part 4
Attending a Concert, EDSA I rite #2
Concert for Truth, Accountability and Reform at AdMU Gate 2.5
The Look of Katipunan That Night
Team RP had hung a large banner from a flyover which prompted all the cars passing by to blow their horn. The sign said, "Blow Your Horn! For Truth, Accountability and Reform." Also, on the side of the street, were people with candles.
More Shots of That Blow-Your-Horn Scene
Practically all the cars passing by were blowing their horn. Testimony to how all Filipinos (at least those in the metro) want truth to come out and change to be made.
Concert Site Scenes
left photo: a blurry picture of a TV reporter looking over his lines/notes/whatever before speaking in front of the camera. + right photo: The humble gathering in front of the mini stage.
The Concert Hosts Start off the Night
People with Candles Are Gathered around As the Hosts Speak
In the left photo is my candle.
The Second Band That Played
Formula Juan.
Formula Juan
and the candlelit audience.
Noel Cabangon
who sang and invited everyone to sing with him "Pilipinas Kong Mahal."
A Young Boy
attends the concert.
That's about it for what happened that day. I've already cited in my two previous blogs my stand on the current political situation in the country. How timely it is that all these scandals and controversies are gaining attention right around the twenty-second anniversary of the first time in contemporary time the Filipinos united for one cause. Yesterday, I really felt that the Filipinos, at least those in the metro, were uniting for something, despite how the people were being split by the different EDSA I rites. The spirit that day made me wish I was there to witness EDSA I. Today's headline reads 'People power is alive.' I may appear cynical or even pessimistic, but I do still believe that there is hope for this nation. Yesterday could be a good start. Belated happy 22nd anniversay, EDSA I and happy 22nd birthday to me.
Ys, Jan, and I outside Redemptorist Church in Baclaran after the Mass for Truth and Accountability
many thanks to Ys' family friend Sari Bernardo for taking this picture amidst all the action that was going on in that place
My Anticipated Twenty-Second Birthday Celebration
Ys, Jan, and Yours Truly
Makati Supermart, Sison residence, Redemptorist Church, Ateneo de Manila University Gate 2.5
Monday, 25th February 2008Part 1
Grocery Shopping
for Libby's birthday lunch
It's Grocery Time!
Ys and Jan pick lettuce from the vegetables section.
Kesong Puti
left photo: Jan looks at the kesong puti. + right photo: Ys looks at Jan to be enlightened about the freshness of the kesong puti.
The Canned Goods Section
leftmost photo: Jan checks out the Campbell's mushroom soup.
middle and rightmost photos: Jan with the canned Del Monte pineapple juice.
The Grocery Shoppers
leftmost photo: Jan and Ys. + middle photo: Jan and I.
rightmost photo: I and Jan, after buying our bread from Delifrance.
Part 2
The Birthday Meal
prepared by Ys, Jan, and Libby with the assistance of Ate Cleo and Ys' other helpers
At the Sison Residence
left photo: Arriving at 38 Hollywood Park. + right photo: Ys' veteran dogs Shadow and Pam. Lovely-looking animals, but the brown one bites!
Food Preparations
left photo: I and Cleo at the lettuce while Jan peels a tomato. + right photo: I working the cheese with Ys' sophisticated cheese grater!
Libby and Ys at the Kitchen
I was peeling the eggplants.
Jan
frying the eggplants.
Our Productive Cooks
leftmost photo: Ys with the cheese grater. + middle photo: Jan putting eggplants into the frying pan. + rightmost photo: Jan frying the eggplants.
Our Productive Cooks II
Ys cooking the tomatoes and Jan the eggplants.
Pre-Oven Bread
The garlic bread before being placed in the oven.
The Cooked Vegetables
leftmost photo: Cooking tomatoes. + middle and rightmost photos: The semi-fried eggplants.
Campbell's
Cream of Mushroom Soup
The Simple Crepe
Ys and Jan prepare this crepe.
Melting Butter
on a frying pan.
Basil and Parsley
The green stuff that will go on top of the layers of the parmigiana.
The Grated Cheese
along with the basil/parsley, eggplants, tomatoes, and cottage cheese.
Layering the Parmigiana
leftmost photo: Lib layers the tomatoes while Jan looks on. + middle photo: The tomatoes on the first layer. + rightmost photo: Adding the grated cheese.
The Pre-Oven Parmigiana
The Eggplant Parmigiana prior to being baked.
Our Table
leftmost photo: Ys already setting the table. + rightmost photo: The salad is the first to be on the table.
The Semi-Greek/Mediterranean Style Salad
Kesong Puti instead of Feta Cheese.
The Kitchen Series
Ys and Jan in the kitchen.
The Kitchen Series II
Ys and Jan in the kitchen still.
Post-Oven Goods
left photo: The eggplant parmigiana hot and fresh from the oven. We called this our parmigiana for truth! + right photo: The baked garlic bread.
Food Ready on the Table
The cream of mushroom soup, garlic bread, eggplant parmigiana, and tomato-and-lettuce salad all set out on the table, ready to be eaten.
Ys Makes the Final Preparations for the Crepe
She opens a can of peaches then places the peaches on crepes on a little plate each.
The Crepes
with the peaches.
Success!
Libby, Ys, and Jan have made a full-course meal. =) Thanks to Ys' dad, tito Jun, for taking these pictures.
My Food from My Side of the Table
My starter, the cream of mushroom soup.
My Food from My Side of the Table II
An appetiser, the salad. There you see too my glass of pineapple juice, which we also prepared.
Lastly,
my dessert: The peaches on crepe with mint chocolate chip and pistachio ice cream.
rightmost photo: The table with our empty plates, consumed garlic bread, and largely devoured eggplant parmigiana.
Part 3
Attending the Mass, EDSA I rite #1
Mass for Truth and Accountability at Redemptorist Church in Baclaran
Arriving at the Redemptorist Church
left photo: The exterior of the church. + right photo: We arrived late so we joined the many people standing outside. There is Jan's head.
All the People Outside
leftmost photo: The event was covered by media so present was a large video camera. In that picture is a media personnel sitting on top of a short ladder. + middle photo: The people standing outside look at the TV to see what is happening inside. + rightmost photo: People of all ages came. Even kids were there, most likely brought by their parents.
The Post-Mass Commotionleftmost photo: The event had just ended and the people inside were coming out. Little did we know that we were standing in the way of where Jun Lozada would be passing after he exited the church. So we were swept up in what Jan called the "wave." It was pretty intense as we were suddenly sandwiched in between so many people and there was little breathing space. All I caught on camera were the rush of people clamoring around Lozada who himself was surrounded by his many escorts (including nuns, mind you), a huge camera being held up by a media personnel, and someone (probably a reporter) holding her notebook.
middle photo: Ys' feet were victimised by the unexpected wave. Her feet were covered in dirt and one of her slippers was broken.
rightmost photo: Large TV networks like GMA were there.
Part 4
Attending a Concert, EDSA I rite #2
Concert for Truth, Accountability and Reform at AdMU Gate 2.5
The Look of Katipunan That Night
Team RP had hung a large banner from a flyover which prompted all the cars passing by to blow their horn. The sign said, "Blow Your Horn! For Truth, Accountability and Reform." Also, on the side of the street, were people with candles.
More Shots of That Blow-Your-Horn Scene
Practically all the cars passing by were blowing their horn. Testimony to how all Filipinos (at least those in the metro) want truth to come out and change to be made.
Concert Site Scenes
left photo: a blurry picture of a TV reporter looking over his lines/notes/whatever before speaking in front of the camera. + right photo: The humble gathering in front of the mini stage.
The Concert Hosts Start off the Night
People with Candles Are Gathered around As the Hosts Speak
In the left photo is my candle.
The Second Band That Played
Formula Juan.
Formula Juan
and the candlelit audience.
Noel Cabangon
who sang and invited everyone to sing with him "Pilipinas Kong Mahal."
A Young Boy
attends the concert.
That's about it for what happened that day. I've already cited in my two previous blogs my stand on the current political situation in the country. How timely it is that all these scandals and controversies are gaining attention right around the twenty-second anniversary of the first time in contemporary time the Filipinos united for one cause. Yesterday, I really felt that the Filipinos, at least those in the metro, were uniting for something, despite how the people were being split by the different EDSA I rites. The spirit that day made me wish I was there to witness EDSA I. Today's headline reads 'People power is alive.' I may appear cynical or even pessimistic, but I do still believe that there is hope for this nation. Yesterday could be a good start. Belated happy 22nd anniversay, EDSA I and happy 22nd birthday to me.