MACAU-HK VACAY P5

We now come to the final stage of our three-day experience in the country of Macau...

An uphill road leading to one of the famous landmarks this small country has to offer.

The Ruins of St. Paul the Apostle Church. A stone church facade is all that was left caused by a great fire more than a century ago. The site was breathtaking. After climbing the 66 stone steps leading up to the landmark a path worth taking. There is also a small museum at the back where  relics of the ruined but historical church are showcased.

After our mini-tour at the ruins, we went on to mangle on free food samples along the streets, grabbed some warm coffee form Starbucks and finally, bought our "pasalubongs" for our loved-ones back home. Just a few freshening up and we headed straight back to the airport, said our heartfelt goodbyes to Karesse and boarded our plane homeward bound.

THANK YOU, MACAU AND HONGKONG!!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

JOANNE'S WEDDING

On the 12th of November, 2011, another one of the beautiful daughters of Francis and Nhena Amorin got married at the Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Maysan, Valenzuela. The eldset of five children, Joanne was swept away by the love of Niño Tan and finally decided to tie the knot after being engaged for years.

It was a very happy moment for the Amorin family and it was such an honor that MSC was chosen to be a part of it. Preparations were done by MSC months before this big event and thankfully, the group managed to fulfill its duties by singing successfully on that wedding day same as when Heidy "Badek" Amorin, sister of the bride got married to Marvin Patawaran a few years ago.  

A shy but very beautiful Joanne emerged from the big gates of the church accompanied by her loving sister and Maid of Honor Annalyn and the her parents a well while the groom, in his elegant suit awaits to meet her at the altar.

I was truly amazed by the efforts of my choir to have dressed to the nines that day. For a moment there I thought that the MSC could truly pull off being a respectable and well-mannered group (ahaha!). Even the guys dressed up nicely that day inspite of the extreme afternoon heat experienced by all of us at church. 

The wedding reception was the the Light of Love Events Place somewhere in E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City. The place was like a giant garden with a building at the center that could probably hold 5 to 10 different events all at the same time. The trees surrounding the place were filled with lights that looked like fireflies when viewed from afar. It was magical and nothing short of amazing! 

The function room chosen to hold the now Mr. and Mrs. Niño Tan was cozy and not that big, just enough  to accommodate a few chosen loved ones including us, of course! The food was great, as always. The guests can freely go outside to enjoy the surroundings and the other things the couple's family has set up for us like the photobooth and the mobile bar! 

  

(Do you think they with soon get married as well? Ask Tito Francis about it!)

 

CONGRATULATIONS JOANNE AND NIÑO!!!

CHEERS!!!

SPOTTED: COCOY AND FAMILY IN TAGAYTAY



Found on facebook!

A nice weekend lunch with the family in one of the famous tourist destinations in the southern part of Luzon... Tagaytay! The photo deserves to be published here!

SPOTTED: GUESS WHO'S IN BORA THIS YEAR'S HOLY WEEK??

Yes! This may look like a mysterious paparazzi shot but it's certainly obvious who these people are! Cocoy, Mackoy and Millette went on an all out summer extravaganza in the island of Boracay on 22-April, 2011. It was a 3-day stay and according to Cocoy, it was certainly one for the books! Everyone had a great time...

I think the flying fish experience had a lot to do with it! (ahaha!)

I still have high hopes that one day, MSC will get to walk along the shores of Bora together in one heck of a trip!     

COCOY'S BIRHDAY CELEBRATION (HOME VERSION)

A year in the Amorin household would not be complete without a celebration of the birthday of their star in the family, Cocoy! 

On 25-February, MSC was once again invited to partake on the celebration of Cocoy's birthday at their home in Parada, Valenzuela with her family and close friends from work. Of course, as always, there was an abundance of food prepared by Cocoy's loving mom, Tita Nhena. Her siblings, Badek (and husband, Marvin) , Milette (ALTO) and Tony were also present taking turns on the karaoke machine.  

It is always fun being at Cocoy's place and having their family around. They make you feel at home in no time! You could really feel how much they love and respect each other in their own unique way. And it happens all year round, not just during birthdays.

CHEERS!!! 

    

SPOTTED: MACKOY, COCOY AND MILETTE @ THE HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL, CLARK PAMPANGA

On 13-February, 2011, Cocoy, Mackoy and Milette, together with their family went up north to Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga to witness the 16th Hot Air Balloon Festival and Air show. This rare event runs for four days. So the family made sure that they would get the opportunity to be there.

Anything with involves flying was there! Kite flying, paragliding, aerobatic air show, the works! There were also things and displays that educate the guests on the history of flying and travelling by air. Opportunities to get a hitch on the gondola of a fully inflated hot air balloon were also offered but with a highly expensive rate! So better save up for the next airshow to experience this rare feat, guys!   

ADIE AND COCOY'S BIRTHDAY BASH 2011

MSC's February Birthday Bashers, Cocoy and Adie had their COMBINED celebration at Mr. T's Inasal along McArthur highway on the evening of 13-Feb, 2011.

Kuya Arnel, Ryan and I arrived a bit late at the venue. Our assigned table was already packed with an overwhelming array of food that Adie took the liberty of ordering for all of us! The other celebrant, Cocoy, had prior engagements that she arrived a bit late that night. There was Chicken Inasal (of course!), Kare-kare, BBQ Liempo, sisig among others! 

  

It was a party well attended by both the younglings and the elders of the group. I was so pleased seeing my group once again happy and at ease with one another, sharing dinner in that one long table. These are definitely those  moments that keep MSC's fire burning!  

CHEERS TO ADIE AND COCOY!

CONGRATULATIONS FOR A VERY NICE AND MEMORABLE PARTY!!!

RAZON'S HALO-HALO REVISITED

MSC had a very nice rehearsal session today. We started tackling the SATB a capella piece of the song "The Prayer". It has been on for two weeks now and we haven't finished it. But as part of my New Year's resolution, I wanted to slow things down a bit and give the group some slack. I want them to feel relaxed during practices and not feeling harassed nor pressured to learn everything in one meeting.

But enough of the technical, choir stuff.

After rehearsals, a few of us went out to treat ourselves for some cool and sweet comfort food. Halo-halo! We went to Razon's Restaurant along McArthur Highway. This is a place famous for its Halo-halo desserts and Pancit Palabok. Dinuguan and puto, Caldereta, Lumpiang Sariwa and Halo-halo were on the table and we happily devoured them all. We would have invited the whole MSC present at the practice to come with us but we won't fit in just one car. Sadly, I couldn't drive for I had a very big hang-over from last night's party with friends.   

After a very satisfying meal, with the sting of the extra spicy Beef Caldereta dish I ordered that I still feel in my mouth, we decided on a side-trip to SM Valenzuela to buy some personal stuff. It would have been a swift visit to SM if only for the long cue to the cash register.  

I had a very  nice weekend. Enough to get me through the coming week.  

DOUBLE CELEBRATION

These two drop-dead gorgeous ladies will be celebrating their birthdays together sometime this month. Glady, who celebrates her birthday today, February 4 and Cocoy on the 25th. 

Looking forward for a sumptuous feast with you, guys soon! Im sure it will be memorable.

THE MSC CHRISTMAS PARTY 2010 - PART 5

The Maysan Senior Choir, under the leadership of two exceptional individuals, Annalyn (Alto) and Mark (Tenor)  has finally come to a close. Sad, but full of high hopes for future positive achievements for the group under the new reign.

Then came the last segment of the party. The election of the MSC President and Vice President for 2011 and 2012.

Yes, it is a two-year term. This rule started during Tita Lulu's (Soprano) term a few years back when the group was on the brink of devastation and we had no choice but to retain and rely on her leadership in order to survive. Fortunately, we did!... and with flying colors!  

I may not call this a formal election because all of us knew who the next officers would be, thanks to my overly terrifying convincing skills. But honestly, I really wanted these people to win because I truly believe in them. And I'm sure the group will be in good hands.

The people I'm talking about are Jaypee (Bass) and Glady (Alto).

Jaypee was at the top of my list for president since the summer of 2010. I realized how hardworking he is! When we were in Bataan, he was truly a leader and a very industrious one at that! I just hope he will be able to cope up with the group's schedules and his present employment at Crown Plaza Hotel. Free accommodations everyone! (joke) 

Glady on the other hand is also very responsible. She makes time to attend meetings with the Parish Council and never fails to give updates to her co-members in spite of her busy schedule as a company nurse. I also saw the "leader" in her for all her help as an aide to then President, Annalyn in calling out members to attend mass and rehearsals. 

Like I said, I am very hopeful and happy that the choir could move on again with a new ray of light leading towards the group's path to further greatness.

Congratulations, Jaypee and Glady.

Thank you very much, Cocoy and Mackoy!

☺   

MSC ALL DAY, ALL THE WAY

My long day with MSC started at 3AM when I was awaken by my cellphone alarm followed by a call from Cocoy, MSC President telling me to rise up from bed and get dressed for "Simbang Gabi". With an ample amount of an hour at hand, I moved quickly as I could to make it on time before the start of our "two-tier" mass services of the day. I went out still dark and the sun hasn't even shown the very tips of its rays.

We had two, tiring consecutive Mass services that day and some of us, including me were still sleepy and hungry after finishing the second service. Since it was still early and we doubted that our favorite resto/hangout (Hilario's Sizzlers) was still not open for business yet, we opted to go for a brief joyride to a nearby 24-hour eatery called Glyca's just across SM Valenzuela, along McArthur Highway, where they serve noodles, beef and fried rice. The perfect "pick-me-up"!

Then, the pack went back to my place for our weekly rehearsals followed by a short briefing about our upcoming Christmas Party and exchange-gifts activity. While meeting was still in effect, some of us are already starting to whisper amongst each other about an imminent visit to Greenhills for some shopping for gifts and a Buffet Dinner that will follow after...    

Cocoy, Mark, Oyet and I instantly signed in! It was a perfect opportunity for me to finish off my christmas chores to buy gifts for my godchildren at very reasonable prices! There were so many shoppers in Greenhills that day that you just rely on the steady stream of people to get you from point A to B. All the alleyways were packed! Lucky for us, we had only a few things to buy. But still, it was quite exhausting. A quick snack at Krispy Kreme for a little glycogen reload helped in boosting up our energy enough to get us out from this vast mob of shoppers. Glady followed and met us at Krispy Kreme.

After Greenhills, we headed straight to Saisaki Restaurant in Quezon City for our Ultimate Buffet Dinner.   

 (Japanese themed plate for Tito Oyet)

 (Mackoy, going for another helping of ice cream.)

My tummy felt like it would burst anytime but I'm pretty sure my companions felt the same way too. We spent almost two hours of eating, non-stop! The only break we get were quick trips to the bathroom and back to the bufftet area to get some more food! I had a good plate filled with my favorite Kare-kare and the other meals almost didn't matter to me anymore. My co-foodtrippers opted for fruits, Japanese food and sweets. 

It was such a tiring yet fun and gastronomic! And I would certainly do it all over again with them next time.☺