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!

MACAU-HK VACAY P4

Ahh... The Venetian Hotel.

Where decadence is present everywhere you set your eyes upon. This Hotel is located at the heart of Taipa, Macau and it is  just a brief bus ride away from the airport. This is where Karesse is currently employed as a singer/ gondolier.

Fact: This hotel is the biggest single structure building in Asia, 40-storeys high comprising 3,000 suites (imagine that!) and boasts for the most number of Filipino Gondoliers in the world!

The main "visual" attraction of the hotel is the portion of it showcasing a little glimpse of Venice, Italy.  Hence the name, "The Venetian", It never fails to serve as a "come on" for tourists and natives alike.

Located deep within this massive structure is an indoor river where gondolas cruise around and gondoliers sing beautifully for passengers and on-lookers on the sides of the river. The river is surrounded by facades mimicking the ones in Venice. Although I haven't actually been in Venice. (ahaha!)

There is also a vast casino on the ground floor! Unfortunately, we cannot take pictures of it. One other unique feature of the hotel was the curved escalator which was the first in Asia.

The lobby was indeed an epitome of opulence! The murals spread arcoss the ceilings like paintings of Michael Angelo with a modern twist. The Venetian Hotel experience is one which I'll be remembering for years to come. 

MACAU-HK VACAY P3

At last, we arrived at Disneyland! Where most of us, as kids would only dream of getting to see it first-hand! Well this is the day. Actually, this is already my second time. But I still share the same level of excitement and happiness my first time companions had by just being in front of its majestic gates. 

The Sleeping Beauty Castle was as breathtaking as the first time I saw it. You could instantly be driven out of the normal world and led into a magical place where all "fairytale" dreams could come true. Our pack didn't waste any more time and immediately took souvenir photos of it at all angles and poses one could ever come up with!  

The parade entitled "Flights of Fantasy" is new to me. There were new attractions that were truly eye-candy. People doing acrobatics on the floats and new characters  were introduced! Of course, the FILIPINOS work for Disney were usually the ones leading the parade. I couldn't help but shout "mabuhay" whenever I see my kababayans trying their best to please the crowd! And they would always shout back: "Mabuhay ang Pinoy!" I could still remember Annalyn, whispering to me while watching the parade, "Iba talaga and Pinoy"...

The majority of workers and performers at HK Disneyland are Filipinos. And I couldn't help but feel ultimately proud of the fact that a country as progressive as HK could not manufacture such raw talent that could only be found in the Philippines.

continued...

MACAU-HK VACAY P2

All were excited the next day. We were bound to HK aboard a Ferry! It wasn't entirely enjoying because I was never fond of travelling on water. So we had to force ourselves to sleep while in the sea... 

The climate in Hong Kong was as cold as Macau's and very nice to walk while breathing in the occassional cold breeze. Once again, I have gotten to walk through the busy streets of this bustling country.

At lunch time, our choice of resto was at the Cafe de Coral. It is famous for its authentic Chinese food served in a contemporary way at reasonable prices. They were famous for their Hong Kong stlye baked pork chop that was unfortunately unavailbale when we were there. But certainly, the other food on the menu were just as great!

After lunch, we had to walk to the train station for Disneyland! I could almost taste the excitement as the last train to Disneyland arrived at the station. We immediately took pictures on the train and had a great time enjoying the view along the way.  

  

More to come...

MACAU-HK VACAY P1

A few months ago, there was an airline promo posted on the internet about a very reasonable deal to get to go to Macau and back. Of course the travel-hungry members of MSC immediately grabbed the deal and set on a journey to a strange land to get some well deserved R and R!

Annalyn, Mackoy, Oyet, Joy,  Glady and her family and I signed up for the journey immediately! It was a three-day vacay which also is intended to visit our very own Karesse that is currently working as a singer in a well-known hotel in Macau, The Venetian.  

Flight was at 7:30PM at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga. We arrived at the Macau Airport an hour and a half later and was warmly greeted by our Host, Karesse who enthusiastically invited us all for a welcome dinner at her apartment.

After a sumptuous dinner, we headed to the famous casinos and some tried their luck on the gambling tables in which Macau is famous for. As we stolled down the streets of Macau, I couldn't help but appreciate the cold climate of the night which one could never go out without a coat or a jacket.  

We managed to convince Karesse to stay at our hotel so that we could all be together the earliest to set off for Hong Kong the next day... Disneyland, baby!!!

THE LOSS OF A MATRIARCH

Just a few days after New Year, while all the people in this country are still in their holiday hangovers, the Matriarch of the Que family left to reunite with her creator. I am talking of Mrs. Ester Payumo Macam also known as Nanay Ester or simply "Nanay" to close friends of the Macam-Que Family. 

(Nanay Ester with granddaughter Ikang) 

Nanay lived a full life. She wasn't at all a perfect mother. But the results of her hard labor and dedication to her family paid off by just looking at the outcome of how her nine children have grown to be such good, kind and compassionate people. She was never selfish and always ready to help and show her love to her children and the others that love her.

In these times of mourning, We pray for the Que-Macam Family to be strong to face the difficulty of coping with the loss of a very important loved-one. But as consolation, we must also remember that the Lord has already taken away all the hurt Nanay was feeling during her times of affliction. And she will forever be in the midst of glory in heaven.

Nanay, you will surely be missed... 

JANUARY BREAK AGAIN?

I found out recently that the choir won't be serving, again this month at the OLHRP church! Disappointing but then, it will also be a perfect opportunity for the members to have fellowship to deepen the relationships with one another.

Furthermore, i am more concerned of the trainings that we will be able to do since we have all the time in the world this month.

Just the same... what a way to start the year.....

MSC CHRISTMAS PARTY 2011

December 28, 2011 was the chosen date for this year's MSC christmas party. Our very industrious officers did a great job in organizing the games and food that were served at our feast! Thanks to some other generous members, there are other additions on the menu this year! 

Okay... the party wasn't at all as extravagant as last year, but at least the group enjoyed the event. The creativity of the organizers manifested during the games that were really witty and at times hilarious!  

There was also an opportunity for the members, both elders and the younglings to open up and voice out their thoughts on how we can further improve the group's dedication to service. I very much appreciated the younglings that found their voice and the courage to speak out.  We have many plans this year, plans to level up the voice training and activities to avoid losing the momentum but not burning out the members. Hopefully all will work out fine.

I am very optimistic about this year's outcome. With the help of my fellow concerned members, I believe that we will further improve this 2012 and the years to come.  

    

MERRY CHRISTMAS

In spite of the many Christmas chores that I and my sister had gone through this year, not to mention my slight addiction to "TETRIS BATTLE" on Facebook, I will never pass off an opportunity to take the time out to throw out a special greeting to all the MSC's here and around the world...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

MAY WE ALL BE BLESSED ALWAYS!!! 

CHRISTMAS PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT

According to MSC President Jaypee and his Vice Glady, this year's Christmas Party is to be held on the 29th of December.

Like the past MSC Christmas Parties, it is usually held after Christmas day itself so each and every member would be able to attend their other Holiday Chores and take advantage of the free time without the group activities getting in their way. The group usually encourages each member to prioritize their families first rather than not being visible in their own homes during the holidays because of choir stuff.

The group usually understands and caters to all the members' concerns. 

Happy Holidays to y'all! and see you on the 29th!     

KARESSE IN MACAO

Seems to me that somebody is indeed having the time of her life in Macao, China!

Karesse works at the famous Venetian Hotel in Macao where she sings her heart out for tourists and clients of the hotel on a gondola which sails around an indoor river mimicking the town of Venice in Italy. Her dream job, realized!  

SIDE TRIP AT ETON CENTRIS

That same "Dampa" night, with still a lot of extra cash because the sumptuous meal we had was not very expensive at all, we decided to go on a night cap at Eton Centris at Quezon Avenue cor. EDSA. The coffee shop of choice was Coffee Bean. 

We spent a couple of moments there appreciating the Christmas Theme set up in that place before deciding to head home and call it a night. 

DAMPA NIGHT

Last 13th of December, MSC was supposed to have an extra rehearsal night at my place. But with the poor response of the members because of their erratic scheds and misled priorities (it happens), the elders of the group, AKA the "MACAO delegates" decided to just spend the night at a shanty resto/eatery located at Timog Avenue in Quezon City. 

The place can be very decieving. It may be dreary and relatively unglamorous but they serve great food! One of the reasons of going there in the first place was for their famous baked oysters. The oysters were simply topped with a generous helping of a mixture of butter, cheese and garlic that is so unexplainably to die for!!!

We actually ordered three platters of those and it was indeed a blockbuster!

It was a seafood extravaganza thus the title, "Dampa Night" right? The best part was that the price is very much affordable!

JUMP FOR JESUS

The Kerygma Feast of Valnzuela has been constantly growing in multitudes since its humble beginnings a few years back. People are starting to be enlightened of the many blessings and benefits a Christian could harvest in God's mighty kingdom.

In the spirit of the Christmas season, the builders of this community put up a Worship concert entitled "Jump for Jesus" that will be held on December 18 at SM Valenzuela Cinema 1 at 2:00 in the afternoon. Be prepared to be the "energizer bunny" on that day for it will be whole afternoon of music and worship  dedicated for the Lord!

MSC will be supporting the said event and will be singing during the Mass part preluding the concert proper. See you there!

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusts in Him and He helps me.

My heart JUMPS FOR JOY

and I will praise him with my song.

PSALM 28:7

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!!!