Dec 20: Godparenthood
Luis and I stayed at my parents' condominium in Makati City, one of the cities in that make up Metro Manila, the greater metropolitan area of the national capital of the Philippines. We used to have a house in Parañaque City, but we have since migrated to Makati, which is north of Parañaque. When I got older, my parents decided to downscale and move into a condominium and be closer to the commercial and business district.
Sunday Mass. For our first day in Manila, we managed to wake up bright and early. The itinerary was just to go to mass nearby, but I asked my parents if we could visit Lopez Village, the village where I grew up in Parañaque. So we decided to go to mass at the Lopez Village chapel, which is where I attended (and sometimes served at) Sunday mass for many years. It was also an opportunity for Luis to see my parents' boarding house.
From the boarding house, we walked to the chapel and Luis was amazed that our chapel had no walls. Because of the tropical climate, it often gets too hot. With a small chapel like ours, we couldn't afford air conditioners so it was essential to not have walls!
Anyway, we had a lovely service and ran into the family that bought our old house. They graciously invited us over so that I could see my old bedroom! So we all went over and I was amazed at how much it has changed and had not changed at the same time. They gave as a tour of the house and I got to tell Luis stories from childhood. I saw my old bedroom and learned that it may house the future "first Filipino pope" (that's one of the kids ambitions)! They fed us homemade suman and tea. Overall, it was a wonderful, unexpected homecoming trip. But it was too short, since we had more on our itinerary.
Suit Fitting and Lunch. After going to Lopez Village, we went to BF Homes Parañaque for Luis' suit fitting at Mister K's. We decided to have suits custom-made for him, since we had the chance. Then my parents surprised us with having a barong, an embroidered formal Philippine garment, made for Luis!
After the fitting, we ate lunch at Conti's, where Luis got to try Lengua Estofado, or braised beef tongue, I had Callos, ox tripe stew. We also had their special Mango Bravo for dessert. Everything was delicious and it made it feel like all was well with the world. :) Time for a nap!
Visiting my Godmother and Goddaughter. After an afternoon nap, we then traveled south to Las Piñas, to visit my godmother, Tita Cynthia, my goddaughter, Belle, and my extended family. We had dinner at a Chinese Restaurant, called Luk Foo, nearby. We had a number of Chinese goodies, including Peking duck, and happy discussions all around. The dinner was much too short, but we did manage to get a few pictures of everyone.
First day done!
Sunday Mass. For our first day in Manila, we managed to wake up bright and early. The itinerary was just to go to mass nearby, but I asked my parents if we could visit Lopez Village, the village where I grew up in Parañaque. So we decided to go to mass at the Lopez Village chapel, which is where I attended (and sometimes served at) Sunday mass for many years. It was also an opportunity for Luis to see my parents' boarding house.
From the boarding house, we walked to the chapel and Luis was amazed that our chapel had no walls. Because of the tropical climate, it often gets too hot. With a small chapel like ours, we couldn't afford air conditioners so it was essential to not have walls!
Anyway, we had a lovely service and ran into the family that bought our old house. They graciously invited us over so that I could see my old bedroom! So we all went over and I was amazed at how much it has changed and had not changed at the same time. They gave as a tour of the house and I got to tell Luis stories from childhood. I saw my old bedroom and learned that it may house the future "first Filipino pope" (that's one of the kids ambitions)! They fed us homemade suman and tea. Overall, it was a wonderful, unexpected homecoming trip. But it was too short, since we had more on our itinerary.
Suit Fitting and Lunch. After going to Lopez Village, we went to BF Homes Parañaque for Luis' suit fitting at Mister K's. We decided to have suits custom-made for him, since we had the chance. Then my parents surprised us with having a barong, an embroidered formal Philippine garment, made for Luis!
After the fitting, we ate lunch at Conti's, where Luis got to try Lengua Estofado, or braised beef tongue, I had Callos, ox tripe stew. We also had their special Mango Bravo for dessert. Everything was delicious and it made it feel like all was well with the world. :) Time for a nap!
Visiting my Godmother and Goddaughter. After an afternoon nap, we then traveled south to Las Piñas, to visit my godmother, Tita Cynthia, my goddaughter, Belle, and my extended family. We had dinner at a Chinese Restaurant, called Luk Foo, nearby. We had a number of Chinese goodies, including Peking duck, and happy discussions all around. The dinner was much too short, but we did manage to get a few pictures of everyone.
First day done!
0 comments:
Post a Comment