26th Birthday Celebration (Part 3)

I don't usually go on a buffet lunch/dinner unless I am with my family. And I think the last time that we had such was way back in 2011 at Sambokojin in Eastwood, Libis in time for my Dad's birthday. 

But this year, before the month of July officially ends, my closest high school friends and I had a mini birthday celebration at Sambokojin, Edsa. 

For this year, Sambokojin gives a 7-day birthday treat to the birthday celebrators. They will get free lunch/dinner buffet provided they are accompanied by a paying customer. Good thing I have opulent friends! HAHAHA

And here are some of the pictures from the mini celebration. (Pics courtesy of EA, Jenna and Topher)

Me and my friend EA

my other friends Luthie. Jenna and Topher

our group pics

 some of the food that we picked from the food shelves

grilling the meat (the asparagus wrapped in bacon is to die for!)

and here are the male staffs of Sambokojin singing a happy birthday to me! They even sang my song request Pusong Bato! el talentado!)

 my cute and tiny birthday cake (it tastes like whammos!!!)

 the blowing of the birthday candle

 

see that smile?? because I was surprised!!! I got a lovely gift!!!

yes! a really really lovely Ever New shoulder bag!

Isn't that wonderful? :)

They say save the best for last. Indeed I had the most wonderful July ender birthday celebration! :)

26th Birthday Celebration (Part 2)

My birthday this year falls on a Sunday. So the day after my birthday, it's a normal day again in the office. Having finished July month end, everybody is quite relaxed. :-)

My usual morning starts with checking my mail. And oh God, I have a query from onshore! So while I was carefully reading my email, my sup called my attention and then boom! All my team mates went around my workstation and sang me a "happy birthday!!!!" 

I was really surprised! I did not expect that I would received such greetings! Because first of all, my birthday was yesterday (Sunday) and my birthday was not registered in the list of July birthday celebrants in my workstream here in the office. So, I was reaallyy reaally surprised!!!

What made me even happier is that they gave me a yummy birthday cake and a gift which I did not really expect AGAIN! I was so happy that day I forgot about my onshore query. Well, just for a moment. :-)

And here are the captured moments: 

the blowing of the cake and saying of birthday wish

the opening of the gift! I got a Starbucks tumbler! Aweee! :)

 and here's my yummy banana toffee pie cake! yum!

 and here are my team mates!!!

 pics courtesy of Tin

A few days after that, July celebrants from our team decided to have a grand birthday celebration so we had a sumptuous lunch for everyone!

And here are the foodies!!!

cordon bleu

menudo! FTW!

corn and carrots and peas

fetuccine

and the carbonara sauce

This is my first time to celebrate my birthday here in DKS. And it was indeed a happy and memorable one! :)

26th Birthday Celebration (Part 1)

I remembered last year, I was planning to have a birthday climb in celebration of my 25th birthday but due to inclement weather conditions, I celebrated my birthday with a photo walk in the city of Manila instead. 

As a treat to myself, I went around my college alma mater (UST) and reminisced the good old times I had with the institution. Then, I roamed around the walled city of Intramuros and enjoyed the old-world feel of the stoned floors and the 1600-ish old churches of San Agustin and Manila Cathedral. Seems not enough to end the day, I walked more and more until I arrived at Rizal Monument in Luneta. By night, I decided to meet my friends in SM Moa and had a mini celebration. 

Here are some of my shots from the photowalk I did a year ago. 

But this year, I celebrated my birthday with my family and a movie date with a friend. Because we did not have a concrete plan on where to eat, we ended up in North Park in TriNoma. Here are some of the highlights of the mini lunch out we had. 

my older brother who is also celebrating his birthday on the 29th and my nephew

 

with my younger brother

my jolly dad

the birthday celebrators

me and my younger brother and sister

my lovely mum

goofing around

and some of the food that we ordered:

Manchurian Calamares

China Chicken (roasted chicken)

North Park Chow Mien

others not in the photo: lechong macau, spring rolls, lapu-lapu and siomai for my nephew.

After lunch, I headed to Resorts World Manila to watch the block screening of Wolverine with my friend Julius. 

But before the movie starts (because we arrived early), we stayed for a while at Cafe Maxims for some coffee and tea. 

That's my Cafe Mocha with a nice latte art! 

okay and that's me smiling. hahaha 

I feel so old already!!! But this is one of the best birthday celebrations I had in years. Aside from the fact that I am not alone during this day, I thank God for all the downpour of blessings that He is giving me everyday! :-)