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! :-)

Tea Time at TWG Salon and Boutique Resorts World Manila

I have been to Resorts World a couple of times already either to watch a movie, listen to Draybers rock Bar 360, watch gamblers play poker or try out their luck in slot machines (yes just watched :) never tried any of those.. I know my capacity.. :p) or just sit and have tea time at TWG Salon and Boutique with a friend. 

By the way, TWG branch in Resorts World, Newport Manila is the largest branch that they have here in the Philippines. Compared to their branch in Greenbelt 5, the place is less "yellowish/golden" but it is surrounded by a long tea bar and huge shelves of varieties of teas of the world. 

Here's the picture of what I am talking about. 

That's the long tea bar behind me (that is where they prepare/brew the tea leaves)

The huge tea shelves (view from my seat)

Anyway, one Friday night, Luthie and I decided to go to Resorts World to watch Draybers perform at Bar 360. Luckily, Topher was also nearby studying at Bo's Coffee and so we invited him to join us. After Mitoy's performance (Draybers lead vocalist), we went around the casino. We got bored and decided to stay in TWG since we don't like to go home just yet. It was Topher's first time in TWG so we ordered something that we all haven't tasted yet. And for our orders we got the following:

raspberry muffins with cream and tea infused jelly

PARISIAN CRÊPE 

Crêpe filled with potatoes, turkey ham and Gruyère cheese tossed in a

French Earl Grey infused creamy béchamel sauce sprinkled with chives.

French Earl Grey Tea

I remembered I had a bad day during that time and my worries just fade away with every sip of earl grey tea. :) Topher was so hyper during that time and so we took a lot of pictures. The ambience at TWG is so cozy and so relaxing. The bright lights that illuminate from the chandelier just gives warmth to my tired body, mind and soul. :)

Forgive me, for the photo heavy entry. Enjoy!

me smelling the strong aroma of french earl grey

here's the tea maker "brewing" our tea (they don't allow the customers to go near the bar because that is where their secret brewing happens)

and here's topher trying to score a kiss from me :P

the huge tea shelves that I'm talking about earlier

topher affirming the goodness of TWG tea and pastry :)

he loves to make faces hahaha

okay, that's us! we're soo love the camera! hahaha

and that's the three of us! finally, a group pic! :)

TWG Tea Salon & Boutique

Resorts World Manila, Ground Floor - Block 1,

Shop 17B, Newport City,

100 Andrews Avenue, Newport Cybertourism Zone, Pasay City, Tel: +632 551 0696, +632 551 0925

Operating Hours:

Monday to Thursday, 11am to 12am

Friday to Sunday, 11am to 1am