The Best Birthday Ever: Concordia Children's Services

As you all know, we've celebrated our birthday in an orphanage.
No? You don't! Okay, the details are here and here.
Of course, you also need to know how the plans had started - it's here!

Anyway, Concordia Children's Services (CCS) is located at Old Sta. Mesa, Manila and is home to babies and children left by parents - oh how I wanted to scold those parents!  But aside from them, CCS also helps street and urban poor children through their Urban Poor Children Program.

Elementary kids under CCS Urban Poor Children Program were our special guests during our birthday celebration held in this room:

Thank you for allowing us to use the room!
There were games and prizes (of course!) and the kids were so energetic.  They didn't even want to eat!
Whenever 'Teacher Ressie' (one of the celebrants who was host of the day but sounded like a teacher) would ask the kids 'Gusto nyo na bang kumain?', they would say, 'Ayaw!, Laro pa!'
So game it is.

The first game was Paper Dance.



The second game is Banana Eating Contest.



The third one is Stop Dance.


And finally, Trip to Jerusalem.


After the fourth game, we decided to eat - because we (the celebrants and friends) were already hungry though the kids weren't!

Also, the kids had prepared a special dance number and a song number for us.
I will upload their presentations in the coming days (blogger won't allow me to do so today).

And of course, there's the gift-giving.  Again, thank you so much to all of you who have made this one-of-a-kind birthday possible -> the awesome people behind the event!



Some kids gave their birthday wishes for us.  Thank you!




The party ended with a birthday song - the loudest I've heard!
I will upload it, too.  Blogger just won't allow me today!

Our Very Special Guests
But wait, there's more!
We also visited the babies of CCS Residencial Care Program.

Now, I'd like you to meet the 3-month old, Mark


and some of his friends


Thank you, Concordia for accommodating us!

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You may reach Concordia Children's Services here:

Phone: +63 354 6049
Tele Fax: +63 713 3461
Email: office@concordiachildrens.org

or visit their webpage: http://www.concordiachildrens.org/

MSS Day4: Something Electrifying and Controversial!


My Secret Santa today isn't secret at all. :) Oh well, she keeps on denying it but I know for sure, she's the one.

When I opened my gift, I didn't say anything aside from 'Thank you!' then she was like 'May resibo po yan - 7 days warranty!'

We all teased her and reminded her of the 'Secret Santa' award on our Christmas party.  After realizing that she's losing the bid for the award, she explained (on a very defensive manner) that she was just telling me that the item (gift that I have received) has a warranty period of 7 days like every other item of its kind.  Good excuse.  But she went on to say where she bought it!

There, gotcha!

Okay, enough about the giver, let's talk about the gift.
Can somebody please tell me how did this became ELECTRIFYING and CONTROVERSIAL?


It's a doughnut-shaped (at least the upper portion) mini desk fan.  It's really cute and I'm sure, it's way too expensive than the agreed amount of gifts.

So, even though I can't think of ways to explain how did this gift fell into the category/theme, I'm still thankful.  And I really wouldn't care about the theme!

Thank you so much, [RESSIE]!


30th Birthday Celebration: Bukas Na!


When I started planning for my 30th birthday, I was thinking of having a masquerade ball with family and friends.  I was so excited that I already have a concept and design for the invitation.

But one day, for no reason at all, I decided to change plans!

I asked friends to donate their old books and old toys for my birthday.  The original plan was to collect and give them to a chosen institution - that easy.  Nothing so special. In my mind, it would be like any other day.

But that was days and days ago.

Today, I can see children dancing, playing and having fun!  It's going to be a one-of-a-kind birthday party!

Be there when it happens.
See you tomorrow!

MSS Day 3: What's Sweet 'n Sour But Cannot Be Eaten?


The third edition of our 2013 kris kringle requires the gift to be: Sweet and Sour but CANNOT be eaten! Looking for such a gift needs great imagination.  And imagination, indeed!

Here's what I got.
Taadaaa!


For those who want to know what that is, well, it's a stuffed mango-shaped toy.  Since it's a 'mango', it can be sweet/sour (depending on the type of mango) and of course, I won't be able to eat this - because it's a toy!

Talk about being creative, imaginative, exceptional!

I got the coolest gift ever!
Whoever that Secret Santa is, thank you so much!

Christmas 2013: Decorations



Nativity Scene
Kultura, SM Department Store, SM City North EDSA
Price: 999.75
I'm thinking of getting the three Kings to complete the scene.

But I'm already happy to have the three most important characters :)


This is the Christmas look of our living area.  It will become a living 'room' soon - once I'm finished with with the curtains that will serve as room dividers.  More on that next time :)
On regular days (non-Christmas season), the Christmas tree will be replaced by a lamp.  I have to look for that perfect lamp though.


I placed a doily on top of the center table.  Since it's so plain, I decided to put on display our unity candles!
The doily costs 14.75 at SM Department Store, SM City North EDSA.  Though there are also other designs, I decided to buy this one because of its simplicity.
Bamboo stand for the candles and pebbles: from Mother :)


Our first Christmas tree!
Landmark, TriNoMa, North EDSA
Price: 2799.75 :)
I strongly believe that putting that .75 on the price tag is a marketing strategy.  Products with .75 on the tag look cheaper than they actually are.


Here's our Christmas tree with the lights on!
The accessories for the tree were from SM City North EDSA except for the eight glittery flowers which were bought from Landmark, TriNoMa.
Both stores have a wide selection of Christmas decors and most of them come in different colors!
For 2013, we're having a RED and GOLD Christmas! :)


And of course, we have a Christmas wreath on our bedroom door!  Although, we are having a red and gold Christmas this year, I opted for the multi-colored wreath because 1. the golden wreath I saw was not that - well, nice.  It's not worth it's price. 2. no red wreath was available at the time :( 3. so we won't need to buy another wreath for the coming years (when we changed from red and gold to say, pink and blue Christmas!).


Price: 300.00
SM Department Store, SM City North EDSA

Thank you for dropping by.
Happy weekend!