On October 7, 2015, before we went to
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Parañaque City,
Philippines, we travelled from Baliuag, Bulacan, the rest of towns in
Bulacan thru North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Caloocan City, Quezon City,
Mandaluyong City, Makati City, Pasay City, and Parañaque City thru EDSA,
Tramo Boulevard, Domestic Avenue, and finally Airport Avenue.
We left earlier around 12:00pm from Baliuag, Bulacan because we know
that traffic is so terrible and heavy especially in Metro Manila Area.
There was a rain that why the traffic is more terrible and heavy.
The province of Bulacan is also crowded because there are many shopping
malls, establishments, and subdivisions. There are many companies and
industries as well that's why the province is also crowded. Although my
vacation is only 15 days, I enjoyed it with my relatives at my mother's
side. My aunts cooked our meals during our stay. I'm the one will go
back home in USA and my mom will go back home on October 21, 2015. She
will complete her 1 month vacation exactly unlike me, it's only 15 days.
We visited also our relatives and family friends in Caloocan
City. Caloocan City is also crowded when I visit it after 6 years. We
used to live there and spend my childhood days. The traffic along Samson
Road, Rizal Avenue, 10th Avenue, Monumento, and EDSA are terrible and
heavy.
At around 2:30pm, we proceed to NAIA in Parañaque City
thru EDSA. We passed Caloocan City, Quezon City, Mandaluyong City,
Makati City, Pasay City, and then Parañaque City. From EDSA, we took
Tramo Boulevard, Domestic Avenue, and then Airport Avenue. We finally
arrived at the airport around 5:30pm. Not bad because the traffic along
EDSA is moderate.
This is my memorable visit in Philippines
although my vacation is only 15 days. I would like to give thanks to my
cousin, Rodelio Magtalas, who gave us a ride using her sister in law's
minivan. I hope that I can visit in Philippines again on November 2017. I
will attend our Silver Jubilarian later at MIT ChE Chm Alumni
Homecoming.
#Baliuag #Bulacan #Caloocan #NLEX #QuezonCity #Mandaluyong #Makati #Pasay #Parañaque #MNL #NAIA #Rizal
On October 5, 2015, we had a farewell
or despedida party at my cousin's house in Quezon City, Philippines.
This is also a family reunion for Balajadia family at my grandfather's
side. I asked my cousin Ester Garcia to contact all our relatives to have a mini-reunion at her house and beauty salon along Cordillera Street in Quezon City, Philippines starting at 7:00pm.
Me and my mother went to my cousin's salon around 5:00pm. We know that
the traffic is so terrible and heavy especially if there's a rain and
also during rush hour. We bought ube cake at Merced Bakeshop along EDSA
near to Quezon Avenue before we went to my cousin's salon.
While waiting for our other relatives, me and my mother had hair and
facial treatments with the assistance of Malou and Susan. My cousin's
salon is already in the business in 1970s at the present location. My
cousin is also a friend of Mr. Ricky Reyes, a well-known hair stylist in
Philippines.
My cousin bought softdrinks, pancit Malabon,
lumpiang prito, and puto (stramed rice cake). We brought biko (sweet
rice cake) also. Her family like her children and grandchildren are also
present in the family gathering.
Unfortunately, many of our
relatives were not able to make in our family gathering because of many
reasons. Some of them are already tired from work, stranded in heavy
rains and traffic, and so on.
Our relatives like my cousins Daniel Balajadia Dalacat, Estrella Garcia Carpio, and Erlinda Garcia Fernandez as well as my aunt Beatriz Balajadia Garcia were able to attend in our family gathering.
We had fun and socialized to each other while eating and waiting for
our other relatives to come if they can. Since we set our family
gathering on weekday which is October 5, 2015 (Monday), then many of our
relatives were not able to make in our family gathering. I know that
most of the people are busy and tired from work on weekdays. Because of
my cousin, Ester Garcia was not available last weekend and her schedule
is already fully booked, then we decided to move on October 5, 2015 so
that she can attend in our family gathering.
Well, my vacation
in Philippines is only 15 days and I have hectic schedules. 15 days is
too short for me because of heavy traffic especially in Manila.
Unfortunately, I didn't meet my other cousins because of my hectic
schedules and short vacation. Anyway, because of the social media like
Facebook, then we can still communicate and chat each other.
I hope that I will meet my other cousins and relatives later probably in 2017.
#Balajadia #QuezonCity #Rizal
After we visited the Capitol Commons
and the downtown area of Pasig City on October 3, 2015, we went to The
Podium which is located at Ortigas Center in Pasig City, Philippines.
The Podium is also a shopping center located at Ortigas Center, Pasig
City. It is also located at the back of SM Megamall. Since we came
early, we had a tour there. There are many stores, restaurants, and
salons inside The Podium. It is not a very crowded shopping center
compared with the other malls and shopping centers.
At 6:00pm,
we had a dinner at Healthy Shabu Shabu located at the second floor of
the building. It is a Japanese restaurant and you can cook the food at
your table. You can dip the choice of your food in a boiling soup or
stock like Japanese beef, big prawns, fish fillets, tuna slices,
scallops, and assorted vegetables and noodles. You can season them with
sauces and condiments. We ate there with my friends from PSI and OCCI
like Rocel Santiago Borilla, Benjie Leogardo, and Aurora Cobarrubias.
Our other friend, Claude Santa Ana was not able to come for any reason.
We spent our time while cooking, eating, and socializing to each other.
Because of having social networks like Facebook, I was able to find and
communicate with my long time no see friends from PSI and OCCI. We
didn't see each other since 2000 when I came in USA. I made a promise
that I will meet and see them later if I will visit in Philippines
later. Thanks God that my wish came true. I know that it is hard to
invite people because of their hectic schedules.
#ThePodium #OrtigasCenter #Pasig #Rizal
