johjonjen + mom = great new memories

yup, the trio was once again reunited. this time, my brother ad i went back with our mom. although it was only for two weeks, it was two weeks full of new memories that we'll forever share and cherish.

at first, this trip was supposed to be a surprise for my sister. thanks to my mom and her poor lying skills to her daughter, the surprise was blown off. i guess my sister was right, we really couldn't have pulled it off anyways. :) but i think, it really didn't sink in until the day that we got there.

we left new york, on the 11th and arrived manila noon on the 13th. it kinda felt like it was one plane ride after the other... but it was fun, mom kept us entertained during the wait in the airport (among other places!). here are day by day things that we did while in manila.

June 13 - right after having showered and all at my sister's apartment, we all had a hearty meal of pork sinigang and fried milkfish - what a great way to welcome us back!! :) we went to tips 'n toes for that much wanted foot spa, relaxation and more laughter!

June 14 - woke up really early! tagaytay highlands with apeh, auntie vicky, philip and paolo. jackie also came with us. spent the night at tall vista. although, mom was too exhausted that she missed having dinner with us. by the time we wne tback to the room and was ready for bed, she was the one searching for something to eat! :)

june 15 - father's day was spent at apeh's house. mom went to meet up with a friend of hers. it was nice, seeing those kids again. i just realized that after having so many girls in the family, most our little ones now are boys!! kyle is growing bigger and starting to socialize more. ally is still so adorable! philip and paolo are also going for their swimming lessons. if you could only see the videos and pcitures, especially of paolo!!

june 16 - manila to iloilo. our first day at iloilo was spent at my grandma's place. i was surprised that the swing that we used to play with is at her new place now! but i was so sure that it was just a replica of the old one.. since this one was so small!!! we really didn't do much that day, aside from planning the party for lola. other than that we entertained ourselves with.... mom!

june 17 - flight to cebu. the four of us with lola took an early flight to cebu. stayed at shangri-la mactan. the place was awesome! it was really nice. we got to cebu, around noon time. had lunch, then my sister and i spent some time in the pool, while my mom spent time in the room and my bro at the gym.

june 18 - went around cebu. magellan's shrine, mactan cross, mactan church and shopped at SM cebu! bought some dried fish and mangoes! had SUTUKIL for dinner!

june 19 - mom and lola went back to iloilo. the three of us stayed and spent time at the beach and pool!!! my sister and i started to get sick at the same time!!

june 20 - our flight back to iloilo. it was raining hard in cebu, and there was word that a typhoon is about to hit iloilo. as soon as we landed at iloilo, the weather was good.

june 21 - we all woke up with the power out, the wind blowing hard and rain pouring! lola's party was canceled due to tphoon frank (signal 2 which turned to 3). we left lola's place to check in at a hotel since there was no power and running water. after checking in we left the hotel and had lunch. by the time we tried to get back to the hotel, there was a flash flood where our hotel was located! we had to turn around and go back to my grandma's place, where water and candles were rationed! due to exhaustion, i fell asleep.

june 22 - the rain was still pouring but the weather was a bit calmer. typhoon was leaving iloilo and heading for manila. iloilo was still flooded, but we were able to go back to the hotel and claim our belongings and got a decent shower. we transfered to another hotel. and shared a twin bed with my sister (mom and ahiya shared a twin bed as well!). learned interesting story about our life in iloilo. how we were once a big part of... is it safe to say here?

june 23 - flight to davao! power was still out in iloilo. after getting a decent sleep and rest. we packed our things and left iloilo for davao! we were to take a connecting flight in cebu. flight was delayed both from iloilo and cebu. the boat ride from davao city to pearl farm took forever!!! as soon as we hit land... what great joy we felt! i couldn't stop dancing and smiling!! pearl farm was so amazing!! white sand, clear water, infinity pool... quiet surroundings. it felt like a great blessing after going through a typhoon and having no power for how many days. it was indeed a calm after the storm. the four of us had massage that night, courtesy of my brother!

june 24 - spent the whole day out in the sun!! had a good conversation with the family over lunch. shared some drinks before dinner, had foot reflexology massage at night and drifted to sleep.

june 25 - woke up early and went to malipano island. spent couple minutes there and went back to pearl farm for that last dip in the inifinity pool. packed our things... and left pearl farm. :( a friend of mine picked us up from the wharf and took us around. bought some fruits (pomelo and marang!) and souvenirs along the way to the airport. after a great laugh at the airport, we were once again on the plane and headed back to manila.

june 26 - it was a last minute plan, the four us headed to Mall of Asia and had our photos taken at lito sy. had dinner at china palace with the whole family (my dad's side plus mom). met up with my sister's friends at max brenner for a night cap. went back to her apartment and packed our things.

june 27 - woke up with a bad tummy ache... left manila. though, mom stayed behind. they re-scheduled lola's party for the 28th.

going back this time, was different. it was nice different. i'm glad that we went. i'm glad that i went. looking forward for another vacation like this.

*** sorry no pictures! all my pictures are in my brother and sister's computer.... i'm gonna leave it up to them to post pictures!