The family was back to Cebu for a vacation after two years. While Trix has a clear picture of Tatay, the family and Cebu, Sam was only three years old during our last family trip in 2004. The main objective then of the trip was for the kids to bond with the family, specially Tatay and know Cebu.
Sunday, May 7
After checking in at Casa Rosario Sunday afternoon, we drove straight to Danao with Tatay, Kokoy & Tessie, Virgiet & Yanyan, Loie & Dongdong in a separate car, to visit Nanay, Mano Rufie and our departed loved ones. To my pleasant surprise, Romy, Palang & Eric were there, too. After our prayers, we had early dinner at Jollibee.
Trivia: Trix first name is Lucia Beatrice, after Nanay, of course. Sam had tantrums because her name was not after her Grandma, too.
Then, we all went to the wake of Tiya Peding, where we met our relatives in Danao: Uncles, Aunties, Cousins, Nephews, Nieces, . . . Trix was so happy to find her playing card partners. We stayed there till late in the evening.
Monday, May 8
Visited and stayed with Tatay in La Paloma until a little past 12NN because we had to go to Danao again to attend the mass & burial of Tiya Peding. Joey loaned us his car and Virgiet with Yanyan went with us.
After the burial, we rested in Auntie Enciang’s house where we had “puto maya”, “budbod” and mangoes – yum, yum, yum. We were planning to leave shortly after the snacks but Ronnie, Jiji, Berting, and our other cousins arrived. We had a couple of rounds of red wine before finally going back to Cebu.
We had to kinda’ rush back to Cebu City because we had a dinner date with my high school classmates at Sunburst. Milo, who is Manila based, also arrived in Cebu and will join us with Luchie Padre-Salameda, Inday Amante-Clarit with hubby, Medit Daniel, Salvy Lomatao-Oporto with daughter, and Delia Romo.

Tuesday, May 9
Had a late heavy breakfast in La Paloma courtesy of Tatay, Ruth & kids and then we proceeded to Tuyan to meet with Che and Ichi (who were scheduled to leave back to Japan on May 13). Lunch was great because Manang and Noy Inting prepared special fried and “tinola” native chicken.

Trix and Sam with Yanyan had a great time in Tuyan playing with Manang’s papaya trees, the weeds, and even talking with the cow next door.

At around 4 pm, we had to go back to the city for a badminton game with Kokoy, Tessie, Kaykay, Loie, Dongdong, Owie and Lito Amante (a childhood friend) at Metro Sports. Jinky and I thought we will have a good badminton game. Little did with know that it will be Trix and Sam who will have the thrill of their life. Both of them went wall climbing. Trix almost reached the top ! We are so proud of them.

After the good exercise, we had “puso” and “sinugba” at Tsibugs. What a way to replace the burned calories!

Wednesday, May 10
Our day started a bit late, there was a Cebu-wide black-out. But that didn’t stop us from pushing through with our planned schedule. After having been treated to lunch by Ed Nuez (Lalu’s former officemate and kumpare) and his family at the Majestic, we then proceeded to tour the historical places in Cebu. Trix insisted that we include this in our itinerary for the simple reason that she only saw these places in textbooks. You are right honey, why didn’t we think of that! Our first stop was at “Parian” where we saw a monument depicting the founding of the city. Good thing we can still count on our memory for a little bit of history. Of course not to miss are the Magellan’s Cross, Sto. Nino Shrine and Fort San Pedro. Incidentally, we told Trix that Fort San Pedro also served as the venue for Ate Aileen and Kuya Adam’s wedding reception. Gee, the place has indeed been a witness to many significant events! Ha, Ha, Ha!
Will continue tom. Sleeeeepy. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

That was Jinky describing the events today. Today was our mall/free day so after Fort San Pedro, we decided to go to SM Cebu. Before I forget, Oliver was driving for us the since Tuesday. Well, what would you know – we were caught for using unauthorized plates.
SM Cebu was running on low power so it was not a good time for malling, We had a quick meal and proceeded to Cebu Ayala then back to the Casa Rosario. We had to rest early because we were checking out the next day to go to Plantation Bay for a day.

Thursday, May 11
It was Plantation Bay day and what do you know – there was a storm in the Philippines and it was raining in Cebu. No worry though, we won’t allow the rains to spoil our vacation.

Rather than wait for the weather to improve, we went straight to swim and the cloudy skies actually prevented us from getting the burn while enjoying the water just the same. The water was actually warm. The only negative thing about is – we can’t take as much pictures as we want.

The evening was rather special. After dropping off Trix and Sam for dinner with Joey, Nellie, Ruth and kids, we proceed to Shangri-la for Chi Massage courtesy of Bodick.

It was a two-hour pampering spa and massage. A taste of “la dolce vita” ! Thanks Bodick – may “utang” pa mi sa imo.

Friday, May 12
It was still cloudy with slight drizzle but I would rather let the pictures show that it was really fun . . . (posted in our website)

After checking out, we had lunch at Orange Brutus then to La Paloma to see Tatay before going to Lutopan. We arrived in Lutopan before 5 pm to a table with Dinuguan, puto (like Nanay’s), budbod, . . . .

After dinner, Jinky and the kids helped in the decoration of the chapel as it was the eve of “Fatima’s Fiesta”

Saturday, May 13
It was a lazy morning and Sam said she had a good sleep. After a hearty breakfast and some rest, Jinky and I went to play badminton with Kokoy and Tessie.

Had late lunch at around 1 pm and Jinky & Tessie with Louella, this time, played badminton again – am not sure whether badminton is addictive or Jinky is just so determined to shed off those unwanted pounds. Just kidding.

Since it was the fiesta of our “Lady of Fatima”, dinner and games followed a mass at the chapel near Kokoy’s house. Trix and Sam joined the parlor games, getting mud all over their pants as there was still a drizzle.

Sunday, May 14
It was the penultimate day of our vacation and we were all excited to see everybody in Tuyan. Sam mentioned the she had another good sleep. It was a good day for picture taking as the sun came up after days of cloudy and rainy skies.

After another heavy breakfast, thanks to Tessie and Mother Vacion, and lots of picture taking (as if Jinky does not want to leave Lutopan anymore), we were off to Cebu via the very muddy and pot-holed Naga road.

Trix and Sam were excited to go back to Tuyan because they wanted to continue with their adventure with nature and more. Trix and Sam climbed the truck of Romy on their own; went around gathering weeds, etc.

Food was very good, thanks to the families of Manang Ester, Virgiet, Eda (Boboy), Palang, Loie (Dodong), Kokoy, Joey and Romy. There was videoke, dancing and some drinking. It was an afternoon and night of bonding – and it was really great to see everybody.

Monday, May 15
Since our flight was at 11:45 am, we had to wake the children up for a quick breakfast. Ronnie and Anne came to drop some goodies, Romy came to show a radiator cap sample which I was trying to source and finally Joey and Oliver came to drive us to the airport.

We arrived in Manila at around 1 pm where Mano and Babie arranged to have Cenen drive us home. Trix and Sam were very tired but had a really grand time.

It was indeed a great vacation . There was no stopping us from reminiscing how our days in Cebu were spent until now. It’s amazing how one visit would make us yearn for more and to come back there again, again and again. We would to like thank everybody for making our vacation a very memorable one.
Trix definitely wants a longer stay next time. Sam wants summer to come sooner. Need we say more? Hope to see all of you soon!