Happy 41st birthday to me!

This day is so special because it's my 41st birthday! I still feel younger than ever! I didn't have a cake, but it's OK. Anyway, I have my family with me the whole day. We were complete, together with friends. That is more than enough. Thank you Señor Gómez for the birthday treat! =)

David's Tea House, Makati Avenue.

Birthday dessert at La Lola, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell.

To GOD Be The Glory!!! 👼 ❤ ☺
—Yeyette—

A day with Señor Guillermo Gómez!

We have known Señor Guillermo Gómez way back in college because he was our teacher in a couple of subjects. But being naughty students back then, we rarely paid attention to him. I actually received a low grade in one of his classes: 3.00. The highest I received from him was 2.5, LOL! And my hubby Pepe? Believe it or not, Señor Gómez gave him an incomplete grade in a Spanish class (4.00) because he was always absent, LOL!

Who would believe that Señor Gómez would become part of our life? He and my hubby became staunch partners in their advocacy to bring back the Spanish language to our country, he ended up as our compadre when he stood as godfather to our eldest son Mómay (whose real name, José Mario Guillermo, is a combination of Señor Gómez and Pepe's names), and he also became our wedding godfather in our Traditional Latin Mass wedding more than three years ago!

During our early years of living together, my hubby Pepe never had a permanent job. Señor Gómez took him in as his editorial assistant in Nueva Era, the last Spanish-language newspaper in our country. His main job was a typist, and he worked in Señor Gómez's house in Makati City. It was there where my husband learned how to type fast using Spanish accent marks. At the end of each day, he would go home with an allowance from Señor Gómez. It was during this time when my husband's knowledge of Filipino History and the Spanish language has grown. Pepe owes his love and deep regard for the Spanish language because of Señor Gómez. Without Señor Gómez, our family would not have discovered our national identity.

Last month (February 12), Señor Gómez invited us for lunch at the Casino Español de Manila. We haven't seen him for more than a year, and we heard that he is already using a wheelchair because of a struggle against gout. But he was still his jolly old self.

Señor Gómez (with his assistant Jeffrey Vecina) arrives. Junífera Clarita gave him a violet-colored flower which she had picked from the garden (Señor is holding that flower at right photo).

That Saturday lunch was so sumptous. Señor Gómez treated us to Spanish dishes such as paella and fabada. Before we even started eating, Junífera Clarita was already enjoying glasses of margarita. Maybe that was the reason why I think she fell asleep after our lunch, hahaha!

The best paella I have ever tasted is in Casino Español de Manila. I think one serving is good for three. During the meal, my dad and Señor Gómez chatted about their favorite topics: politics and history. Señor Gómez also advised my hubby to go back to blogging. Daddy Pepe already stopped blogging last year when he closed down ALAS FILIPINAS and FILIPINO eSCRIBBLES, mainly because of a nerve problem (and since then, I have been the one managing this blog). Señor Gómez told my hubby that he also suffered the same problem many years ago, and that he also stopped writing for about two years. Señor Gómez thinks that my hubby must have suffered from some sort of nervous breakdown, and that he just didn't know about it. That is why he advised us that I, as a mother, should take care of our kids full time, and that my husband should just focus on his work or advocacy so that he would not be prone to stress. Great advise, Señor. Thank you. Because many times Pepe becomes so stressed out with our children particularly when he comes home from his night shift, and that is one of the major reasons why he gets stressed out. Better take Señor's advise, Daddy Pepe. 😊

I have been to Casino Español de Manila many times already. Instituto Cervantes de Manila used to be beside it but has already transferred to Makati. Whenever there were events in Instituto Cervantes de Manila, many guests go to Casino Español de Manila to relax and dine. Casino Español de Manila is not a place to gamble. Casino is a Spanish word which means a social club. My hubby told me that the place is for members only. We are thankful because we were privileged to have visited the place many times, mainly because of our Spanish circle of friends. Whenever we are invited there, we feel as if we are already members, hahaha! The warm welcome of our Hispanic friends is so touching and muy intresante. ¡Mil gracias amigos y amigas!

Aperitivo: pan con mantequilla.

Fabada is a rich Spanish bean stew. It has blood sausage (morcilla) which reminds us of dinuguán.

Paella.

¡Buen provecho!

After our heavy Hispanic lunch, my husband and Señor were still chatting over important matters. Krystal was listening to them. They haven't seen each other for a long time. Since I couldn't relate to what they were talking about, I just went outside to the garden to take pictures and a video clip of the place while our three boys and Junífera Clarita were running around the grass and played with the piano by the hallway. They really enjoyed the place. It was not their first time to be here, that's why they were already familiar with the place, as if we are already members, hehehe!

In the afternoon, Señor invited us for a car ride in the old districts of Manila. He toured us to Ermita, Binondo (Chinatown), San Nicolás, Quiapò, Pandacan, and Santa Ana. Too bad our camera's battery power got drained, but I was able to record a few video clips (you may view them by clicking here, here, here, and here). Anyway, the best things in life are not captured on camera, hehehe! Señor shared to us historical tidbits during the tour while he's driving... and he's already 81 years old! He is a good driver for his age, and he still has a clear vision! 😊

Click here for our complete photo album!

Parroquia Basílica de San Lorenzo Ruiz y Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario.

Before we went home, he brought us to a mall near his house and treated us to some ice cream and KFC meals. We were so stuffed that we didn't eat dinner at home anymore!

We parted ways at the carpark. We did not want him to drive us to the nearest road where we could commute so that he could relax because of his age and he has driven a lot the whole afternoon. But despite his age, we know that he will never grow old. He feels and acts young all the time. He laughs with us, cracks jokes with us, and takes time to talk to our kids. His vast knowledge of historical information is still intact. And he could still give me advice on how to take care of our family. He still wants to teach Krystal Flamenco although he couldn't anymore. He just advised us to enroll her in a Flamenco class under one of his former students. He may have stopped teaching flamenco, but we are still hoping he could dance once again.

Señor Gómez is not just a former teacher, nor is he just a friend nor a compadre or padrino. We consider him a part of our family...

Thank you for always being there for our us, Señor Gómez... I am teary eyed as I write this. And as I wipe my tears away, I would like you to know that we love you so much and we are very thankful and grateful for having you in our life! We pray for your good health, and may we have more parties, events, and travels for us and our family to share. ¡Muchos besos y abrazos! =) =) 😊 😊

 -Yeyette-

—Yeyette—

DID YOU KNOW? General assemblies of the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española and awardings for the Premio Zóbel are always held here in Casino Español de Manila.

Un cumpleaños lleno de cultura

En la esquina superior izquierda, en la dirección de las manecillas de reloj: 1) Krystal, Anne Gómez, y Anne Marie Andaya bailan una danza flamenca en Rockwell Club bajo la clase del destacado "maestro flamenco", el Señor Guillermo Gómez Rivera. Al fondo son el resto de La Familia Viajera. 2) La Familia Viajera, Anne Marie, y el Sr. Gómez almuerzan en Kenny Rogers Roasters, Power Plant Mall. 3. En Ayala Museum para asistir a una exposición de fotografías del siglo XIX por Félix Laureano, el primer fotógrafo filipino. 4. Ese soy yo, llevando Junífera Clarita, durante la exposición. 5. Una merienda en Museum Café con Anne Marie, Javier Ruescas (vocal de la Asociación Cultural Galeón de Manila), y Sr. Gómez. Estábamos hablando de las historias tristes de España y Filipinas, y cómo debemos defenderlas. En nuestra discusión aprendí una nueva palabra: quijotesca. Gracias, Javier. 6. Con mi hermana Jessica en Pizza Warehouse, Glorietta 3. Es la pizzería favorita de La Familia Viajera.

Acabo de tener un cumpleaños más histórico y lleno de cultura (¡y comida!) en tiempos recientes. Y la mejor manera de celebrarlo es con toda la familia y amigos queridos. ¡Gracias, Señor Dios, por mis 36 años! ¡Me siento muy joven aún!

¡Gracias por la tarta, mi hermanita Jessica! ¡Fue una sorpresa reconfortante!

¡Gracias! Thank you! ¡Salamat!

We would like to thank our online friends for promoting our young family travel blog. You have no idea how much we appreciate your time and efforts! We are humbled!

Image credit: Tic Tac, Se me pasa el arroz.

Here they are and their encouraging blogposts/reviews/comments about LA FAMILIA VIAJERA (in order of date of publication):

◕ Satcheil Amamangpang of Aco... Si LOLA KERPS — "La Familia VIAJERA!"

◕ Gemma Suguitan San José of LIFELONG LEARNING — "La Familia Viajera: 1st Family Travel Blog in the Philippines?"

◕ León Pañgilinan, Jr. of tadonggeniuskuno — "La Familia Viajera"
◕ Laiza Felise Fernández of Inconsistencies. — "Sup, homies?"
◕ Juanlu García of VIAJAR EN FILIPINAS — "EL BLOG DE LA FAMILIA VIAJERA"
◕ Arnaldo Arnáiz of with one's past... — "The Traveling Bunch. The Alas' as La Familia Viajera"
◕ Rachel Calixtro of STUFF by rhey — "A NOTABLE COLLECTION OF TRAVEL BLOGS"
◕ Joey Dionisio of MANILA LABYRINTH — "Travel Blogging: La Familia Way"
◕ José Miguel García of PATRIA — "Presenting:"

"It is very inspiring to see a family of six discover our heritage together. Meet the Familia Alas. Thank you for allowing us to walk with you in your family outings through La Familia Viajera. ¡Enhorabuena Pepe and Yeyette!"
—Traveler on Foot—

"Great new blog by Pepe Alas and his family: La Familia Viajera. Check out his post on Intramuros. Some great (although somewhat sad) photographs of the Walled City… Great having you and your family on my tour. ¡Hasta luego!"
—Carlos Celdrán—

"Great tips for traveling families here!"
—Pinay Travel Junkie—

We would also like to show our appreciation to multi-awarded writer and veteran blogger Joe Bert Lazarte, computer whiz kid and OurByte creator Ronnel de la Cruz, and renowned travel blogger Journeying James for their valuable contributions in the construction of this blog. Thank you so much for sharing your technical know-how, inputs, and blogging knowledge! You guys have helped us so much to make this blog possible!

Of course there are also our handful of faithful readers (composed mostly of friends and family members). Thank you so much for the continuous support!

Once again, from the bottom of our hearts: thank you, thank you, thank you! =)

—Familia Alas—

❤L❤A❤F❤A❤M❤I❤L❤I❤A❤V❤I❤A❤J❤E❤R❤A❤

Our belated Filipiniana wedding last year at the San Pedro Apóstol Parish Church. Standing behind us from left to right: my cousin Jam Alas of Magic 89.9; her mom Tita Joji Alas (sponsor); Mayor Lourdes Catáquiz of San Pedro, La Laguna (sponsor); my maternal grandmother Norma Soriano; Yeyette’s dad Jaime Perey; my dad Josefino Alas; former San Pedro mayor Calixto Catáquiz, and; Señor Guillermo Gómez of the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española. Seated: Krystal, Jefe, me, Yeyette, Juanito, and Momay.

¡BIENVENIDA A LA FAMILIA VIAJERA!

Guillermo Gómez Rivera

Pues José Mario Alas y familia

decidieron viajar a la manera 

de turistas por toda Filipinas.

Irán de pueblo en pueblo para ver 

quiénes son las familias prominentes; 

notar sus apellidos y negocios; 

conocer a sus padres y a sus nietos;

averiguar si hablaban español 

y medir la cultura que les queda 

y la visión histórica que tienen...

Y, de paso, saber de su cocina, 

de sus cantos, sus bailes y otras artes, 

si los tienen; y darles las nociones 

de cultura é historia que precisen... 

Pues lo que es de esperar es que lo gringo, 

de la clase más torpe todavía 

nos lo exhiban como su “cultura”.

¡Qué lástima que Pepe no les lleve 

un pequeño librito de la historia

veraz de Filipinas en tagalo 

para que las personas que conozca 

durante su visita, un recuerdo 

grato tengan de él y de su familia! 

Entonces los siguientes intercambios 

por e-mail tendrán su razón de ser. 

La Familia Viajera tiene todas 

las de ganar con creces permanentes. 

¡Adelante con Alas Filipinas! 

Christmas afternoon stroll at Tunasán Baywalk (Muntinlupà City, Metro Manila)

Christmas Day this year was filled with surprises!

My sister Jennifer started it all when she arrived as our personal Santa Claus!

My sister Jennifer —we call her Faye— playing Santa Claus to the kids. We didn't know she was to visit us on Christmas morning!

After meals, we surprised her by tagging her along with us to our planned Christmas Day viaje to Tunasán Baywalk in nearby Muntinlupà City! She didn't know that we're leaving that day.

It has been like a tradition for my family since 2009 (the year me and Yeyette both became very active in social media) to stroll on Christmas Day. And we've learned our lesson never to go to Metro Manila, not even to Tagaytay, Cavite, on that day because of the horrible traffic. Last year, we were at Pila, La Laguna where traffic flow to and from San Pedro was a breeze. This year, we thought of going somewhere near yet seemingly far because of the idyllic vista...

Welcome to the spacious greenery of Tunasán Baywalk! Picnics are allowed here so long as you keep the place clean.

Tunasán Baywalk is situated along the northwestern banks of Laguna de Bay's West Bay (because this lake is a trilobate lake, the only one in the world). I have no data available when this place was developed, but most likely it was only during the last decade. There is also a similar setting in nearby Barrio Bayanan. I think they also call it with a similar name (Bayanan Baywalk). We'll visit it one day.

Young but already sturdy ipil-ipil trees (Leucaena leucocephala) line up the paved promenade.

Fish pens and water hyacinths are a typical scene in Laguna de Bay. The nearby land masses beyond the waters is the peninsula of Binañgonan (shared with Cardona) in Morong Province (now Rizal) to the left, and Talim Island (Binañgonan side) to the right. Much further is Pililla, also in the province of Morong.

That's Mount Maquiling to the south. Flocks of migratory swallows are everywhere this time of the year.

Flowery vegetation right below us, floating above the waters of the lake.

The Alas ladies: Krystal, Yeyette, and Faye.

The Alas boys playing like monkeys. Momay and Juanito are right below me. Jefe is trying out another tree. Behind us, beyond the green field, is the Muntinlupa Science High School.

Ms. Jennifer Alas is a top-rate certified public accountant who works for an international bank in Macati. That makes me not just a proud husband and father but also a proud cuya. :-)

Many outdoor activities such as biking, kiting, throwing frisbees, etc. can be done here in Tunasán Baywalk (just keep the place clean as it should be). Or you could simply pass away time while enjoying the serenity of Laguna de Bay and its environs, the largest lake in the Philippines. The only complaint that I have is that the promenade has no benches.

That's Jefe and Momay. They had to be careful not to fall on the other side because the vegetation won't save them — it's nothing but lake water underneath.

It was fun watching the kids run around the grass and climb trees, enjoying themselves to their heart's content as the cool December breeze from the lake blew upon us. These are things that they couldn't experience in our cramped neighborhood. The best things in life are awfully free here at Tunasán Baywalk!

Krystal, Jefe, Momay, and Juanito: our infinity gems. Next year, they will become five. :-)

After several minutes of running around, we then explored this building...

The Muntinlupa Sports Complex is within the Tunasán Baywalk grounds.

At the entrance to the facility, several Christmas lanterns or farol (now spelled as parol) made of recycled products were on display. There appears to have been a farol-making contest held here recently.

We then entered the facility. The place immediately reminded the kids of those basketball games they see on TV.

This facility can seat up to 3,500 people. A basketball court may be the only thing you see here, but the place also can also be used for other public activities such as concerts and political gatherings.

Laguna de Bay as seen from the second level of the Muntinlupa Sports Complex. It was a breezy Christmas afternoon!

We could have stayed a bit longer, but we didn't bring any food. There were supposed to be street food vendors in Tunasán Baywalk. But it was Christmas Day, that's why all of them were absent. So we had to get going early.

Up next, we visited our friend, blogger-historian Arnaldo Arnáiz of With One's Past. He lives just nearby. Arnold has been to our apartment in San Pedro numerous times, but we have never been to his place before. So after our afternoon stroll in Tunasán Baywalk, we decided to give him a Christmas surprise he will never forget: our royal presence visiting his nest, hahaha! We also had to introduce Faye to him because they still did not know each other.

On our way to the old national road to get to Arnaldo's place, I had Yeyette stand up on top of the fault line which is a visible lump on this street. This fault line is part of the scary Mariquina Valley Fault System which which extends from San Mateo, Morong to Taguig, Metro Manila on the south. It runs through the cities of Macati, Mariquina, Parañaque, Pásig, and Taguig. Ours is a dangerous planet, but still, IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Arnaldo's house is currently undergoing some artistic renovation. A portrait of  La Familia Arnáiz at lower right.

After meeting his amiable Ilongo parents who treated us to a hearty merienda of chocolate cakes and softdrinks, Arnold drove us home using their van. But on our way out of their village, we suddenly had the impulse to visit another Ilongo friend: the erudite and famous historian, multilingual author/blogger, flamenco master, and linguistic scholar, none other than Señor Guillermo Gómez Rivera of the Academia Filipina de la Lengua! He lives in Macati City.

It was already dark when we reached Barrio Alabang and the South Luzón Expressway. Surprisingly, the traffic flow was perfectly smooth. So we reached our "rockstar" friend's home in no time! And yes, he too was surprised when we invaded his room. He didn't even recognize me since I cut my long hair (the last time we saw each other was during my wedding last September). And when we got there, we caught him watching some cartoon show on cable TV, LOL (lo siento, señor; pero tengo que decir esto, ¡jajaja!). We then proceeded to a pizza parlor near his place and had a Christmas Day feast while discussing our favorite topic: Philippine History. Of course, Yeyette, Faye, and the kids had a conversation of their own, LOL!

La Familia Viajera meets With One's Past and Filhispánico! And no, we are NOT in McDonalds. 

We hope that we delightfully surprised you by showing another side of highly-urbanized Muntinlupà on Christmas Day. So trust us on this: whenever we say that we go to off-the-beaten tracks, we mean it. :-) Click here to view more photos of our Christmas Day afternoon stroll!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

❤L❤A❤F❤A❤M❤I❤L❤I❤A❤V❤I❤A❤J❤E❤R❤A❤

TRIVIA: Barrio Tunasán was once a part of nearby San Pedro, La Laguna. That is why the latter's name was "San Pedro Tunasán", and the oldest cross inside its old town church is called the "Cruz de Tunasán". Tunasán was (probably) transferred to Muntinlupà in 1914.