Sydney Trip - Nov 2008

I was so happy when my boss told me to go to Sydney for a Project Management workshop. I haven't been in Sydney yet so it would be a great opportunity to see my cousin Margie Quintas and his son, Joel. Last time I saw Ate Margie was when she's pregnant with Joel. So that was about 14 yrs ago! She was kind enough to drive us to see Bondi Beach (known to be Aussie's nude beach). Sonny got dissappointed because no-one was sun bathing because it was a rainy afternoon!!! He, he, he :-)

It would be a good time to see my MBA Classmate, Vic Andallo and his family too. Last time I saw them was when they attended my wedding three (3) years ago. He tagged us along to attend the 50th birthday of his friend. My jaw dropped when I saw his friend's place which is a penthouse unit overlooking the harbour bridge and Sydney Opera House. They just happen to be one of the neighbors of Nicole Kidman & Russell Crowe.

That's not all! My trip won't be complete until I see Bob Luna and his wife Diana. Bob is the younger brother of Cecille Luna, my long lost friend in high school. I finally found Cecille via Facebook courtesy of Maricar Salud another classmate.

In between these reunions, we went around Sydney to see the Opera House. Too bad it was cloudy and raining then. Sonny and I were looking forward to the Sydney Harbour cruise then. Anyway, we can do it next time.

One of the highlights of my trip is to see the old buildings adjacent with the modern ones. OO nga pala, I thought I went to Apple haven when I went to the only Apple Store in Australia. I can't resist shopping some accessories for my Iphone.

Overall it was fun, fun, fun! I would love to go back again soon!

Holiday October 2008 - Rockhampton, Townsville, Cairns and Mackay 2008

It has been a year since we had a break. Sonny urged me to take a road trip to Cairns, Queensland. I was reluctant at first but Sonny was insistent so I planned the trip and we headed off.

We first had 7 hours trip to Rockhampton and stayed over night. Took another 8 hours trip to Townsville the following day. Stayed at Jupiters Townsville which is a great hotel considering that it's old and currently undergoing renovations. We had a refreshing Marina View. We decided to sleep in to further enjoy the hotel. It's beautiful in Townsville with the beach, mountain view and great sights along the Strand!

Then we took a 4 hour trip to Cairns. It has a different personality too with rain forests, cute town which is geared around tourist business. Woolworths supermarket has a souvenir section!

We initially stayed at the Rydges Esplanade Resort where we had a very unpleasant experience. Smelly room, old bed (not the famous Dream Bed!) noisy aircon, super slow lift and list goes on. We moved to Rydges Plaza Cairns after two days which is a far better place - yup they got the Dream Bed! Felt like sleeping beauty, Sonny has to kick me off my butt to get out of bed!

Anyway, the main reason why we took this trip is for Sonny to see some special people in his life and old friends whom he had not seen for the past 20 yrs. I haven't seen Sonny so restless and nervous to face his past. It was a very important step for him to heal emotionally from his past.

We had fun seeing all of them and enjoy Cairns with them!!!

More pics to follow....

Clara's 18th Party - 20 Nov. 2008

We just had a great party last night! It's Clara Conde's 18th Birthday. She's Gina & Jun's eldest daughter.

How time flies she has grown to be a great lovely young lady!

Happy Birthday Clara!!!

Love,
Tita Bing and Tito Sonny :-)

Marriage Recognition Ceremony, Our Lady of Graces Parish, Carina, Qld, Australia, 31 May 2008

Sonny and I decided to have a "Marriage Recognition Ceremony" last Saturday, 31 May 2008. The Church will recognize our civil wedding last 8 January 2005 and we will have the grace to seen as married couple in the eyes of the Church and God.

This was a very important event to me because both Sonny and I will be able to receive the Holy Communion again.

It was nearly two (2) years saga for us to process this request to recognize our civil wedding as binding under Church laws. God eventually answered our prayers.

This are just partial photos. I am still waiting for more pictures coming from my friends cameras.

We organized a very simple ceremony and shared this special moment with immediate family and friends at our home.

I am fortunate to have Gina Conde, my best friend who helped decorate our home for our simple reception. Jun Conde, her husband cooked the best pancit palabok! Sonny's twin sisters catered heaps of food.

I decided to surprise Sonny in buying a nice chocolate mud cake wedding cake. I had our wedding picture printed on the edible paper as the centerpiece of our cake. It was a great hit for our guests...we didn't had a chance to have a piece!

Lastly, may I honor Fr. Steve Hartley who were with us in this journey from the time Sonny proposed to marry me about four years ago.

Now the journey is now complete! Thank God!

Port Macquarie Trip - Jan 2008

I haven't seen my friend Iris Palermo-Byfield who left ahead of me to go to Australia. She's based in Port Macquarie with her husband and new baby girl. Along the way, it would be good to see my niece Fortune Bucud. Her family already followed her to stay at Bellingen, NSW.

It was five (5) hours drive for Sonny. The scenic drive of nature, green valley, green trees and fresh was enriching to our spirit.

Anyway, here our photos. Enjoy!

Love,
Bing and Sonny Pagbilao

Debdeb & Salar's Magnificent Wedding

We were honoured to be invited at Deb and Salar's wedding last November 2007. We are honouring them here in this blog. Overall it was the best wedding I attended this far. Reception was held at Palazzio Versace Hotel - apparently this is where Salar proposed to Debdeb then. It was a memorable night with fantastic food, best wine and great music.

It was fun for Sonny and me to dress-up and dance the night away!!!