Mondate

I don’t usually wake up early on a vacation. It’s that time to be lazy and tuck deeper into bed, until you are called for lunch. This day was an exception…meeting my girlfriends for a breakfast date on a Monday morning. It’s the only time Chelin can squeeze a meet up because of work.

Hello, Dencia’s food!

Arrozcaldo and tokwa't baboy.

Dencia’s is one restaurant that survived competition with the mushrooming of inasal, buffet and Manila food markets. I grew up eating Dencia’s food, pancit canton con chopsuey as my top favorite. The place is owned by a Chinese family, who oversees the place daily. Whenever I’m in Davao, I never fail to eat here. Hinahanap-hanap ko talaga.

The Breakfast Club: Annamae, Chelin and Bret. My 17th time to wear the Traveling Dress =)

We left a little before 11am and rushed to Abreeza to check if the Valentino shades of Bret was left at Seafood Island or the cinema. Praise God for honest people, we were able to retrieve it from the guard of the cinema.

Annamae and I planned to go around People’s Park, but it opens at 1:00pm. Eventually, Bret decided to cancel his trip to a nearby town. So we have the whole day to waste! Since some friends were at work, we decided to pay them a visit. First stop: MARINA.

Hello, Gen Lee!

We demanded coffee right away (sorry, Gen). We talked and laughed, just like the good ol’ days. And Bret was marking a seaman, who was processing his application across the room.

Our parting picture.

Next stop: Ateneo de Davao University

It never changed, parking is still difficult.

Annamae and Bret wanted to request a copy of their TOR and diploma. The school registrar was our classmate, so processing wouldn’t be that difficult. Unfortunately, Jett was in a meeting, and the queue was too long because it was enrolment day, so we ended up exploring the campus instead.

How nostalgic! I haven’t set foot here for almost 10 years. So much has changed. Entering through Jacinto gate, this statue greeted us. This wasn't built yet at the time I was a student here.

There's a new building. That place used to be the school canteen and PE room.

The green patch used to be huge as it was the soccer field.

 The mini-auditorium is now being converted into a chapel.

Love the stained glass.

The trees have grown taller. The gazebos are still there.

I used to read here a lot.

The law school building!

This building housed so many fond memories.

They now have elevators. Sosyal! During my time, it was just stairs. Just imagine if you're running late for class and the assigned room is at the 5th floor. Marathon talaga!

Next stop: office of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor.

Lawyer at work.

Dan-dan was surprised to see us. I only see him via Facebook. He is popular in the group (Singles Travelers *lol*) because of his trips both local and international. After soooo long, I got to see him physically finally.

We ripped him out of his office and invited him for a late lunch. Our unanimous choice: Luz Kinilaw.

The place never changed. It’s still mabaho and poor-looking. But mind you, the food is outstanding. It’s actually a tourist destination because they serve the best and freshest kinilaw and panga in the city.

We had tuna panga, kinilaw and bagaybay. Ubos! All for only PHP750.00, with 4 rice and a liter of Coke.

Residents turned tourists *lol*

After dropping off Dandan, we went to Ineng’s place then to People’s Park.

Annamae and Ineng.

I wasn’t able to go around the park as my family arrived to pick me up. Though I managed to snap some photos before bidding goodbye to my friends.

Then family time! We had dinner at my dad's favorite Chinese restaurant, Sen Ton Wan.

Some food we ordered: Seepo, Lapu-lapu fillet, Beef with Ampalaya and Crispy Shrimps.

My mom and her favorite pamangkin, John-john.

With my cousin, Nice.

John-john and his mom, my Tita Ce.

My happy Daddy.

This was the longest Monday I ever had! I had so much fun. With friends and family here, I wouldn't trade Davao for anything else.

Life is good.

Sundate

It really is good to be home. Being with family, sleeping on my own bed, home-cooked meals and hearing my nephew talk incessantly are some moments that I take pleasure on. Though I sometimes feel like a “guest” in my own city, such irrelevant feeling fades the moment I see my Mom and Dad. They are my constant reminders that I belong in Davao City…that the city will always be my home.

A lot of us came home to Davao to attend the wedding of Ineng and Isbong. Sans distance and time, we remained friends until today. This type of friends whom I never get to see often, but when we meet up, it’s like we never grew apart.

Blast from the past =)

 

After a siomai feast with my mom and nephew, I went to Abreeza to meet my pals.

My mom and Yeco.

How lucky today’s generation to have such a beautiful mall, Ayala at that. Back then, we only had Victoria Plaza (the first mall that opened when I was in highschool), NCCC (right in the heart of Chinatown), Felcris (for imported items) and JS Gaisano (which burned down several times). Later additions were GMall and SM.

The first Starbucks in Davao opened only last year, right here in Abreeza Mall.

Pretending to be tourists, we took pictures everywhere! And when we saw a picture wall, click-click away….

With Anna Mae and Bret.

Walter took our pictures. He didn’t join us as it was embarrassing daw *lol*.

With Walter, taken over a decade ago *lol*

I bumped into Nelcci, whom I haven’t seen for years. We were schoolmates and became officemates for a short, short time.

Nice to see you!

We had a hard time deciding where to eat dinner because there were too many choices. And unfortunately, the restaurants that were recommended by Chona were overflowing with people. Ending: Seafood Island.

Service was good. Food was good. Company was good.

The lady in yellow is Chona. Walter in white.

Kinilaw and pinakbet.

Chicharong bulaklak and pork sisig.

We decided to watch Men In Black III after. It was my first time to try the cinema of Abreeza. It’s small pala. So wherever you sit, the screen is THIS huge, smacked right in your face. And oh, ticket was only 130php. Ka-barato jud.

After calling it a night, Chona drove us home (thanks, dear!). We have to be up early for a breakfast date the following day.