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I flew back to Manila just in time for my brother's birthday. Initially I just wanted to visit my little girl since it's been two weeks since I last saw her. Two for the price of one huh?

It was a Saturday so everybody was busy doing their own thing. My brother didn't impose that we should be there but we all tried to. I love family gatherings, and it's quiet notable that food always brings us together. We were so ready to get our tummies loaded!

Our uncle was also in town for a wedding, so it makes him a willing substitute for my dad.

And of course there's my brother's friends who are ever present to support him at any time. I'm guessing they flew in too for his birthday.

Food is served! We had one of almost every kind just so we could taste a little bit of everything. It was divine, we loved it all.

And of course, don't forget the cake courtesy of Sheila. And my brother giggled while blowing his 23rd cake. We love you bro!

Marciano's

Second Floor, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati

I wish I could say that I'm back to blogging for good. Unfortunately a lot of things have been holding me down. Right now I'm working on getting back with my old flame...swimming.

It's been years since I've been doing laps and it's surprising that now that I'm a few years older, my body doesn't react as quickly as before. I guess this is how a retired swimmer would feel after years without training. It's not anymore about speed, it's about how long I could stay in the water. I am my own team now, so it's up to me to train myself. Must. Build. Endurance.

I'm lucky to have a family that enjoys the same thing I do -- plus their uber supportive friends.

Flowers -- are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844