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Mornings in Hong Kong are made of these:

Yes, you got that right! McDonald's breakfast. Still one of the most reliable breakfast for travelers.

Shops open quiet late in this side of town. Perfect for a few shots.

Now boarding the bus to take them around.

Now on the roads of Hong Kong. There's the signature double decker bus, the red cab and the blinding lights. If I were single and a lot younger, I would have killed to live in this city. I was born a country mouse, but I love the riot of the busy cities. Now I could see the possibilities since my husband's roots are from a nearby town in China and now most of them lives in Hong Kong.

A quick stop at the hotel and now to binge up for the night.

To start off the night, everyone should have a cup of tea.

Now next is a skill my daughter should work on -- eating with chopsticks! Kiara doesn't look Chinese at all, she should at least eat like one! LOL

Let me give you some food coma straight from Hong Kong...

Now this family has one big happy tummy!

To burn down the grease, what better way to do that than to walk down the streets of Hong Kong, father-daughter style.

Some people has been asking me to post this. But it took me 9 months to do so, a couple more months and this post would have been useless!

Late February this year, the Lo family headed out to Hong Kong to meet up with their relatives both from Hong Kong and China in time for the Chinese New Year celebrations.

My daughter was looking forward to this, not just because she's going abroad, but because she loves anything that comes with heritage or a little history. That's clearly her thing. Plus this will be the first time she will be travelling with the Lo family, minus mom. LOL

They were lucky because they got on board Philippine Airlines new Boeing 777.

Compared to others, my daughter loves flying! She enjoys every minute of it. You wouldn't need to keep her busy, but then again, a game of bookworm wouldn't hurt. PAL's Boeing 777 has ways to keep your flying phobia tucked in.

Now, touchdown Hong Kong!

My daughter's a little agitated, clearly bonding with the family begins right now.

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'm SO yesterday -- I know! This event was over the summer and I'm just posting it now, nearly three months in the making. This was the time when my brother's shirt business was shortlisted to provide shirts for an event organized by Sofie Garrucho.

FHM a men's magazine brought its Vixens to the City of Love. And I could tell that men are a little agitated about this. I love how FHM has made money out of men's weakness. What a way to do business, i likey!

Men hovered around to watch these Vixen slowly undress to bare essentials. I love that this night I was one of the boys, sipping some beer, eyes on these women, appreciating beauty and curves in a men's perspective. I completely left my last drop of estrogen out the door. It's so easy to be a man...I love it!

But my jaw-dropper wasn't the ladies barely covered, but the people showing off their love to my hometown through our statement tees.

I am such a lousy blogger. I've been trying so hard to keep up just so I could blog real-time. But something always keep coming up. I'm not making a scapegoat, I'm just saying. *sighs* This photos still date back 3 months ago when we all learned that Achie San and baby Chase will be heading back to the States.

We drove out to Racso's in Guimbal. It's not all that far, but anywhere outside Iloilo sounds far enough already. Baby Chase was aggitated as if he clearly knew what he had to expect. He's really a brillant 2 year old, he amazes me most of the time.

Who ever said that this trip was for the kids only? It's for grown-ups too. Clearly loved the fact that we were practically the only ones there for a swim coz the rest were on their way out.

And oh, the little boy -- LOVES the water! As proof, he wanted to have his "alone time" away from the rest but of course that couldn't be possible.

And my not-so-little girl is obviously enjoying the time she gets to spend with Chase, plus the fact that she gets to soak up.

I could only have good words about a mother's love. And it's even beyond words, something only one can understand when you become a mom yourself. I know you will be a great man Chase. We'll miss you though.

And here's Chase's second mom. Such a lucky kid!

We miss you baby Chase. We miss your loud cries and your high pitch NOs.

My daughter learned to love because she grew up filled with love from the people around her.

Racso's Woodland, Brgy. Rizal-Tuguisan, Guimbal, Iloilo

Ever since my daughter spent an X number of days with her dad, they're instant friends thereon. And I'm left on the sidelines. But I don't really mind, because they do have a lot of catching up to do.

I remember when my mom was alive, she told me about a story of saving your spoon for dessert. And I have been after that. My mom was a big dessert fan, and now I've passed that on to my little one. She's talking about dessert in the last few spoonfuls every meal. While I am not picky with sweets, Kiara favors ice creams, frozen yogurts or gelato. Anything cold and frozen is her thing.

In rare occasions, this is the time when my daughter is hesitant to share, she'll surely give you a tiny portion!

Initially I just wanted to hear mass this day but dad insisted on dining out . I looked haggard to the last strand of my hair that day, I thought everyone would be nice enough not to mind but Jason did.

Eating out on my date of birth is a living proof that I've probably been binging out pretty bad in the past decade? I wish to just cut off a little bit of the fat I've stored for the past years, even just for this day, but dad wouldn't want me to. Ha! Lame excuse! Oh well, I had flowers! *grin* I have the sweetest brothers anyone could ever have. Dad of course, he's the sweet genes that got into my brothers DNA. And my daughter is and forever will be my muse.

We had fun stuffing in most of what was on the buffet table. And of course, no family gathering would be complete without the messing around and the photo op. Munching breaks were filled with laughs and playing around so when we've had enough of that, we're ready to raid back to the tables for more food.

Then Kiara and my brother finished off the night with a glass of halo-halo and a hug. *sigh*

Best days are filled with these.

Since I was out of town on Mother's day, we made up for my absence on a heavy dinner. Food brings our family together. LOL. And ever since I arrived, my daughter proudly showed off her new hair.

Since they spent more than a week together without me, these two have been playing around, whispering, giggling, as if they were of the same age.

Kiara is all hyped up that night, thanks to the new do.

Kiara: *giggling* Surprise mom!

Janiz: I missed you so much!

Kiara: I know, but do you love my surprise?

Janiz: Where?

Kiara: *roll eyes* Duh, my hair! You spoiled it. *pout*

Janiz: I was just kidding.

Kiara: Do you like it?

Janiz: Oh, I LOVE it!

Kiara: Me too! I was surprised it was this short, but it was such a beautiful surprise.

Janiz: Now it's my time to do this, *roll eyes*

She's narcissistic just like that.

I know I'm doing a blog over-kill of Uncle Tom's, but I can't help it. Like I've said, it's in the top of my must-eat list in Iloilo.

Let me repost what I've posted on my previous blog:

"I grew up loving their food, especially their chicken. My family and the owners of the restaurant have been friends for the longest time. I even remember they had the taste test at home before opening up the place. I've seen it evolve, from their MaryMart branch, to Delgado St. branch, to Ledesma (near Tanza), and now in Diversion Road. I've basically been following wherever the place was. And while I was in studying in Manila, I'd make sure that I'd make a binge-stop and have a chicken overload."

Even up to this time I've carried out this growing habit, so unmistakably, this is my first binge-stop for the summer.

Uncle Tom's

Benigno Aquino Avenue; Ledesma Street Iloilo, Philippines, 5000

(033) 300-3563 and (033) 336-3706