Celebrations & Occasions Food & Dining

Happy 84th Birthday Mom!

I  can’t help but feel so much tenderness towards my mom whenever I talk to her lately. I see her in a different light, now that she’s turning 84. She’s not as sharp as she used to be. Most of the time I have to repeat myself, or talk a little bit louder for her to understand or hear. And she forgets quite a lot now too. This is not the lady with a commanding presence that I used to know.

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Pre-birthday lunch at Vikings Luxury Buffet: It was nice seeing her happy & carefree, even for just a short period. I guess when you get a bit forgetful it’s also a blessing because you don’t worry about things as much as before.

All my life, my mom has been the strong force. She’s always been a tough cookie, a leader. So seeing her mellow like this makes me feel protective towards her. And a little bit melancholy. I look at her & see a life that has been lived not for herself, but for her children. She has worked very hard & missed so many opportunities trying to do good by us, raising us on her own.

She could have had a second chance at happiness, a do-ever, when my dad passed & she became eligible. But no. She decided she will live for us instead & sacrificed her own to make sure we did alright.

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I always ask my kids -especially the girls- to show their love & affection for their amah as much as they can & as often as they can.

Now that we can finally relax a little & enjoy life somewhat, I asked her if she wanted to see the world, or parts of it at least. She said she’s too old to travel. She’d rather stay where she is. Ganyan yata pag nagkaka-edad na, the zest & passion for life diminishes. Kuntento na with what is at arm’s length. But then I felt sad. Because traveling was one dream I wanted fulfilled for her. But it seems that it’s too late for her to enjoy the beauty of foreign & exotic cities, even with me along to take care of her.

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I so want her to live with me sana so she can have companions. And since my MIL is staying with us she can have someone to chika with. But she’s always been a strong independent woman. She doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone. </3

My mom has never been fond of shopping. All her clothes are now hanging loose on her frail frame. So on the few occasions when she permits me, I try to buy her nice things to wear -and of course she’d still complain a little. Ang matatanda, may 3 pirasong damit masaya na diba. Clothes that actually fit her now that she has lost a lot of weight. We also try to get her eating by going to nice restos now & then. She’s always had to penny-pinch & sacrifice for us, I guess it just became a habit.

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We take her out to eat from time to time because left at home, she would just pick at her food. She is so thin now! :'(

 

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It’s not so much about appetite, but who she eats with I guess. Because I noticed if she’s with her grandkids & out and about, she is willing to try an assortment of food on the table & eats more than usual. Malungkot talaga kumain ng mag-isa.

For her birthday, she didn’t want to have a party, or celebrate it out of the country. So the next best thing to taking her to the land of the rising sun was taking her to a Japanese resto. And to be honest, nothing compares to the Teppanyaki Buffet at Yurakuen of Diamond Hotel.

I have very few favorites when it comes to Japanese hotel restos: UMU in Dusit Thani, INAGIKU in Makati Shangri-La Manila, YANAGI in Midas Hotel, and of course YURAKUEN in Diamond Hotel.

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Always studying! :'( A SCIENCE MAJOR’s LIFE.

 

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So thankful to my friend IRENE of Indulgence by Irene for lending me not one but TWO Indulgence cards. Indulgent talaga sya. 😉 The buffet costs 2,800.00 php/person but if you have an Indulgence card, you get 50% off for 2 pax dining, 33.3% for 3 pax (and senior citizen cardholders), 25% for 4 pax, and 20% for 5 or more applicable at Corniche, Yurakuen & Sky Lounge of Diamond Hotel. So our bill came out to around 12k+ instead of more or less 20k! That’s a HUGE savings. Thank you Irene! :-* I’m actually thinking of getting one for myself.

An Indulgence card (6.5k) includes the following: Dining discounts | 15% discount on all beverages |  1 Complimentary Lunch or Dinner Buffet for 2 at Corniche | 1 ” Special Occasion” voucher for fifty percent (50%) discount on the total food bill in Corniche when dining at a table of six 6-12 people | 1 bottle of house wine at any participating restaurant when dining in a group of 2 or more | 1 voucher for complimentary appetizer when dining in a group of 4 or more at Yurakuen or Sky Lounge | 8 vouchers valued at P100.00 each to be used when dining at any participating restaurant | 1 week trial workout to the health and fitness center including the use of swimming pool and gym. | 50% off membership fee at the gym | 20% off for massages at Diamond Spa and 10% off on reflexology treatments at the LifeSpan Reflexology

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Maybe I’ll have another go with Kap before I return these to Irene! ;)) Those giant scallops alone, super sulit.

Happy birthday Mommy. As always, my wish for you is more healthy & happy years ahead. God already gave you rest from your worries. Now, I hope & pray that He will also grant my wish that you can have time left to enjoy naman the fruits of your labor.

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Her last birthday celebration with the people she has been in close contact with every single day of her life for the past 30 years. But it’s really time for her to retire & enjoy her golden years. Time for her to sit back & relax na. <3

 

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Birthday celebration at CPK after the program.

Thank you for your selflessness & generosity. For your unconditional love & care for us even way past our prime, you still show your concern. We feel your love & care every minute of every day. You are one of our life’s greatest blessings mom. We love you! <3

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Post-birthday celebration: Gloria Maris Greenhills with the occupants of the other half of her heart. <3

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26 Comments

  • Reply Noel Q.

    Sniff… this is such a touching post, Jane, Medyo naluha ako… pramis! My mom is the same as yours, sobrang naghirap din para sa pito niyang anak nung iniwan kami ng tatay ko dati… buti na lang next year dun na siya titira sa mga kapatid ko sa ibang bansa, magiging mas komportable na buhay niya.

    Parang gusto ko din niyang indulgence card na yan! Sarap ng kinain niyo sa Diamond Hotel… nakakapag-laway. =)

    October 6, 2015 at 8:45 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Hay naku Niel sobrang sulit sinasabi ko sayo. Dapat hindi ka mag brekky & lunch para makadami sa dinner hahaha! Thank you mwah! :-*

      October 6, 2015 at 9:02 am
  • Reply january

    happy birthday to your mom, may the Lord bless her with more healthy years.

    October 6, 2015 at 9:16 am
  • Reply Kei Aclaro

    Hi, Ms. Jane! Happy Birthday po to your Mom! May she be blessed more especially with the best of health. Napaka touching po ng post nyo… I hope that you’ll get to spend more previous time with her… May God bless her and your whole family more!

    October 6, 2015 at 9:45 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you Kei appreciate your well wishes mwah! :-*

      October 6, 2015 at 10:47 am
  • Reply candy

    I feel a lump on my throat holding my tears from falling down while I read this very touching and personal post, Mommy Jane! I so can relate because my mom is one tough nanay but since she is on senior years, was confined lately and visits to hospital and her doctors become more frequent, I see her energy diminished and it pains me so much.

    One time after dining in Podium, she wanted to go to Megamall to buy a blouse. So, we just walked and left my car in Podium. After a while, her steps became more calculated and she was holding my arms because probably of exhaustion. I called my siblings almost crying and told them that the “woman who has guided us all our lives now needs our guidance and care”.

    Waahhhh!

    October 6, 2015 at 10:39 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Dibaaaa. Huhuhu vicious cycle of life. :'( #walangforever

      October 6, 2015 at 10:49 am
  • Reply jhem.mace

    :-(( naiyak naman ako ms. jane dito sa office, eh ano kung may nakakita, moment ko ito eh!

    u are so lucky she is still around you 🙂 happy happy birthday to your mom! may she be blessed more by God and her life be longer and longer and longer!!

    October 6, 2015 at 12:06 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      Uy thank you Jhem sa iyong makabagbag-damdaming pagsuporta! :-* Nothing gives a writer more pleasure than touching the heart of their reader. Thank you for your kindness! <3 And of course for your well wishes mwah mwah!

      October 6, 2015 at 2:54 pm
  • Reply Eileen

    Happy birthday to your Mom. I wish her good health and many more happy years 🙂

    October 6, 2015 at 12:08 pm
  • Reply Photo cache

    Happy happy birthday po! It’s really nice to see your mom and MIL in your ganap with the family.

    October 6, 2015 at 12:25 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      Hi Maria! <3 Yeah, we are really trying to include them na in as much activities that the kids can tolerate haha. Mej makukulit na kasi. ;))

      October 6, 2015 at 2:57 pm
  • Reply Erika

    Mother! I missed you! Even ss IG wala ka update. Nagwoworry ako kaya nag DM ako sayo sa IG. Happy to read an update on your blog! Happy birthday to your Mom! I guess now I know kung ano pinagkakaabalahan mo.

    October 6, 2015 at 2:15 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      Ha? May DM ka ba? I will check so sorry to worry you. And thank you for the love mwah mwah! Appreciate your friendship! :-*

      October 6, 2015 at 2:58 pm
  • Reply michymichymoo

    Ang heavy nito sa damdamin, Mama Bear, lalo na that I’ll be leaving my family in a few years’ time. huhuhu.

    Happy birthday to your Mama! Hope she’ll stay healthy and she’ll be able to make lakwatsa with you and her apos. 🙂

    October 6, 2015 at 2:34 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      Oist. Balitaan mo ako ora mismo bakit may “leaving-leaving” na kaganapan ha? Kwento!

      October 6, 2015 at 2:59 pm
  • Reply Ai-Lyn

    Happy birthday to your Mother Dear, Mommy Jane!!!! She’s one great mom really, I admire her so much!

    October 6, 2015 at 4:21 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      I couldn’t agree more. Thank you so much for your well wishes Ai-Lyn! :-*

      October 6, 2015 at 4:32 pm
  • Reply Jana

    I like reading your personal posts like this. Sometimes I feel like we don’t get to make kwento anymore cuz of our scheds so being able to read your thoughts makes me feel as if we were having a deep convo over sushi and pizza <3

    October 7, 2015 at 12:48 pm
  • Reply Epza

    Belated happy birthday to your mom! So glad to have met her. 🙂

    October 8, 2015 at 8:41 am
  • Reply julia

    Teary-eyed. 🙁 Your posts are always so full of emotions. Thank you for letting us in your world <3 Hope your mom had a blast <3

    October 23, 2015 at 11:13 am
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