changing traditions

Ever since I can remember, our family has celebrated Christmas in our Lola's house. The only time that we didn't was way back in 1983, the year my Dad, Lolo and Lola died within 6 months of each other. Every year since then, Christmas Eve was the time when all the gifts are sent and kept under one tree and opened at the stroke of midnight. It was always the newborn who's celebrating his/her first Christmas that gets the first present. The eldest Tito would play Santa, handing out the gifts to everyone while everyone else busy eating or preparing the food. It was always memorable.
This was during the baptism and birthday of our cousin. This was our first Family photo to be sent out as a calendar-greeting card since our Dad died.
This one's our last "complete Family portrait taken 5 years ago. It was Gellie's first Christmas. Since then, we haven't had our picture taken since Gellie's Mom started working abroad.

Last night, our family celebrated Noche Buena in a restaurant in downtown Manila. Since most are busy with other things, they decided to just meet in Aristocrat and start a new tradition. Like most families, the kids have grown up and gotten married and is celebrating the season with their new family. I guess all of us will go through this.
Food was in abundance but only able to take photos of a few. Yum, yum.
Gifts galore as exchanging presents will probably never go out of style. Not here in Pinas' anyway.
Surprisingly, a lot of families have Noche Buena dinner outside instead of at home. I guess the idea of who'll be left to clean up is motivation enough to just eat out. My cousin Ina with her very intriguing T-shirt. I wonder who it is and where she got that?

Tried to get some coffee afterwards but everywhere we went, Starbucks was closed. I guess they have to celebrate too.

Merry Christmas everyone! Have a happy one as well!

latest

I haven't posted in almost a month and you're (the 3 people that reads this s$&*) probably wondering what has happened. Well, been quite busy of late, doing what most people these days been scampering for...
I already completed 2 and I'm still collecting more of the coveted stickers. Gave away the 2 planners to my sister and a friend. I'm giving the next one to my Mom and hopefully still have enough resolve to get a fourth, (and fifth).
Had lunch with an old HS friend and my Mom at Gerry's grill in Greenhills 2 weeks ago. She came home to attend to his ailing Dad. We were planning her "surprise" appearance at our upcoming reunion.
The first of 2 "reunions' with my HS classmates and close friends. Cynch succesfully surprised everyone when " this vision of loveliness materialised in our midst and stunned everyone with her ethereal beauty" (I was coerced into using this phrase!) It was a pleasant surprise to have her "finally" after 19+ years. Hopefully, we'll have a full roster come July.

In case i don'tsee you in the next few days, MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!