Sassy Missy: It's the season to be jolly!

December is THE party month.

Last Sunday, I was in Manila for the 2Oceans Christmas lunch in Hai at the Mall of Asia.

A bit of history. 2Oceans = Denden Alapan, Janet Bagnes, Mayk & Pia de Guzman, Bel Fernandez, Patrick & Ingrid Go, Jerome & Maita Guevarra, Sylvia Isaac-Tidwell, Missy Jurado, Doreen Rojo, Billy & Chit Serrano, Richard So, Raul & Maridol Ylanan. The name was hatched during one of our weekend trips to Tito Fred and Ma'am Snow Jeanjaquet's beach house in Batangas... over a few bottles of 2Oceans red... in the late 90s... as we dreamt of (very) big things. In other words, usapang lasing.

For this Christmas lunch, our special guests were, of course, our very dear Ma'am Snow and Mr and Mrs Lopez-Dee. The stars of the day though were our little princesses!

Maddie Guevarra

Anika de Guzman

Gia Serrano and Mom Chit

L-R Noelle, Bee, me, Maddie, and Gia

I came back to HK on Wednesday to work... and to go to Ting Guevarra's leaving party. Ting is making the big move out of investment banking into a more worthwhile and fullfilling life! I forgot my camera but thanks to Ting and Rosanna, we have tons of pictures:

http://www2.snapfish.com/share/p=983131197613577091/l=333345551

http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=219121197507952214/l=335702122

These are some of the top picks:

L-R Gia, Ginger, me, Angela, Irene, Ting and the FOOD

L-R me, Gary, Sheila & the magic mic, Gia, Anna, Irene & AngelaTing & Sheila dancing the night away It was also Gary's birthday. Ting got him a cake! Surprise! L-R Angela, Sheila, Gary, Ivy, Ginger, Michel, me, & Sandy Clockwise: me, Gia, Irene, Ivy, Sheila, Gary, Rosanna, Carla, Anna & Ting Ting let her hair down.. completely!

We had a great time. Thanks, Ting! You are a great hostess. Please let us know when you are fully settled in in LA and we'll visit you if only for those scenic drives we talked about last time. And, alright, we'll bring the magic mic!

Saturday was another social whirl starting with lunch for Eva Claravall! Eva is leaving Hong Kong. She and husband, Eugene, had decided to move back to Manila where they have both landed very good jobs! So lucky! In a transient city like Hong Kong, we are so used to people coming and going. In fact, leaving parties are no longer occasions for separation blues. These are celebrations in honour of friends who are moving on to greater and better things!

For Eva's last day in Hong Kong, we had greek in Olive along Elgin St in Soho followed by dessert in our old favorite Chocolux on Peel St (Their molleaux is to die for!)! As usual, we took all the photo opps we could find! Clearly, this is not a camera-shy group! We will miss you in HK, Eva! Please organize some photo opps in Manila!

L-R me, Gia, Mark, Eva, Soy & Gary

L-R Ate Grace, Gia, Mark, Eva, Gary & Soy

Clockwise from top: Eva, me, Gia, Mark, Soy & Italy-bound Ivy

Clockwise from left: Eva, Gary, me, Gia, Mark, Soy & Ivy

Ate Grace and I then headed to Tung Chung to visit Jane and Joaquin Feliciano. As I will be missing my godchild's christening in Manila next weekend, I just had to see him yesterday. Jean Bermas and Arnold Juan joined us too. Both Jean and Arnold live in aeroplanes the whole year round so I am always happy to have the opportunity to see them on land!

Waiting for Jean outside the Tung Chung Station Ate Grace, Jane, me, Joaquin & Jean
Joaquin with Ninang and Ninong