the french have landed May 19, 2011

 

Coming all the way from France, China and South Africa…

the French have finallly landed.

 

 

Welcome to the Pearl of the Orient, 

PHILIPPINES!!!!!!!

 

 

They first heard about the Philippines through the stories and photos that A and I shared with them.

During our reunion in Normandy , the idea of coming here came up and now I can’t believe they are finally here.

Halukatdat!!!

 

fresh coconuts for sale

  

I heard oohs and aahs as we stepped out into the beach front when we arrived… They all fell in love with Boracay, I mean who wouldn’t. They were so in love with the place they started having this crazy idea of maybe putting up a family business here

Aba huwhy not!

 

teo doing some monkey business

brave emilie with uncle A

 

What I enjoyed about hanging out with them is that there is no need to do everything all at once.

Travelling for them is not about speed. It’s about taking your time, relaxing and just enjoying the place.

This was actually my longest stay in Boracay.

 

island music

teo became friends with the bartenders and got himself some free drinks

emilie busy reading A's book. she was also busy writing and illustrating her first story

teo doing his karate chops on uncle A

 

But of course they also know how to let loose and just Anjoy ( that’s how they pronounce it

 

Cam's first time behind the wheeeeeeeeeel

 

What they really loved about the Philippines beyond the wonderful beaches and the beautiful islands are the people. Everybody was just friendly and warm and happy and game. I know this won’t be their last time here but for now we are already planning on our next reunion trip.

Beijing perhaps or why not Cape town?

Hmmmm… Abangan!

 

 

 

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images shot in Boracay, Philippines

Arurumerci Ella & Gino for everything

 

so much to see, so LILLE time April 7, 2011

 

smoked salmon, boiled potatoes, salad

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I first visited this northern part of the country during my first trip to France. Just a short train ride from Paris, my friend and I arrived in Lille to interview a Filipino painter. While walking around the town center, I remember thinking it would actually be nice to live here… The place was vibrant and alive, the architecture were interesting and the city was small enough to not feel lost or alone. Lille did I know, I would come back here again This time to visit Anny and JP for a New Year get-together with the family…

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anny & jp are vegetarians hence the delicious vegetarian meals

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I had a date with Claude & JP while A spent quality time with his mom Anny. We went to the Tri Postal to catch the Silk Road Saatchi Gallery Exhibition. The space used to be a postal sorting facility which is now a major contemporary art space. There were some installation pieces that moved me, too bad I stupidly left my camera at home. Maybe I will write another entry about this exposition, but I tell you the collection was just phenomenal!

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organic brunch

family discussion over brunch

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I saw some interesting shops and spaces along the way but we didn’t have enough time to really look around but at least there’s a reason to come back and discover the place a lille more

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on top of the world February 18, 2011

 

 

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Coming home, I am reunited with kindred spirits and loved ones. I spent days bonding with my nephew and family until my friends eventually discovered that I’m back  Soon enough, racket offers came pouring in which was good, it’s nice to be back in the zone. Then, my handmade-with-love ROCK&RULE goodies were sold in a pop-up shop and now I will head off to the boondocks to bring my travelling show “iconsumetherforeiam” to be part of the Axis International Arts festival… WHEW! What can I say, it’s good to be back :)

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images shot from the 23rd floor overlooking snowy Paris

 

hanggang sa muli… August 24, 2010

 

 

 

 

This short vacation was all about FAMILY –  updating, connecting and supporting each others ideas and plans… It was about making new memories, consuming good meals, wine and conversations, creating music, enjoying each others company, (it’s not often that EVERYBODY is here) and planning for the next vacation (maybe next time we reunite in the Philippines )

HANGGANG SA MULI…

chillax August 23, 2010

 

 

 

 

Went to Lyons la Foret with A’s brother and sister to chill.

Spoken August 18, 2010

 

 

A married couple who drove all the way from Bordeaux and A’s sister from Paris  joined us just in time for Aperitif.

Chips, Cornichon & Champagne!

 

 

 

These kids are multilingual!!!  They can speak Vietnamese, French, English and Chinese – halukatdat right! 

Teo is into parcours and karate while Emilie is into arts and music.

Jasking mga batang ire

 

 

Over lunch I learned that a kid can learn to speak a language without accent until the age of 7.

I should’ve learned French when I was a little girl, hehehehe, mais maintenant c’est trés deficile pour moi, tsk tsk tsk.

 

 

Every evening we gather around the piano and sing.

Aba syempre hindi papatalo tayong mga Pinoy pagdating sa musikahan ;p

 

I enjoy this a lot because I feel that this is how I can speak. I mean I’m not really fluent in French so sometimes it’s just better to listen and absorb the thoughts and ideas presented. I love how each conversation can be profound and deep then it can easily shift to something light and witty. And how they can just drink so much wine, haha. I share their passion for food but the wine I’m not yet ready to turn it into water. I mean, they drink more wine than water. WINE is their WATER   I drink a glass of champagne and Je suis bangenge . . .

 

 

Bonding time August 17, 2010

 

 

 

The weather was nice and sunny.

Perfect time to go out, play frisbee and just run around like crazy.  

REUNION August 16, 2010

 

all the way from China

 

A’s dragon

 

chips, taboule, escargot

 

Teo shares a secret at the dining table

 

Poisson a la JP

 

mmmmmmm ratatouille

 

Bon Apetit!

 

A with his pamangkins

 

We all came from different places (China, Lille, Paris) to reunite here at Claude’s summerhouse in Normandy. The last time I saw the kids was before they left for China, 2 years ago I think and now they got so big and kulit It was nice to see everyone again. After the exchanging of gifts, we did a lot of catching up while feasting on French vegetarian delights and overflowing wine & champagne.