Carmina is traveling to the United States to spend time with her family. My dad planned a family gathering for Mother's Day at their favorite Pinoy restaurant . Since reservations aren’t possible, we arrived an hour early to ensure we could get a table for twelve before everyone else showed up. As my dad approached Isla Grand , the branch we visited in Pleasant Hills, California , the host at the door said they could prepare a table for twelve at five o'clock. Later, the server called my dad's name and guided us to our table. The place was bustling with people enjoying meals and celebrating Mother's Day. On our first visit to Isla Grand, I was captivated by the décor, noticing many native items that gave the place a fancy yet authentic Filipino feel. They usually have a live band, but unfortunately, there was no entertainment the night we went. My family had spoken highly of Isla Grand and encouraged us to try the Filipino dishes we’ve been missing from back home. Lech...
Christmas is just around the corner. There are some people who don't look forward for the holidays especially when someone passed away recently. It would bring back painful memories.
My mom told me ever since her mom passed away when she was young she hated Christmas holiday. It had reminded her memories she had spent with her mom when she was young. She said, her mom loved Christmas. She would prepare the table with all sort of Filipino dishes. She would decorate her home up for the holiday.
She said, when we're young she had no choice to celebrate Christmas because she didn't want to spoil her feelings to her own children.
Now, we are older she careless to celebrate Christmas. She doesn't get excited during this moment in time.
I remember there was one year I lived with her. My son wanted the spirit of Christmas. I had to buy him a small fake plastic tree to place on a small table. My son complained to his Nana. She had no spirit of Christmas. He called, her home black Christmas. From my son's imagination that is how well he had express it when he was in Grade School.
My mom doesn't want to be consider old like a Grandmother. She wants to be a hip Grandmother that is why she decided to be called, Nana.
Every year we usually travel after Christmas with my mom. To let her be free spirit and do what she love to do take pictorial pictures. She loves the attention and post it in her social media.
Every year we hold up a Christmas Party for the employee from my in-law's business. It is usually few days before Christmas Eve. By than the employee are off on their Christmas holiday.
The entire family members of the employee would come to the house.
I am in charge of the food presentation by helping with the cook. Every year the traditional menu always remain to be same. We always prepare the food one week before our big event would take place.
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| Pork Barbecue |
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| Menudo |
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| Fresh Ubod Lumpia serve with peanut butter sauce |
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| Fried Lumpia Shanghai |
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Chicken Macaroni Salad Buko Fruit Salad  Fruit Salad |
We tend to put our dessert in small portion this way there is no excess in left over food. This is easy for the employee's to bring home if we have left over to take away with them.
Just like any other Christmas Party we also have parlor games, exchange gifts, prized and entertainment. The traditional entertainment is always group of six people drawn by names. No one knows who they will matched up with. Other employees living in separate houses from my sister in-law and brother in-law. Their employee have separate group teams. They will all compete with each other.
The traditional entertainment they would be dancing any Christmas song of their choice. This year I have decided to change the pattern. This year they will be singing solo of their choice of music. I wanted to break that tradition. For so many years I have been taking their video and over looking each video. They all look the same.
This year everyone is so excited because there are some employee who don't know how to dance, but know how to sing.
What are their prized? It is always money that has been contributed by my in-law's and relatives who are the judges.
There are 3rd runner up, 2nd runner up and 1st runner up.
There is no favoritism all fair game.
Each employee and the family members are given each a gift from all the members of their employer.
I feel every Christmas is a day to give than more to receive. I feel once you are a good person something good will come out from you in the near future.
This is what my parent's taught me be good to other's and some day your time will come. Those people who you took care of will do something in return in your need.
Learn not to expect too much in life just go in life as you would want it to be. Be happy what you have and not expect to get what other's have. If, you are not happy it is only you who can change the way your life is. They an can give you advise, but it is up to you who takes that chance to improve your own life.
When my mom tells me about the life of her friend. I always tell her she/he decided to have that kind of life. May be that person is content the way she or he may live on a daily basis.
There are people who want more in life, but cannot afford it. Those people are the ones who are really in need. Those people are the ones striving to make their life better.
Those people are even the ones trying to support their whole family. We have employee who are single and they have to help a household of family. They are taking that responsibility to provide what their parents can't do for them.
These people most of their salary goes to their family.
During the month of December in the Philippines we receive our salary, our 13th month pay and Christmas bonus.
What is 13th month pay in the Philippines?
13th month pay is the equivalent of one twelfth of an employee's basic annual salary by law.
Christmas bonus is depending on the company you work and it is not mandatory to give. It is given voluntary. Christmas bonus is consider the appreciation and gratitude from your employer.
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