It's summer already, so Noy and I went swimming with his family at their favorite place, the Parkridge Clubhouse at Valley Golf. It's so near the house where Noy grew up so it's become a part of his childhood. What I like about it is the fact that there's not many people around; in fact there were days that all three pools were ours to devour, like this particular Sunday.
The following weekend, we headed to Bulacan for an errand. My parents bought a house in San Jose del Monte that we are now leasing to a family who also once lived near us in Tondo. Of course the house has changed a lot on the outside, but that's inevitable. It's nice to know that Mama's mango trees are producing much fruit; we had so much fun eating them when we were kids and went home on weekends.
We stopped at the nearby National Shrine of the Divine Mercy for a visit. It's a popular place to devotees who are looking for solemnity and solace. It's a big church with a vast backyard containing a Rosary Park, Stations of the Cross with life-size statues, and many others. I have great memories of Christmas Eve masses in this open area behind the church - the cold wind, the starry sky, the beautiful singing of Silent Night - I remember being speechless with tears in my eyes.
I had to put my memories aside just like that because we were all hungry, and by some twist of fate we were led to the old Ma Mon Luk in Quezon Avenue. I know it's been there all along, but it really was my first time in a Ma Mon Luk.
I really have nothing to say except "Why haven't we been here before?". I felt sad knowing what I had been missing all along, but then I cannot blame my parents for not bringing us there thinking it might be expensive. I swear this is where I'm taking them to lunch the very next time they're in town. The food is just so good I bet Papa will have a lot of his own memories to tell us over lunch then.
If it's your first time in Ma Mon Luk too then by all means order the mami and siopao. You'll never go wrong.
Of course, the Ma Mon Luk Chicken and Fried Rice are also to die for. Did I mention it's not expensive? If you're not too picky with surroundings (not that it's dirty, but we have to admit the place is old and not air conditioned) then you'll get the best value for your money here.
The service is very efficient, too. Thank you, Manong.
Plus, the place itself is a story. There's a little old something for every one, even old photos of then-celebrities who ate there, like this ancient telephone that took much of our notice. So cool.
Finally, we spent one rainy evening in Tagaytay yesterday. It was SO cold! It definitely brought me back to those Sydney evenings when it was so cold my hipbone hurt with contact on the wall. We'd usually dine al fresco anywhere in Tagaytay, but I couldn't bear the chilly wind this time.
It was pizza and pasta night at Carlo's!
It was our first time at Carlo's so we tried the bestsellers - Pizza Capriccioso and Pesto Cream Penne (I hope I got those names right). The pizza is loaded with familiar goodness and has a homemade vibe to it - i.e., not too commercial. It tastes just right, without the sodium guilt. The pasta had the slightest hint of pesto in it. It's creamy, but not the choking kind. It's delicious and surprisingly light, so I could not ask for more. Another serving perhaps? But I was too full from the pizza. Gotta try their other delights when I come back. 
I wish my brother were with us because I'm guessing he hasn't been to Tagaytay for the longest time. But it's great to see Noy and Sat, who took some of the great photos here so happy together. Sat is the reason why we went to Tagaytay yesterday. Here they are outside the Splendido clubhouse after the wedding reception Sat emceed.
Wish I have more weekends just like these.
I know it's just Monday but I'm wishing a great weekend already,
