There's No Place Like Home (especially during the Holidays)

I've said this before, that DAVAO is the best place in the world! And I'm going to say it again, Davao is the Best Place in the World!

It was great to be home once again during the holidays. Having family and friends around is what Christmas is all about. The great thing about being home for the holidays is the good food! I arrived in Davao on November 12 weighing roughly around 137lbs., I weighed yesterday and I'm already 142lbs! (Darn! Tumaba ako grabe!) With great homecooked meals and lechon for Christmas parties who wouldn't gain weight?

Movies are Cheap! At 60-70 pesos one can watch a good movie on the big screen. Add a few pesos for the popcorn and softdrinks, it's a party. Sadly though, I didn't enjoy the 2movies I most recently watched. It wasn't a total waste of money, afterall it only cost me half of what I usually spend for movies in Manila, but it was disappointing. Kasal, Kasali,Kasalo - Judy Ann starred movie had a usual plot and a way uncomplicated storyline. And it didn't exactly have good underlying messages. I mean the 2 stars got into a relationship quite easily and got married after only 4 months of being together with the main reason that the guy was about to leave for the US?! And must we really demean the lowest form of government leaders, our Baranggay Captains? That's why their constituents continue to look down on them and have no major expectations from them because we continue to tell people that they are more or less of no value. If they are, why not just abolish the position? (This is going to be long so let's change the topic) Thank you to Gina Pareno and Judy Ann for their acting abilities that saved the movie! Zsa Zsa Zaturnah! - I knew I was going to be disappointed with this one early on when they casted Zsa Zsa Padilla and Pops Fernadez to play major roles so this isn't a shock. Enjoyed and Loved the Komiks and the Musical, just didn't love the movie. But we love the editor (Halili!) so we watch it. And in fairness to Jay, the editing was really good. Except for some musical/sound technical problems. I just have to take note that Alfred Vargas should have prepared more for the movie, or atleast for one shooting day when they did the "BUONG-BUO ang NOODLES" line, because he didn't even have Noodles with that shot! Vina Morales beats him easily with her perfect noodles! hahaha!

Home for the Holidays meant hitting the beach with friends. I usually go in December with JVP friends but this time, I went with my HS friends. It was the best! We also celebrated having 2 doctors and a nurse in the barkada. We missed our other doctor, Beauty, though as she was in the states for a well-deserved vacation!

enjoying the shore of samal island!

Garden of Chemas!

(Ella, me, Renee and Jang!)