Benjie’s 60th Bday @ HEAT

We almost forgot that it’s Benjie’s birthday last tuesday. Edmund and I were having breakfast and talking about many things when I said “teka tart, kailan ba ang bday ni Benjie?” He looked at his phone and “ngayon!” We almost missed it.

I left the office at 4pm and went to Galleria. I was starving so before I went to the Lacoste store, I ate wanton noodle soup first in the restaurant (Mister Choi) nearby. The noodles were soooo delicious.

I tried to buy him a Lacoste polo shirt in Galleria. I couldn’t decide which one. Edmund said to include a gift receipt so Benjie could exchange the item.

When I finally picked one, they ran out of size large. I chose another one but when I was about to pay, I left pala my Rustan’s discount card. Usually it’s not a problem because they could access the customer’s info from their computer. The store couldn’t find my discount card record. The 10% discount makes a big difference, ayaw ko nga bumili without the 10%. I waited for at least half hour in their store kasi they had to call their main office in Rustan’s. The telephone line got cut 3x in the middle of their conversation.

When I saw the Made in China label, I’ve lost my interest. Lacoste used to be made in France, as in practically everything on earth, lahat naging made in China na. I should have kept Nyke’s tiny green Lacoste t-shirt as souvenir. Wala na collectors item na nga ang made in France.

It was 6:05 pm and the store still couldn’t find my name in their computer. The manager offered me a 3 months zero interest with the use of my credit card. Ayaw ko nga ng credit card and zero interest. Gusto ko 10% discount. Wag na lang. I hurriedly went home kasi magbibihis pa ako. The party’s at 7 pm.

I wrapped na lang a big bottle of Hennesy Cognac Edmund bought in the US. We bring home a few bottles for occasions like this. Pang regalo.

We arrived at the Edsa Shangrila Hotel at 7:20 pm.

When the celebrant’s wife, Eve saw me walking to the buffet, she told me she reads ohmybuhay. I didn’t know. She then started sharing with me problems with her maids. The clothes she’s losing and the control system she has now adopted.

I wasn’t hungry yet from the wanton noodles kaya it took me a long time to choose what food to get.

I skipped the seafoods section but someone brought three half slices of rock lobster at our table so kinain ko na rin

Jude, assigned at the Carving station. He looks like he’s in his 20’s pero he’s been working here at the Shangrila for 12 years.

Not in the mood for Indian cuisine.

My plate, the first of several.

I ate a piece of this birds nest looking dimsum

mini dessert plates

White chicken

These were mine.

Benjie’s sister, Annie See (in red) and Lina See (her bilas).
Their husbands are brothers.

Cherie Alvarez, wife of Buboy Alvarez, Mitsubishi Philippine’s CEO.

Albert See (wife of Annie, sister of Benjie), Helena Ty (in printed dress, wife of Alex Ty), and Veneranda Yap.

Benjie and Eve Yukimtiao
Benjie manages the Mitsubishi dealership in Taytay Rizal. I am the ninang of their son Baron. Both of them are very nice people. Simple lang, walang ka-ere-ere.

Happy birthday Benjie