Emanila: April 2006

Last Day at Work

For my last day at NCRFW I attended part of the Board meeting in Mabini Hall, Malacanang. Of course there was a surprise for me - presentation of a beautiful plaque by the Commission. I'll post a close-up picture of it soon.

Being presented the plaque by Miyen and Ms Myrna Yao the Chairperson.

NCRFW Commissioners - and me

Afterwards I, An and I took the opportunity to snap some pics inside the Malacanang grounds.

Another despedida - Kamay Kainan

Did I tell you that Philippinos don't skimp when it comes to despedidas? Here was another one - or maybe just a good excuse to get together and eat eat eat! We all met at Kamay Kainan in Quezon City. A Pinoy buffet restaurant. I think people thought I was a little strange taking heaps of photos of all the food - but there was such a large variety of typical Philippino food on offer that I couldn't resist.

Dinner was with my workmates at the Program Development Division in NCRFW as well as with the Executive Director, Miyen and members of the Gender Resource Network Core Group, Aida, Carol and Milalin.

All of us at dinner

The buffet with beans and ginataang tahong (mussel chowder) in the foreground

The buffet with bopis (innards) in the foreground

Ginataang kuhol - snails

Mmm - atay (chicken livers)

Beef nilaga (foreground - beef stew) and diniguan (pigs blood)

pata tim - pork

salted egg - a favourite eaten with tomatoes

getting 'dirty icecream' - no sharing and no left over sign in the background

part of PDD

Me and Dette at the dessert table

Dessert - gelatine, matamis na saging (sweet bananas), ginataang (coconut dessert), more gelatine and indian mangoes

My dessert - a halo halo of everything!

SAGRIC despedida and welcome to the newbies

Last Thursday we had our AYAD despedida at SAGRIC in Ortigas. It was a chance for a final catch-up with everyone and we were able to meet some of the incoming new Philippines AYADs.

'Oldies' - Sally and Ange

Newbie - Elyse and 'oldie' Reggie

Nat, Tina and some new AYAD arrivals

Kate, Nat, Lynette and Me

Neil, Ange, Sal and Nat

And so the videoke begins!

My despedida from NCRFW

On my last Thursday at work, my workmates threw me a surprise despedida (going away party). Most of the staff from NCRFW were there and of course there was heaps and heaps of food.

Here are some pictures.