Mommy's Sweet 16th Birthday

People always find a way to mask their real age. My mom had her "16th" birthday in Luxembourg. Her five-year old guest, Isaac asked how old she is and we all said "16." He said, "that's a lot!" Go figure how old she really is. We all wonder how shocked Isaac will be when he discovers my mom's real age.

The Sweet Sixteen Birthday Girl with the big boys
(from left to right: Mitch, Danny, JP, and Thierry)

Mommy had a Filipino potluck birthday. It was at the house of our Steland family friends in Useldange, Luxembourg. Hosting a party with a total of 19 people is a lot of work. May God bless Cla and Mitch for being our gracious hosts.

The menu was as follows:

• Mommy's Paella - Cooked with love, it had seafood, chicken, sausage and saffron. It was also topped with quail eggs, Cla's specialty



The Paella of Mommy and the Quail Eggs of Cla

• Mommy Ning's Palabok - Requested by the birthday girl herself. It reminded me of Red Ribbon's palabok.
• Mommy Ning's Dinuguan - Another item requested by the birthday girl. To me, it was cooked to perfection. Tamang-tama ang timpla.
• Marvin's rendition of Crispy Pata with a European Twist - Cooked for the love of the woman of the day
• Chicken with lemon and spices - Prepared by Ginggay for the children and European guests
• Pecan Pie - The addicting dessert by Ivana and Gel. It's their specialty that was mistakenly called Pelican Pie or Hongkong style Pizza.
• Strawberry Mouse Cake - The birthday cake specially chosen by myself for Mommy to save her from the evil of chocolates and yet satisfy her sweet tooth

The Menu (from top to bottom): Pancit Palabok, Chicken with Lemon and Herbs,
Steamed Rice, Paella, Dinuguan, Another serving of Chicken
with Lemon and Herbs, Crispy Pata with sawsawan

Lunch started at 1pm and ended around 3pm, which was time for merienda. We sang the birthday song and had Mommy blow the candles. Gift-giving came after. We feasted on the Pecan-Pelican-Hongkong Pizza and the Birthday Cake and some coffee for merienda. Some partnered them with Palabok. At past 7pm, we had dinner where we just reheated the food and rehashed some. It was all good!

The Birthday Girl about to blow the candles on her birthday cake

Mwah from Ivana as she gives the gift from the Alves-Fabic family

Christelle's mwah as she gives the gift from the Tarrason-Fabic family

Beso from Tina as she gives the Besana Family's gift.

The day was filled with the gusto of children playing, the chatter of endless tell-tales of Filipino life in Europe, the joy of Magic Sing Videoke challenge, and non-stop eating for all and drinking for the men. There was a lot of food that we were able to extend the festivities until 9 in the evening and still have some food to take home.

Watching the children while waiting for the food to be ready

Danny, songer singing his turn on the Magic Sing

Gel taking the mic

Marvin singing. We all know how that is... LOL!

Polo, Isaac, and EJ playing a game that was facilitated by Gel and Ivana.

Marvin and I were happy that we were able to gather all our Filipino friends in Luxembourg in one event and have us all bond, connect with each other, and make Mommy's birthday special even if she is far away from home.

Before the party, Polo gives Mommy a kiss
after helping her open our gifts for her.

Marvin's turn to kiss the Birthday Girl.

We are thankful to all in Luxembourg, Facebook, and in the Philippines for brightening Mommy's day.