Camara Family visit to Makati

Today is the day we met the Camara family. I set my alarm at 8am to give me plenty of time to buy the ingredients for my Thai chilli prawns dish as we expect people to arrive around 1pm. I was still sleeping in with Dionne talking loudly outside as if she was talking on the phone to someone. Next thing you know, I heard the doorbell and lo and behold I heard Tito Fred’s voice and Dionne seemingly upset! It was only around 8.20 when people started arriving and we are all still in bed! I quickly jumped out of bed and put on a jeans and a shirt (yeah, what I wore last night) and quickly woke up Joe who couldn’t comprehend what I was saying! Made a quick dash to the loo to put on my “eyes” and went outside to say hello to Tito Fred and family (6 of them). And Dionne was still in her pajamas! Eeek what a disaster! I then found out that Dionne ended up sending someone away before 8am and told the security to get them to come back at 12pm as she didn’t know who they were and it didn’t click that the 7.30am visitors were for the lunch. Anyway, she then ended finding out it was Lola who invited them and that they were cousins to Tito Fred etc. Tita Rose apparently told everyone that the lunch was 9am (what the!) and Dionne never spoke to Tita Rose except for sending her a text message asking her what she is bringing. Oh well, Lola got a little upset too for sending the people away earlier.

Anyway, after quick hellos we went into overdrive and started cooking breakfast. Lucky we had one pack of pandesal and some hotdogs from Tita Irma. Joe had to cook hotdogs and eggs. Lucky Rose, Dionne’s housekeeper was there already so she helped out. A quick clean up was done, furniture moved around etc.

I had to make a quick dash to the Deli to buy my herbs for the dish and some brekkie stuff. By this time the fire evacuation drill started at Hidalgo and the lifts not operational and I had to use the exit stair. On my way back the drill was well underway and I was initially refused to enter the building again until after the drill finished. I finally found the Hidalgo staff and told them I need to get back in and that I didn’t mind climbing the stairs. I ended up making it back to 4 flights of stairs (thank goodness Dionne lived on the 4th floor!). After having a quick breakfast, I dashed off to Rustans Supermarket to buy more of my ingredients. Shorly after I got back, Lola and Ate Vacion arrived and I still haven’t had my shower! By this time, Dionne had hers and Joe and Jaedon were about to have theirs. I chopped all the herbs and had to defrost my frozen packed prawns in water with Ate Vacion constantly cracking jokes in the background. Ate Yeye shortly arrived with Ate Lita and Ate Caring bringing with them a big bilao of palabok, 4 containers of pitchi-pitchi, empanadas and bbq. Then the family that arrived at 7.30am finally got here and then Tita Rose, Dana and one of Tita Rose’s sons arrived. I excused myself as I had to quickly shower. I started cooking but everyone started eating already as everyone was ready to eat.

As usual there was heaps of food – Tita Rose brought her husbands Ube specialty, Ate Vacion brought rice, fried chicken and prawns. Kuya Fred brought fruits and someone else brought bibingka (I think), spring rolls. Dionne ordered mammon and palabok from red rooster and she didn’t think anyone would be bringing any mains. Oh and that is why I decided to cook a Mains dish as well. Anyway, my prawn dish didn’t turn out as well as I used frozen prawns but they (apparently) liked it anyway.

The Karaoke was out and Jaedon had first go confidently singing Twinkle Twinkle and ABC. Ate Yeye had several touching performances as expected. Tita Rose, Winnie (Tito Fred’s daughter) and Ate Vacion also had a go. Kuya Fred sang one song while playing the guitar. Oh, Tito Boy and family couldn’t make it coz apparently they had a sudden visitor from Saudi. Anna and Cecil couldn’t make it as well. Anna is studying for her exams.

Tito Fred has lost a lot of weight compared to the last time I saw him but he seems in good spirits spending time with family. He is just not as talkative and sat most of the time. Ate Vacion was as talkative as ever and the comic one of the bunch. My cousins were all quiet and shy but Jaedon took a liking to Tina, one of Kuya Fred’s daughter. Mama’s sister still look all the same and seems like the last 15 years has not changed them much physically. Kuya Fred and family left around 2 as they still have 2 hours travel home even with Tina driving. Lola and them wanted to be driven home so Dionne had to quickly find a driver to take them. Jeff, Dionne’s driver couldn’t make it and Dionne managed to get Denboy, Miller SPs bro in law to take them. Tita Rose and family left next and they just took a cab home. Ate Vacion, Ate Yeye, Ate Caring and Ate Lita stayed back until 4pm and we finished looking at some some of our digital pics. Ate Yeye was in high spirits and in good health despite some health issues. Ate Caring is looking after her two grandchildren (Jepay’s) and saw a picture of Marlon who is a seaman in the marines. I think he is currently in Korea. Ate Lita looks after 3 boys.