I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited to go back to Manila.  I feel like it’s been years since my last trip to Manila considering we were here just before Christmas.  I was so excited that I felt like clapping my hands when the plane landed.  I’ve never felt so much like an OFW before – well technically I’m not because I don’t work. Maybe it’s because this is the first time Luke will be back since bringing him to Singapore.  He’s grown up so much since then.  Maybe it’s because it was the first time ever we didn’t spend Christmas Holiday in the Philippines.  Maybe it’s because we are going on our first vacation as family with Luke.  Whatever it is, hubby and I both couldn’t contain our excitement.

We also missed hubby’s nephews and niece.  They’ve grown up so much!  We just got back from their graduation program and I must say it was quite impressive and entertaining.  The theme was different decades for the different classes starting from the 50′s to the present.  The kids were in elaborate costumes and I particularly love the 80′s number because the boys were dressed like Michael Jackson complete down to the gloves and the girls were all dressed as Madonna.  Each girl had a different Madonna look from the 80′s and they were all in black.  It was so cute!  I also liked the final number when they danced to Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance followed by a number from a group of boys all wearing white masks dressed as the Jabbawockeez.

After the program, hubby and I went to SM.  I did shop at SM before (though I preferred Rustan’s) but this time I felt different. There was a certain excitement that went with it.  I thought to myself I really must a be a balikbayan already.  I can’t believe I’m this excited to shop at SM!  And I only realized now how SM’s “We’ve got it all for you!” is so true.  And this time I don’t really care if I buy any of their mass produced products because I’m pretty sure I won’t see anyone else using it in Singapore.

To cap the day off, I saw that actress from Rosalinda in SM Cubao! hehe.  Of course hubby didn’t have a clue who she was.  I don’t think she was wearing make-up so when I asked a sales girl if she was an actress, she didn’t seem so sure.  It’s funny how I recognized her.  She had her back towards me.  But I noticed her legs and I thought – cankles!  Then I thought she has the same legs as that girl in Rosalinda.  Then she turned around and it turns out to be her!  In fairness, her cankles don’t look so bad in person.  She’s also slimmer and, I think, prettier in person too.  I don’t mean to be mean but when I watched Rosalinda her legs were the first thing I noticed.   I can’t help it.  Sorry.