Date of visit: January 2, 2012

Was off from work on the first working day of 2012, because I was nursing a sprained ankle and lower back pains from a minor accident on New Year's Eve. But that didn't stop me from having some fun with my family on my special day. :)

We still had lots of food from the New Year celebration plus the weather was really good so we decided to have a pre-birthday celebration by having a swimming party. After preparing all our stuff and food for the swimming party, we went off and searched for a nice resort in Antipolo.

We didn't think that we'll be having a hard time in searching for a place since we thought that most of the people were at their provinces to celebrate the holidays. But we were surprised when the resorts that we eyed were all packed. Even the private pool resorts that we usually frequent were already booked.

Since a lot of our time were already wasted, we all agreed to have the celebration at Loreland Farm Resort. We don't really frequent this resort because of one reason: the place is always packed! But then again, we still decided to give it a try. We didn't book ahead of time, but if you're planning to book ahead, you can book Loreland Farm Resort, Antipolo City with Traveloka.

We were supposed to get the floating nipa hut, unfortunately it was already booked. We roamed around the place to search for a nice spot until we finally saw Phase 3 which was vacant, perfect for our swimming party!

Here's a photo of the Phase 3 pool. I was really tired from the long walk around the area so I didn't have the energy to take photos of the rest of the pools.

We went back to the admin office just to be told that Phase 3 was closed for the day. Ugh! We were told that most of their pools were closed for maintenance, and all the open pools were already booked. We were walking around the place under the scorching sun and were already losing hope until we came across the lifeguard of the Phase 3 pool who confirmed that the pool was open for the day. So we had to go back to admin office (which was really far from the pool area) to book Phase 3, but the personnel just won't allow us. My dad and I also had an argument with the personnel as she was insisting that Phase 3 was closed! Until finally she was able to talk to the lifeguard and confirmed that we can book the place.

My dad celebrated his golden day last Sunday, October 30, 2011. The night before, we had a pre-birthday family dinner at Hap Chan. Jeff and Mark were also invited over for dinner.

Mommy and Gia took charge of the orders. I just made sure that they get Hap Chan's Shrimp Siomai. :p I also wanted some hakaw, but I just decided to do away with my cravings since the dimsum they ordered were already too much. :)

Dimsum galore!!!

Shrimp Siomai - Php 80.00

We also had chicken feet and Mark also requested for asado siopao. :p

Chicken Feet - Php 75.00

Asado Siopao - Php 75.00

Jaoey took hold of the menu and chose the crispy fried chicken.

Hap Chan Crispy Fried Chicken - Php 240.00

Yang Chow Fried Rice - Php 190.00

We usually frequent Hap Chan because we love their food. I just wasn't able to enjoy the food that time because of my uncooperative stomach.

Nido Sweet Corn Soup - Php 130.00

Sweet Corn with Crab Meat Soup - Php 130.00

Mixed Meat Canton - Php 185.00

Fried Squid with Salt and Pepper - Php 240.00

Plus our appetites went low and our cravings were lessened because of their very slow service.

Fish Fillet with Tofu Hotpot - Php 270.00

Hap Chan Special Hotpot - Php 270.00

But then again, we still had a fun dinner and managed to devour everything on the table! :p


HAP CHAN TEA HOUSE
Circumferential Road, Antipolo City

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The big day came and Jaoey and I were up early to hand our gifts to the golden boy. :)


Each of us also helped in the preparations for daddy's birthday feast. Gia and Jeff did all the slicing and preparation of ingredients and I was the one in charged in cooking the spaghetti and frying the chicken and shanghai. But of course as always, it was again my dad who cooked almost everything. :)

The Golden Boy

On the table:

Maki and Sushi

Homemade Pork Siomai

Fresh Lumpia

Homemade Pork Empanada

Fried Chicken

Spaghetti

Garden Fresh Salad

Chicken Feet

Beef Caldereta

Lumpiang Shanghai

Bagnet

Homemade Pork Embutido

Lechon Paksiw

Shrimps

Adobong Pusit

Crabs

Grilled Bangus and Tilapia

Grilled Oysters

Fruit Salad

Leche Flan

Cake from Tita Ching

Cakes from Mark

We started the celebration late in the afternoon with a prayer which was led by Tita Tess.


And then the feast began!!!


Aside from our relatives, Daddy's friends also came and they had some rounds of drinks after dinner.

Daddy's Friends

Photo from Tito Francis

Tito Francis and Daddy

Photo from Tito Francis

Everyone enjoyed the feast. Every food in the table was a hit! And I guess the best part was when the visitors got to take home some of my daddy's specialties. :p

Thank you daddy for all the delicious food!
Happy birthday!!! We love you!!!

More photos HERE :)