Carlos Clan Reunion in Tagaytay

For the first time in so long the Carlos Clan got together for whole day event at Tagaytay Highlands. I finally met my 2nd cousins. It was pretty pleasant.

It was at the Belle House with lots of food, horseback riding with the kids, the zoo, and we ended the evening with a mass overlooking sunset.

Copper's Calendar Shoot

This will probably be Copper's last studio shoot. It's getting a little too difficult to shoot this boy in a confined space. Pang-outdoor nalang siya next time, if I can help it.

In the spirit of Christmas this shoot will be for our 2009 calendar, TPC style. :)

Manu's 3rd Month shoot

Another photo shoot with TC at The Picture Company. This was one of the more chaotic ones but we got some good shots still, especially Baby Manu. Look at those gorgeous eyes... and that smile enough to melt a thousand icebergs.

Macie's Art Exhibit

Macie's paintings were part of the Little Strokes for Little Hands art exhibit at The Podium. We attended the opening last October 6. But if you want to see them live, you can visit Podium anytime until October 11.

But anyway, our budding little artist's painting entitled "Pasta" was used for the front cover design of their souvenir programme and stage backdrop. Galeng ni Macie!

Pet Blessing 10.04.08

They organized one in Valle 6, so there we went. Copper made lots of friends that day. We even met a 5-month old basset hound named Sally (potential girl friend) who turns out to be our neighbor.

Rockeoke Night with The Fort Girlies

This was sometime in the 2nd week of September. We all went to Magnet Cafe after work and, voila! Rockeoke! Lucky coz we got free entrance!

Bam in Kimono

Ukiyo-e is what they called artworks/paintings by various Japanese artists done in woodblocks. A number of them look something like this.

Presenting Bambie Carlos in casual summer kimono!

Yes, she bought one so it had to get immortalized. The dressing up took 1 hour while the shoot only took 30 mins.

Model: Bambie Carlos
Photos by: Caren Carlos
Enhancements by: Yana Rojales

JAPAN - Last day at Matsumoto, back to Nagoya

It was our last day at Matsumoto so huling hirit. We went to the Time Piece Museum to look at the clocks and watches. Then we visited the Ukiyo-e Museum to look at the woodblock paintings of Japanese Beauties by various Japanese artists.

At 12:20 pm Ate, Bam, Rosa and Shobe rode to the happening city of Tokyo while Kuya Nicky and I went to the boring city of Nagoya. Time for us to go home. But we went shopping at CentrAir. Bonding time with KN!

JAPAN - Kiso Valley and Matsumoto (9.12.08)

We took a day trip to Kiso Valley, same place where Hiro Nakamura traveled to in Heroes. We were supposed to hike the whole 7 km from Magoma to Nagiso but we would have to pass some forest and some... Basta, scary, and we had to be wary of bears. So we took the bus.

After all that hiking, we had sashimi and sushi galore again at Matsumoto.

JAPAN-Matsumoto (9.11.08)

One last pictorial with Bam, Ate and KN in the yukata then we made our way to Matsumoto.

It was hot so we all had cold soba. Matsumoto is known for their soba. HEre, we visited Matsumoto Castle, had green tea and milk tea flavored gelato, and went around. Unlike the previous places we visited, Matsumoto is a city. Very refreshing and lively for the bunch of city girls.

At night, we had our sushi and sashimi in abundance.

JAPAN-Takayama (9.10.08)

We went back to the old private houses for Kuya Nicky's and Shobe's sake. We even found green tea soft serve on the way.

In the afternoon, we visited the Hida Folk Village. It's sort of like an Intramuros but with the actual houses of the lords from the varios eras. They were all transferred to that village so people can see them all in one place.

JAPAN-Takayama (9.09.08)

We spent the whole day in Takayama. We went to the old private houses. It's a very touristy spot with a lot of attractions. There was a miso house that gave free miso soup; a sake house that sold not just sake but sake sherbet; a shodo house showcasing a lot of intricate artworks by sho brush; lots of souvenier stuff with different sizes of the Sarubobo, a red monkey monster they made to ward off evil from kids.

In the afternoon, we took a 2-hour walking tour wherein we saw the preserved area of old houses, kids going home on their own, and more houses.

THe food is fantastic. We had Hida Beef, the delicacy of Takayama. The beef is so tender, you eat partly raw, but it melts in your mouth in oh-so-buttery goodness. Then we had oishi sushi as well.

JAPAN-Kamikochi to Shin-Hotaka back to Takayama (9.08.08)

What an activity filled day. We hiked the trail in Kamikochi. Now this place was cold. The soba was great, and the view was fantastic. We all hiked to the beginning of the climb, then Kuya Nicky and Shobe climbed the rest of the way to the Summit.

Meanwhile, Ate, Bam, Rosa and I (who are not fit ergo are tamad to climb) took the cable at Shin Hotaka to another summit point. Madaya kami. But we didn't really see anything once we got up because of the fog.

So, back at Takayama, we ate. We didn't get to take pictures of the food coz we were just so hungry.

JAPAN-The Shinkansen and Takayama (9.07.08)

After Inuyama, we took the very expensive train to Takayama. No choice because the buses were all booked. But it was very fast. It only took us 2 hours from Nagoya to Takayama.

We stayed at Rickshaw Inn, a very clean and highly recommended ryokan in Takayama. No shoes allowed but it's really really clean. And it was a good experience because we slept on futons and the flooring of the whole room is tatami. The room came with yukatas, the Japanese robe for sleeping, so pictorial on timer again!

JAPAN-Inuyama (9.07.08)

Before moving on to Takayama, we took a day trip to Inuyama.

Meiji-mura, which they now refer to as a theme park, is a representation of how it was during the Meiji era.

JAPAN - Nagoya upon arrival (9.06.08)

Such a tiring day but it was an experience I will never forget. The plane landed at 5 pm, Japan time. After getting all our luggage, we had to lug it with us to the train that would take us from the airport to Nagoya propoer, down to the subway that would take us to Fushimi (our stop), lug it to the hotel and up to the room.

There are no porters or escalators in that entire episode. So we were all so tired when we got to the hotel. But it was a very nice and CLEAN hotel, well, the whole country in general. And yummy food!

*About the vendo, instead of ordering through a waiter, you put your money in, pushe which food you like, get a claim stub, then they bring the food to your table.

Macie, Matteo, Manu, Tita Bam Photo shoot

Super cute! Gulo but cute! And Manu is so adorable! He's two months now.

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAM! You now have pictures with all 3 kids.

TPC Fort goes to Zambales

Outing! We all went to Crystal Beach in Zambales. Saya! And we're all sunog! But saya!

Manu's First Photo Shoot

August 7, 2008 - Manu's very first day out of the house and he paid a visit to his Tita Caren. So I got gigil and took soooo many pictures of him. And pinagkaguluhan pa siya ng Fort girls.

These are just some of his photos looking all guapito.

Baby Manu!

This is my brand new nephew, Manuel Antonio Panutat Carlos. Can't wait to turn him into a Picture Company baby! :)

FORT Sleepover!

For the first time we had an out of work Fort Girls get together. We all had a sleepover at Bianca's. Thank you Bianca!

Jammi was bad, Sam was drunk, Macy and I were good, Anna was red, Nana was super cute, and Micah was on "seminar training"! Hahahaha!

That was fun girls! Again again!

Copper's 1st Year slideshow

After a year with Copper I thought I deserved to have one, or should I say Copper deserved it. These are photos I took and all the pictures I ever had printed at none other than... THE PICTURE COMPANY!

Enjoy the show! This is dedicated to his Mama Bam! :)

Copper 6.02.08

Ang gulo na talaga. But luckily he loved Micah, Jammi and Mickey so he cooperated at some point.

Mars's Baby Chewy!

Ok not really Mars's baby. But he seems like it anyway. Thanks for visiting me!

FAME The Musical (Rep Summer Camp P-1 Class '08)

Of course, it was all out support for our dearest Regina who was part of the cast. After a whole summer of practice and being beat when she gets home, we realized that, unlike the rest of our family, she can dance!

*FULL VIEW TO APPRECIATE. (She was at the left side of the stage while we sat at the right. And my lens only goes up to 105mm.)

Ark Avilon

It was Macie's field trip day with her Tita Bam and beloved Tito Mike so Matteo and I tagged along.

Ark Avilon is small (I really liked Avilon Zoo). I was expecting to see a little more animals and better habitat, but what can I expect from an "ark" beside Tiendesitas. But it was fun anyway because the kids enjoyed it.

Cousins' Night at the Wirman loft

One friday evening at the Wirman loft...
Lots of food, wine, view...

My Evil Twin! Bwahahaha!

10 FACTS about me (a tag game) - I was tagged by Macy

I'm tagging:  Bambie Carlos, Regina Pascual, Faye Reyes, Mikey Atienza, Denise Llanos Dee, Mike Robles, Ann Huang, Hope Swann, Jamila Nedjadi, Claude Cura

The rules:

Each blogger starts with 10 random facts/habits about themselves
Bloggers that are tagged need to write on their own blog about their 10 things and post these rules
At the end of your blog, you need to choose 10 people to get tagged and list their names
Don't forget to leave them a comment telling they're tagged, and to read your blog

10 FACTS/HABITS

1. I used to be afraid of dogs, until we thought of getting our own (which was only a year ago), and then I loved dogs so much after that.
2. Getting my nails done every 2 weeks is my one true luho.
3. I cannot survive without coffee, so much so that I get major withdrawal symptoms if I haven't had my first cup by 1 pm.
4. I can spend hours on end playing video games.
5. I still have not seen Monster's Inc.
6. I love the smell of really new books and really old ones.
7. YouTube can almost instantly cure my boredom.
8. I once joined the Archery Nationals and went head to head against the number 1 in the country... I lost big time! But it was worth it!
9. I don't drink but I've gotten drunk because of food.
10. I will terribly mmiss the girls at TPC ROckwell! I love you guys!

Kristie's Birthday Salubong

I miss all of you guys! It was a great night with all the gals from Rockwell.
Happy Birthday Kristie!

Tanay on Good Friday

The rest of the clan went to Baguio so we went to Ate and Kuya Nicky's house in Tanay. Everything was rustic... no electricity, no neighbors, NO COFFEE! But anyway, it was a good experience. It was just scorching but I didn't mind it much. It was all nature, sleeping on hammocks and lots of fresh air. The only thing missing was Copper. :(

Visita Iglesia

Holy Thursday, Bam and I went Visita Iglesia with Pop and Kuya Dondi. We started with Manila. We just got lucky with the churches we went to but all the other churches we attempted to go to were full. After dinner with the rest of the family, we ended the night with San Antonio, Assumption and San Agustin.

I can't believe how beautiful the Assumption chapel has become. Sulit ang tuition fee!

Copper's 1st Birthday

March 4, 2008 - Copper turns 1.
We had a simple dinner with him that night. He had special food. And there were birthday noodles.

Party for Kuya Rocky and Yen - COUSINS ONLY

Yes, also long delayed.
All the cousins hosted a post wedding party for Kuya Rocky and Yen at Kuya Manolo's house last March 1. Lots of food again. The only people lacking were Kuya Ronnie and Jade. And Regina. Aw!

The Lacson House Blessing

Another long delayed post...

This was the blessing of Ate and Kuya Nicky's new house last Feb. 23. Such a pretty house!

It was just the immediate family with lots of food and wine and food. :)

Mama Vicky's Birthday 02.17.08 (TAGAYTAY)

Long delayed photos...

Too bad Bam and I couldn't sleep over the night before so we followed the next day.
It was one of those big family gatherings. Mama Vicky's birthday + food + the whole family = fun!

Copper's 1 year old shoot

Took him to the Fort for a shoot again! Thanks, Maggie and Kat, for all your help!

Shooting Copper is no longer easy. He's like a toddler running around. But it was a good shoot anyway. Mama Bam and Ninang got tired.

Willow Debut!

Willow was just awesome and so pretty that night. And VOSA, I had so much fun with you guys. I just realized I didn't take a photo of the chocolate fountain. Shocks! To think that was MY drink of the night.

Anyway, let's wait patiently til Bridget's debut...

Kinder Koala Teachers

Bam, Anj, Nikki and Toni! Here are your kikay photos.

Disclaimer: The color is a bit different on multiply, but don't worry. When you order, the color will be correct.

Disney Kids shoot

Macie and Matteo visited me in Podium so I did a Disney shoot of them! I just can't post the finished product here but just imagine it...

Highschool Musical, starring Macie! and--
Cars, starring Matteo on a motorbike!

Bohemian Saturday

The idea was to look ultra-feminine and pretend we had hangovers from Valentine's Day. Se everyone came dressed! We missed you Macy and Mae!

And since Mickey left us to eat, the photos were taken by JENNY and MIO! Thanks girls!

Hoodie Day!

Crissy and I happened to come in hoodies so we told Claude and Kai to come in hoodies too! Yipee! Hoodie day!

Photos courtesy of our galeng new trainees, Maggie and Kaye!

Copper's 3rd Shoot

We took Copper for another shoot at The Fort. He was supposed to be a baseball player (the shirt was a gift from his cousins, Macie and Matteo). But you can't see the "Vintage Dog" baseball team sign anyway. He ended up looking like a sailor.

Aila, Kristie and Cara, thanks for all the help! :)

Sleepover at Macy's

Another Rockwell sleep over, this time at Macy's house. Super sarap the food! Ok lang if we didn't eat at Jatujak. Mas masarap the food at Macy's house. Parang restaurant! :) And then guitar hero the night away, Madame Jamilan's tarot reading, ghost stories and ipis/butiki stories.

Twas fun fun fun! Thanks Macy!

It's been a while...

We finally had our shoot... but we're still one person down. We missed you, Mars! Next time, whenever that is, you MUST be part of the shoot.

Wap, had you come earlier, you might have been part of the shoot too. :)

Thanks for shooting for us, Macy! :)