The Formal Blessing and Housewarming

While the house was under construction, we’ve been telling people, friends and relatives about it. We even had a few simple invitations printed at my niece Jack’s Internet Café, Etcetera. And finally here it is, Saturday, December 23, 2006 was the big day, formal blessing and house warming.

We had it catered (lunch and dinner) by Malou of Fisherman’s Grill. A couple of days before, they were at the house to set up the tent in the front yard and to deliver the chairs and tables. They came in bright and early Saturday to set up the food on the buffet tables.

At around 10:15 is when Bishop Bobet Mallari arrived, soon after Father Sito Sison showed up. A lot of the guests have also arrived at that time. The mass was started and more people came during the mass. There were a few of our neighbors who came, a lot of friends, and relatives.

There was the usual blessing of every part of the house by the priests with the whole family and most guests following the mini procession with candles lit. Once that was over, Eph with a big bag of coins, which the priest blessed as well, went and threw the coins around to the delight of everyone especially the children. I think Donna threw a bunch of chocolate candies also.

Then, everyone was off to the chow line.

We had some alumni friends who stayed through lunch and dinner: Rey Vergara, Dan Garcia, Mike Estacio, Daniper Carlos. Nelia Gonzales and sisters Karen and Lea left after lunch but came back at dinner with the prodding of the guys. After dinner everyone just sat around talking, doing Karaoke, some of the guys were drinking and just generally having a great time.

Eph, Reg and Dan were taken by Didi’s boys to Robinson’s for a game of pool. They almost regretted going because they got caught up in the snarled traffic coming home.