TBK Gives- his annual anaks Christmas lunch

 

When I saw the special Christmas cake that 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙛𝙚 had designed in Facebook I knew it really was Christmas. Last year our party was ruined by Typhoon Odette on 16 December, and I could not get to Palawan as the Philippine Government were not issuing visas to Foreigners.  I wanted to make this year really special for those who I sponsor and their families so I asked Little Things if we could have an extra-large cake for 12 people on 10 December (they are not selling to the public until 24 December) and they kindly agreed! So first special thanks to the lovely ladies at 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙛𝙚!

This year they made birthday cakes for Jhoanna's 22nd (Hello Kitty) and Elay's 18th (Stitch) and we all loved their “Snow Globe Wreath Cake". It was a red velvet cake with a cream cheese frosting.

The rest of the menu at the bottom of the blog is down to me and my team. I am delighted that Frythy, Noel and Joven agreed to help get everything ready and Luis made a Vlog of the event for me. Reyner and Chaddy arrived on 8 December lunch to transform my office into a green and red winter wonderland. Joven has been preparing the hooks for our banner which will also keep out the worst of the afternoon sun (yes it was 32 degrees in Palawan on 10th December!)

Sadly, not everyone in the banner (which we made months ago) will be joining us this year, but we have replacements as Jhoanna and Elay's mum, Jing, is coming down with their sister's daughter ( Pamakin/Neice) Keanna. Finally Making, Jhoanna's 15-year-old brother will make us 12 people. So, whilst my remaining family are a long way away in the UK, I will be surrounded by my Palawan family who I have the honour of supporting through university here in Puerto Princesa. I have also invited Noel, Frythy and Joven who have kept my house and car clean and done all the ironing this year. Jhoanna delivered all the food.

I allocated different dishes to different people so I will cooked the Turkey, and plated the Cheese and Biscuits. Frythy made the Garlic shrimps and the Roast potatoes, Noel made the Lechon Manok, Sweet Spaghetti, Rice and Ube Ice cream! Joven made the Chicken Adobo & Pineapple and the Macaroni salad. Noel and Frythy also make the Frozen fruit salad on 9th as it had to freeze overnight.

The Frozen fruit salad I made on the trial run

I am so glad I took Beth's advice and put aside money for Christmas in my cash flow. With the decorations, new table, China, cutlery, glassware, cake, 2 days x 3 staff to prepare the food, serve and clean up, christmas gifts and prizes, food, banners, design of cards, banners, menus, labels for Monito Monita and place settings, laminated menu place mats etc. it was an expensive meal!

However, I know from all the messages I have had from Kit, Making and the girls that they really looked forward to it, and Frythy has already planned what he is going to buy with his Christmas gift and wages. It has been a long build up to Christmas (they start Celebrating here on 1st September) and I am looking forward to the period between 11 and 24 December when I can relax and not have to cook any more (Gracie, be ready for the big order from Poochies Kitchen). In the new year I am off to Port Barton for the reopening of Dam Dams, a year on from the disaster caused by Typhoon Odette.

Dam Dam's restaurant in Port Barton after it was hit by Typhoon Odette on 16.12.21 . Once it is rebuilt he has promised to send is photos

As you can imagine the whole "Christmas Project" has been a massive effort by the whole team from Chester (The Hooman) in Marikina doing all the graphic work and updating the name cards and Monito Monita labels as scholar dropped by the wayside and replacements were found. Here in Puerto Jhoanna has been busy finding all the food items we need and Noel, Frythy and Joven have been helping me cook it all. Frythy took the photos and Luis filmed it al (the vlog will follow next week). Making was Mabait (a first!) and even Chester (the dog) was reasonably well behaved.

Reyner and Chaddy, as usual, did a great job with the decorations and Rodel's new table looked resplendent in green and red, topped with Elay's water bottles.

Joven has been using his mechanical engineering skills to fix banners, clean drains, tidy up the garden and even fix a ceiling light back on the ceiling!

Joven did the trial run for the Christmas banner and was very precise with ruler and pencil measuring up! Below is what it will look like on the day- even Chester got into the Christmas spirit with a festive hat!

I received a lovely email from Mr G in Paris the other day which said:

"You can take the work away from Neil, but you cannot take his love of spreadsheets and process management.

Chester is the boss now.

Kind Regards

Phil Gregory

Direction des Ressources Humaines / HRIS"

Too true, Mr G, we have spreadsheets for every part of the Christmas meal from who chose what food, to who is giving a gift to who (secret Santa, or Monito Monita as they call it here), to the games each couple got us to complete between courses, and the "Lessons Learned" that the scholars will share.

However, once this is all over, I am taking Chester for a week by the sea, and there will be no spreadsheets, just sun and sea and sand, and sleep.