What Happens After Office

First stop was a birthday dinner. Initially, the plan was to have it in an American restaurant. But due to the political situation of the country we ate in the land of seafoods. It was definitely a good decision! We arrived on time. Food came in non-stop. There was this soup with small calms, calamares, huge sweet and sour fish, sinigang na pla-pla, baked tahong, oysters, tempura and CRABS! Boy, I was so confused to which one to attack first. Knowing me, I am not the type of person who would mix and match various food all at the same time. I am this one at a time kind of person. I am not a playful person na pinagsasabay. There was period that I felt that I was being punished or they were preparing to "grill" me due to all the food available. Ang sarap!

Everything was perfect. Good food plus great company. I was with people whom I haven't spent time outside the office. Laugh trip. It made me wonder if the food was spiked! The best part was no so-called guilt afterwards since it was a Friday.

Side note:
After dinner, we walked around the area to make the food go down. This guy bought gum which he offered. He extended his hand and 3 boys got who was followed by 3 ladies. However, there were only 2 left. I guess hiya prevailed and the 3 ladies took 2 steps back. The this woman came out of nowhere and said.. akin nalang and got the gum who was followed by another lady subsequently. Lesson learned, hiya would bring you no where.

Next stop was this wine tasting event. Headed to Malate. The place was different. It was hidden in the midst of all the bars which gave it an exclusive and safe atmosphere. There were like 9 bottles. I got "schooled" on how to drink wine, how to slurp, how wines are processed and how to identify which is which. Yeah, I was feeling classy at that instant. Then again, it needs many many years to be a master of this craft.

There were many happy people around. Never ending singing and at times with matching dance number on the side. Probably the wine kicked in.

I did not want to leave yet but I had to since someone will make tampo. The last stop... Makati for this birthday bash / despidida. When I arrived, only one celebrant was left. Whoops. But it was all good. More drinks, more songs and more conversations. They are really a group who I can call family. Nakanaman.

So this is what happens after office on a Friday night.

The Story Behind the Blood Compact

Located in Bohol's capital city, Tagbilaran, the historic site is the place where one of the most important events in the Philippines' history, the Blood Compact between Sikatuna, a native chieftain and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the Spanish explorer and colonizer took place on March 16, 1565. The Sikatuna-Legaspi blood compact is considered as the First Treaty of Friendship between peoples of different races, religious, culture and civilization. It was a treaty of friendship based on mutual respect and equality. The History Legaspi's fleet first landed in Cebu on February 13, 1565 but it did not stay long because the natives were hostile. In search for food, the fleet sailed to Samar, Leyte, Limasawa and Camiguin islands. But it was unable to secure food. Then, the fleet headed for Mindanao but was met by bad weather. When it reached the coast of Bo-ol, it abandoned its plan for Mindanao and took shelter in a small bay in the Bo-ol area. The Bo-ol natives were first observed to be hostile also to legaspi and his men. It was so because of the sad experience of the natives with the Portuguese who had earlier visited Bohol from Moluccas on large praus and committed outrageous acts against them posing as Castilians. The Spaniards however, found the natives to have already an established civilization. They had their own political, social and economic system which surprised the Spaniards. The natives lived in villages called 'barangays' ruled by datus. A datu was the judge, the lawmaker and the exclusive leader in times of war. As such, a datu was known to have at least 100 to 200 slaves. While the Spaniards were initiating friendly relations with the natives, Legaspi sent out emissaries to the chieftain, Rajah Sikatuna, who was the only chieftain contacted at that time, but he was reluctant at the outset to meet the Spanish general believing that he was Portuguese. But the historic moment did come to be Legaspi, representing the king of Spain, and Sikatuna, who represented the natives made historic "Blood Compact". A sharp dagger was used in cutting slightly both the arms of Legaspi and Siaktuna, then having their blood mixed in a cup of wine. From this cup both men drank to become blood brothers in eternal friendship. The act has come down in history as promise of brotherhood and friendship.

Source: from the Internet