The Calm in the Chaos

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The Calm in the Chaos

Home | Pamilya Grill

February 19, 2025

Celebrating and feeding people during the festival has always been a cherished tradition in our family—passed down from my Lolo Dad’s generation to ours. It’s more than just festivity; it’s our way of expressing gratitude and sharing the blessings we’ve received. That spirit of generosity is alive in our home, and for some reason, I’ve been the one managing the budget since I was 18 (lol). It's my way of helping ease my parents' responsibilities while quietly learning how to manage money, allocate resources, and keep things on track behind the scenes.

Every year, menu planning becomes a serious operation. Mom and our helper are in charge of everything—from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, down to meryenda and the inevitable refills. I used to be deeply involved in the planning (and arguing), but now, they handle it and just let me know how much they need. I check, adjust, and if the budget comes up short, Dad is always there with his usual backup donation. Classic.

So how did the actual fiesta day go?

Well… I didn’t lift a single finger for prep. I decided to take this day as a personal reset—resting from both work and school. I slept in while Mom took care of the guests and Dad opened his shop, holiday or not. I rolled out of bed around 1 PM (yep, brunch time), had a couple of beers to set the mood, and did a quick afternoon workout since I missed my usual morning walk.

The house was alive with movement—guests coming and going, laughter bouncing off the walls. When Dad got home, he brought some of his friends over too. Later in the day, I headed to Bacolod to pick up my sister, who was wrapping up a school project, and we ended the night with a spontaneous dinner at Pamilya Grill with her friend, River. Mongolian bowls were the perfect comfort food.

Also—side note—I think I looked pretty today. It’s such a rare feeling, especially after all those nights of tossing and turning. Maybe this is what real rest feels like. I’m holding on to this lightness, hoping it carries me into the coming days.






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