My first mini-Christmas party in the Gulf
One of the things that we particularly miss pre-December 25 in the Philippines are the company Christmas parties. For some reasons, I especially miss the hat and oriental themed parties that I went to years ago. Hence, my friends-colleagues-former officemates (since I already transferred to a new organization last month) held our own, with a whirlwind preparation. With few exchange of emails in a “you bring this and that” style, we went to one of the parks to kick off the Christmas celebration. I volunteered to bring pancit, lumpiang shanghai, puto, pichi-pichi and cassava cake. Hep, don’t be amazed. I asked somebody else to cook those. 
We also had the well-loved sisig, crispy pata and turbo boiled chicken.
We also exchanged gifts. I got two books (Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics) which are actually on my wish list. Really, I am thankful that even if we are in a Muslim country, we can openly celebrate Christmas. To the extent that the current surrounds will make you feel you’re in the Philippines, plus the simbang gabi minus the puto bumbong.
We chatted about random things, took a lot of photos. We ended the “party” by feeling the sunset and the (now) much colder breeze from the seaside which is steps away from the park.
buti pwede pa din mag celebrate ng Christmas kahit na muslim country yan! apir for the Filipino food!
=-.
.-= dyanie´s last blog ..Thanks Caryn
The food looks soooo good! I wish we had some of that here. What a great idea, a Christmas picnic. Am so jealous. And I definitely recommend the Freakonomics book. It is so very excellent.
pinoy na pinoy ang food!
.-= angeli´s last blog ..Vietnam Chronicles Two: Rice Paper Paintings at the Ben Tanh Market =-.
it’s great that you and fellow Pinoys find time to have a Christmas get-together. daming food…di mo akalain na wala sa Pinas.:p
.-= luna miranda´s last blog ..Slim Santa [Ruby Tuesday] =-.
wow daming food grabe.
.-= upto6only´s last blog ..PHOTOHUNT: Fast =-.
wow, i like the sisig =). we just had our work Christmas lunch. it was formal though. i miss picnics during the holidays. have a wonderful Christmas. i’m back to work today.
.-= kayni´s last blog ..Snow Day! =-.
ang sarap ng sisig, pitchi pitchi, puto at lumpia. gutom na ako.
the only problem with my work is i have to organize the christmas potluck and i didn’t have time to see to that this year. instead i told people we will just have a welcome 2010 potluck middle of january.
.-= Photo Cache´s last blog ..I’m Dreaming of Snow =-.
yay wits! kahit papano, you were able to have a christmas party!
.-= kg´s last blog ..Horrendous =-.
you called that “mini”-Christmas party? that spread can feed a community!, lol.
kakagutom! ang saya, pinoy food!
.-= docgelo´s last blog ..I PRESCRIBE =-.
What a very Pinoy picnic! You’re really fortunate that the UAE is not ruled by backwards-thinking overzealots whose only mission in life is to suppress other religions. Merry Christmas!
.-= Nomadic Pinoy´s last blog ..Winter Wonderland =-.
Kahit anong celebration ang gawin natin dito, iba pa rin ang pasko sa atin. Hindi ba? We may have all the semblance and trappings of the holiday season, but the spirit just isn’t there.
Merry Christmas, Ms.Jo
.-= BlogusVox´s last blog ..Season Greetings =-.
Nothing bonds Pinoys more than good food! Ang dami nyo yatang food ah! At least kahit papaano eh may Christmas party kayo. Alam mo sa sobrang cost cutting dito wala kaming company party. Kaya ayun, kami kami na lang ng potluck at nag party ng lunch. Kahit nakakahiya nag laro pa kami ng pinoy henyo.
.-= Rico´s last blog ..Maligayang Pasko =-.
ang sarap nman ng food! gusto ko yung pichi pichi favorite ko yan eh.
Definitely sa dabi ba nman ng pinoy sa UAE sure meron kang makakasama sa Pasko. At take note paskong pinoy din ito.
Food looks yummy. Looks like everyone had fun.
.-= Rach (Heart of Rachel)´s last blog ..A Heartfelt Christmas to All =-.