“Congratulations and Mabuhay to Manny Pacquiao! You made us all proud!” – Hon. US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney on a local TV news comment about the boxer’s win against Puerto Rican, Miguel Cotto.
Few hours before she made that statement in Greenbelt, Makati City where she was reported to watched Pacman’s another record-breaking success yesterday, Sunday, 15 November, we had a wonderful time of casually meeting the Ambassador and this was our starstruck moment with her…
My wife, Tina and our 5-year-old son, Gabby and I heard mass at Sto. Niño de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt Park in Makati yesterday morning. After the Holy Mass, we headed straight to Starbucks Coffee in Greenbelt 3 to eat breakfast.
While sipping our drinks and munching on Starbucks yummies, Tina immediately spotted the Honorable Ambassador who came to coffee shop and just like any common individual and very unlikely of other local celebrities and politicians, she went to queue for her order.
It was already our second time to see her up close; the first was few weeks ago at HAAGEN-DAZS BRANCH OPENING in Robinson’s Place, Manila where I was fortunately invited to cover the event for my blog. She was fully guarded then as expected but still, I managed to get good photos of her during the ceremonial ribbon cutting for that new store. Seeing her again in person, barely unguarded proved to us that she’s one of those down-to-earth diplomatic representatives.
While she was waiting for her turn at the counter, I didn’t waste time of greeting her and asked if I can take a photo of her with my son. In a heartbeat, she smiled and politely obliged to my humble request. I was quietly jumping for joy when she even bent her knees and put her hands over my son’s shoulder for the shot. 
Tina, who was seated at our table and I were really starstruck! Had Gabby knew her contributions to our country beyond politics, my son probably had smiled better wider than he did.
After I clicked the cam, I thanked the Ambassador and shook her hand with utmost gratitude. 
The moment was really awesome!
To Hon. Ambassador Kristie Kenney, thank you so much for such remarkable gesture. For some it may be petty, but for us, Gabby’s simple photo-op with you was really one for the blog books. Maraming Salamat po!
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The poinsettias are now in bloom….
and the race to get those 2010 STARBUCKS PLANNERS (in 3 cover-choices) via promo stickers is on!
This year, a promo card with 17 completed stickers : 9 cups of any Holiday flavors (Toffee Nut, Dark Cherry Mocha, Peppermint Mocha) and 8 cups of any Starbucks Coffee blends entitles anyone to a coveted Starbucks Coffee 2010 planner.
I like those Toffee Nut and Dark Cherry Mocha offered during holiday and Caramel Macchiato, Java Chip and other blends at any time of the day! My wife keeps her loyalty to her favorites : White Choco Mocha frappuccino and Dark Mocha, twice blended please!
FYI, I had the 2008 and (Tina and I had the) 2009 planners which were very useful (until now and for the remaining days of the year) to me jotting down notes and scheds etc.
Not only that the promo card and red cups are present but Christmas goodies from the same coffee shop we love like…
STARBUCKS COFFEE’S GINGERBREAD COOKIE, PhP 50+. I am far from being partial to ginger and anything baked with it but surprisingly, my palate likes this pastry so much. It was Gabby’s order turned out to be eaten by a cookie monster (ehem!)
I had Starbucks’ Turkey Sandwich, PhP 130+, while Tina’s choice was Starbucks’ Sausage roll, PhP 75+ for breakfast.
We had a long but fun day and I’ll share it with you bit by bit.
It was indeed another wonderful Sunday morning for us. What a way to start a new week!
It’s already official –that NO amount of typhoons can ever stop Pinoys in celebrating Christmas!
Got to find time to put up our X-mas tree soon…
Have a great week ahead!
OPINION COUNTS…