What Can P820 Buy for Eleven?

Posted on August 8, 2007
Filed Under Food, Fun, Parenting and Family | Viewed 885 times

P820—it can buy 1 volcano pizza, 1 cheezy pops pizza (one of the pizzas is free, btw, with Pizza Hut’s Palm Card), a bottle of Pepsi, a box of sausage pops + a P30-tip for the delivery boy, for 11 pizza-hungry mouths (my 7 kids, DIL Caren, and 2 toddlers). No, P820 did not buy hapiness—it spelled 1-1/2 hours of fun, bonding and yes, happiness.

Coming back with Angelo from a business meeting late yesterday afternoon, me and my 2 girls decided to visit his family—their home is a few houses away from ours. The 2 babies, Pia, 4 yo and Cate 2 yo, were very excited to see us. Monica and Pauline had a few pieces of chocolates for the babies. Soon, the 2 boys, BA and Vince followed, and before we knew it, they called up Angela and Alan, Jr., who immediately walked over from home.

They wanted to eat—and there was one type of food that all of them wanted in common—pizza (although BA eats only pepperoni pizza sans the cheese). ‘Twas only pizzas, sausage pops and pepsi—but to everyone it was a feast!

What happened next was 1-1/2 hours of roaring fun, by the 7 siblings, Angelo’s wife, Caren and the 2 babies. Seldom does this bonding among them happens, in a relaxed environment. While Angelo’s family lives only a few houses away from us, the kids do not get to visit as often as they want, more so—with all of them in full force, with school now in full swing. As for me, I can visit them as much as I want. During the day, they either drop by the house, or I say hello while they are in the car, if ever they pass by the house.

What joy it was for me, a mother, just watching them all in one place, feeling the warmth, the camaraderie, listening to their peals and shreiks of laughter, even the childish banter, and chasing around.

Even if we wanted to stay longer, we had to go home by 7pm. The children wanted to study their lessons—it is exams week. We all went home with a smile on our faces, plus wet kisses from the babies. We promised them that we would be coming back soon.

Comments

22 Responses to “What Can P820 Buy for Eleven?”

noemi on August 8th, 2007 5:22 pm

what joy naman. A big family is so much fun. I miss those days when we 7 siblings were all together. Treasure these moments, Dine. Lucky for you that Angelo lives nearby.

SexyMom: why, Noems, it didn’t sink till now that are 7 in the family. i know you have 3 other sisters (just saw your photos), but didn’t know about the 3 brothers. how lovely. yes, am glad angelo lives nearby.
angelle on August 8th, 2007 6:33 pm

Hi Dine, hope you still remember Jayvee’s mom. Have been entering Noemi’s life but it’s only today 8-8-07, my father-in-law’s birthday, by the way he sired 8 children, that I decided to intrude in yours by way of you know who son. They say that a woman is blessed when she brings forth a child. I say that you are blessed seven times over for having such a wonderful family. I just met them in pictures but I can see that they were raised well by an amazing mother. Cherish every moment with them and be truly blessed.

SexyMom: hi, Angelle,

what a pleasant surprise! now an email, soon a blog. noemi and i are waiting for that big day.

thanks, dear, for visiting, and sharing—impressive! a family of 8 in your in-law’s side. yes, same as any mother, i am truly blessed, i feel truly blessed, and i am thankful to the good Lord for my 7 wonderful blessings. true—every moment is cherished.

God bless you and your family
Gina on August 8th, 2007 9:45 pm

The family that eats/have fun together stays together! =)

What a close and loving bond among family members. God Bless your family Dine!
chateau on August 8th, 2007 10:24 pm

Ang saya! That’s how we are too when we get together – chaotic fun, and food (any food, basta may munch).

Hub’s Palm Card expired last month, haay.. I miss pizza. Alam mo, it’s a shame but my family of 6 (made up of me, hub, the two grown kids, plus two helpers) can finish 2 large PH pizzas with relative ease. hehe
Kongkong622 on August 8th, 2007 10:47 pm

Looks like a happy bunch!! I think pizza has a way of bringing people together. Especially if it’s a large one
lady cess on August 9th, 2007 10:41 am

nakakatuwang tingnan ang mga pictures. a happy family is indeed God’s gift
Kyels on August 9th, 2007 1:46 pm

Definitely a joy! It’s always good to spend time with family members as it is also something that money can’t buy.

The photos reminds me of the time I spent with my siblings and parents’ too!
jho on August 9th, 2007 2:22 pm

Ang saya naman. Truly you cannot buy happiness and memories that family bonding and get-together can give.
Bang on August 9th, 2007 4:27 pm

Ang saya! A big happy family. I miss those times when my sisters and I aren’t married yet. We love pizza. It’s good to know that Angelo leaves near your place. How I wish we could do the same, living so near each other. But it’s impossible since we live in different parts of the world, my two sisters together with their families live in NY and Canada, my youngest sister lives with my parents in Cavite, while I am here in Bulacan. I miss them so much.

Treasure those times. Cheers!
sasha on August 9th, 2007 5:06 pm

It is so much fun talaga, tita to be in a big family. Moreso kung magkakasundo and puno ng laughter. I can relate. I came from a big family kasi
chesca silva on August 9th, 2007 5:17 pm

that is truly priceless.
coming from a large family as well (9 kids)

i can definitely relate.

you have a beautiful family, dine.
Christianne on August 9th, 2007 6:37 pm

Wonderful pictures of your happy family Dine. And I love the Palm card too. Brilliant marketing gimmick – nobody can resist a free pizza
raqgold on August 9th, 2007 8:19 pm

oh, na-homesick naman ako. i always connect pizza with family feasts, too. we would call for pizza to be delivered to us anytime, even for midnight snacks! and the whole family would be up and happily munching on their pajamas! that 800 pesos equals happiness talaga.
Major Tom on August 9th, 2007 8:22 pm

Happiness they say is priceless especially having it with the whole family. i won’t mind shelling out P820 for such warmth and tenderness even when it’s not about the money.
Rach on August 9th, 2007 8:30 pm

Hi Dine. You’re blessed with a beautiful family and it’s wonderful to see how close everyone is.
sassy mom on August 9th, 2007 10:09 pm

Hi, Dine!

You’re so blessed to have a wonderful family. Sa pics pa lang I can see that your family is really close. that’s one thing money can’t buy.

Take care and God bless!
jayvee f. on August 10th, 2007 1:00 am

mom, i want a sister.
dexie on August 10th, 2007 2:35 am

Oh My. Huge lovely and fun family you have. Wet kisses from babies are the best. And Pizza too
jireh on August 10th, 2007 8:03 am

hi tita dine! still busy (what else is new with me? hehehe)... what a big family… wish i had lot of siblings but unfortunately, nag iisa lng ako sa pamilya namin hehehe.. anyways, just dropping by got inspired by your post today… i hope i can have a big family in the future
Manila Mom on August 10th, 2007 10:11 am

Yes, it’s such a blessing that Angelo and his family live near you. I hope the same happens when my kids get married, too. I can’t imagine them being far away, and I want to enjoy grandchildren to the max. Imagine when all your kids are married. Even with just two kids each, you’ll have 14 grandchildren to cuddle! That’s the best return on investment ever!
kimmy on August 11th, 2007 9:43 pm

family bonding is priceless! namiss ko tuloy bigla ang mga pinsan ko. hiwa-hiwalay na kami and we haven’t had a reunion in years!
amymd on August 12th, 2007 3:02 pm

My kids are still very young. I hope that when the time comes for them to have their own family they will just live nearby, para madali magkita-kita.
Great happy moments. Masaya talaga kapag big family.