Another year older, another reason to celebrate! This week, my husband turned another year wiser, and I wanted to make his birthday extra special, especially considering he's away from his family in the Philippines.
Remember when I first worried he might feel lonely after moving here? Well, this year's celebration was all about proving otherwise! It was a Filipino fiesta filled with family, laughter, and, of course, delicious food.
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| Filipino Birthday Fiesta in Vancouver from my mom, Little Ongpin, and LA Chicken |
Staying true to our roots, I enlisted the help of my mom. Her home-cooked Filipino-style spaghetti, bursting with sweet and savory flavors, was the centerpiece of the table. To complement it, we ordered classic party favorites: crispy lumpiang shanghai and savory pork BBQ skewers from Little Ongpin, and juicy fried chicken from LA Chicken (satisfying my chicken craving), all from Little Ongpin, a taste of home right here in Canada.
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| Fried Chicken from LA Chicken |
Looking back on my own childhood birthday parties in the Philippines, these were the exact same dishes that brought everyone together. Food isn't just sustenance; it's a language of love and tradition, and having these familiar flavors on the table instantly transported us back to happy memories.
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| 60 pieces of Lumpiang Shanghai from Little Ongpin |
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| 14 pieces Filipino-style pork BBQ in skewer from Little Ongpin |
Of course, there were more than just culinary delights. We captured the moment with laughter-filled photos, sang a heartfelt rendition of "Happy Birthday", and watched as my husband blew out the candles on his cake.
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| Assorted Cheese Tart from Pablo |
My mom even surprised him with biko and a refreshing Filipino fruit salad. And, as a sweet ending, my sister's boyfriend brought in a box of mouthwatering Japanese cheese tarts from Pablo. It was a day filled with love, laughter, and delicious surprises. Plus, I got to play Overcooked with my siblings.
