Philippines bound

Leaving in a few hours to the Philippines to visit Lola Nene!

I still have 2 weeks of school left, then I'll be able to update more regularly!

Ejay's 23rd Birthday. Theme: Celebrity Status

So this past Friday, my brother Ejay celebrated his 23rd birthday at my parents' house in Corona! I'm not about to post up the craziness that went down, but if you know Ejay, I'm sure you can find an album on his myspace or ask him for the link to the pictures I took. All I can say is, "blame it n the a-a-a-alcohol!"

the air yeezys

it's a Cruz party, so of course there's always a DJ! Rex and Miles *Mayhem*

*"The Roc boys in the building tonight! Drinks is on the house!" - JayZ

*celebrity status*

P diddy makes a surprise appearance (all the way from Chicago!) to personally deliver a bottle of Ciroc to Kanye West

Happy Easter

So this year we celebrated Easter a day early at Redondo Beach with the in-laws, the Molo family & the Burgos Family! It felt like a lazy sunday, but I guess some of that was attributed to this stinkin' cold I've been battling these last few days. Still, as I type I can't breathe out through my right nostril! lol. Anyways since we were gettin' our hands dirty feasting on fresh seafood, I didn't grab a chance to take pictures of the food like I did last year for Ron's birthday. But I had to take a picture of the sea urchin cause it was so unbelievable cool (yes I'm easily entertained!, hehe)! After lunch we all walked through the harbor, grabbed pictures, and ate churros. YUM! Sad we had to leave early cause Ron had to write his research paper. Oh wells, guess I better start editing Ejay's birthday pics from Friday night. Happy Easter everybody!

Ron and his lil brother, RJ

The first time I had Rj in front of a camera. Guess he wasn't use to it.. hehe

Happy hubby = happy wife.. or is it the other way around? LOL! On a different note, he has such a baby face!! I'm jealous!

Ron and his pops

the moms. aren't they cute?

Sebby and Tito Jun.

There was a nice breeze blowing so I wanted to have fun with these pinwheels! Here's a simple camera trick with the shutter speed.

Another cool trick is Dez magically appearing out of blue pinwheel! (and Ron moved!)

Jasper and Mia

I remember the first time I "met" Mia, which was through Myspace. I got a message from Jasper and because they were both serving in the Air Force and stationed in Germany, Myspace seemed appropriate. He was so excited to introduce her to all his friends! I didn't know Jasper well enough at the time (since he was technically Ron's superfriend) but I knew enough to know that she was really special to him...

What started off as friendship eventually turned into a schoolyard crush. It was raw and it was refreshing. According to Mia, He wasn't her type and she wasn't his. But they had so much in common that they just clicked like you wouldn't believe. Although both their flirtatious intentions were obvious, neither one of them had the courage to admit anything. That was until the aftermath of Combat Dining... After enjoying a night of tradition and festivities, Jasper summoned the courage and yelled out, "I LOVE YOU MIA!" Initially Mia didn't take it seriously so she didn't think much of it. But Jasper being ever so persistent, called her work the very next day and laid his heart out on the table. After that, Jae & Mia was established and the rest was history...

A couple days ago Jasper asked Ron if I'd like to take pictures of them as an engagement session so to speak. I was really nervous cause I knew engagement sessions required alot of posing and directing since engagement moments are not necessarily candid (i heart candid moments). But how could I say "No" to Mia and Jas?! lol. Hope you like your pictures... Looking forward to your guys' wedding at the end of this month!!

well, it use to say Williams-Sonoma, couldnt help myself. lol

do you know where we're at?

we had this inside joke with mirror reflections and cameras. lol!

I call these next couple of pictures, the many faces of jasper! he reminds me of my brother, hehe! The lighting was oh-so-perfect! But it also helped that they're a good looking couple ;-)

Ron's favorite picture

change of venue when the security guard asked us kindly not to take pictures! Oh well, at least I got my shots!

Exactly why i love candid shots!

There's Something About Mary! (debut)

Yesterday we celebrated MM's (Mary Michael) 18th Birthday Filipino style with a "Something about Mary" twist! There were alot of "scenes" some of which included dance numbers, singing, the traditional 18 candles and 18 roses, and a family Buttercup music video. Anyways as with any family party, my dad was the DJ (www.cruzindj.com), Tito Ermie was the MC, and Kuya Gary was the photographer (www.amazestudios.com).

Since Ron and I gave MM the gift of a MAC makeover, MM was with me most of the day. Here are some pictures I snapped.

MM told me this was her "first time" being done up professionally at a makeup counter (besides being done up at my wedding)! I dunno why but she was so shy!

the final looks! Doesnt she loook like an Aphrodite goddess? hollla!! hehe!

one last look in the mirror with Madel. Do we look okay?!

the father/daughter dances.. hmm i think there were about 3 of them. Tito Dennis sure surprised alot of us. I think the ONE and ONLY time I've EVER seen him DANCE was New years of 08 and under certain circumstances... haha!

Kuya Gary in action. No one ever takes pictures of the photographer, so here's one for you kuya! I'm reallllly lucky to have a Kuya who's in the photography business! For Christmas, him, Ate Bev, and Ayden got me a subscription to Photography magazine! <3

Deven the rose coordinator (and later one the jabbacwockee dance machine!). He handed out roses to the 18 guys that danced with MM. I liked this picture cause I caught him watching his dad.

And then when i looked over at Rodney, he was looking right back at him! So cute!

Juren being funny with his rose! LOL btw, if you get seasick during the video of the "Cruz Cousin" dance routine, you can blame Juren! LOL! jk juren ;-)


The Cruz Cousin dance routine. our "dance routines" has been a long running family tradition. Every Christmas when we were small kids, our Lola (grandma), had us dress up and re-enact the birth of Jesus in a manager. With 12 grandchildren, every one always had a part. Later we eventually started doing family talent shows, which later became "a dance number" at EVERY family party. It's been a while since we did a dance routine though, and what was different about this time was now Ron was included! haha! Our dance this time was alot shorter than previous dances, but hey we're grown ass individuals now! Enjoy!




HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY MM!
or as your friends call you, MARY!




and last but not least, the BUTTERCUP Panganiban/Cruz music video!
*Families on this video were from all over! Including the Philippines, Southern and Northern California, Mississippi, and New Mexico.

Baby Boomers

::] song: Priscilla Ahn: Dream (from Bride Wars) [::


Yesterday I finished a final paper for my health policy elective class. The hot topic I selected for my paper's discussion was based on relationship between caregiving, longterm care, and the inevitable aging population of baby boomers. Many research articles I've read have claimed that there has been a decline in baby making. Well, I beg to differ!

Today I attended my 4th baby shower of the year. Yes, the year ... and it's barely March! My dear friend Alysce is expecting her first girl, Kalia, this April. Alongside her these lovely ladies are expecting their first borns as well.

Angela Czaplicki just delivered her first baby girl, Emilyn, a few days ago
Christy Trunnell is expecting baby girl Caitlyn anytime now! (March)
Ate Ervy is expecting twin boys in late March/April
Ate Liza is expecting baby girl Vanessa in May
Julie (Anderlik) Guiterrez is expecting baby girl Kailey in May
Jessica Novicio is expecting baby girl Cali this June
Minerva is expecting a baby boy this June/July
Jen Hosana is expecting her first baby boy this summer (July?)
Melissa Castle is expecting her first baby (sex not yet known) this August

And a few days ago, my Ate Beverly just announced that she's pregnant with her second baby!

I don't know what's in the water these days, but one thing's for sure: It's Baby Fever! (And it's alot of girls, so far, hehe)

And don't be asking me about any baby fever! I'm in school remember :)

Anyways, here are some pictures from Alysce's baby shower

from Kim's (one of the RN's) bakeshop in Orange County. Her cakes are to diiiie for!

i love this "diaper cake"

When your coworkers throw you a baby shower and they're all NICU RNs, then YOU KNOW that your breastfeeding and lactation issues are all covered!

angie, alysce and me
angie was 1 of the 4 in my new grad group (July 05).
She moved to UCLA's NICU later on. It was sooooo great to see her!!

And since we're on the topic of babies and I'm really late on these.. Here's some of my niece Khayla from her 1st birthday!! She's the 1st baby I've witnessed to actually ENJOY an astrojump!