Making my own cheeseboard platters was something that I wanted to do last Christmas of 2019. Sadly, it was the hectic schedule of Christmas parties, weddings, family gatherings and college reunions that hindered me to do so.
Cheeseboards, I think, are not really trendy in the Philippines not only because it’s a bit expensive but because not all Filipino taste buds are into them like wine and cheese. But today, it’s making its way in the modern age especially now that many Filipinos, especially those in the culinary, food styling and events field, are open to new and trendy things.
I’m not a chef but I like to get a taste of new foods and things like grazing table, grazing box, charcuterie, cheese platter and cheeseboards – whatever you call them; lol.
So, on my dad’s birthday; before he was about to turn 70 last August 31st, I started planning what will be the best theme and nice meals to serve for his special day. The first thing that I asked myself was, “What are the foods that become delicious with age and time?” Then wine and cheese came into my mind.
When my father’s 70th birthday came last August 31st, it was the perfect time for me to make some cheese board platters. Since I’m new to this, I did my research and listed all what I needed for my cheeseboard presentation. Wow, it was quite a long list and a bit expensive than I thought especially, the paddle boards and cutting boards that I bought. Ha ha! I got my excitement going when I was gathering all in ingredients and what I needed at the store.
My cheese board consisted some healthy nibbles like strawberries, oranges, grapes, kiwis, dragon fruit, crackers, crusty bread, cheese, dips, salami, pastrami, chicken ham, nuts, olives, pretzels, milk chocolate, dark chocolates, cupcakes, wafers and cookies. Assembling cheese board for the first time was a bit time consuming and nerve-wracking as I wanted to make lovely and perfect platters. It took me more than an hour to graze but I really had fun arranging, filling the boards and making my presentation.
What’s great about grazing platters is that you can put as many nibbles as you want. You can also categorize the foods that you want to add into and fill into the boards. The possibilities are endless and they are nice to mess with.
It was a cheeseboard galore kind of celebration. My family and relatives love and enjoyed it. I was, of course, filled with bliss, too. Cheese board platters are entertaining, really pretty, elegant and healthy. They are great for any occasion. I can’t wait to do more cheese board platters on our next celebration. 
Happy 70th birthday pops! I hope you enjoyed your birthday despite the Covid-19 pandemic. I really want to thank you for your love and support! I wish you good health, happiness, inner peace, prosperity and longer life. May all of your wishes and dreams come true! Love you!
Being in the music industry for more than 25 years, Incubus continues to evolve and makes state-of-the-art music! They never fail to give us a thrilla here in Manila!
Incubusholic is a self-made word that I used to describe myself way back many years ago (with a smile on my face). It’s funny I memorized the lyrics of a great number of their songs and love singing them over and over again when I’m taking a shower or driving anywhere.
I really thank God for giving her to us. I deeply pray to God that she’ll have good health and happy and peaceful life. She’s such a great blessing to our family. In fact, she’s a wonder woman to me because she handled the 4 of us; from cooking, house cleaning, doing the dishes and laundry, to even bringing our lunch to school, feeding us and bathing us, name it, she did all of it! She’s very industrious, generous and helpful not just to our family but to her relatives and friends as well.
Everything she did cannot be repaid by money alone. On the day she will turn 60, we believed that she’s very deserving of a memorable party.
A month before her birthday, we planned to go with something fun like a barrio fiesta theme because it’s the month of May plus knowing that lots of fiestas are celebrated here in the Philippines.
Everyone in my family contributed money and effort to make the party possible. Nang Marlyn’s friends and relatives also helped us with running a lot of errands.
Since the theme of the party is barrio fiesta which is a cheerful celebration in our country, we made sure that the decorations resemble the traditional fiesta and so, we used bilao, banana leaves, native fans, native baskets, bamboo coin banks, DIY colorful paper roses and clay pots which were traditionally used during the old times.
The foods consisted of delicious native Filipino dishes and delicacies like Lechon or roast pig in English, chicken tinola, karne frita, fresh lumpia, relyenong bangus, pancit, embutido, kutsinta, banana cake, polvoron, barqueron, pastillas, yema, sweet tamarind and more.
Our games included the traditional fun Filipino games such as Pabitin and Pokpok Palayok or Hitting the Pot in English, Kape (coffee) Drinking, Cola Drinking, Bring Me What I Want and many more.
The party was held in our humble home and everything was just fun and went smoothly even if it rained in the evening.
The guests enjoyed the party. The celebrator was very happy and thankful that she was given such love, attention and appreciation. It was indeed a fun-filled and unforgettable party!
We are very happy that our Nanny Marlyn is very happy. The party was a family effort and we would be happy to be able to do this again when she turns 70.
We had a nice picture taken beside Prony 2, where I don’t look terrified but deep inside I’m like going to pass out. Ha ha! That was for my little one. Hell yeah, it was a really cool experience!
Finally, I get to see a real tarsier (which I usually see in our history or Social Studies books). The Tarsier Sanctuary is a must-see place when in Bohol.
Seeing a lot of lush Mahogany trees is just pleasing, rejuvenating plus I felt I was able to breathe truly fresh air. You wouldn’t think that this forest is just man-made, would you? Yes, this forest located in Loboc is a man-made and a reforestation project, that creates a cool and fresh atmosphere. We took a short stop to take a photo of this worthy place to see.
We were able to see floating souvenir shop, the Busay Falls and local children dancing Filipino folk dances.
The Baclayon Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines founded by the Jesuit Priests.
The last stop of our Bohol Countryside day tour is in the Blood Compact Shrine located in Bool District of Tagbilaran City. According to history, this is where Datu Sikatuna, the Chieftain of Bohol and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the Spanish explorer sealed their friendship.
Euan’s mustache birthday bash was a family effort. Everyone in our family chipped in and had our own tasks. As usual, I’m always in charge of the party planning, candy buffet decorations, invitations, some party giveaways as well as games for kids.
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