Oks start for the year of the Ox

B and I hosted a dinner party last night to celebrate the first day of the Year of the Ox. We invited long-time friends as well as our housemates and had a blast eating and watching Mr. Woodcock! Haha.

Here is the feast we prepared for everyone:

Clockwise from left: Pancit bihon, steamed rice, kinulob na manok, crispy pata, roasted pork belly and chilli shrimps

I cooked the pancit and chicken while B cooked the shrimps. We bought the crispy pata and roasted pork from Cold Storage and just reheated it. We had more than enough food and ate leftovers today for brunch.

We enjoyed the food with iced tea and red wine. (Thanks Raymond for bringing the Bordeaux wine!). Since we didn't have enough plates, utensils and glasses, we bought disposable ones from the grocery. 

A lazy host's best friends :)

I  the disposable wine glass! It's so cute!

What's a party without decoration and favors? 

We bought this from Giant two days ago. It had cute oxen and the Chinese characters for Gong Xi Fa Cai and Luck. (Thanks Tin for translating!)

I'm a sucker for favors so I prepared ang paos for our friends and housemates:

Free ang paos from Parkway Parade! I put gold choco coins inside and wrote these at the front:

Everyone appreciated our simple souvenir! The chocolates tasted okay naman.

Of course, for a party to be a party, there should be lovely guests!

From left: Tin & Christian (former GS officemates and now housemates), Marjon & Christine  (Reden's friends from college), Frank & Map (Reden's friends from college), Us, Daff & Jops (housemates)

My friends from highschool, Raymond and Giftos

We have good-looking friends and housemates, noh? 

It was a fun night and we really enjoyed catching up with everyone. At the end of it, B and I were immensely satisfied with the get-together we organized. Indeed, food, very much like life, is much more wonderful when shared.

And to our families back home and you, our virtual friend, we wish you a prosperous, healthy and blessed Year of the Ox! 

PS

Thanks to our housemates, Tin, Christian, Daff and Jops, for contributing drinks and dessert, and for helping in the work! We really appreciate it!