Oh, Josie! (A birthday party post)

Josie Espinosa celebrated her birthday at Shirley's Coffee Shop last May 15 and judging by the number of friends and loved ones who trooped to the restaurant to wish her well, the party was a smashing success.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Josie.

A Second Birthday Party for Matty

Beautiful birthday celebrator Matty or Mariana Katherine Angeles had a blast last May 15 with her guests.

Pink and green cupcakes are very dainty colors, fit for a little princess like Matty


Hapi the clown was there to make sure the birthday girl and her guests are entertained

With a flick of his hands, Hapi created animals out of balloons and made one especially for Matty

And what's a party without the requisite games?

After a series of games, can good food be far behind?

Daddy helping Matty blow her birthday candle

And that sums up Matty's birthday party

Shirley's Coffee Shop Wins Environmental Steward Award

Aside from having a successful booth at the 2010 Flame Tree Arts Festival, the recent event was made doubly special as Shirley's Coffee Shop was hailed as an Environmental Steward by Beautify CNMI!

The award was given in the morning of April 24.

The Environmental Steward award recognizes a person or group that leads the community in activities that help protect the environment in a variety of ways. This individual or group has demonstrated the need to take pride in our islands and to take care of the place we all call home. They serve as an example for others, especially the next generation, to follow.

Shirley’s Coffee Shop has been a partner of Beautify CNMI! since 2006. Since then, they have been active in the numerous projects of the coalition and has made numerous clean ups in their adopted area each month.

Shirley's Jersh Angeles, the Master Storyteller

The Shirley's Coffee Shop team does not only make and serve great food, they tell great stories as well.

Jersh Angeles was invited as guest reader at the San Antonio Elementary School during their Community Reader and Book Fair week on April 15, 2010. The Grade 6 students of 6thA class headed by Mr. Frank Demapan and 6thB class headed by Catherine Acera-Cabrera were all ears as Jersh retells the story of a spider.

Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock is a popular book by Eric Kimmel. In the story, the arachnid Anansi uses a magical rock to fool his neighbors to steal their food, but he gets tricked too and the food was given back to the rightful owners.

With the 6A class

6B class

Clean up at Sugar Dock

Nineteen Shirley's Coffee Shop team members and their families trooped to their newly-adopted beach, Sugar Dock/ Aquarius Beach Tower side last March 15 for their regular beach clean up.
The group collected approximately 120 lbs. of trash (discarded food, cigarettes, wrappers, containers, plastic bottles and bags, cans and metals)
Shirley's Coffee Shop has been involved in the beach clean ups since January of 2007. Their next clean up is set for June 16.

The team went home tired, but happy and fulfilled.

A spongebob themed 2nd birthday

Spongebob was all over the place when Thomas Dela Cruz celebrated his second birthday last November 23, 2009. With the character's bright and cheerful smile, once glance at the place and you'll know you're in for a good time at this party.


Spongebob welcomed the guests to partake of the food at the buffet table.

The birthday boy helps himself to a serving of the party food...

...And got stronger after.
And for all the effort of Mommy Kimberly in throwing a successful bash, she got a great big hug from the celebrator.

What a wonderful way to end the day.

Happy Birthday, Thomas! Hope you enjoyed your party.

A Magical 1st Birthday: Audrianne Decena

It was as if Tinkerbell herself poured magic dust on the party, as all were delighted and giddy as Audrianne Santiago Decena celebrated her first birthday last November 13 at Shirley's Coffee Shop.

Daddy Franze and Mommy Janelle made sure the party of their beautiful daughter will be memorable.

Food was delicious as always and well presented, too.Pink and green were the colors of the day.

Before the party ends, Daddy and Mommy helped Audrianne blow the candle on her tinkerbell designed cake.

The party was picture perfect!

To Audrianne, may all the wishes of your parents during the candle blowing come true.

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Goodbye, Mama Shirley

Shirley's Coffee Shop grew a little dim last Saturday, November 28, as the word spread that its pillar and inspiration, Shirley Lai, breathed her last. The death of Lai, fondly called Mama Shirley, came as an unwanted surprise to all.

Susan Macario, GM of the two Shirley's Coffee Shop outlets on Saipan, was deeply saddened by the death of Mama Shirley. Macario shares that she and her crew have always looked up to Mama Shirley for the standards she had set in providing clients with exemplary customer service.

Aside from setting the trend on customer service, she was also an ardent supporter of community service. Mama Shirley often involves herself in community projects or donates funds for those who are in need.

For all the good deeds that she is known for, Mama Shirley will always be remembered. She will always be remembered as a woman who was determined enough to succeed. And indeed, she had.

As we bid goodbye to the beloved woman who gave so much of herself to her family, her clients and the community she belongs to, we also look forward to a contented existence, knowing that she has lived her life well. And that her legacy will live on for years to come.

25 years of Love

The wedding day is just a beginning, couples then need to continuously work at their marriage because it takes time, commitment, respect, tons of love and a host of other factors to make it work.

So, reaching 25 years of marriage is a reason to celebrate what life and love has offered.

And to celebrate they did last October 27 as family and friends paid tribute to the 25th wedding anniversary of lovely couple Jon and Connie Dela Cruz.
Love is still as sweet 25 years later

The lovely cake to celebrate the silver wedding anniversary. On the background is a picture on their wedding day.

The family is bigger! Son-in-law Sylvan renders a song for the couple

Congratulations Jon and Connie! You inspire us with your love.

Brian Matthew Apasan: The First Birthday

The little boy was all decked in blue, he was clearly the star and it was his first birthday party.


Brian Matthew Apasan had a party last September 21 as he turned 1.

The whole family was there to make sure everyone had a fun time. Daddy,mommy and big brother entertained the guests who trooped to Shirley's Coffee Shop Susupe.

And what's a birthday without the cake? The chocolate cake was topped with a single clown candle, fitting for the fun celebration and even matching the jester hat worn by the emcee, Shirley's Coffee Shop Dining-in-charge Macoi Aguda.



The Apasan family will surely treasure this day as it was spent in the company of family and friends.



Happy Birthday, Brian!

Maxine @ 6: From the Heart

It is a year not generally celebrated with big parties, but when Maxine turned 6, her papa, mama ang baby sister Kyla threw her a celebration just the same.

Friends flocked to Shirley's to be with the birthday girl for some food and a whole lot of fun.

What could be more fun than dancing to the tune of "Spaghetti"?


Maxine seemed to be thanking her guests heartfully here.


Of course,no birthday seems to be complete without the traditonal blowing of the candle on the cake.


A close up of the simple but yummy cake. Look at those flowers.


Happy Birthday, Maxine. Hope you had fun!