Finoy Fiesta Farty

#49: Gucci turns very Pinoy at 27

Wow! I am still in awe at what a wonderful birthday I had this year! The theme was Pinoy Fiesta Party (or "Finoy Fiesta Farty" as the mangled version goes). Everyone was encouraged to come in true Filipino get-up. Person with the best costume gets a prize. I can't believe how many people showed up wearing barongs and camisos and baro't sayas. There were some very distinct ones like this girl-friend of mine who arrived wearing a Muslim attire to represent the Filipinos in Mindanao. There was one who arrived as a Katipunero. Another one arrived as a farmer... who strangely looked like a Vietcong farmer rather than a Filipino one. (Wrong hat, dude.) There was another one who arrived looking like a Boracay girl and yet another who came as a Filipino caregiver. Very cool. Very cool indeed.

All those who didn't have Filipino effects had to be punished. We made them do the limbo rock. (With just the guests chanting as background.) My friend's boyfriend gamely gave it his best shot. During the last round, he paused midway and held his poise for about 5 seconds. He then fell flat on his back, almost breaking his spine. I was ready to call an ambulance.

There was also a twisted pabitin. Pabitins are actually for kids during fiestas. There is a grid made of kawayan (bamboo) from which toys and candies are hung. Kids would jump at the stuff as the grid is quickly lowered. None of my guests would be interested to jump for plastic jeeps and plastic green toy soldiers so we hung goodies from Watsons instead - gels, scrubs, bath & body stuff plus Clearasil soap, of course. There were also balloons. Anyone who got a balloon would get free prepaid credits for their cellphones. (Speaking of which, I haven't zapped the credits yet to this person who wildly grabbed a yellow one.) To make life harder, I told them that this particular pabitin required them to be blindfolded and that they only had one chance, one swing to grab something. If that swing gets them nothing but air, then they should move on to the Palayok game.

The Palayok Game (for lack of a better term) is also one of the traditional Filipino Fiesta games. It's like the Mexican Pinata except we don't take the time to elaborately decorate a thing that's goig to get bashed to death anyway. Filipinos use clay pots because they shatter well and because huge pieces of it are bound to fly out and hit unsuspecting (or boring) guests. There were Filipino candies there plus the very foreign Clearasil sachets. (Yes, yes, shameless promotion true, but hey, it's my party.)

I also requested a couple of people to play the guitar at one point during the night... Which turned out to be, "for the rest of the night." It was neat the way a dear friend of mine, (Micah, that's you) took charge of the guitar and played our requests. He sings extremely well so he switched from live karaoke machine to entertainer and back from time to time. Everyone loved him to bits.

He also ended up winning the Best in Costume 2004 Award. He entered our house doing a silly walk with his cane. He was wearing a barong, grandpa hat plus grandpa house slippers. And a fake cigar... which he partnered with a set of fake smoker's teeth. Then he went around the house during the party talking to my other guests with those horrible horrible looking teeth. (Micah, you are one weird person. I guess that's why we're friends.)

Fine moments/surprises of the night:
1. A 2-yr old baby dressed in Filipino get-up from head to toe (with a native basket to boot!)
2. A classmate from gradeschool whom I haven't really gotten in touch with for more than 10 years arriving in a very handsome hat and a modern Pinoy look.
3. A friend bringing out his "kris" (is that what you call a Muslim dagger?) because his character possessed him and he totally lost it. (Haha. Lee, don't kill me.)
4. The "caregiver" character mercilessly hitting the palayok.
5. Guests actually diving to get the coins, candies and Clearasil from the palayoks.
6. Singing "Take My Breath Away" (by Tuck & Patti) with Micah again.
7. Seeing Cathy and Gerard embrace! (I have a pic to prove it!)
8. Elna telling everyone about her checklist for potential boyfriends: Must have BSPXXX,000.00, SSS, Pag-ibig Fund, Philhealth, Income Tax Return Form etc.
9. Proudly looking at my "kids" (from church) play the guitar so well.
10. My parents telling my friends from both workplaces that I am weird. (Thanks mom and dad. I love you too.) =)

Fiesta Food:
1. Lechon de Leche (from Dasma)
2. Chopped green mangoes with Bagoong (c/o Mommy)
3. Red Egg and Tomato salad (c/o Mommy)
4. Inihaw na Talong with Vinegar & Red Onions (c/o Mommy)
5. Kilawin na Tanigue (c/o Mommy)
6. Sinigang na Hipon (c/o Mommy)
7. Embutido (c/o Mommy)
8. Bistek Tagalog (c/o Mommy)
9. Caldereta-style Chicken (c/o Mommy)
10. Inihaw na Baboy (Grilled Porkchops c/o Mommy)
11. Buddy's Miki-Bihon Pancit
12. Latik's Sapin-sapin
13. Buko-Pandan Salad (c/o Mommy)
14. Leche Flan (from Mommy's suki in BF)
15. Biko (from Francis)

How much more Filipino Fiesta-ey can you get? (Love you Mom!)

On the three separate occasions that I was asked what my wish was for this particular birthday, I really couldn't think of anything. My brain just couldn't squeeze anything out. I think it's because I had all of my good friends around me, my family behind me and my gracious Lord above. I am greatly blessed. My heart is full.

For those who came, thank you so much for being such dears and making my birthday such a blast. I couldn't ask for more. (Well, I actually could - like, come again next year... AND in costume please.) Thanks to those who arranged the surprise in the office as well. You know I love surprises. (Just don't show up by my bedside at night with fake blood all over your face.)

Love you guys! Love you to bits! Palayok bits!