So Im a Party Planner....

The idea of hosting events started back in 1995 when I first became a preschool teacher.  Having come from a musical theater background, I was (and still am!) what they call, "biba" or full of life/character, when in front of a crowd.  A pregnant mommy of a student must have appreciated that fact which led her to ask me to host the games, because she could not.  Mind you, in the mid-90's, kid's parties were held at home and were very simple affairs.

Then it happened again...only this time, the mommy of the student was not pregnant.  She asked for a "pabitin" (toys suspended from a bamboo frame) which seemed an easy enough request!  This scenario happened repeatedly with a few changes here and there.  It didn't take long before I realized that since I was doing these mommies an extra service that I should get paid for offering them in the first place.

By 1998, I partnered with Dana Cosio-Mercado and we did a few parties together.  She took care of the "fru-fru's" while I hosted.  She needed to leave the country very suddenly so I went solo by August of 2000.  I registered PartyPartyParty Enterprises with DTI.





I've had parties for big corporations with as many as 900 kids/600 Adults (Citibank's 100th Anniversary Family Day) and small events with as little as three who showed up (think first Al Qaida bombing incident in the early 2000's).  I've had events where I was Winnie, Minnie, Spongebob, Elmo, Dora, Blue, Batgirl, The Mad Hatter, Strawberry Shortcake, Barney, Snow White, The Last Airbender and yes, Belle, for the afternoon.

I've been to all of Century Park Hotel's Easter parties since they hired me back in 1999 to plan their events.  I've had events where yayas had neck lacerations due to a violent "pabitin" game (go figure)!  I've been to Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Baguio, New York and my home, The Roxy, for all kinds of events.  I've been to events that just got called/ closed/ booked the hour before it started.  I've done events both where the caterer was my and not my contact and they came two hours late (It's "confeermed": NEVER schedule your party on Dec. 15 for this is the busiest day of December for events.  The traffic comes to a stand still at this time!).  I've done two events in one day where one was for a family day for 1,500 people and the other required just 1,000 servings of all food carts possible.  There are lots of funny, tearful stories, as well as horror stories but methinks I will regale you with those in another blog post.  


So I stumbled into this lucrative business by chance (yes, lucrative!).  How did I stay on?  I fattened my "black book" of contacts.  I lurked and read the mommy blogs and forums/fora (?) to see what they were looking for and to see what they thought of different suppliers, including me.  I went to parties and took note of those who sucked and those who would make me look good.  The best advice I can give those who want to get into the same, is to learn everything there is to know about planning AND EXECUTION.  

Before I forget, I, of course, must give thanks to my assistants--my peeps--over the years!  Glen Regalado, Randy Fernandez, Gilbert Amio, Bujon Pantaleon.... they have made my life sooo much easier.  They were told or shown just once and they consistently did what needed doing.  They climbed the ladders, they cleaned the mess, they front lined for me.  Thank you again!

After 15 years of nomadic party experiences, I have a permanent venue from which I('d rather) do my events (The Roxy Events and Party Venue is on 185 Tomas Tomato Ave., QC).  I can breathe better because I can stay put and because people now can come to me.  Here, I offer all kinds of services apart from the venue rental.  The running joke is, "Any event.  Any time.  Except Lamays."

Because I hire a lot of suppliers, I must be able to spot the bullshit from the truth behind their explanations and deadlines.  In order to do this, I've enrolled myself in all kinds of workshops:  styro crafting, balloon twisting, cake decoration (both for kid's cakes and wedding cakes), henna tattoo mixing, Zumbatomic (Zumba for Kids 4-12 years old) and I even joined the 1st International Face Painting Convention in Orlando, Florida last 2002!  The rest of my skills are self-studied and done from pure guts or genius.

Of all my qualities that is pure genius (naks!), I know that it is my attention to detail that has helped me most.  I have a tried and tested master plan and I stick to it.  I have lists of lists.  I cross check this with a timeline.  

Since I'm frank enough, I'm upfront with clients and I CHOOSE my clients.  Yes, yes, it seems very arrogant of me but I can afford to be.  If from the get-go they seem very iffy or flaky, I'd rather pass and save on salon costs from having to dye my hair back to black.  If they're too demanding or ditzy at the start, I bite my tongue but will pass the event to some other planner who can stomach stupidity or rudeness.  

This is me, simply put.  I choose my battles and challenges.  Of those problems I'm faced with, I'm able to create opportunities because I have foresight, a strong sense of perseverance and faith in God.  I strongly believe that He sends me all these opportunities so that I'm prepared for bigger and better things in life.  I also know because I'm still kicking, that all my experiences can serve as a learning moment for others.  

So I Fractured My Left Wrist....

I was teaching a Zumba Fitness class at Merville Park Homeowners Assoc (MPHA) last 052713 when I fractured my left wrist.  As I was dancing, I stepped on their office mat which was actually several strips looking like one.  There was no traction when the strips separated and so I fell backwards.  I tried catching my fall by extending my hands out so I could save my spine from any damage.

There was of course a loud gasp from the class, but since I was paid in full upon my arrival, I felt it my obligation to finish the class.  The class was about 20 minutes in when I fell.  I was able to use my left arm for a few minutes to lead the dances but about 10 minutes later, it became unbearable to lift it.  The last 10 minutes were done with just my right arm moving.

To someone's credit, a young girl named Mitzi, came forward and offered to bring me to MPHA's clinic.  Too bad...the doctor was out.  I just bought two Ponstans from the open convenience store nearby and drove my automatic car to Cardinal Santos on Wilson Ave., San Juan.

Once in the Emergency Room, I had a short interview by the front desk, then got wheeled into the XRay Room.  Note to the very insensitive male med tech they had:  if someone is having their wrist XRayed, it must mean the wrist is painful and shouldn't be roughly handled and twisted about!

Then I was deposited into a bed and waited with an ice pack until Dr. Acosta placed a bottom Plaster of Paris splint, bandaged it then gave me a blue sling. Two hours later, "Immediately see an Ortho" he said.

For all these, I was billed P4,956. 

Good thing, I had scheduled Gilbert Amio to do a Zumba class in Maude, San Juan.  He was able to follow after class, then take over the driving responsibilities! Thanks to him, I was also able to go to Divisoria the next day to do some needed shopping for my new preschool (The Little Apprentice branch in EVIA) and my upcoming events at The Roxy.

The day after (Thursday), I drove myself to Cardinal and saw a (randomly chosen by the lobby consierge) Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Jose Bayani Aliling. He placed a green fiberglass cast on me (I was in tears when he handled my arm) and charged me P3000 plus materials P2000 (he made me buy my own, saying I could use the exercise). He warns me, because of my age, that it will take 8 weeks for my bone to "regenerate" and heal.  Shit!  

I don't think Ill be going back to him.

That night, Gilbert took over the MPHA class.

By the next Tuesday, I was back to dancing (Gilbert still led the MPHA group). I'd decided that one week of inactivity and sorry-for-myself eating was deadlier than if I'd just moved again, SWEAT in my cast and be smelly for the remaining seven weeks.  By Wednesday, I taught a class at Athlete's Lab (Shaw Blvd.) and Thursday, I led the rapidly growing MPHA group to a hearty applause at the end of the session!

After the first day in this cast, I learned a few things:

1. Leave chopsticks everywhere in case the itches suddenly attack.
2. Wear clothes without clasps and buttons.
3. Pee when you don't feel like because when you already do, pulling down your pants and panties in time with one hand will be futile.
4. Regularly clean your fingers with alcohol, alcogel and wet wipes.
5. A nice manicure can lift your spirits!
6. Write an explanation of the "fracture event" so you don't repeat yourself to well- meaning acquaintances, guests, friends, family and elevator riders.
7. Moisturize the left elbow often since meets so many resting surfaces.
8. No sleeping position is good enough.
9. I finally can use the Handicap Parking slot! 
10. I cant tie my hair up all by myself.
11. I can blame my PMS bitchiness to the cast. Haha!

Really, I just have to laugh--quietly enough/on the inside so its not misconstrued as "there she goes, she's finally, officially crazy!" Life is still good.  Yes, I won't be able to compete this June 1 (Phil. Natl Games), June 15 (Lillian's Cup) and June 22 (DSCPI Midyear Ranking) but at least I still have three limbs to do Zumba Fitness with! I don't have a yaya but I've been living alone all these years, so what's new?!

After a week, I discovered that I could wet the cast, the battings, the whole arm--for the fiberglass wil keep its shape!  It took half a day to dry but Im still alive :)

Yes, clap for me, Universe!  I will do things with a smile--Zumba Fitness included!