But NO.

MAY 8 PARTYYYY

My debut was concert-themed and music-filled. :)

April 7 until the very last minute of May 7, 2013, I was stressing over this party. This was the first party I’ve ever thrown where I was thoroughly conscious of the things happening. I’ve had parties when I was a kid but I barely remember opening gifts or  having a lot of people sing Happy birthday to me. I never experienced having my classmates from school sing happy birthday to me because May 8 was always, is always, and will always be a summer day here in the PH.

My mother has been very supportive of the things I want, and hey, the things I want are out of the ordinary, and I couldn’t ask for more. In fact, I was even asking her to lower the effort she’s giving. Haha if that was even possible. She keeps throwing in a lot of everything. 

I have spent a lot of time here and just damn, the guests will always be my number 1 STRESS GIVER/PROVIDER. I remember one episode of HIMYM season 1 where Ted forgot to tick the “plus 1” box from the wedding invitation and the bride got so batshit crazy. But heck, I guess that’s part of the whole thing. I cannot imagine the stress that party or wedding organizers are having. I’M SO LUCKY I HAVE A GREAT TEAM BEHIND ME, GUIDING AND HELPING AND SUPPORTING ME FOR ALL OF THESE. ANd dapat may special guest ako, Slapshock, but too bad, schedule conflict. :((

I have asked the people I want to celebrate my birthday with me to RSVP beforehand, (being the organized bitch that I am), and gave them a week, crap, that was even the Holy Week if I could remember. I’m sorry. HAHA! It totally sipped my mind. But I’ve made it up to them cuz I made another event.

I’ve received good feedback for having this kind of invitation which also served as their ticket (which was also not followed cuz my bouncers and the venue staff forgot that the stamp, which they were supposed to use on the ticket that the guests will show, was just sitting in the corner)

I’ve had band practice with friends in our house for a lot of days and everyone was so excited I didnt understand what was keeping them up?? 

(MC, Mar, Russell, Sara)

 (My ever supportive, music loving, and talented family, though we’re not complete here)

… Because in reality, I was really anxious and nervous that I was ready to strangle anyone who would stand in the way. 

Everyday, ever since the word got out that I was throwing a party (a very simple party), I was receiving texts and messages, etc about the details and everything I was even surprised that some people were coming and I had no clue who the hell they were. And then it dawned on me that many were thinking that this was an open party because it was a summer night and there would be drinks and music and it’s around QC, and QC is like NYC, people never sleep and just whoa. Stress.

May 7, 2013:  stayed up until 1 in the morning doing last minute checking of everything. The photobooth even got my name wrong and I was thinking of cancelling the whole thing but we already paid for it and just… WHO IS ELLISE?? =))))

This was why I instantly LOVE all the people who spell my name correctly the first time they hear it. Because that’s impossible. :)

 

May 8, 2013:   woke up at 6:15AM and got ready for the mass. Back at home, I never got back to bed and sleep. I went back to business and yes, Stress

Some texted me that they couldn’t go and I highly appreciated it, that they even remembered to inform me and apologize aww you guys much love <3

And others texted me if they could still come, yes, Dan, you were the first to come in my mind because YOU WORE RED WHEN IT WAS A BLACK&WHITEPARTY HELLLOOOOO =)))))) You’re forgiven, assface. :)

1PM: My aunt picked me up and brought me to relax in a spa and paid for my massage. Sarap diba? BUT .. OF COURSE, NOT BECAUSE… The place was so beautiful, I was starting to relax but then the lights started blinking and the electricity went on and off. At first I ignored it while the lady was massaging my temples. And then I got a text message from Mama and she said that I had to head home so we can leave for the venue at 4PM AND that the electricity in the whole of QC was out.

I guess the massage and the relaxation and the spa didn’t help after all because stress all over again. Thoughts in my mind were running like they were in a marathon.

“WALANG KURYENTE?” “BAKIT NGAYON PA? BAKIT HINDI KAHAPON O BUKAS?” “ANONG ORAS BABALIK?” “SA QC LANG BA?” “MAY KINALAMAN BA YUNG ELEKSYON DITO?” “6PM BABALIK? SIGURADO BA YAN?” “DI BA PWEDENG MAGREQUEST NA IBALIK NG MERALCO SA MAS MAAGANG ORAS?” “PANO NA YUNG PARTY?” “WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?”

But of all the questions I’ve had in my mind, I NEVER questioned God. I didn’t know, I just never did. :)

4PM: So we drove to the venue and it took us 5minutes to get there. The thing that was dreading me the most that my time was true and I witnessed it.. NO ELECTRICITY :(((( They were setting up everything when we got there. We had the tarpaulins, balloons, and everything in place.

Sara, Mia, Mar, Enzo, MC, were the first ones to get there because sound check for performers was supposed to be at 5PM but hell yeah, power out

 SO we had to adjust. I didn’t know what was running in my mind that time. Then my headlining band/performer, AllWeKnow, arrived.  They’re really cool guys !

 

I didn’t know how to make everything better for everyone because the stupid power was out and that was the only thing keeping us from having the damned sound check. The cake, food, photobooth arrived, and the food from the venue was already cookin’..

 

and Tisha and Czar arrived And my UST blockmates are so punctual I wanted to cry bec of joy because they’re soooo nice and I couldn’t ask for better blockmates. Some of them even came from their provinces just to be celebrate with me. :”>

  

6PM: hallelujah the power came back!!! I wanted to go to Meralco and hug all their engineers for keeping and being honest with their word. I found out later that some parts of QC didn’t have electricity until 9PM that night. God really is great, you know? NEVER question Him. He knows what he’s doing. :)

I WAS EVEN SUPPOSED TO CURL AND FIX MY HAIR BUT YEAH, NO TIME, DIDN’T HAPPEN. ANG LAGKIT TULOY AT SABOG YUNG BUHOK KO <///3 GREAT. JUST GREAT. KAIYAK DIBA.

7:15: The program officially started. And then the night was a blur. I DONT REMEMBER ANYMORE IM SORRY.

 

HAHAHA kidding!!!

I remember everything. I did Kiss Me Slowly solo and it was REALLLYYY BAD but hey, it’s nice that I get to mess up with the singing and performing thing because it was my birthday. :) But I should’ve taken guitar and voice lessons for this before stepping on the stage cuz you know, I really don’t have any background performing on stage and oh God, that was so embarrassing. I didn’t know how I looked on stage. I must’ve looked weird singing and all. I’m sorry :( HAHAHAHAHAHA =)))) BUT NO REGRETS JUST LOVE <3

It’s amazing that I didn’t eat the WHOLE DAY and drank a lot of shots, a lot, really a lot, (it helped that there was like only I think, 1% alcohol in it as I requested joke not sure if they followed). Mama said that I should be sick in the morning. But hey, didn’t happen. I even stayed up until 4AM with Mia and woke up at around 9AM the next day. YOLO life =))))

The night was so great that it overshadowed all the problems and imperfection and yes, STRESS that I had before.

Things might not have gone as planned, but everything turned out okay. Your friends and your family will be there when you need them and everything will just be fine. 

As for those girls who are given the choice and is battling between having a party or taking the money instead, 1 VOTE UNDER “YES, I’LL HAVE A FREAKIN’ PARTY WITH THE GREATEST PEOPLE ON EARTH!” FROM ME! :)

Some chose to take the money and use it to shop or buy the things they want, or go out of town… but you can ALWAYS ALWAYS DO THAT IN THE FUTURE. Share your day with others! I know it’s cliche to have the 18 things and all,  but it doesn’t have to be that, put a twist in it and you’re unique! Quoting a line from a song of Boys Like Girls,

“That you never get a second chance at the first time
We will never be 18 again
No you never get a second chance at the first time” 

PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT, a’right? :)

*****you can skip and close this page now because the next part will just be about thanking the people and giving my debut advice to those who are about to have their debut. THANKS FOR READING!!! :) 

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME.

 I know that I could never thank God enough,

my parents: Mama and Daddy

 

my family:

1. Ate Elaine, I know your head was hurting that day because of the constantly PMS-ing weather, and yet you still managed to keep it all together. Thanks!

 

2. Tita Hazel - Thank you for bringing me to the spa ;) And just… everything. :)

3. Patrick

4. Carag family, 

5. P. John

6. Tito Mike, Tita Mia, etc 

my 18 songs girls and 18 shots guys: Your messages will always stay in my heart. 

my HS friends! 1B, 2E, 3D, 4C peopleee and everyoneeee else.

 

And those who helped a lot:

JANGGE AND ADI!! You guys are my miracle from heaven. You know it. 

**Jangge, wala tayong picture :(((

MAR AND ENZO!! For accompanying my crazy family as they perform on stage.

.

MIA AND COLOMA, for being there the whole summer for me as I rant

my college friends: B4!! Esp Czar, Naj&Louis, Karlo, THANK YOU so much! <3

- Ms Mary Anne, for helping me organize all of these and stressing with me I know you’re very busy but still, you helped me and listened to me,

- Balete @ Kamias, everyone from there, Thank you!

my sponsors (check the poster)  but most especially,

- Tribu Kalo Kalo, for visualizing what I wanted and making the giveaway that I designed (hell yes, I designed the giveaway)

It was like that because it symbolizes my guests and me. They wore black and white and I’m the red. And the chains were all music-related : G-clef, music note, guitar, etc. )

-The people who cooked the food, prepared everything, helped me in any way. THANK YOU SO MUCH

And so, I think it is just but fair that I pass my advice and tips to others who have yet to conquer this. It’s a great feeling when it’s finally over haha really, because you know you spent the day with the people you care the most and they witnessed you as you enter adulthood. Nuxxx. 

1. It really is stressful. I’m telling you. But if you have a hands-on organizer, it’d be easier. But they still have to bug you with what you want, you better make it clear and detailed because you don’t want to blame them if they mess up your day, right?

Honestly, I didn’t know if I can pull this party off because it’s so unusual from the typical debut parties with gowns and dresses and tux. I had my guests wear anything they want as long as they’re comfortable with it. 

2. Know your crowd. Think of what they’ll enjoy during the party. Don’t make your party “DEAD”because it’s so damn boring. I’ve had my fears with that :(( Up to now I’m not sure if my guests enjoyed huhuhuhuhu joke =)) But anyway, don’t hope that the guests who said that they’re coming are really coming. Some People are stubborn. There’s nothing we can do about that. 

BUT PEOPLE, have the grace to inform the celebrant that you can’t make it so they can adjust. Try t inform them earlier, if possible, not on the day itself. Because you know, they invited you, you said yes, they’ll include you on the headcount, they’ll pay for your food, and reserve a slot for you, and then you’re not coming, it’s such a waste when they could’ve given it to someone who was willing to go. But they thought of you instead of that eager-to-go someone. So yeah, have the courtesy. :)

3. Stay on budget. Like aline from The Script’s song, “Ohhhh these times are hard, and they’re making us crazy..” Yeah, relate that to our economy these days. I don’t care how rich you are, your parents are paying for your party not you. Always remember that. Communication. My Mom and I didn’t have a problem with the paying thing because I vocalized what I want, but hell, situations were reversed, I was the one stopping her from buying all these things, and so it was her fault we went over the budget. :((( But that’s better, I guess. =)))))

4. Do researches and canvassing! But be careful with the services that those people have to offer. 

5. Be flexible and creative. Don’t stick to mainstream things! Be different. You don;t want you guests to have Deja Vu because of your party because they’ve seen a party like yours. 

6. Okay, you can forget tip 5 because I guess that’s just me, I’m allergic to mainstream everything and you may still stick with the typical debut, they’re nice and fancy :”“> I’ll have a party like that when I turn 50 yo =)))) 

7. Plan and think about what you want as early as possible so you won’t be stressing over a month and running around doing errands like what happened to me. It was a mistake to plan A MONTH BEFORE. Di ko alam kung pano nangyare lahat haha =)) I heard that you should plan 6 months before because you have to make reservations and shit,so yep do that. :)

8. BE NICE. If you’re nice to people who are helping you, they’ll return it. I guarantee you that.

9. Do the pre-RSVP thing. Ask them as early as you can so they can mark it on their calendars and clear their schedules for you. :) That way, you can get a heads up on the expected number of guests and go on from there.

10. Keep them posted. Provide them with much information at all times to keep the spirit and excitement going! :)

And lastly, PRAY to God. He will make everything better, trust me. 

#13;

(Source: talkedaboutinsongs)