Tables are turning

The other night was Zoe’s birthday party. She celebrated with a dinner dance party even though it was already her 19th because she wasn’t able to celebrate her 18th that way since she was at the US at that time.

She sent messages beforehand telling us that the program would promptly start at 6:00 PM so ‘don’t be too late’. Being wise as I am, I also sent messages to Tina, Choerleen and JC for them to prepare earlier (I will fetch them kasi.) I told Tina to be ready by 5:00 PM, Choerleen by 5:15PM, and JC by 5:30PM. However, it was already 5:00 and I wasn’t finished with all the trimmings. We ended up with JC (the last one) at around 6:30PM and arrived at the venue at 7:20PM. We were not really expecting the traffic at Bayanan-Alabang area which was the major cause of our delay. The program didn’t start promptly, however, and we still had time to chat with other attendees of the party. The party commenced at 8:00PM.

As with a normal debut party there were roses, candles and gifts. But this time, there were nineteen princes, nineteen fairies and nineteen jewels. (Surprise!) And those were the first nineteen thingamajigs I witnessed. :-)

Before the program started, I saw Miss Iris Orprecio. She never became my teacher, but luckily we knew each other, and she greeted me, saying, “Oh! Kaanu-ano mo si Zoe?”

“Ma’am, friend ko po nung high school.”

And eventually, I found out that she was a family friend of the Nofuentes.

The program had a very corny host and his jokes were annoying. He kept sayin, “Live tayo sa ABC-7,” or “Mananalo ka ng one year supply of chocolates,” while showing a small box of goodies. What was really funny is that some of my friends were really laughing at him. (I wasn’t able to confirm whether those were sarcastic!) And aside from the host, what really made the party fun, was meeting old friends. I mean, at this point of my … age, large dance parties were already over and I’m glad that she had a nineteenth birthday celebration to bring back an unplanned informal reunion.

Yup the food was great, thanks to Queensland Catering Services care of Mr. Dondon. The host kept saying this. So, thank you very much, Mr. Dondon!

Capturing moments from the event wasn’t really my priority. But, there is something deep within our hearts that turns us hysterical once a camera is in sight! More pictures here. What made me happy is seeing an old friend, Zelea, Zoe’s younger sister, with the other guests.

We went home at around 11:00PM, this time we carried Aaron along. I arrived home at 12:20AM. Talk about another prom.