While the party was deplorable (sadly, the Shakey's staff were ill-prepped for the party) and only had the games for adults as highlights, the celebration still was quite memorable with relatives, friends and officemates dropping by to greet our little daughter a Happy 1 Year Old Birthday.Ikai, Elvie and I would like to thank all those who attended the party ...
Our parents who were there for their apo -- Mama Lydia and Papa Ragandan, Mama Myrna ... the stage titas -- Daisy and Taté (who brought along Nanay) ... other relatives Ate Arlene and Daphne, Juvy and her husband and Nicole, Bicbic representing absent cousins Mark and Dodong, and Ikai's Ate Grace, of course ... Moling and Joy, the Ninongs who made it -- Tolits, Mike and Oliver along with Jenny and Baby Yossef ... my kumpadre Joshua and wife, Che with the
irrepressible Luis ... the Ninangs who made an appearance -- a so-recently engaged Olga (along with BF Jasper), Ms. Perl (with Rissa), and Ms. Aira ... our wedding godparents Ninong Cesar Vidal, Ninang Melds who came with daughter Hacha and sister Ms. Rosie who brought along Gelo ... Quickmelt friends, Tita Nancy and Ate Heidi with two of her nephews ... plus officemates who conveniently filled Shakey's second floor -- Mai, husband and daughter (thanks for the videocam), May, the ever-digicam-toting Cynthia, Brenda and daughter, Mafe, Jasmine with Rafa, ninong-wannabe Joel, Joy aka Ligaya Martinez, Cris, Mel and Allan with smiley-smiley Matthew, the blooming Weng ... the ESL Triple Threats -- Janie, Nascel and Grace ... and old officemates the perky Joan, Ivy and Ms. Baby.
People asked, why not hold the party at Jollibee or at least, McDo? Simple reason -- making it different, for one. At least when you go out of the party you won't be smelling like a Jolly Chicken or a McChicken, you go out smelling like you've come from Shakey's. You also get to eat a different menu, somehow, albeit in taste although I did a quick survey after the guests left and much of the leftover food was the spaghetti. I guess, it's just not much of a party food if your spaghetti wasn't sweetened. But personally, I believe the food was good -- for adults, it's the Shakey's platter (full course meal -- spaghetti, salad, chicken plus 2 slices of pizza topped by a revel bar). Prizes were different and although there's still 
much, much more to improve in terms of the actual conduct of the party, the party was still a great success. What I personally enjoyed more was the relaxed atmosphere. Since there was no party coming after Ikai's, the mood was relaxed. People managed to eat in peace and on their own pace (not unlike in Jollibee where you are still deboning the chicken wing and the host is already asking everyone to sing HBD because the next celebrant is already waiting outside of the party venue) and there's none of that hurried feeling. Even after most of the guests left and we were settling the bill, my father and Ate Heids shared two pitchers of draft beer. The party ended at two but Elvie and I and final stragglers left Shakey's at 3:30, an hour and a half after the party ended. That would've never happened at a Shakey's or McDo!
We were overwhelmed by the sheer number of gifts that our daughter received that our appointed driver (nonetheless than Ninong Tolits) had to make two trips to be able to convey all passengers and gifts (and he was driving a pick-up eh). We had a grand time opening the gifts when we got back to our apartment. Out came the banig and Elvie and Daisy started opening the gifts while Ikai waited expectantly as each wrapper was ripped and each box was opened asunder.While we missed a lot of people at the party especially Ikai's other ninongs and ninangs who are abroad or were engaged in unengageable appointments, we still give them our thanks. Special thank you go to those who showered Ikai with gifts but were unable to make the party namely Lorenz and family, Tita Lita, and Paolo Santos (yes, that's his real name). Special thanks also goes to Ikai's titas abroad -- Rochelle and Weng -- for helping out with the moolah. Thanks sisters, Ikai loves you two very much!
Keeping tight reins on the treasure chest, aside from my role as co-host of the party, I was also photographer and videographer of the event. Sadly though, because of the need to table-hop and make sure friends and relatives were ok, the videography was at best sketchy with me only able to capture about 15 minutes of footage. I managed to pass on the cam to Moling who happily obliged until the battery ran out.
More pictures available at Ikai's blog HERE or visit Elvie's Friendster.
