After several weeks of preparations, my son’s 5th birthday party (along with my wife’s bday celebration) was a hit. The idea was to hold a party that will be better than those parties at foodchains yet spending less.
Holding the party at home was the main idea. This way you have your time, you’re on your own turf and you know the neighborhood. But still you are in a community so you have to abide by the rules. So, asking permission from the barangay officials for a loud band to play on my garage was granted up to 10:30pm. We could actually extend only if the neighbors wouldn’t mind the noise. I figured since all the visitors would be professional musicians, it wont be noise coming out from us. And the neighboors might even enjoy free concerts from a rare collection of jammers. The garage (three car slots) was the perfect choice so as to accomodate the volume of people. Anyone from the outside can watch the show through the gate. But I still have to assign Mang Titing to serve as the bouncer watching over outside.
So, I borrowed the studio set from our drummer. It came complete with a Fender Passport PA system, a drum set, one boston engineering bass amp and one Roland guitar amp. My cousin lended us his bostin engineering guitar amp. I set up my own gear of amps and speakers for the keyboard. But the keyboard did not arrive even tho the keyboard stand was ready. So it was the good old rock and roll.
The kids have their own program of activities. Party started with the usual kainan with my relatives. Then one by one the guests came in. Before it was getting dark, a pabitin was held for the kids. The games had to be cancelled as there were only a few kids in the afternoon (most kids came in late). Next was the performances. First up was my son Angelo who did a rocking rendition of Crazy Car. Then it was followed by my daughter Lala who also sang two songs before doing a dance number where angelo joined in. My nephew sam did his own version of crazy car. Lala did most of the performances for a total of 5 numbers. A captive audience of over 30 people enjoyed it. After the performance, the kids went inside the house to watch Hanna Montana 3d concert on Disney channel. Hanna Montana 3d glasses which we got from the mall was distributed to all the kids and the kids at heart who were all eager to watch the show.
Then it was time for the band to play. So the drums and the guitars are set up. First on was a collection of musicians. My old highschool classmate has a brother ‘remugs’ who used to be the front man of a cebu based band “Happy Days” back in the 90s. He brought his own guitar gear. My cousin beer also brought his own guitar (a black telecaster which used to be owned by one of the porkchop duo – used on a lot of their performance). Buboy from the band sining who is now a webmaster took the drum chores. Bong who used to play bass for wired and now plays for enmasse did the bass. And so this collection of musicians did a first set with whatever songs they collectively know. Mostly new wave and early 90s stuff.
Up next was renditions of original compositions. Kuyakurt (from Blue Martian Cookies) did a few of his original songs including the infamous Spaghetti. Sam our keyboardist forgot to bring his keyboard and so he playedthe bass instead. Mon (our drummer for k and the boxers and magpie)who arrived late took over the drums, and so Buboy could play the guitar. Buboy did his original song Split which was stolen by Grin Department. Then after tatay paeng (my father in law) sang a few old songs including ‘unchained melody’ where my son angelo did the drums with the help of Sam.
By special request, Mang Kaloy Rufo was called on stage to do several guitar instrumentals. He was accompanied by SPI front man Rey Cantong who played drums. Rey was the first batch drummer of gladys and the boxers before forming his own band Six Part Invention. Mang Kaloy, father of Jack Rufo of Neocolours, was also the guitarist of the 3rd batch of gladys and the boxers. I did the bass this time. Mang kaloy played moon river, and some beatles medley.
Next on stage were Magpie singer Wayne Perez who sang a few cover songs and Kearney (who came in with mon) a band manager/booker sang a few numbers also. There were more from the audience who failed or refused to perform. Sigfried (Bakulaw), an accomplished film director who used to write for Rock and Rhtyhm came in along with his family. Rey of SPI came in along with his co-singer Kaye. My wife angela wanted to sing also but was too busy with the preparations.There were two more visitors of tatay paeng who was a drummer and a bassist wasnt able to perform.
Ok so let me mention a few people from the audience. Luna veteran Conan. My highschool classmates Dandy Wong (a nurse from USA who is on vacation) and his wife. highschool classmate Engineer Orly Entero, and his cousin and brother (who performed). Sigfried Sanchez and his wife and three kids. The Relatives: Tita Chu and Tito Emcee, Tita Itos, Cecil, cedes, trixie, arlyn, issa, manolo, yvette, derik, beer, nina, sam, baby gab and baby john.
Big thanks to the people who helped out in making the party grand. Edwin, mang titing, noel, CT, bespren and waki.
My son angelo enjoyed the day with a lot of playmates and would like to thanks you all for all his gifts. He enjoys them a lot. I will be posting a lot more pictures on manuelangelo’s blog.
Till next event…
