Party vegetables
Eighty people showed up. Massive relief as we expected ten. (Admittedly the ideal number would’ve been zero. We don’t like parties. Crowds in general make us go into lockdown unless it is a concert.) To ensure attendance we considered inviting celebrities but decided to keep it amongst ourselves. This party was for our readers; we don’t know if those people read.
Our fifth anniversary event was hosted by Jump Experience Center, a showcase of convergent technologies from PLDT and Smart and a high-visibility platform for strategic brand marketing and communications. Thank you, Jump, for hosting the party. We really liked the bar chow.
Since our site has turned five we presented five awards to friends and readers, beginning with Best Transition from Old School to New Media to National Bookstore. National Bookstore continues to make books easily accessible and affordable to the general public while building up its online presence and preparing for the next stage in the evolution of publishing. The award was accepted by National Bookstore’s Xandra Ramos Padilla and Miguel Ramos.
We handed the Awaaard for Best Use of Digital Technology to Raymond Lee, executive producer, writer, and tireless promoter of the surprise indie hit Zombadings 1: Patayin Sa Shokot Si Remington. In the photo: Raymond with our friend Jerome Gomez, managing editor of Esquire, whom we hijacked on his way to his birthday dinner. Happy Birthday, Jerome! As Raymond noted, his birthday is on the 10th day of the 11th month and he has 12 digits on his hands.
L-R: Stella, balqis, listbonne and Brewhuh23. Brewhuh23 is the recipient of our Best Online Stalker Researcher award for her unparalleled skill at rooting out people’s deep, dark secrets. If you have a crush on anyone, Brewhuh23 will find the information that will de-crush you instantly. Seriously, we’re going to open a detective agency. Note hoop earrings so large she can never wear them on the MRT.
The Readers’ Choices for Best Subject/Columnist and Best Commenter were determined through online voting. For Best Subject/Columnist you picked our indefatigable agony aunt Auntie Janey, who will not show her face lest those who have followed her prescriptions chase her with an ax. For Best Commenter there could be only one: Momelia our resident tattooed badass.
With his super-sight Momelia spotted an interesting-looking guest. “Si Sam Milby ba yon?” he demanded. (Brewhuh23 thought it was Joem Bascon.) It was in fact one of our LitWit winners, Evan, who is also in our Reading Group for The Sense of an Ending. Talent scouts, please leave your contact information in Comments.
Class picture: The last to leave the party. Thank you for showing up. Socializing in large groups wherein we are the featured entertainment is not one of our favorite activities, but you make it comparatively painless. Special thanks to Jackie O for the wine. And Miguel for the signed Walking Dead, Kim for the book (We confess we never liked Sylvia Plath and prefer Ted Hughes actually), Stella for the Eye of Sauron and Jules for the Kahlua.
Thanks to Smart for the raffle prizes: the Netphone 701 went to the chronicler of boredom and the Samsung Galaxy Y went to our friend, journalist Stella Arnaldo. We swear that the raffle was not rigged. When we saw their names in the fishbowl we tried to avoid them but they kept coming up.
November 11th, 2011 at 06:48
And here I thought I was the only one who noticed the Sam Milby doppelgänger. The Joem Bascon observation is also a good one; by transitivity, that may mean Joem resembles Sam.
Now, since Joem has been said to look like Piolo Pascual, and the Sam Milby resemblance has surfaced, does that make Joem… okay, make of that ellipsis what you will.
It was a great event, Jessica. I know you said it will never happen again, but who knows? It was nice meeting and seeing many of the regulars and not-so-regulars here, finally putting a face to an online ID (except for Auntie Janey). :)
November 11th, 2011 at 06:58
I guess it’s better than being a Party Mineral.
Nice to see a great turnout. It looks like everyone had fun too.
November 11th, 2011 at 07:15
Thanks again, Jessica for the opportunity to meet you in person. I love your shoes! Momelia’s tattoos are super attractive. Is she/he left or right handed? Sayang, wala si Mr. Teddy-wan Kenobi. Note to NBS: I’m waiting for GRR Martin’s ‘A Clash of Kings’ sold-out sa lahat ng branches na pinupuntahan ko. Siguro naman before April 2012 meron na :-)! And since you said it’s painless, we should do another event like this after five years! Happy 11-11-11 to all!
November 11th, 2011 at 10:20
Thanks for the book. And your shoes were a nice surprise. We love them!
November 11th, 2011 at 10:51
Happy anniv again Jessica! I wanted to keep my lurker mode on but I couldn’t resist coming over to say goodbye :D
November 11th, 2011 at 11:14
Jesus what’s the big deal with the shoes, they’re brogues we’re always wearing brogues.
November 11th, 2011 at 11:22
Because we infrequently see your footwear (unlike the earrings)?
November 11th, 2011 at 11:42
Fine, we will post pictures of our shoes, giving us a fresh excuse to buy some. On the subject of shoes, here’s some vital advice. Never hang out with people wearing ugly shoes. Their lack of regard for their feet says something about their character. Don’t let us get started on flip-flops worn on occasions when one’s feet are not likely to get wet.
November 11th, 2011 at 12:39
Had a blast! Sorry for being so late. The day job has been very toxic lately :(
Thank you again for the award haha. I love it! The food was yummy, too. To everyone there, had a great time chatting/catching with you at the event. Hope to see you all soon.
Hindi ko mabilang kung ilang beses kong narinig ang mga salitang,” Ang guwapo ni Evan!” LOL.
November 11th, 2011 at 13:40
Sayang I could not be there. I hope this becomes a yearly thing, and next year a venue in Makati, perhaps? :)
November 11th, 2011 at 13:43
Ano ba yan hinde ko nakita si Evan. Sayang naman! Thanks again Ms Z for the party. I didn’t really get to talk to anyone, shy mode na naman ako. Maybe next time if ever may get together ulet hehe =p Cutie yung guy from Jump, yung prize ni Momelia :)
November 11th, 2011 at 13:45
Waah, envious!
November 11th, 2011 at 14:11
happy 5th jessicarulestheuniverse! congrats jessica.
–thanks for being so open to be taken pictures with. (trivium: if there will be three of you in the frame, she wont like to be in the middle. mamamatay daw yung nasa gitna sabi ng nanay nya :-) )
–pity i missed the awarding (came all the way from punta fuego). apologies for not mingling with the group as well. too awestruck.
–the dress and eyeglasses were fabulous too.
–great tasting red wine!
November 11th, 2011 at 15:35
It was hella wicked devilish fun! Saya, sobra! Har, thanks again for the award, and the shoe tip, and the chance to meet everybody else!
Guwapo ni Evan noh? Pero he uses the word “euphemism” a lot, and that’s a very specific personal turn off. Ew-phemism. Ahaha, keme!
Anyway, cheers all, mabuhay kayo, muahness from Pasig Cirehhh!
November 11th, 2011 at 15:35
Hindi ang nanay ko, si Nanay Coring Ramos, lola ni Xandra and Miguel.
November 11th, 2011 at 15:37
Momelia: Sayang, nag-text na eh. Kayo na daw. Pero euphemism lang yon.
Since torpe kayo, kami na ang magtatanong.
Evan, honey, is there anyone from the party last night that you’d like to go out with? Just say which and we’ll arrange it.
November 11th, 2011 at 15:38
Hindi na nga sumipot, humingi pa ng annual party at nag-prescribe ng venue.
Wala, wala, wala, wala, at wala.
November 11th, 2011 at 16:06
Ms Z, thanks for asking Evan that question on our behalf. Torpe talaga kame =p Wait, single ba sya? Onga pala, ang sarap nung red wine.
November 11th, 2011 at 16:08
Momelia — Well at least na meet mo na si Chronicler na once a upon a time eh bet mo hehehe!
November 11th, 2011 at 16:19
That Sam Milby look alike…is he gay or straight? Hehe.
November 11th, 2011 at 17:15
Kahit late ako katulad ni brewhuh, nag-enjoy ako, hehe. Social lubricant talaga ang alcohol—naupdate ako sa mga bagay-bagay na malamang hindi mapopost dito.
Momelia, malalim ba ang pinaghuhugutan ng galit mo sa “euphemism”? Tsaka I only used it thrice! Sa may parking area habang hinihintay nating itanong ang dapat itanong, tapos nung naglalakad tayo papuntang El Pueblo, tapos huli na nung nag-iinuman na kayo. (Oo, binilang) Sorry I had to leave early. Feeling ko marami pang mga top secret insider info ang binulgar ni brewhuh nung umalis ako…sayang!
Ms. J, may kasunod ba to? I met a lot of interesting people I’d like to hang out with again. Tsaka salamat rin pala sa offer, but I’m exclusively seeing someone now. (Nagbabasa rin siya ng blog na to :-D)
November 11th, 2011 at 18:23
Oh blast there goes the date with Momelia and Brewhuh.
November 11th, 2011 at 18:32
Wahaha, antindehhh! Ang totoo niyan eh naiwan kami ni Lestat at pilita corales naming inubos ung beer, pero di kinaya ng puyat powers namin. Daming kuwento, pero ang totoong torpe eh yung si Lestat at ang kanyang hanging question for Jonny Morales sa parking lot:
Lestat: Jon, I have a question.
Jon: Shoot. (parang ganun)
…
…
…
Happy Three Kings!
…
…
…
Lestat: Anong work mo?
Wahaha! Uy, kinilig ako kay Evan kahapon, pero like what he said, I’m also exclusively…
Nag-explain?
Ahaha, anyway, it was a nice evening. Na-meet ko na rin si Attorney!
Yeahhh! Muahness from Pasig Cirehhhh!
November 11th, 2011 at 19:14
Kulang ang kwento mo! Ang totoong nangyari sa parking area ay:
Lestat: So, what are you doing now?
Na kung hindi pinangunahan ng takot ay dapat sana’y:
Lestat: (really low voice) Sooo…what are you doing now?
Wahahaha.
November 11th, 2011 at 19:36
Thank you for gathering us without taking our money!
Now that pictures were taken and friends were made, I feel obliged to read the posts more. And the comments. Wow!
November 11th, 2011 at 19:40
wow, blated 5th anniversary! ^_^
November 11th, 2011 at 21:39
Evan, ang totoo nyan eh wala talaga akong intriguing na question for Jon. Gusto ko (at ni Momelya) lang syang maglinger nang mas matagal pa dahil pa-sarado na ang mall.
Congrats, Momelya, na sobrang haba ng hair.
So nice to meet everyone especially Jon and Evan! Haha!
Thanks, Jessica!
November 11th, 2011 at 21:48
#22 Jessica — Ahaha, oh well, the story of my life :)
Momelia – You and euphemism hahaha. Grabe Lestat, ikaw na! Ikaw na ang walang naitanong nang maayos kay Jon hahaha!!!
Evan – Ay eh wala na akong kinunwento kasi lutang na din ang utak ko and I had to wake up at 4am to get to the office at 5!
November 11th, 2011 at 22:03
Momelia & Lestat — Kayo talaga, mali naman kayo eh. Dapat niyaya niyo sa Krokodile Grill si Jon para natanong niyo siya nang natanong ahahaha!!!
November 11th, 2011 at 23:32
Si Jon ba yung nasa huling litrato na kalahati lang ng mukha ang kita?
Congratulations to your blog’s fifth year! :)
November 12th, 2011 at 01:01
oops paumanhin, si nanay coring pala. ano kaya ang batayan ng pamahiin na yaon?
November 12th, 2011 at 12:30
I like Resident Tattooed Badass. That’s an honor, and I solemnly swear to get some more! See you all soon! Muahness from Pasig Cirehhh!
November 12th, 2011 at 19:44
Nice to meet everyone. Congratulations again, Jessica! And thanks for the help. Really appreciate it.
November 12th, 2011 at 21:47
Oh, my, kay tagal ko nang nawala sa Internet! I blame the lack of WiFi in my on-campus boarding house in Diliman, hehe.
Anyway, thank you thank you THANK YOU to Jessica and everyone else for such a great blog-versary night… and on my first week alone in the Big City, no less! I am so glad that I finally met all of you, after years of getting to known you online. And I hope my shoes weren’t too ugly either, if you catch my drift. :)
(Also, that shot of me blinking while getting my picture taken with Joem, I mean Evan? Total accident. Brew, pag binayaran ka ni Edward Norton para i-Google ako, paki-bigay lang ang picture na ito. Yun na!)
Sayang hindi nakasama sina Cacs and scheherazade sa pictures natin (both of whom I’ve had the great pleasure of finally meeting as well)… but I am totally looking forward to seeing all of you guys again, on and offline! Cheers!
November 13th, 2011 at 10:11
It was lovely meeting everyone (at ang gaganda nating lahat, if I do say so myself). Congrats sa mga nanalo ng AWAAAARRDDSSS!
Evan…haba din ng hair ;) Gusto ko rin sana kulitin si Jon, pero nahiya ako…yan tuloy..
Sa uulitin!
November 13th, 2011 at 20:59
Next year naman!
I saw Evan enter the party and I was like, “May naligaw ata….”
brewhuh23: sa susunod ha, sabihan mo ko kung magsusuot ka ng ganyang hikaw para madala ko ang circus tiger ko ha ha
It was really really nice getting to know everyone. Let’s do this again, and promise Ms J, we’ll do it comparatively painless again. Thanks.