#BlanchXVIII: 11.30.13

There are way too many pictures I want to share but I can't figure out where or how to start. Di ko maisip kung paano sistema natin dito, hahaha! All I know for now is there would be a lot of blog posts/photo diaries coming up since I won't be uploading pictures on Facebook. All photos are from the photographers.

"The Preparation"

So as for the first wave!!! :) These photos pretty much sum up 11.30.13. Dance rehearsal first thing in the morning on the venue. Most of the suppliers were already there preparing and setting up for the event. I was mostly excited of what the venue would look like but I still couldn't really imagine how it would transform when we got there.

My hair and make up was done early in the afternoon in the salon + a bit of photo shoot there before heading to the hotel to change into my first outfit! :)

Meanwhile in the hotel... =)) My Manila friends arrived in the city around lunch time and these happened. Those who've already seen the party highlights video would know what they did while waiting for me, haha! 

Late in the afternoon my friends and I were all ready for the party but before leaving for the venue we had first the mandatory "debutante" photo shoot. Hmmm, I didn't really much use the term "debutante" and "debut" since we started planning this party. Not really my thing. Di ko feel. =)) It wasn't a debut. I wasn't a debutante. Hahaha, maipilit! =))

"The Party"

Even during the time when the event stylist presented his idea of the look of the venue, I really wasn't able to visualize and imagine what he had in mind. Violets. Golds. Blacks. Glitters. This. That. Oo lang ako ng oo. :)) I was super amazed and in awe when I saw the venue! Super gorgeous and really beyond what I imagined! Grabe lang! <3 Hihi. Unlike other debuts or birthday parties, I had no fancy and grand entrance. We really didn't want it to be like the "traditional" one with all the eighteen this, eighteen that, ball gowns, etc. :)

We planned it to be different from the usual 18th birthday celebrations but we still left some elements of the traditional one and prepared a short programme. My production number. Q&A portion with my guests. Father-daughter dance, hehe. Blowing of cake thing. My thanksgiving message. Which seemed like I was giving a talk. And which I pretty much messed up. :))

"THE REAL PARTY" 

Alam niyo yan! ;)

Frankly, I was really worried especially few days before the party. I was worried my guests wouldn't "party" or would be too shy to. I was worried after the short programme and dinner my guests would go home already and the night would end early since it isn't the typical 18th birthday party and it's not what they expected. But can I just say I underestimated my guests! Hanep! Solid!!! :) And by the way, I would be posting the "PARTY" pictures last. Mmm, so pictures below are just teasers! ;) TEASERS!

Watch out. There are still many photos coming up! :)

Pasko 2013

It's been a month already since the first and latest #BlanchXVIII blog post. Sorry if it's taking too long, there are way too many pictures I can't choose! It's really hard to sort thousands of photos it's literally taking me days to do so. For now here's how my Christmas 2013 went. Besides it will never be late for a #BlanchXVIII post. Doing this blog entry first because few days/weeks from now this post wouldn't be timely anymore. :)

 

Our Christmas this year's just like the usual. Misa de Gallo, Noche Buena, Christmas family picture and exchanging of gifts with the family for Christmas Eve. Hey nothing really fancy + we have to save up our energy for the annual out-of-town trip with the relatives on Christmas day. :) This year we hit the beach and spent the holiday in such a quiet and peaceful place! :)

 

It's really nice to be back here after two years and just be IN a collection of century old Filipino houses. Sure there are still some standing in different parts of the country but you don't get to experience and appreciate them the way you would when in this resort. I think there were more people checked in since it was a holiday but you wouldn't really feel it. It was really peaceful here especially at night. Nope. No night life. Hahaha. :) This place is such a beauty! 

I think spending two days here is more than enough since they don't offer much activities but I really wouldn't mind going back over and over again for some peace and relaxation. There are actually a church and more heritage houses under construction. Besides it's not everyday we get to see something like this. :)

Taken in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar located in Bagac, Bataan. :)

#BlanchXVIII: From The Bottom of My Hypothalamus

To start my series of #BlanchXVIII blogposts, here is an entry thanking and dedicated to everyone who made the probably best day of my life yet not just possible but beyond amazing. I'm also doing this to make up for my pretty messed up "Thank You" speech during the party. Apologies. I didn't prepare. Obviously. Anyway, at least here is something permanent and can be read over and over again. :) Teka, magta-Tagalog na po ako para feel na feel na! HAHAHA

To Tita Analyn and the whole One Fine Day team, for taking good care of us, made sure na everything would be perfect and hindi kami pinabayaan, hehe :)

To Sir Ariel Penarroyo, the event stylist. Grabe po, I was super in awe when I saw the venue all made up, sobrang ganda! <3 :)

To Kuya Tin and the whole Martin DV team for your patience po mula pa lang nung pre-debut shoot, for the debut teasers, videos, same day edit which I super love! Hehe :)

To Kuya Nikki and the whole Portrait team for capturing all the "memories worth keeping"

To Sir Arnold Nicolas for the lights and sounds

To Ate Pia and everyone from Vicentico's for the great food and super stunning buffet and table set up

To Ate Charrie of Cakeworks for my cake and dessert buffet... I love how my cake turned out + the mini cupcakes :>

To Nueva Ecija Colleges for the venue

To Octografix, especially to Ate Tala, sa patience sa pagasikaso ng invitations, haha!

To Sir Jun Lazo/DJ Bigg Beats for the super awesome and great music!

To Tita Edna Bolisay for being our emcee for the party

To Shakey's Cabanatuan and Simplicitea for the snacks

To Ate Cha-Cha and OH Bar for the drinks (na "bumuhay" ng party, haha! Ironic. Solid!)

To Teacher Jane, Teacher Rhoda, Ate Dani, Shari, Gelie, Amica & Gwyneth, for the patience during our dance rehearsals and sharing your talents po during my party <3

To Foto Madnezz Photo Booth and Picparazzi Flipbook Studio for making the night even more fun

To Kuya Ricky de Guzman for our dresses' designs and for helping us out during the shoot

To Tito Rowie Ucal for our hair and make up... I love our looks! :)

To Kapitan, Roby, Ate Nery, JM, James, Bonita, Paranz and Kitkat for pulling off that surprise na sobrang ma-effort, alam ko yan! Haha

To my Papa for dancing with me, haha.. For being patient sa pagpractice for our dance <3

To my Ate Bern, Kuya Cholo and Kuya Topet sa pagiging mas stressed pa sa akin (Ate, ikaw to) for this debut, sa pagddrive whenever may kailangang asikasuhin, sa pag-alaga and pagbantay during the party (IYKWIM) and for not being killjoys, hahaha

To my Mama Cherry, for everything.. Hihi. <3

To my Lola for being supportive on this all the way 

To my family, for making this possible and bonggang bongga even though it's really stressful (mentally, physically and financially hehe)

To our house helpers and drivers for bearing with us with all the utos and demands :))

To everyone who were there and even the ones who weren't able to come... Family, friends, relatives, family friends, CFC Titos and Titas, SFC, YFC siblings, LMHMC besties, CIC batch mates, HSSC family, Da Beat family, UST friends, RCBC people (gosh, I hope I didn't forget anyone)

To Papa God for the gift of wonderful life, for surrounding me with such great people and for blessing me so much <3

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU PO FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HYPOTHALAMUS! <3 Words aren't really enough to express how thankful and grateful I am. I really had a blast and I'm glad you guys were part of it! It was perfect! <3 I told you all I wanted was for everyone to be there, to see my family and friends come together, thank you thank you so much guys for making it happen! I hope you had a great time! #BlanchXVIII is really memorable and unforgettable (even though yung iba walang naaalala na at all, ehem! HAHAHA)! I love you guys! :) Always know I'm so thankful and grateful to each and everyone of you! <3