A ROARRING SUPPLIER'S RATING FOR RYKEN'S 1ST JUNGLE SAFARI BIRTHDAY PARTY

Date: August 15, 2010, Sunday, 2:30pm-6:00pm

*Actual Birthday: August 12, 2010

We decided to hold the party on a Sunday because my sister-in-law had class 'til 4:30pm on Saturdays. It was fun preparing for the party in spite of the difficulties we encountered on the day of the celebration. Ngarag kami for doing some DIY balloon decors (na mahirap palang gawin pero sulit ang pagod dahil sa appreciation ng mga guests) and for staying up late night because we had to prepare and fix the standee, pabitin, lootbags, and balloon burst prizes. Late kaming dumating sa venue. We were there ng 2:15pm eh ang call time namin for the guests was 2:30pm. kakaloka! Buti na lang the guests arrived a bit late kaya oks na rin. :)

We also had a raffle for our adult guests. We requested them to write their names on a piece of paper and to put them inside the big glass bottle at the registration table. We gave out five Sodexho gift certificates worth Php200.00 each. One was for the early bird, the other was for the kid who will get Ryken's Safari Surprise #12 in the balloon burst, and the three remaining we raffled off. Masuwerte ang mga recipients namin kasi yung iba dumayo pa from Victoria, Oriental Mindoro and Laoag City. :)

*Photos courtesy of Warren Camitan and Dino (2nd photographer) of Image Warehouse Photography, and my mom's and hubby's cameras

Rating:

A - Outstanding

B - Highly Satisfactory

C - Satisfactory

1) Venue: Fiesta Hall, NAPOCOR, Diliman, Quezon City

Rating: A

My option that time was UP Balay Kalinaw. But I was informed by an office-accredited caterer to try to reserve this hall since it's cheaper and the venue is covered and has ample and secure parking space. I didn't know that this was being rented out for birthday parties. Good thing that our office is at the same compound as NAPOCOR and I have relatives here who reserved the venue for me.

Reservation was a breeze! My mom was the former head of the office who handles reservations (she's retired now) and her former colleagues are still there so it wasn't difficult for me to reserve the hall. Ms. Jeng, the one in-charge, was very kind and patient in answering all my queries, kahit minsan paulit-ulit na ako. :) Good thing it was still free for my party date. May mga restrictions lang sila like bawal ang on-the-spot cooking and sorbetero, bawal maghugas ng pinggan ang caterer, and bawal magpako sa venue.

Yun lang, Friday before the party weekend (August 13), NGCP (the other power company in the compound) announced a scheduled shutdown over the weekend because of line testing and maintenance. OH NO!! Walang kuryente sa party!! This made me panic a bit. Nagkataon pa that I was settling my fee already for the venue when it was announced over NAPOCOR's PA system. Things were already running in my mind, mga alternatives, back-up plan if in case talagang walang electricity sa araw ng party. But I got to talk to the people from NGCP and NAPOCOR (Adrian and Tito Louie, respectively) who are in-charge of the testing and they assured me that there is a generator on standby which can supply the power needed for the party. Wala naman daw kaagaw since it's a weekend. Thank God!!

Nakakatawa lang kasi during the party, biglang nawalan ng kuryente. I think the 2nd game was about to begin. Nagjoke si Symond na walang gagalaw! And yes, he did not move until power was restored. :) I think wala pang one minute yun kasi nagswitch lang daw to the Meralco line since tapos na yung line testing and maintenance. Tsaka tulad ng sabi ni Symond, nasa NAPOCOR tayo, pano tayo mawawalan ng kuryente. :D

2) Host/Magician: Symond c/o Yan-Ple Partyshop

Rating: A+

I love Symond!!! From the beginning, siya na talaga ang gusto kong kunin na host, based on gut-feel lang. I read reviews from different parenting forums and laging good feedback sa kanya. He got involved in an issue before with another host/magician but I know he has changed and that did not deter me from getting him. I even used this as a sign na if I get to book Symond without any hassle, tuloy ang jungle safari party for Ryken. :) Nagustuhan din siya ng mga guests at patok siya sa mga bata. There was no need to prod the kids to join the games, lahat talagang participative! Our party was a success because of him. :) Ok din naman ang sound system nila. Though NAPOCOR provided a sound system also (which was a surprise to me kasi alam ko I need to talk to a different office to have a sound system pero hindi ko naman na nagawa yun.)

3) Caterer: Verleo Catering

Rating: A

Masarap ang food ng Verleo and it was our first time with them!! Madali ring kausap si Ms. Angel, our AE. Maayos ang mga linen na ginamit nila. We had our food taste sa kanila and they did not disappoint. I let my hubby, Al, decide kasi siya ang very particular with food pag may handaan kami. Nag-customize kami ng menu sa kanila. For the adults (Php240/head), we got Birthday Noodles with Quail Eggs, Chicken Drumstick, Lengua Estofado, Fish Fillet with Tofu and Mango Crepe. We didn't get rice from them na, my mother-in-law cooked a few na lang kasi meryenda naman kami. Ang maganda sa kanila, wala silang corkage, we just requested an additional chafing dish. :D We also ordered Elar's Lechon from them (sponsored by my in-laws, yey!) at shempre, masarap ito. :) For the kids naman (Php130/head), we had meat spaghetti, chicken lollipop, hotdog with mallows on stick and choco cupcakes. The guests loved the food and sobrang saya talaga namin ni hubby na nagustuhan ito ng mga bisita. My guests did not exceed 100 pero kakaunti lang ang natirang food, hehe.. :)

Nakakatuwa rin kasi the waiters were in safari uniform at malinis silang tingnan. Kuya Palo, the head waiter, kept everything in order. There was a time na sinabihan sila ng mom ko na magbalot ng food for our relatives who will be going back to Mindoro the same day and nagpaalam muna sila sa akin bago sila nagbalot. Nagustuhan ko yun. :) Maganda rin yung mga lalagyan nila for the excess food. One thing lang na nag-lapse sila was kulang sila ng isang table for the choco fountain. Naka-indicate naman sa contract pero hindi ko alam bakit hindi sila nakapagdala. Buti na lang at may mga tables and chairs din sa NAPOCOR na puwedeng hiramin. My mom also called their attention on some of their catering equipment na naka-stack sa may entrance to the venue. Binago ko kasi yung layout ng party venue (thru phone instructions lang kasi late na nga ako nakarating sa venue) and I think nakalimutan nilang alisin yung ibang equipment na nasa labas. Isa pa pala, may isang kiddie chair na I think defective na kasi 2x nahulog yung isang kiddie guest ko kahit maayos naman ang pag-upo niya sa chair. Overall, maganda ang experience namin with Verleo. ;)

4) Photographer: Warren Camitan and Dino (2nd photog) of Image Warehouse Photography (Labor Only Package)

Rating: A+
For a look at some of the photos, check out:
http://warrenjcphoto.multiply.com/photos/album/97/Rykens_1st_Birthday

(that's warren with the camera)

(that's dino wearing a blue-striped polo)

I have nothing but praises for these two young and handsome photographers!! ;) Ms. Ces was supposed to be my photog but she just gave birth last July and she has engagements already for all weekends of July and August so it was Warren, her biz partner, who documented our party. I actually didn't know that Warren will have a 2nd photog with him and it was really a blessing that we had two official photographers. Dealing with Ms. Ces was so easy and she was very kind and patient with my inquiries. She's a friend to me already. ;) The AVP she made for Ryken was so nice and the guests applauded after it was shown. It's sad that we didn't have a proper photo with our photographers. :(

In terms of output, magaling talaga si Warren!! The colors of his pictures are very vibrant and he captured the joy of the audience. He posted our pictures in his multiply site 12 days after the event. He gave the dvds of the photos and the free prints on August 31, 16 days after the event. Dino's photos, on the other hand, looks promising. Buti na lang talaga we had a 2nd photographer.

5) Video: MediaMonsters Productions (Video Coverage for 3 hours with the raw and edited video in DVD)

Rating (Service): A

Output: A

(Rhangy is the one in a blue polo while Lester is the one with the cam)

Mabait sina Lester and Rhangy. If only I had budget, I would've gotten two videographers. Alerto si Lester sa mga nagaganap sa party 'coz when we had our table-to-table pictures, he followed us agad. Yun nga lang naiwan yung balloon twisting program ni Symond :( 'Di bale, may pictures naman si Dino of the balloon sculptures that Symond made.

Madali ring kausap si Ms. Liza, the manager. All our transactions were made through text and email lang. They delivered the raw and edited video in DVD last September 21. They promised to deliver it last September 17 but Sir Joseph had to make some adjustments with the editing. I love the edited video!! The segments were organized and I like the song choices. Pulido rin ang pagkakagawa. Sir Joseph also gave us 3 copies of the edited video dahil na-late sila ng delivery. Wow, that's great customer service! :)

6) Entertainment: Art 'N Faces (Premium Face Painting with Glitter Tattoo)

Artists: Tolits and Beng

Rating: A+

(that's Tolits at the foreground, galing na face painter! ang bilis gumawa pero pulido.)

(si Beng yung nasa likod na natatakpan ng niece ko)

Another favorite supplier!! Sila ang tumupad sa pangarap kong makapagpa-face paint (kahit sa arms ko pinalagay) at makapagpa-glitter tattoo. Very efficient sila at accommodating sa mga guests. I appreciated it that Tolits called me after the party to have my face paint kasi nga paulit-ulit kong sinasabi during the program na pangarap ko ito. :) I will not hesitate to get them again for my future parties.

Ms. Liby, the manager, is also very easy to talk to. We only communicated thru text and email pero hassle-free ang transaction. I hope to meet her one day kasi siya ang premyadong artist talaga ng Art 'N Faces. :)

7) Venue Decor: Yan-Ple Partyshop

Rating: A

 

Apple is a N@wie sis and has been a trusted decor supplier for N@wies. Mura rin ang mga package niya. I got balloonderitas, simple chandelier, and stage pillars with mylar from her. She delivered well and nasunod naman yung mga colors na gusto ko. Her husband, Adrian, was the one who went to the event along with 3 other assistants. Sobrang laking tulong nila sa 'kin noon kasi they also helped me fix the prizes on the table, the adult souvenirs and kid lootbags, and they also put up the balloon burst that we made. Ang dami ko nga kasing DIY tapos late kaming dumating sa venue. Minsan lang hindi agad nagrereply si Apple sa text and email but she still replies so oks lang sa 'kin yun. :) She's also the first party planner to text me about Symond kaya malaki rin talaga ang pasalamat ko sa kanya. :) I hope to meet her sometime. :)

8) Cake: Gervy's Amazing Cakes

Rating: A+

Ms. Gervy did our wedding cake and my mom's 60th birthday cake so trusted supplier na namin siya. We got an 8x6 dark chocolate covered cappuccino cake with mocha kahlua and vanilla filling. Shempre masarap!!! It's a new flavor for us kasi we're used to the white chocolate cover. Maganda yung mix of flavors kasi the dark chocolate was not too sweet. This was also the flavor chosen by my brother who accompanied me and hubby during the cake tasting. :) I gave Ms. Gervy a copy of our invitation so she can imitate the animal designs there. Ang ganda nga ng concept nila dito, nakakatuwa and I also love the colors!! Edible din ang mga animals dito, fondant icing sila while the flat ones are cookie lollies.

9) DIYs (shempre A+++++ to the highest level! hehehe..)

a. Souvenirs

(for the adult guests)

(for the ninangs)

(for the ninongs)

We bought chocolate eggs and chocolate balls from Chocolate Lovers Cubao then nag-repack na lang kami. For the adults, we bought a small plastic bag (2x4 size) with bear print from choco lovers. Sa ninangs naman, we used the baby food bottles (Earth's Best and Gerber) of Ryken. Then sa ninongs, we bought the red butterfly box from choco lovers. The thank you tags were edited by me using the same template as the invitation. Inayos na lang ni hubby then we printed it on sticker paper using an inkjet printer.

b. Lootbags/Nametags

(kiddie lootbag - puro snacks! hehehe.. I didn't want to give junk food kasi)

(baby lootbags - for less than a year old)

The cheetah printed paper bags were bought from Divi mall. I didn't want to make a separate lootbag for the girls and boys so I just got generic items. All lootbags had a rubix cube, jackstone, small rubber alphabet and numbers puzzle mat, and colored pencils with sharpener. The rest snacks na, which I tried to be in tune with the jungle theme kaya may Tiger energy biscuits and Wildlife chocolate bar by Mayfair. Dapat may Safari chocolate bar din kaso nahirapan akong maghanap, hindi na ata siya commercially available. Ayoko rin kasi sanang may junk food but napabili na rin kami ng Chiz Curls kasi medyo malaki yung paper bag, parang kakaunti ang itsura sa loob, hehe.. pampadagdag volume na rin. ;)

I also had baby lootbags coz I have baby guests. I just put a towel, squeeze toy, rattle and biscuits. The thank you tag was edited by me and printed on sticker paper.

We also gave out bubbles during registration para may malaro na ang mga kids instead of placing them inside the lootbags. Nakabili ako ng animal shaped bubbles with a whistle on top sa Kyla Mae's in divi mall. That's my brother manning the registration booth. Yung nametags nabili ko naman sa Kyla Mae's in 168. Noah's Ark theme nga siya pero puwede na rin kasi may mga animals para bagay pa rin sa jungle safari theme. :)

c. Choco Fountain

We borrowed the choco fountain machine of my aunt then we bought Dutche Premium Choco Flavor Syrup from Chocolate Lovers. Masarap siya. We just had to add a small amount of oil kasi medyo malapot yung syrup. Natakot nga ako akala ko babara sa machine. Ubos nga yung chocolate eh. :) Our dippings were Superstix choco flavor, Nissin wafers, breadsticks (forgot the brand), big marshmallows from choco lovers, then Fuji apple and seedless grapes. May strawberry sana kaso wala akong mabili, sayang :(

I was inspired to style the arrangement of dippings kasi nakita ko yung post ng isang N@wie sis (Nadia Lim-Fernandine) for the candy bar during her son's birthday. Naghanap ako ng mga lalagyan and luckily, mga wedding gifts ito sa amin. haha! The tall glasses, marshmallow containers, and the big tray where the grapes were placed, yun ang mga regalo sa 'min. Yung iba naman, hiniram ko sa mama ko. Clear containers na lang ginamit ko para mas magandang tingnan sa pictures and sosy ang dating. :) My yaya and her daughter manned the choco fountain station para ma-refill nila pag mauubos na.

d. Tarpaulin and Standee

(designed by an officemate, Dani Costes)

Our officemate, Dani, has been editing tarpaulins for birthdays and office events. Nagtataka nga kami kasi hindi pa niya ginagawang sideline. :) The standee was edited by my husband. Ako na ang nagcut ng tarp and nagdikit sa foamboard tapos siya na ang nagcut ng foamboard. I got help from Smart Parenting (SP) moms at successful talaga ito kasi first time namin ginawa. Tinitingnan nga yan ni Ryken, nagtataka siguro siya bakit kamukha niya, hehehe.. May gusto na ngang mag-uwi nung standee after the party! We had these printed at Intermatrix, Philcoa branch.

e. Balloon Burst/Table Centerpiece

(made by my husband. sumakit ng sobra daliri niya! hehe..)

The balloon centerpieces were a labor of love of my brother and my sister-in-law. Brother ko ang nag-ayos sa balloon stick then my sis-in-law placed the japanese paper and ribbon trimmings. I bought the safari balloons at DNK in Divi Mall then the size5 metallic balloons at Kyla Mae's in Divi Mall. Yung curling ribbon and japanese paper, sa National Bookstore. I used a rolled newspaper as weight. I got the ideas from smart parenting for these decors.

Sa balloon burst naman, I bought the mother balloon at Kyla Mae's then the size5 and 260 from Lollipop in E. Rod. Nagamit nga rin namin yung pump na para sa mga swimming pools and salbabida. :)

f. Game Prizes / Pabitin and Balloon Burst Prizes

All the items came from divi. Nagdagdag lang kami ng food from the grocery. For the balloon burst prizes, I also bought Matanglawin books and some Adarna books. Also coin banks with safari animals. I labeled them as "Ryken's Safari Surprise #__". Sayang nga hindi na sila nakuhanan ng picture. My mom, hubby, yaya, and sis-in-law helped in the arrangement of the pabitin. I bought the pabitin from Toy Kingdom. Yung labels ko naman for the prizes are sticker labels then yung table markers, I just printed it in the office.

g. Invitation/Signature Board/Picture Board

Our officemate, Dani, also edited this invitation with some minor revisions by me. I got the template from the net. I just had e-vites para mas matipid. We sent it thru email and posted it also on facebook. Nagtext din ako sa mga guests. :)

The signature board was a gift for Ryken, handpainted on 1/4 illustration board by Butch, an officemate and one of Ryken's ninongs. He's an artist kasi talaga, then I just put his picture wearing a Tigger costume which we used for his shoot at Picture Company. Butch also gave me sticker letters for scrapbooking na nabili sa National Bookstore. Ako na lang ang nag-arrange sa board. I just gave him the template inspirations para uniform din ang look ng mga animals. :)

This is another gift of Butch, handpainted also on 1/2 illustration board naman. Kami na lang nag-cut nung circle for the face. I'm the King of the Jungle!! cute no? :)

h. Coloring Pages Activity for the kids

I downloaded these coloring pages from the net. Symond asked the kids to color them while waiting for the program to start. The kid who was most applauded with his "artwork" won a prize. Audience impact ang criteria for judging. hehe.. :)

i. Tarzan Costume / Safari Costume

The tarzan costume was a labor of love of my mom, Ryken's Loly (Lola Baby). I just bought the fabric from Cluster II Building of Tutuban Mall. Buti nga may nakita kami kasi cotton talaga yan eh karamihan ng animal prints, cotton boil fabric na sobrang lambot. Cotton daw kasi dapat ang tela para maganda yung effect dahil matigas siya. My mom knows how to sew talaga kaya naman maganda ang pagkakagawa ng costume ni Ryken. She made a brief of the same fabric din kaya hindi masyadong kita yung diaper. :)

The safari costume naman, I bought the polo and shorts from SM Department Store. The shoes are Shooshoos brand na nabili namin sa Expo Kid last March 2010. Yung hat niya from Oshkosh was bought in Landmark Trinoma. My mom just sewed the sides and put garter para hindi madaling mahulog and para kamukha ng hat ni Kuya Kim. :)

Yung costume naman naming mag-asawa, I bought the blouse in Divi for a bargain, Php150.00 lang siya then the shorts from my wardrobe tapos the gladiator sandals sa SM Department Store nabili. My hubby's costume naman, his polo shirt and cargo shorts were bought in SM Department Store din and he wore his ever reliable Tribu sandals. :)

It was a successful party kahit na medyo maulan nung hapon. Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings and for making Ryken a happy and healthy boy. 'Til the next party!!