So yesterday I woke up at 10, pretty late considering I slept early (11:30) the previous night. Well it was evident since Friday that I wasn't feeling my best. I blame it on Fruitas (again). We left for the salon at 12 where my mom had her nails, hair and makeup done. My dad had a hair trim, mani-pedi and I had my hair treated, my nails redone and my makeup done.
I was there for three hours. Thanks to the people who kept me entertained while I was there, because I was almost literally strapped to the chair. When they did my makeup they applied an UNREAL amount of foundation onto my face, it almost felt like lead.
We got home at about four and I dressed up and left at 4:30 for the venue.
When we arrived there, the tables were set and everything but it was just HOT. The air conditioners weren't even on yet D: Some of the ushers and usherettes assigned from our congregation were there and the photo and videographers were set up.
This is the dining hall we rented out at Shangri-La Restaurant (Very near Bethel, the "headquarters" of Jehovah's Witnesses here in the Philippines.) We had about 150 guests.
As soon as I got there the photographers started taking pictures and I was blinded by the flashes x_X THEY WOULDN'T STOP FOLLOWING ME. So I went down to see if I could wait downstairs instead, but then there was this whole other affair going on there that was less formal than ours so when I went down everyone was oggling me and it was awkward so I had to go back up.
left: the ushers and usherettes; right: the guests being seated
When the guests started arriving the ushers and usherettes started getting to work. The tables were named after the precious jewels mentioned in Revelations 22:18-21. Y'know, the jewels that God's Kingdom is adorned with, Jasper, Beryl, Sardonix, Emerald, Gold, Pearl, chrysophase, amethyst etc etc. So you could tell really early on that my mom and dad's wedding anniversary was going to double as a public discourse on marriage (that's if you're acquainted with the book of Revelation). Actually the whole thing was actually very spiritual. My mom and dad wanted to keep it very close to the congregation. They didn't even invite any of our relatives x_x So yeah, almost everybody there, save the photographers and some Bible Studies, were Jehovah's Witnesses.
And then my mom and dad arrived just in time for their big entrance, which I wasn't able to take a picture of because my brother and I ushered them in with a big bouquet of roses. Don't worry, when the photographers and videographers give us the copy of the pics and vids, I'll try uploading all of them.
So when they settled and got to their seats, Brother Salanggo, the Elder that helped Bible Study my father and pushed him to get baptized gave a discourse on marriage and how it originated from God. Promptly after, the photo-op ensued and all of our guests had the chance to take photos with my mom, dad and the family.
left: Br. and Sr. Pasiliao, two of my parents' guests of honor; right: mom and dad with ushers and usherettes
Then dinner was served and my brother and I started taking vain pictures :))
My brother's trying to hide his pimple :P Which you can actually see on the left
We were on the same table as the Pasiliao Family and the Salanggos.
left: Br. and Sr. Salanggo; right: The Pasiliaos. Ah! Kuya Dan got cut off D:
Just before the program started we went from table to table thanking people and looking for our friends. We saw ate Janjoy, our reaaaaaaaaaaaally close friend (she's been like my sister since my brother started studying at PSHS), and Kuya Gift. It was a HUGE REUNION. You see, Even though Ate Janjoy was like 3 years older than my brother, back then, when you were still allowed to take outsiders to Gradball and Prom, she was my brother's date. They had their Gradball at Shangri-La HOTEL and while waiting for them Kuya Gift and I spent our WHOLE EVENING at Rockwell just playing at the arcade. I love them both to bits.
Left to right: Janjoy, Chris, Me, Gift
When the program started everybody was halfway through their meal. Ate Cha and Kuya Alan were our hosts for the evening (I didn't get any pictures of them T_T) The first act was by Cky Nilo, a little girl from our congregation. She sang one of the Kingdom Songs (songs from the bible) which pertained to the marital arrangement by God. And while she sang, the kids from our congregation (25 of them) marched over to my mom and dad and gave them a rose each. 25 ROSES! It was adorable. (I don't have pictures D:)
Then the next act was by my brother and Ate Precious. They sang ALL I ASK OF YOU from Phantom of the Opera. My brother is a Tenor so he was absolutely AMAZING in this song.
left: Cky Nilo; Right: Precious and Chris
In between we had a little game (because God knows parties are nothing without games). The first game was for kids 12 and below, and it was basically a Bible Quiz. (Our Parties are VERY SPIRITUAL)
The first question, if I'm not mistaken was Who was the prophet that was muted when he did not believe the angel Gabriel's message from God? Your jaws must be hanging right about now because this is a question that was asked to kids ranging from 4 to 12. Yes, they knew the answer: Zachariah. The next question was who was the mother who gave birth to the twins which gave rise to the two nations of Israel? The answer was Rebekkah The last question, if I'm not mistaken was Where did Samson's great strength come from? One pair of kids answered HIS HAIR. And although that might partially be correct, the real answer is GOD. God gave him his power. :P
Yeah, it was really fun.
The next game was for "teens" from 13-20. I joined the game, but forfeited a lot because I already knew the answers; It was mostly about mom and dad and their relationship :)) One of the questions I REALLY wasn't able to participate in because it was HOW DO YOU SPELL THE COUPLE'S DAUGHTER'S NAME?. EVERYBODY LAUGHED. My childhood friend Kaloy got it right :P
Then more presentations. The Kiddies from the congregation performed Hoedown Throwdown by Hannah Montana -_-"" Needless to say, it was cute. Three couples from the congregation performed the Native Ilocano Folkdance SUBLI for my mom and dad. See? Who needs paid performers when you have the Christian Congregation?
left: Kiddies dancing to Hannah Montana; right: Subli
Then the Female Regular Pioneers danced Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani and the wives of the Elders of the congregation danced a spanish song called Lacumbia(?).
left: Sweet Escape; right: Lacumbia
Then there was more singing. Gem Pasiliao sang From this Moment which was originally Tita Elaine's signature song. I guess she found a successor :P My brother and I sang a duet, Jack Johnson's Better Together but it went terribly wrong. Somewhere in the middle of that, my brother sang Book of Love, more recognizably from Scrubs. But I don't have pictures of that.
left: Gem Pasiliao; right: my brother and I (I look like I'm in pain D:)
Then Ate Precious, Kaloy and Kuya Efren did their balagtasan which is something like a debate, except in poem form. I should really ask them to do my Fil HW for me as they are such AWESOME writers. The poem was about whether it was better to stay single or married in this society. In the end, neither side won.
Then there were more games, but I was nervous for my impending doom so I didn't really pay enough attention.
My brother, our friends and I had a SWING dance number for my parents, and as much as I want to show the pictures and videos, I don't have them.
Then the hosts started going on about my family's recent vacation to Hawaii and how we spent so much money on it, when we could just have a Luau of our own here. And then OUT came the Regular Pioneers (50 years and above) in Hawaiian getup to perform the hula for us. IT WAS AMAZING actually. They were better than the real thing :P
Our resident Golden Girls performing a Hawaiian dance
Then I performed the closing song, THANK YOU by Dido. Fortunately for me, and unfortunately for you guys, I don't have a video of it. But apparently, I made a lot of people cry :)) (probably from the sound of my voice).
After all the festivities, the Congregation Coordinator, Br. Dan Pasiliao gave my mom and dad a gift from the congregation. A customized trophy for their 25th anniversary and dedication to God. It was such a sweet gesture.
The party finished at about 10:30 and we greeted everybody and had more pictures taken. There was guestbook signing and video dedications, it was soooooooooo crowded :P We were actually planning on going to Starbucks after, but I came down with stomach flu (chinese food kasi) and had to go home early.
All in all, it was really really realllllllly fun. I hope that through this post, you guys can see how different a celebration involving Jehovah's Witnesses is from others. No, we aren't "backward" or "not modern". We listen to R&B, Jazz and HipHop too (actually, I don't know if Hannah Montana counts as any of those -_-"" but still). There is a notable difference. There weren't any risque songs, nor any songs with swearing or profanity. Everything was screened by the elders, and you learn stuff from the bible to boot. Next time we have a party, message me and I'll see if we can invite you! coughGRADUATIONPARTYcough
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD
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