The Masquerade Ball

January 18, 2007. My Grandmother's 85th Birthday Party. Theme: Le Grande Masquerade. Let me tell you a bit about my Mother's Mother. Soccoro Robillo (Nanay) is the mother of eleven, grandmother of thirty-six, and great grandmother to a still-growing number. She speaks several languages, three of which (Japanese, French, and I think German) she learned by herself. She used to run Maguindanao Hotel, and now she runs Maguindanao Centennial Credit Corporation. She is a member of an Ikebana Club and the Soroptimist Club, and she goes ballroom dancing twice a week. And she's eighty five.

Friday started out busy for me. I spent the whole morning laying-out standees for Sagay, Tsuru and Hanoi. I planned to go to Casa Leticia to talk to my cousin, Christian, about plans for the three restaurants for the year, but I didn't have time. Before I knew it, it was time to leave for my Talecraft demonstration at Davao Central High School.

It went smoothly. There were about ten teachers present. They seem to be interested. But, like in my Ateneo de Davao demonstration, they were clamoring for a Filipino Talecraft deck, too.

I was back at the Big House, Nanay's house, by five. But, too late! Her hairdresser had already left. No choice. I had to fix my hair myself (which actually meant not doing anything to my hair). I loved my dress for the evening! I wore a billowing white skirt made of tool, and a leather corset. Very Gothic Lolita. Plus Maita made me an ice mask. I liked it a whole lot.

While I was putting on make-up, my mother arrived from the parlor. Wow. She suddenly had long hair! It made her look a lot younger. And, well, she felt beautiful and that was what was important. She had been feeling ugly and haggard lately because Daddy was sick and she had to take care of him, and the fatigue and worry were burning her out.

We rented Summit in Mandaya Hotel for the event. With a clan that's currently composed of around eighty people (including children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and outlaws... ehe! I mean in-laws), we really needed a big place to have a party. A lot of my cousins, aunts and uncles from abroad came home just for Nanay's birthday. The ones who couldn't sent video greetings (ah, the power of the internet). There were friends at the party, too. Dom was there (Nanay thought I should invite him since he had helped me so much with my event). And I'm glad he came. I wanted my family to meet the friend who'd been helping me with Talecraft. I hope he didn't get too bored.

So, the total number of attendees was around 120 people.

Since it was Nanay's birthday, there was dancing. I gave up and went home around 11:30pm. But Nanay apparently stayed until around one in the morning. My other cousins were out all night going to clubs after the party.

Then the morning after that, January 19 (which was Nanay's actual birthday), we were awoken by a Manyanita for Nanay. Her former employees from Hotel Maguindanao came at six in the morning to render a Harana, a song, for her. Isn't that sweet?

The Davao Talecraft Event

Finally. I was so worried and nervous and stressed the few days before the contest. What if nobody attended? What if... Well, basically, it's just "What if nobody attended?" really. I had twenty registrants. But only four for the younger category of the contest. I had hoped we'd get a few more on the day of the contest itself. Otherwise, we would be forced to merge the two categories.

CONTEST STUFF
Well, we were forced to merge. Out of the twenty registrants, only ten showed up. Only two of the four for the younger category. And on the last minute, Kuya Bloggie backed out as one of my volunteer/judge because he had to finish an important project, and Dominique couldn't come because he got sick. He was already under the weather the night before.

I was kind of disappointed that they said they weren't coming. Not because I really needed the extra judge or I needed more volunteers. But at times when I feel unsure about how an event would turn out, I like having family and friends around. I invited my humongous family, but I just wasn't sure if any of them would come. Most were busy. I was okay with my cousins, but we weren't really tight.

But I'm being selfish. It's alright. Work is work, and when you're sick, well, you're sick. And they really helped me a lot before the event. Kuya Blogs introduced me to a lot of people so I could promote Talecraft to them, and he blogged about my event. And Dom accompanied me to schools to give posters, and he took me to his Writers Guild Christmas party so I could meet some writers I can invite as judge.

We got four new registrants on the day itself. And our two volunteers, thanks to Kuya Bloggie, were there on time. Our judges from the Davao Writers Guild, thanks to Dom, were all present. And, well, the event turned out fine all in all.

Let me tell you the good stuff that happened. First, when we arrived at the mall at 9am to setup, there was a girl sitting before one of our tables already. At first, we thought it was one of the shop ladies. But it turns out, she was one of our contestants! She said she couldn't sleep the night before so, she came early. Very early! I don't know how she managed to come in. Mall opens at 10. Anyway, I was flattered, of course! Someone is actually very excited and taking our contest seriously!

Also, one of the contestants, Karen, said she wanted to form a Talecraft group here in Davao. Mr Ric de Ungria, one of our judges, had the same idea. So, I really hope Talecraft would spread here.

FAMILY STUFF
That afternoon, my cousin, Nitoy, and his wife, Faith, came. I was so happy they came. They both had been so supportive of my event, actually. I wasn't that close to them before, but when we announced to the clan's mailing list that we were having an event in Davao, they'd been helping us nonstop! They distributed posters, used their connections to get other establishments to post our posters, too, and Ate Faith even convinced her boss to play Talecraft! Their daughter, Tasha, tagged along, too. Such a sweet little kid. (Walang takot, walang hiya. Wait a minute, that sounded wrong) She wasn't shy at all to hug her Titas and kiss. She was clinging to my leg already a few minutes after she arrived! Tita Baby, my aunt, and Ate Aina, another cousin, were there, too! I really didn't expect them to come. I mean, of all my Titas and cousins, they weren't the ones I was closest to. But they came, and they even brought us pizza! Then my Aunt Thelma and Aunt Gloria, and my little cousin, Jennylin came, too. They brought hopia.

Probably one of the most interesting things that happened during the event was my grandmother's arrival. I wasn't sure if Nanay (that's what we called her) was coming. Mrs. Socoro Robillo was a socialite and I didn't think she would be gracing my little contest with her glorious presence. Although, she did ask about it so, I still entertained the possibility that she would come. And she did! Although she was an hour late (with a very nice hairdo). She arrived at past four. The contest was already over. (I bet she was late because she went to the parlor first) But she was so regal when she arrived! I'm really happy she came. Too bad she missed the finals.

2008 starts with a wave of opportunities!

January 7 was basically the start of work again for the year. So, after I came back from the gym, I made some calls to schools, asking for the names of their principals so that I could address my proposals for Talecraft demonstrations to them. Actually, I sent a proposal to Ateneo de Davao already the Saturday before. And I sent a letter to Netopia also, asking their permission to post posters and leave flyers for our contest on January 12. Anyway, while I was calling, I got a text message from Ateneo, scheduling us for demo on Jan. 11!

Of course, I was thrilled. I continued making calls. Then I received another text message. This time from a girl who somehow got a hold of my resume. She offered me a freelance web design project to do. Rush, though. She needed it soon. An opportunity is an opportunity. So, I agreed to take the project.

Then I got another text message, this time from a cousin. I talked to his dad before. He had asked me to do something about their restaurants' menus and signages, and I had agreed to do it for them. It's a paying job. And a job I liked because it was about designing and putting my marketing powers to the test. My cousin asked if I could come over to discuss the things that had to be fixed. I told him I would come over in the afternoon. Another opportunity, and an opportunity is a blessing. Water's rising!

After that, I checked my mail and guess what I found! An email from Chikka. We discussed about my company supplying them with some graphics before. And my contact from there was asking if we could discuss that project again! Of course, I said yes. Another opportunity. I have to wait until I get back to Manila to discuss things with him. But I hope this one really pushes through.

Wave's getting bigger!

So, I visited some schools, then went to Casa Leticia to meet my cousin. Just before the meeting started, I got a phone call. It was from a friend of Dad's. She owned a teaching center in San Juan and was calling me to see if we can do business together, something that maybe involves her center. Oh, I've got some ideas. So, I scheduled a meeting with her for when I get back to Manila.

Aside from that, there's my Davao Talecraft event coming up. Then the contest we're having for the Ateneo de Manila High School fair. Then the Talecraft alternative class we're doing for De La Salle University on February. Then maybe even sponsoring the Valentine Victorian Costume Contest (this one, I'll have to think about some more). I'm riding the wave and loving it!

Talecraft in Davao!

Talecraft will be holding its first Story-Creation Contest in Davao City on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at the Gaisano Mall of Davao! So, all you Davaoenos out there, make sure you REGISTER for the contest on or before January 9, 2008.

MECHANICS: Create a story on the spot using Talecraft. For information on how to play Talecraft, go to the About page. You will be judged based on both your story and your delivery.There will be two categories:
(A)For players 12-16 years old

(B)For players 17 and up

PRIZES:

Category (A):

1st Prize - A Talecraft deck plus a big gift bag of sweets and treats.

2nd Prize - A Talecraft deck plus a medium-sized gift bag of sweets and treats.

3rd Prize - A Talecraft deck plus a small gift bag of sweets and treats.

Category (B):

1st Prize - A Talecraft deck plus two gift certificates that each entitles its bearer to a free dinner at Tsuru Japanese Restaurant.

2nd Prize - A Talecraft deck plus two gift certificates that each entitles its bearer to a free lunch at Hanoi Vietnamese Restaurant.

3rd Prize - A Talecraft deck plus two gift certificates that each entitles its bearer to a free breakfast at Casa Leticia.

HOW TO REGISTER: Email us the following information on or before January 9, 2008:
Full Name Age Current Occupation School/Office Contact Information Send above information to: talecraft@komikasi.com. We will still be accepting registrants after January 9, but slots are limited and will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register early!

We look forward to seeing all of you there!

Call for Volunteers!

Hello, everyone, and Happy New Year!

Talecraft Story-Creation Game will be having its first Story-Creation Contest in Davao City on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 1:00-5:00pm at Spazio, 3F Gaisano Mall of Davao, and we need volunteers to help out with the event! If anyone out there is interested, email me your name and some information about you at ria@komikasi.com. We'll get about 10 people. And we'll give Talecraft decks to show our gratitude. Spread the word!

Aes Triplex

Let the trumpets sound and the firecrackers light up the sky as we welcome another page in the richly-colored artwork that is our lives. To usher in this new year, I would like to propose a toast to those that have greatly affected me in the past years.

Here's to God. Though many nowadays would think me cheesy for saying it. They don't know how extremely grateful I am that He is there and that I believe. To Him, for being.

Here's to my Family! For being supportive of me. Another cheesy line I suppose, but you have no idea how assuring it feels to have your parents and siblings play ra-ra girls behind you when you're just starting a new endeavor. To my two other heads and the rest of my family!

Here's to my friends! To new friends and to old friends. To you who I have found during some of the worst times in my life, to you who waited for me my while my restless self roamed the earth, to you who stuck by me no matter how impatient I was or how much I fought with you, that our friendship stay strong and indestructible as the dreams we hold dear.

Here's to dreams! To vagaries and spirits, to our hopes of getting published, to our dreams of idealism and art, that we may finally find the courage and will to make them come true. But if we aren't able to as of yet, may they remain indestructible until the time comes when we can finally make them real.

And here's to stories! May we continue to make them and develop them. That they continue to be indestructible parts of our lives.