Let’s start with the first one of May; my grandson Jaden turned “TWO” on 13 May. My daughter who tends to overdue all things “Jaden” decided to hold his party at the McDonald’s burger doodles here in Olongapo City. The invasion of France during WWII took less logistics and properly cost the same amount.
My car (I’m sorry I couldn’t find a way to avoid mentioning the car) was at the MacDo’s almost every day with the planning committee working out the details of this event; it would have been less work planning a Kim Kardashian wedding.
My involvement ended after the first trip, since my opinion was never requested. I did surrender PNP 5,000.00 to aid in this endeavor as that is the normal amount for parties held at the house. (There, Oh lord, now I’ve mentioned house in this article) She added the extra amount as MacDo parities are not cheap.
The day of the party we arrived and met up with my friend Tommy and his family, plus I paid for a Special Jeepney to move our family and neighbors down the mountain to the festivities.
Where in the name of all that is just and fair, did all of the other people and children come from who came to the party? People whom I’ve never laid eyes on before were there in force, were we invading France after all.
The wait started for the MacDo people to get everything set up, after the time for the party to start had long passed. The shocker was it was paid for in advance. Did they think we might not show up and stiff them, was that the cause of the delay?
Tommy looked at me and gave me a knowing nod, which I answered with the same and we slid towards the exit after smiling and waving to our wives. Oh they knew where we were going. We went to seek peace and solace from the 50 plus tiny people and their parents. Oh you could ask, won’t your grandson miss you? But he’s two years old and already was suffering from sensory overload. Similar to a child that has just consumed a pound of candy.
Tommy and I went to a famous “PO” City watering hole, which is on its forth new owner and as many names. But 30 years ago it was “OG’s” and it still is to us. And yes though I hate to mention it, we did partake of “Boat Drinks.” (Car, house and drinking, I’ve hit the trifecta on this article)
1800 hours the smart phones chirped and Tommy and I took the 5 minute walk back to MacDo’s where except for our wives no one else even knew we’d been gone. The party lasted 30 minutes more and the Ham Burglar was there and who knew he’d cause my grandson to go berserk, the boy absolutely hated him. . Then another 30 minutes pass saying the obligatory “Good Byes” one down and two more birthdays for the month of May.
I’m always surprised at the fuss my family makes over the birthday of a two year old, do any of you the readers remember yours? I sure don’t and I hope my parents didn’t spend a lot of money on me back then. Because in a few years I’m going to want that Mattel Fanner “50” cap gun for that 7th birthday. Can you imagine my parents giving a child a toy gun at that age? But I thank God there were no Super Sized Drinks then or heaven knows how I would have turned out.
Stay tuned until next week, for the next two Birthdays.
Hi Paul – I have 2 children and consequently have been to many birthdays in the Philippines as well. Children’s birthdays in the Philippines are a special kind of crazy. The music is often so loud, it’s a struggle to talk or listen, but Filipinos seem to be able to hold conversation with one another regardless, maybe they are reading one another’s lips, Lol. Mc Donald’s probably starts late because they know that birthdays are subject to Philippine time. I never turn up to a birthday on time now, because each time I have, most other people arrive 30 minutes to an hour and a half later. Given the circumstances your decision to go to the watering hole appears most logical!
Brenton;
You have explained birthdays most clearly and concisely, without my buddy Tommy and a few boat drinks I never would have survived the noise level, which is akin to the bow on an Aircraft Carrier during flights Op’s.
Paul in our area Jollie Bee comes to your house for the same costs as you mentioned with enough food for 5O plus Kids and a couple hours of sponsored games with prizes
The brgy kids are always invited over to the party as we live in the province it is a big thing for them many have never had a birthday party
Tom / Roxas City
Tom;
I don’t know if the Mickey “D” show will travel, as I know the “Bee” will, but in our case my daughter has more friends in town then here on the mountain. Plus I agree, if we are having a party on the mountain the neighbors and kids are always welcome and in attendance. Like you, it’s the right thing to do.
Well fortunately at least the birthday will last for a whole year, bet by this time next year we wont be saying the same about Kim Kardashain , and whatever idiot she is marrying this time. A second birthday is once in a lifetime, how many marriages you think Kim Kardashain will have before her ass starts to droop, and no one will want her.
House, car, yard ,McDonalds, thats why I read and enjoy your articles Paul, life in the Philippines for those of us that are still here in the states, and wanting to see the differences there.
They are 2 year olds, they probably read about the big party on the internet and got there moms to take them to crash your party, the word gets around, especially when free food is involved.
We have a niece there, and they have a party for her once a month for the whole first year, party 11 should be the 4th of this month, after she turns 1 year old, then she only gets one party a year I think, but everyone seems to be enjoying the cakes each month so far.
Bill;
Now that you mention it my daughter did have a little party every month for Jaden, I almost forgot. I don’t fully understand the why of it, but I also enjoyed the cake.
Tommy’s grandkids with the others (Who ever they were( all had a great time, so once more I’ll just shrug my shoulders and let life happen as it does in the Philippines. I never try to swim against the current.
Do i remember my birthday, way back then? Nope…not my fist or second….or third. Well i do remember my 30. and 50. birthdays – what a party 😀
I see parents celebrate 1 month and so on, to me it’s none less than crazy, but who am i to judge.
At least you had your waterhole, you are a wise man.
I notice you have started to call it “my car”, isn’t that a little dangerous, unless your asawa doesn’t read this blog?
Good luck with the next 2.
Axel;
It was explained to me that back when healthcare was lacking a lot of babies didn’t live to the end of their first year, thus the reason for the monthly parties or Monthasary as they are called here. (I learned this two years ago when Jaden was born.) My granddaughter was not raised at my house so I didn’t see it happen with here, but I found out it was the same.
Tommy my friend both have the same birthday, when he’s off the ship those parties are legendary.
Hi Paul,
Great article! When my wife and I first got married, she kind of expected me to remember our monthly anniversaries. I somewhat intentionally chose December 7 as our wedding day to help me remember our anniversary, because I am a bit of a history buff. You being a Navy man know what that day was.
One of our second son’s birthday was held at a park. I reserved the picnic area for two hours. We the host arrived on site 30 minutes late to find one family there who was on time. The prize they got was to help us set up for the other guest who showed up 15 minutes to an hour later. This happened here in Raleigh, NC.
Fortunately the next family renting for their child’s birthday was another couple where the wife was Filipina and the husband American. They only had a few guest mostly children. They had an American-style party with only cupcakes and juice boxes The Filipina’s mother and father were there and hungry so we shared our mostly Filipino food with them. They allowed us to share the picnic shelter area after our time had expired..
Jay;
Kid’s birthdays in the states are a simple affair, but if you work at it, you can Filipino-ize it, and being late is the first step. But the grouping or mixing one party with another is as Filipino as you can get. I’ve see it happen many times here and it has always been fun.
I also have been to several children’s B-day parties,,,always held in a small party room at Mc doo, shakeys, jolliebee or pizza hut. Kids running crazy and adults speaking at the top of their lungs,,,,,,,,,,,,cuase I sure seems the music and load speaker of the “hosts” is always so DANG LOUD lolololololol
Scott;
My daughter booked the large room and insured it was fully equipped for noise reverberation at maximum decibels. Plus the music did really suck. The peace and quiet of a watering hole with country western music in the back ground was what we wanted after the first five minutes.
Congratulations on making it through another birthday party for the grandson. Seems like the first one was not so long ago. Did the price of rum & coke drop with the new owner in OGs?
Loren;
The price is back to normal and I’ll be a regular once more, Mylee’s husband seems like a nice guy and all went well. Except there is a nationwide shortage of our RUM! Captain Morgan will do in a pinch.
Oh and a very Happy Birthday to your Bride.
Loren,
Tell Merced Happy B-day from Anne and Myself.
Smart move, retreating to the waterhole Paul. I haven’t been to one of these shindigs in the Philippines, but the ones held in similar venues stateside are just as frightening. In the Filipino community we were a part of in Germany, kids birthday parties were always held at the home of the celebrant. I was impressed that they were family affairs, and not just kid stuff. There was always plenty of good food, and since it was Germany, plenty of beer.
Take care,
Pete
Pete;
If it was held at the house as normally they are Tommy and I would have sat in the middle of it and allowed children to climb all over us, at MacDo’s it’s scripted and must follow a set pattern, and the no beer factor!
Other than some now old photos in the family picture albums, I have no recollection of my birthday celebration at that age. On those that followed I remember there were about 6 neighborhood kids that were invited and my mother always made the birthday cake which was on a special plate. There was no loud music which I think in your case was more for the adults than the kids.
I think one reason for the extra loud music at some of these affairs is not for listening to the music at all but more to form a sound curtain between a couple of individuals or small groups of people to give a false sense of privacy. It kind of isolates one conversation from the other as those nearby can not hear what is being said by others as the music overrides the chatter.
You ” had to ” mention the car. That still has me laughing. I always find your humor a great way of starting out a new week Paul.
A very Happy Birthday to Jayden. I guess his family photo album will be on a disc or form of electronic storage. I’m glad I have the old style ones with photo prints attached to paper pages.
Bob New York;
A gentleman mention on another LiP posting that all I ever write about is my “Car, House, and Drinking Beer” so on purpose I slipped in all three to complete a trifecta as I like tweaking negative people.
The entire day was digitally captured, now if Tommy and I slipped away to avoid the original, what would you think the odds are that I’d watch it in front of the big screen. (Maybe a small bit with the mute button on.
Come on now, Paul.. you are using the word “gentleman” very loosely!
Bob;
As you take the road less travelled, I’ve found that is normally the high road.
That is quite true, Paul. I try to stay on the high road myself, as much as I can. 🙂
Bob;
There are people that make that choice very difficult, but we persevere because the high road is the best road.
But there is nothing wrong with a detour once in a while! (LOL)
Paul,
I believe it was that ___hole Corey. Just spent 20000p on a karaoke for Anne. Now I will be hearing it day and night lol.
Randy;
That Damnable singing machine, but if it makes her happy we learn to live with it.
As for that guy, he’s living in a country that he doesn’t like, go easy on him.
I enjoy reading about your car, house, and drinking beer, since it all happens in my favorite area of the world. Maybe one of these days I’ll have a house, a car, and drink SMB in the Olongapo area.
It’s the main item on my bucket list.
You’re living the life.
Bill Mac;
You must have seen the comments from my negative friend. But in his defence I read his blog and found out that he really doesn’t like it here, it’s kind of sad.
There is an Ice Cold SMB waiting for you when you get here.
Paul – Some Pinoys seem to go all out to celebrate their kids’ birthdays even at a very young age. I had a PInoy neighbor years ago who was a civilian employee for the Department of the Navy working at the Pentagon. When his son turned two like Jaden, his birthday party was a formal dinner held at the ballroom of the Sheraton Hotel in Arlington, next to the Pentagon. It was an elaborate affair, I’d forgotten it was a birthday party for a little kid, and was half-expecting a bunch of tuxedoed Pentagon neocons at the time like Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz and Donald Rumsfeld to walk in anytime. I don’t know exactly the overemphasis some Pinoys place on their kids’ birthdays, but I suspect it is part superstition – in the belief that their kids will have a long and prosperous life – but could also be part “bongga” on the part of the parents. 🙂
John;
The reason you gave seem valid as to the why, but the one you described sounds over the top. I think you hit the nail on the head with the observation that it was more for the parents “Look at me factor” then for the kid’s enjoyment.
Paul, we had two birthdays in May. Thankfully, there are no McDonalds on our island province of Guimaras. My longsuffering asawa and yours truly took 11 relatives to the beach.
I got to drink cold bottles of san mig as packs of pretty pinays paraded past me. Yeah, life can be tough in the Philippines, huh?
Dave;
A sadder story I’ve never heard, it makes me want to rush to the aid of a fellow Kano and render assistance. I’ll bring extra beer!