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The Planning of the Party

Entertainment / by

If I was in charge there would be no big deal about the Pacman fight last Sunday. I’d sign up for pay-per-view (Pesos 250.00 na lang!) Buy some extra beers and rum, a few bags of chip’s and dip’s and enjoy the fight. But you know I’m not in charge.

Under Mayang’s plan the entire outside of the house had to be cleaned and groomed. Nephews put to work cleaning lawn furniture. Copious shopping for food and booze has to be accomplished. The interior of the house must be cleaned. And so on and so forth. I still like my way better.

Wednesday some of the shopping was done, but the lions share must be done Saturday morning with a 5 am trip to the wet market for fish, meat and food stuffs. Don’t think for a minute that I will be involved. My wife knows that the price goes up when my blue eyes show up.

More cases of SMB will be delivered that afternoon plus, one case of Emparaflu (Light) and Ice Tea mix had to be stocked, yes, they mix the ice tea with the brandy, and away they go. I tried it once. But I also touched a hot stove once and never did that again. I’ll stick with “Boat Drinks.”

Thursday, a new crew has arrived to clean the inside of the house; I would have them come after the party when the house really will need cleaning. But again, I’m not in charge. The word has spread throughout the purok that the Thompson’s are hosting the eighth Pacman fight and the neighborhood is all a buzz.

Yesterday during my morning walk with Coco the Flying Labrador, I stopped over and over to confirm the party and fight was on schedule. I don’t get involved with discussing the results of the last two fights where Pacman won the fight he lost and next lost the fight he won. He is a hero here, and any Kano that speaks ill of the man had better be wearing his running shoes.

So now as I write this its Friday, December 07, 2012 the last of the preparations are being finalized, pots and pans are coming into the house by the ton. Charcoal is being delivered by the rice bag full, and the cleaning of the Mindanao Bob Deluxe Bar-B-Que Grill is prepared and ready to be fired up at 0630 Sunday morning. As I’m writing this the windows and sills are being cleaned, I should throw a party every month and my house would continue to look brand new. There is just not a lot left for me to do. As if there ever was!

I’ll charge up my camera, and be ready to snap pictures of the party that I’ll bore you with in an article next week. Hey I’ve got to get something out of what this purok party is costing me. But it’s worth it, good times and good food, throw in a fight and it’s all priceless.

Part two next Monday, same time same channel. I hope you all got to see the fight!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT TIME PAUL, HOPE YOU HAD ALOT OF CRYING TOWELS AVAILABLE, ALL IT TAKES IS ONE GOOD PUNCH TO CHANGE THE PARTYS MODE. NO
    ONE WAS EXPECTING THAT WHEN IT LOOKED LIKE PAC MAN HAD TAKEN TOTAL CONTROL OF THE FIGHT.

    • Mike;
      When the fight ended and I gauged the mood of the crowd, I turned off the Pay-Per-View and turned on the Magic Microphone, the singing started and the fight was forgotten.

      • If only Pacman could bob and weave like you did at the end of the Paul, very smart move breaking out Magic Microphone…

      • Paul, you just know that Pinoys, even when they are singing, down deep inside, they are hurting, just not letting on. You should have brought out the karaoke machine. 🙂

        I love this perfect imitation of the Bee Gees in the barrio. It could have been at Barangay Roosevelt, for all we know. Check out the cute Pinay in the background.

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osE3BxCdG2o

        • John
          The Magic Microphone is a karaoke machine it has 10,000 songs on one chip pumped through the stereo to the flat screen TV. If the folks were feeling bad it didn’t show by the time they went home. (lol)
          The U-Tube was good!

  2. Love the Pacman ..he’s a true sportsman…but ya know even the best get bested once in awhile, …I just wish when I have one of those days I could go down on the mat 6+ million richer!! LOL.

    • Brian;
      For that much money I’d be down for the count within 10 seconds after the fight started

  3. That’s one of the great thing with living here in Philippines. Whenever a party must be prepared, there’s so many to help, that I (just like you) doesn’t have much to do. Love that:-) And there’s always a lot to prepare.
    I hope you all enjoyed that match, even it had a sad ending.

    • Axel;
      Plus the party guests stayed and help clean up, then took what was left of the food and drink and went out back to sing some more. You’re right, very helpful folks.

  4. Mike;
    I quickly shut off the PPV Show, and plugged in the Magic Microphone and got the crowd singing. The fight results were soon forgotten.
    The Kano’s went outside with our cocktails and C&W Music.

  5. Hi Paul – I was sitting on my patio yesterday morning around 9am when the Parasat Mobile TV Studio passed. I had to blink twice and shake my head as I thought I was seeing things as I was still under the impression that the road bridge connecting our town to Cagayan de Oro city was still impassable. In steps our local Congressman Jess Paras (Saint of fisticuffs) and despite the logistical problems managed to somehow get the old bridge reopened to light vehicle traffic and bring the fight to the people of Talakag as he has done now for the last 5 years of Manny’s illustrious career.
    With not having any power here for 5 days the arrival of Jess and his Mobile Studio was like the parting of the Red Sea as the news spread around the town and barrios. Maybe Manny lost the fight but Bukidon still owes a debt to a worthy son who truly put the Philippines on the map with regards to boxing. Manny will always be held in high esteem for his achievements in the ring throughout the world as a great multi weight champion and his record may never be equalled. As one Pinoy said to me “The number of Mexicans that can beat Pacquiao? Only JUAN. The number of Mexicans beaten by Pacquiao? MANNY”.
    Well done Paul for putting on the show in your area, I’m sure like Manny you will go down in history for your kindness.
    Regards.
    Jim.

    • Hi Jim;
      It sounds like you have a politician who is worth having, by bring the fight to the people, after what they’ve endured a little relaxation is just what they needed. My wife and I have been putting on the fight parties since we moved here years ago. The neighbors pitch with their labor and help to clean up when it’s over. The party went long after the fight was over. I live around some fine people and have been made welcome since day one. I liked the Juan joke and my ladies will enjoy that when they get home later. Thanks for your kind words and I hope your power is back soon.

    • Dans;
      With that knockout, I thought it was doomsday already, but everyone still loves Manny, and he’ll win the next time.

  7. YES. We watched the fight. It was my nephew’s day of christening and so my brother made sure there was a TV in the reception hall. 65 people were invited, but only 55 showed up (inspite of the TV.) Of course, no one will forget the day Leon Alphonso (Leonzo for short) was christened — except perhaps him. He slept through it all.

    BTW, here’s a thought on healthcare strategies. Leonzo’s mom lined up 12 ninongs and ninangs, most of whom were her classmates in medical school. She explained to me that she wanted at least all his major body organs covered.

    • Mimi;
      Watch the fight, go to a christening? Great idea doing both! Super .healthcare strategies, sharp lady.

  8. Paul,
    Sounds like you have party planning down to a pat. Just let the asawa handle it and stay out of the way. Your job is to have a back up plan ready and make sure there are enough adult beverages. Even though Manny lost, the the party turned out great and everyone is happy. Looking forward to part 2. Have a nice day.

    • PapaDuck,
      Most of my plans are like that, shut up and stay out of the way. Party was great and I walked Coco this morning and felt good that I was the cause of so many hangovers, mine too! Coco was fine!

  9. With Angie and the boys in Manilia i watched the fight on my own with a good bottle
    of appletons VX . Then nature called and when i got back to the TV it was all over.
    Fortunatly the appletons bottle remained true. Yesterday was very hot here in Johannesburg and most of the appletons VX evaperated with the heat.
    Strange as it seems i found the corn flakes exceedingly noisey at breakfest this morning.If i had known i was goung to be so thirsty this morning i would have drank
    more yesterday.

    • Frank;
      Evaporation so that’s what it’s called now, we had 4 bottles of rum evaporate and 12 Brandy yesterday, yes if I could remember it was warm here too. Today even my eyeballs hurt; a power nap is in my cards for today.

  10. I don’t really follow sports that closely. the way you describe the party and get together at your place Paul, and with some of the other comments it sounds like this event was like the ” Super Bowl ” is celebrated here. Even though I do not follow sporting events all that closely I am well aware of the celebrity status of Pacman. I doubt that a loss like this one could even put a small to his fame and reputation.

    • Bob;
      How many Mexicans have beaten Manny in the ring? Answer; “Juan” That simple joke will show you that he is still the National Hero that he always was. I saw no Ill effects on my Purok’s mental health.

  11. Paul;

    you did a great job…. after the lost of pambansang kamao… you calm
    the filipino’s heart in your place through singing karaoke… and also alot of
    food you prepared wowwwww…. wish myself and papa duck were there to
    join the happenings… goodluck and have a nice day,,,,

    • Anne;
      I wish you both were here also, but the truth is any and all credit belongs to Mayang, for without her planning it would have been a bunch of old guys with chip’s and beer. Good to heat from you!

  12. I know why he lost how could he think about boxing after he was standing next to those lovely young ladies! ” Miss Universe contestants Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon and Miss Mexico Karina Gonzalez”. Oops I hope the wifey does not read this! Oh she knows I am hopless and harmless.

    • Mike;
      Both young ladies are truly beautiful to behold. They are both in their 20’s, but unfortunately I’m no longer wired for 220. (LOL)
      I’m like an old dog chasing a car, what would he do if he caught it?

    • Sugar;
      They’ll be another PPV Fight Party even if it’s Manny and Jinky fighting. The parties are too much fun.

    • Hudson;
      Emparador nicknamed Emparaflu for the flu like symptoms you have the next day (Local made Brandy) 56 pesos’s a bottle (liter) and they mix it with Ice Tea. Been there done that, but only once!

  15. Paul

    I will be in Pangasinan from 27 Dec – 3 Jan and was thinking I would come by the Subic area for a day trip. Any chance I could buy you a SMB? I have a bunch of questions about the bay area, and would like to meet you.

    Regards
    Dave