FILIPINIANA PARTY

---

Last March 21,2015 my Grandmother celebrated her 80th birthday and I just wanted to share the successful outcome of our family’s collective effort. I am overwhelmed by the support and effort everyone has contributed to this memorable event.

The event was secretly planned since December 2014 and it was indeed a tough stint to coordinate with all of your family members and decide upon certain matters concerning the celebration. Many thanks to the internet and we were able to overcome our geographical constraints.

After series of grueling meetings and consultations we all agreed to have a Filipiniana theme. Various tasks were designated for each one of us. For my part,I was assigned to do the lay-outs since I am knowledgeable with graphics and design.

1. INVITATION

One of my aunts said that we should not be splurging into invitations because it will just be thrown away by the invitees. So, we did researched for the most affordable option we can have without compromising the Filipiniana feel. 

After thorough  canvassing of prices, the cheapest invitation we could get costs 30 Php and if we plan to produce a hundred invites it would let us spend 3,000 Php. Envelopes were not included in the said amount. 

So the best alternative we can have is to do our own invitation. DIY projects are cheaper yet requires more effort and time.

LAYOUT: As mentioned above,the layout of the invitation was done by me so technically it was free.The invitation was made in Adobe Photoshop. 

Also, we decided to have two layouts for the invitation since we cannot decide which one is better.Similarly, I decided to stick with the Filipiniana motif. Hence, I used an antique golden frame and a capiz window as borders for the designs.

To further highlight the Filipiniana theme, the text found in the invites were in Filipino specifically in Tagalog.

PRINTING:  The invitation was printed in a matte finish 5R sized photo paper. For the cheapest and yet high quality photo printing, I suggest you should explore Quiapo. Each 5R photo only costs 6 Php. I forgot the name of the shop but it is just across SM Quiapo. 

ENVELOPE: For more dramatic feel, abaca fibers were used to wrap the invitations. The abaca fibers were bought from Divisoria and it comes in various colors. In our case we chose a golden brown shade to match the design of the invitation 

On the other hand, the abaca fiber only costs 70 Php per roll. Each roll can accommodate thirty-six 5R sized invitation. Meanwhile, the abaca tie used to enclose the abaca fibers only costs 50 Php per roll. 

DESCRIPTION:  SOFTWARE USED: Adobe Photoshop | FONT: Old English Script and Vivaldi | IMAGES: Downloaded  SIZE: 5R photo THEME: Filipiniana 

TOTAL COST FOR THE INVITATION: As far as I can remember each invitation only costs 8.68 Php per piece. The said price includes  the print-outs and the envelope(abaca fiber and tie).

2.SOUVENIRS AND PRIZES

Umbrella

At first, we thought that a fan would be fine because it will be less expensive and will be appreciated more by the attendees. However, we wanted to give our guests an extra special souvenir treat. 

Hence, we decided to give umbrellas with customized inscription. Indeed, an umbrella as souvenirs might be a little bit pricy compared to the usual tokens. Yet, we thought that it would be more practical to spend more to an item that will be useful than to an item that will just be displayed or thrown away. 

The labels found in each umbrella resembles the text and the ornament enclaves and the letterings found in one of the invitation designs. 

The umbrellas, were also bought and stamped from Divisoria. You can choose from different types of umbrellas depending on your desire and budget. Each umbrella only cost 80 Php per piece. 

TOTAL COST FOR THE UMBRELLAS: 80 Php per piece (inclusive of lay-out and stamp,delivery not included in the said price)

 

Scarf 

To encourage the participation of the guests and further entertain them we included trivia games in the program.On the other hand,the prizes for the games were scarves. Again, to resonate the Filipiniana theme,each scarf were then put into abaca bags. 

TOTAL COST FOR THE PRIZES:  110 Php per piece (Bargain Price)

  

3.PARTY SET-UP

The table numbers and trivia cards found in each table floral arrangements also came from us. The designs found in each card resembles the other party stationery. 

4.PHOTO STAND

Welcoming the guests upon entering the venue was my Grandma's photo stand. The cheapest we could get for this piece was Php 1700,

5.NUMBER AND LETTER BLOCKS 

The letter blocks was bought from Divisoria. To incorporate a classic and Filipiniana feel,my brother-in-law,painted the blocks in gold and sprinkle some glitters to the blocks. 

COSTING FOR THE LETTER BLOCKS:  

BIG LETTER BLOCKS: 350 Php per piece | SMALL LETTER BLOCKS: 150 Php per piece | GLITTERS: 250 per pack  | SPRAY PAINT: bought from local hardware around 200 Php GLUE: ordinary glue

 

6.CAKE 

Since we are based in Bulacan we look for a cake supplier near our area.We found a cake shop based in  Marilao,Bulacan. The supplier,namely Box of Sweets by Punky Porca, of the cake has plenty of options for your budget.The cake shop has delivery services for a minimal delivery charge.

7.FILIPINIANA OUTFIT

Celebrant’s Outfit

Our Grandmother wore a simple Filipiniana made from Pineapple Fiber. The cloth was a little bit pricy compared to other cloths, however, this is the perfect choice for a “Filipiniana Terno”. Similarly, we only like what’s best for the Queen of our clan.

The Gentlemen’s Outfit

The boys of our clan wore the traditional Barong Tagalog made from Pineapple Fiber.

The Ladies’ Outfit

The ladies decided to carry on a classic and chic look. Hence, the family agreed to use lace to achieve the said look.

For my aunties and their sisters-in-law they chose a midnight blue colored lace. Their wore  an empire cut maxi dress with square neckline and scalloped sleeves.

Yet, the younger generation,the granddaughters,which includes me, decided to sport a Modern Filipiniana look.Henceforth, we wore a knee length body hugging dress with a heart shaped neckline and scalloped lining in gray lace and nude inner cloth.

Lastly, the great granddaughters wore a knee balloon dress in blue gray.

8.PROGRAM

My younger cousins and nephews danced in the tune of Leron Leron Sinta.

My aunties and my Mom dance the Cariñosa, a Philippine folk dance that uses a fans as props while swaying their skirts.

 

My cousins and I  danced Pandanggo sa Ilaw, a folk dance which uses lit candles on their palms while dancing. However, we thought that it would be tricky for us to dance with the  said props so instead we decided to use bamboo sticks and tissu paper poms-poms as an alternative.  

The bamboo stick arcs that were wrapped with yellow tissue papers and adorned with white tissue paper flowers , and the tissue paper pom-poms were both made by us.

9.AVP

To set the record straight, I am not a professional animator but I usually make AVPs for my friends and relatives during special occasions.  

Again, I incorporated the capiz window found at one of the invitation designs at the beginning and end of the presentation to highlight the Filipiniana motif. 

The animation were made at Sony Vegas Pro whereas retouching of each photo found in the AVP was done in Adobe Photoshop 

WATCH IT HERE:

Indeed, organizing a beautiful event is very much tiring specially if you’re being meticulous in every detail.Yet, having a perfect outcome is very much rewarding. 

I believe that the love we share for our Grandmother binds us all together to achieve the success of this celebration.

For me this event is about being grateful for all the love and care our Grandmother gave us. More, than anything else, we wanted to make the Queen of our clan happy for her special day. 

Thank you very much to everyone who made this event extra special for our Grandmother.

EVENT: Inang Maria at 80 | VENUE: Grotto Vista Resort | THEME: Filipiniana | PHOTOGRAPHER: Image Chef by Herbert Bartolome CREDITS: Image Chef for the Photos | CAKE: Box of Sweets by Punky Porca

---

SUMMARY

ARTICLE: |Filipiniana Party | AUTHOR: Roxy Nicolas;|  TAGS: #Events #Filipiniana #Party #DIY #Bulacan | LAST UPDATED: April 2015

---

Roxy Nicolas

She is a blogger from the Philippines. She is also a travel enthusiast ,an artist by heart,a self proclaimed fashionista,a person suffering from a mental disease called obsessive compulsive disorder and a certified coffeeholic.   You can find her on Google+.

       

---