Zoei Turns 1... again

Well, not literally. We celebrated Zoei's birthday last October with our friends at a fast food chain here in Dubai. As a new member of the family we thought we needed to throw her a birthday party with our families back in the Philippines. And so we did on December 21 at Portofino, New Alabang. We hired an event organizer, who turned out to be a pain in the @$$, a photographer, a videographer and a host/magician. There were games, food and lots and lots of prizes.  

Being a host, I was not able to take much photos of the event. So here are some of my takes on Zoei's birthday celebration at Portofino Clubhouse.

Table centerpiece.

Moving styro retro girl backdrop.

Small prizes.

Goody body bags.

Cake by Hearts and Bells.

Mabe' with her cousin, Rachelle.

RA

Zoei's invitation.

Some of Rem's (my younger brother) takes...

Mom & Dad

Wizzo doing one of his tricks.

Playing with Grandpa Res.

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Mabe's corner....

Armil, my husband, was generous enough to give me a space in his own private blog, so I can share my sentiments on the production teams behind Zoei's birthday in the Philippines. 

Party Planner / Events Coordinator
Heidi Lu of Balloon Creations
http://ballooncreations08.multiply.com

Rating : 1 (Not Recommended - Worst Service!)

I hired Heidi Lu of Balloon Creations as my PP last August 2010, based on her outstanding decor in a Harajuku Lovers-themed birthday.  I wanted to have every decor customized from the stage backdrop, table centerpiece, entrance arch / standee, invites, food cart labels, buffet table labels...everything.  She was very prompt and super friendly in the beginning until I made the deposit, which I should say is a hefty amount (and the balance of which she needs to refund until now!).  After that transaction, it was impossible to get ahold of her.  She changed phone numbers a lot of times and she'd give lame excuses every now and then.  She didn't manage to give me the final invites until 3 weeks before the party, gave me the quote from a cake artist 1 week before the party, finalized the party souvenirs 3 weeks before the party, didn't make the deposit for the photographer, cancelled the host, changed a food cart 2 days before the party, inflated the prices for her commissions (which I learned from the caterer), and to top it all,  SHE WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND IN THE EVENT ITSELF ALONG WITH 2 FOOD CARTS!  Just see the difference between the lay-outs below, which we agreed on, and the actual decor in the photos above....

Venue Decor she promised!

Stage Decor she promised!

In short, the party planning was very stressful instead of being worry/stree-free as she would pitch before I hired her, and the service she rendered was equivalent to half of what I paid for!  I lost big time and it pains me so much, that every time I'd look back to the birthday memories, my encounter with her is what I would remember the most.  It seems like a created my own worst nightmare! I'm praying that karma acts so fast she won't be able to fool anybody else.

Venue and Caterer
Portofino Clubhouse, New Alabang
Jack and Jenn Catering
Tel No. 09189087138
http://jackandjenn.multiply.com/

Peso Power: Php 950 for adults Php 500 for kids, Php17500 for the venue
Adult's Menu
2 Appetizers
1 Soup
1 Salad
5 Meat Dishes
1 Vegetable Dish
1 Pasta / Noodle
Rice
Juice
2 Desserts
Chocolate Fountain
Mocktails

Kid's Menu
Spaghetti with Meatballs
Mini Pork Barbeque
Hotdogs on Stick
Chicken Lollipop

Rating: 3 (for both)

We chose Portofino primarily because of the location and the photos we saw in the internet.  We wanted to have the party in Alabang, but there are not much options.  And even for this venue, a sponsorship is needed.  I decided to rate it with Jack and Jenn, since we got the venue through the caterer.

The Portofino clubhouse sits in a clean, secured and elegant community.  We love the lawn surrounding the swimming pool and the gazebo where we can see the elegant houses. We knew that it will be nice to take some family photos there.  We also love the glass doors and windows where daylight can be our lighting for the photos.  It also has an air-conditioned conference room, which can serve as a make-up / holding room, while we wait for the guests to arrive.  The main concerns we had were the low ceiling and that it's not spacious enough to accommodate the buffet table and food carts inside.  You see, we didn't want to have either one outside of the venue to avoid people from going out during the entire program.  But all of these would have been known to us if our so called PP has done an ocular visit! So then we ended up having the food carts inside, to contain the kids inside the venue, and the buffet table outside.  But what turned us really off were the complaints we had of dirty and smelly toilets, and the fact that we were kicked out of our supposedly make up room.

Jen of Jack & Jenn Catering was easy to deal with, so I hired the face painter, glitter tattoo and Projector from her (while I was suffering from my PP) days before the party.  She was also kind enough to accommodate my entire family during the food tasting.  I was so glad to receive positive feedback from my SIL from the food tasting and to hear from Jen that they have covers for the kids' tables and chairs.  But what really disappointed us were the following: they were late in preparing the buffet table....guests have started to arrive, while they were still preparing the buffet station; they were not organized in the kitchen area, such that the floors had become slippery due to spilled water; some of the table covers and table napkins were a little bit wet, which gave an awkward (more like an eewww) feeling to us and the guests; there was no stage although I requested it from Jen days before the party; there were no food labels; the free mocktails was set up late...meaning during the program; there was no set-up for the glitter tattoo and face painter...they just had 2 tables and 3 chairs; and lastly, they decided to just serve the kids' meals instead of having a kids' buffet station.  After the party, we also received mixed comments on the food....say, 50% liked them and the other 50% didn't.

In our opinion, we paid more than the worth of their food and service.

Photographer
Warren Camitan
Tel No. 09178261684
http://warrenjcphoto.multiply.com/photos/album/114/Zoeis_1st_Birthday

Peso Power: Php 11,100 (inclusive of OOT charges)
Min. of 250 shots, Max. of 5 hours
High res photos in DVD with custom cover & label
20 page 8x8 magazine style album with dust jacket
Free 25 pcs. 4R prints (edited / photographer's choice)

Rating: 4.5 (recommended)

While I was searching for party decor and reading some of mom's supplier reviews, I came across his multiply site.  I was impressed by the photos and more importantly, Armil, liked them as well.  So i immediately booked this guy.  Later, i heard from my baby's Ninang Gracie that she also booked Warren for our inaanak's (Dade) birthday.  So I patiently waited for Dade's birthday photos and boy, I'd say, they're great!  Ninang Gracie also has positive reviews of Warren.

I'd say Warren is very professional, to the extent that even though he wasn't paid any deposit by my so-called PP, he didn't book any other client in lieu of our spot.  Instead, he politely communicated the matter to me and assured me that he will be in our event.  He came very early on the event day and didn't waste a single time.  While Zoei was sleeping an hour before the program started, Warren took photos of us, couple, and mom.  He's also very polite.  He was able to deliver the photos 3 weeks after the party and posted our photos in his multiply site (yippee!).  If not for the one week delay, I would have given him a 5.   Or maybe I'm biased, because 5+++ for me in photography, goes to my husband =).

Videographer
Thor Productions
Tel No. 09213545452
http://thorproductionkids.com/

Peso Power: Php18,000
2 Videographers
3 ccd broadcast quality camera / 16:9 widescreen format
Video lights
Glidecam / Dolly
1 DVD lightscribe copy of edited video - mtv style with personalized cover & casing

Rating: Pending (recommended)

We booked Thor because it was highly recommended by Ninang Gracie and I really love the teaser they made for Dade's baptism.  They came on time on the event day and showed their professionalism all throughout.  I know they're used to birthday parties, so I just let them did their own thing.  I just noticed them capturing every detail in the decor and the expressions during the program.  Thor and Carmela are very pleasant and Armil had a nice time chatting with them.  Thor even gave Armil some tips on the video-editing software.

The rating is currently pending, because we haven't seen the video yet.  I'm patiently waiting for it but I hope they'll deliver it soon.  We're very eager to see it.

Couturier
Baby Fashionista
Tel No. 7143725 / 09215980662
http://babyfashionistas.multiply.com/

Peso Power: Php 3,500 for Baby and Php 8,000 for Mommy

Rating: 5 (highly recommended)

I learned about Prim Chua of Baby Fashionista on the blog of the mom who celebrated the Harajuku Lovers-themed birthday.  I immediately looked at the photos in Prim's multiply site and fell in love with the designs.  In Dubai, the only store which comes close to selling these designs (as far as I know) is Bubbles and Giggles.  But, they're expensive, costing AED 1K (Php11,900) and higher for a dress, which will only be worn by Zoei, say at most, 3 times.

Prim and her assistant, Kat, are easy and prompt to deal with.  They'd give you the design days after you've given them the order.  They also do shipping to Dubai at an affordable cost, which is really an advantage.  They're very precise as well since the 2 gowns, which I ordered for Zoei's Christening and 1st Birthday in Dubai, respectively, fit Zoei really well and consistent with the designs we agreed on.  There was no alteration needed, considering that it was only me and Armil who did the measurements.  I also liked the matching dresses they made for us!  And their customer service is excellent, since they accommodated my request to deliver the dresses to their branch nearest to Laguna, which fortunately for us, is in Alabang Town Centre, without any added cost.

I have compared them with baby couturiers in the US but in my opinion, they're way better...having diverse elegant designs, affordable price and excellent customer service.  I'd say that I'm really a fan of Baby Fashionista and I'll always be looking forward to our next transaction.

Host and Magician
Wizzo
Tel No. 09276022392
E-mail: wizzo_magic@yahoo.com

Peso Power: Php14,000

Rating: 5 (highly recommended)

I personally do not know anybody who have engaged the services of Wizzo, except for my so-called PP.  I just researched on some of his acts in youtube and some positive reviews from past clients.  I just hoped and prayed before the event that he'll be worth the money.

On the event day, I was soooo haapppyyyy that he has an Assistant, who designed the program, set-up the prizes and souvenirs in the tables, looked after the gifts, coordinated with the mobile, projector and caterers and managed the prizes and souvenirs so that no one leaves empty-handed.  It was like free coordination for me...angels sent from heaven!  This was one of my problems solved when I found out that my so-called PP will never show up!  During the program proper, I stopped worrying. Why? First, he has such excellent hosting skills, from being able to communicate well in English, having good grammar and voice quality and enthusiasm all throughout the program, which enticed the kids and adults to participate in the program. His creative games were back to back, leaving not a single dull moment.  His magic tricks are superb, specially his floating table trick.  Though Armil knows most of the magician's tricks, he was not able to detect them when Wizzo was doing magic.  He executed them really well, not to mention, his assistant, her niece, is very charming and good-looking.  After the program, my friends and relatives raved about him.  I can still remember the adults standing at the back amused at the magic tricks.  Oh and his Assistant (sorry forgot the name), packed all the remaining prizes and souvenirs and attended to them while we said our goodbyes and thank yous to the guests.  The program was long (from 5 to 9 pm) but it was all worth it....bitin pa nga yung mga kids!

In our opinion, he and his team were worth all the money!  

  

Cake Artist
Hearts and Bells
Tel No. 09175379388
http://www.heartsnbells.com

Peso Power: Php 8,000

Rating: 5 (highly recommended)

Hearts and Bells was recommended by Ninang Gracie, at a time when I was really panicking (pls. refer to my post on party planning).  Because of her positive feedback, I immediately sent an e-mail.  I was very happy when tita Marita promptly replied and gladly accommodated my order.

Tita Marita, owner of Hearts and Bells, is very pleasant and accommodating...it wasn't really hard negotiating for an affordable price to a 3-layered fondant cake.  She's very professional as she has a formal contract with complete details on flavor, design, mode and timing of payment, delivery and refund (if necessary).  I also love the fact that they send computerized designs of the cake to have a clear glimpse of what the cake should look like.  The cake arrived at the exact agreed time and just what I expected, the actual cake looked exactly like the lay-out and tasted really good.  Wonderful and stress-free service!

Hearts and Bells cake lay-out

Souvenirs
Party Souvenirs
Tel. No. 506-8027
http://partysouvenirs.multiply.com/

Peso Power: Php140 per piece (min. of 50 pcs.)

Rating: 4.5 (highly recommended)

I was fortunate enough to be accommodated by Michelle, owner of Party Souvenirs, when we placed the order 3 weeks before the party.  We all know that in this kind of business, orders have to be placed at least 2 months before the party, specially in the month of December.  It was easy dealing with Michelle as she was always prompt in responding to my e-mails...but the other fact is that she wanted the job but in a hurry due to the production time left.  I gave her reference photos of smiley, flower, love bus and details of the concept I had in mind.  In return, she gave me the lay-outs of the body bag design for boys and girls.  There was nothing much to revise in the original designs except that I wanted to take the mushroom and leaf out of the design for boys' bags (I wouldn't want to imply something to the parents who are critical on this) and to make the love bus and rainbow larger in the girls' bags.  Michelle, tried to accommodate the changes but the revised design for boys' bags did not look appealing.  So, I accepted the original design as the final one.  During all these and with the limited time left, Michelle remained professional and accommodating.

When I saw the actual bags, I was really satisfied!  They were all in good condition, no damages in any one of the bags, the colors are bright just they way I wanted, the size is just about right for children from 3 to 10 yrs of age and the printing was very very clear and exactly like the agreed design.  The only thing, which I didn't like was that they're not flexible in terms of delivery.  My best friend, Melody, has to travel from Laguna all the way to QC to pick up the bags.  i guess, this is because of the fact that I placed the order late, but then again, a good customer service is what every customer deserves.

Final lay-out for girls' body bags

Final lay-out for boy's body bags

Photo Booth
Picky Prints
Tel No. 0922-87PICKY
http://pickyprints.multiply.com/photos/album/68/Event_Zoies_1st_Birthday

Peso Power: contact supplier

Rating: 5+++ (highly recommended)

Picky Prints, is the business of our friends, Cico and Nina (former office mates of Armil).  When Cico offered the package to Armil, we immediately decided to get them.  Aside form the huge discount that we got, we know that they will contribute to the success of our event.  We're very sure of that since Nina (Cico's wife) made our wedding truly successful!

Beyond my expectations, they brought with them numerous props (umbrellas, wigs, plush toys, shades, hats, etc.). The staff was very friendly too as the last minute requests were instantly accommodated.  When some of the pictures were taken by others, Cico reprinted copies for us, without hesitation.

In our opinion, their very affordable price comes with good quality props, photos and customer service!

Finally, I'm finished!  Thanks for reading this post and hope you'll find them useful in choosing your own suppliers.  Credits to Ninang Gracie's blog for inspiring me to write my own supplier reviews.

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Birthday Preps

Last month we (Mabe', Zoei, Aiza and I) flew back to Philippines for a short vacation. I wouldn't call it vacation, though. 'Coz everyday we had to go somewhere. My idea of vacation is just to layback, relax and basically do nothing except eat and sleep. The only time that we were able to relax was when we all got sick and had to stay home for 3 days.

Our schedule was fully booked from the moment we got there until the day we left. We picked up Zoei's and Mabe's dresses, met with the organizer at Portofino Clubhouse (where my Zoei had her birthday celebration) and the organizer at Palms Country Club (where my mother-in-law, Elinor, celebrated her birthday), attended cousin Jacq's wedding, attended Ehds' (my sister's fiance') 'pamamanhikan', hosted Zoei and Elinor's birthday celebrations and had a house blessing. On top of these, I was creating an AVP for Zoei which took me three days to finish. I also did a pictorial for Mama Elinor and an on-site AVP (with the help of my brother, Remil) to show on her birthday.

Well enough of that... for now. I'm here to show you what we were busy with the night before Zoei's second 1st birthday celebration. We were lucky to have Mama Elinor, Melody and Roselle, who all helped us prepare the give-aways and prizes. 

The crew. Melody, Elinor, Roselle and Mabe'.

The goody bags which Melody graciously picked-up from the supplier.
They were filled with candies and snacks.

Customized boxes made out of acetate paper. 

Big thanks to Melody for picking up the bags and Roselle for buying the prizes. And also for staying up late helping us create the boxes and arrange all the give-aways with Mama Elinor. Like Dora would always say.... "We couldn't have done it without you. Thanks for helping!"

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Lobo

Jenny, our kumare, celebrated her birthday two weeks ago at Asian Flavors Restaurant at Dream Palace Hotel. She wanted to have the venue decorated with balloons (lobo in Tagalog) just like Zoei's birthday celebration last month. Having limited budget, she asked Mabe' and I to do the balloon decors for free. Having seen how Hazel, Gayle and Ryan create the balloon decors on Zoei's party, I kinda have an idea on how to make them. Plus, there are loads of instructional videos on Youtube. 

Given limited time to decorate the venue, we (Mabe' and I) made the centerpieces, spiral hanging thingies and the celebrant's name flower thingy at home two days prior to the event. 

The pillars and the hanging flower balloons were too large for transport so we did them at the venue. Mabe' made the hanging flower balloons while I made the two pillars. Both of us were busy, so Dem, Abby and Chris helped us with decorating the place, taping the balloons to the ceiling.

Not the perfect pillars, but I'm proud of myself for doing it... even if it took me an hour.
Not bad for a first timer, right? =) 

Thank you Ryan for teaching me how to do the flower.

Like most other Filipino celebration, there were food, games and karaoke!

Mother and daughter duet.

Guests enjoying the games.

Zoei in her action star pose.

Zoei with the celebrant, Ninang Jenny.

Zoei with Ninang Abby and Ninong Dem.

Me with my beautiful wife, Mabe'.

My beautiful family.

We're so happy, everyone appreciated the balloon decors. The kids loved them too... they loved bursting them. Well, not all of the balloons were wasted. All the centerpieces were taken home by the guests as souvenirs. Jenny took the mylar balloons(the 'Happy Birthday' balloons on top of the pillars) and hanging flower thingy with letters of her name. 

Big thanks to Hazel, Gayle and Ryan for the balloon ideas and Dem, Abby and Chris for helping us transport the balloons and decorating the venue!

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