This is Alternative

A report on the NeoX Valentines Party 2007 By Maui Rodriguez

Valentines Day is such a busy and fussy occasion- at least for young people. So the NeoX, the Harvesters Main youth group and being the ever active and “responsible” youth who want to promote TLW a.k.a ‘True Love Waits’, decided on coming up with the party to commemorate the special day. Yes, a party. Very unlikely, but when all the grimy, and tiny details were laid down it seemed most appropriate. The event was smartly named ‘The NeoX Not a Valentines Party Valentines Party’, which basically meant what the party was all about: friends, music, fun, laughter, food, games, fun, laughter, and a little bit more fun. The total design concept of the venue was ‘garage chic’. We wanted to come up with an ambiance that was utterly wholesome and opposite to anything romantic. So something raw, and grunge was what fitted the ideal goal and look of the party. The aim of the get together was to meet new people by inviting friends, and at the same time strengthening the present relationship between the current youth members. In plain lame Filipino slang, ‘its bonding time’. And I believe that’s all that happened, with the difference of the presence of four new people.

The party started quite late, approximately about 5:15 pm; an hour 15 minutes behind schedule. Kiss Lacsina and I were the self-appointed emcees. Not for the fact that we wanted the attention, but for the purpose that we were automatically exempted from the games. There were, as I said earlier, four- or actually 3 ½ new people; Dana Picazo, one of my close friends who came, had already attended one of our parties before. The three brand new guys were Carlo Sibal, Vincent Marquez, and Maio Peralta. ‘Finally some new-found company’ I said to myself, even though that ‘new-found company’ was provided by yours truly. The night started with a prayer by Kiss Lacsina that prelude the early dinner, then games. The first game was called ‘Pinoy Henyo’. It’s hard to explain through writing; its simply this hilarious guessing game that involves ‘yes’, ‘no, questions, a hat/headband, and words written on a piece of paper with double sided tape at the back. It was the longest, most tiring game of the night. Luckily just before we were beginning to give up and end the game without a winner, we had a breakthrough; the winning team being composed of Sis. Myette Cruz and Koji Arboleda. Next we had a bit of music provided by the house band, the NeoX band. After a few songs here and there headed by Iah Lacsina and instrumentalists: Kevin Orfila, JC Jamlig, Jeric Amistoso, and Jeric Amistoso, the games resumed. A game of waltz followed, then finally we had come to the last and most important game of the night that would crown the ‘King and Queen’ of the evening. An unlikely couple made up of Justine Orfila and Nico Panopio emerged. It was a surprising yet somehow ‘most appropriate’ result to close.

As we cleaned up, which was pretty quick, and looked back at our so-so successful partly, Kiss and I had a good laugh. It wasn’t a normal party- at a glance no one would expect it to be about Valentines. But it was amusing, entertaining, and free from all the fuss that that particular lovey-dovey day gave. Having said that, our little bash turned out being a very commendable alternative.