JLo @ Moments : On being a Do-it-yourself party mom

I will be featured in their July 25 episode, Saturday, 6:30 pm and 10:00pm on Net 25. Please take time to watch as I will be sharing party planning tips. Please leave comments on my message board after watching that episode. Many  Thanks!

Janelle’s Under the Sea 1st Birthday Party

( Reposting from my Party Diary 2004 )

Janelle Mariel’s Under the Sea 1st Birthday Party

For more photos : http://community.webshots.com/user/bonsky_jen  

 Theme : Under the sea / Little Mermaid / Hawaiian
Color Motiff : Aqua Blue / Aqua Green

Venue : Gilmore Heights Condominium – Poolside
Rate : 10++

I am happy with the venue and sulit for 1,500 pesos for the first 3 hours. You need lang a sponsor just like any condos do and we’re glad that my hubby’s cousin lives there. Aside from the covered area, kasama na din dun yung poolside , playground with little tykes and mga mini bikes, see-saw etc..etc.. may maliit din na garden kaya di naubusan ng gagawin ang mga kids while waiting for the party to start.

Caterer : Queensland

8207223 / 8267791 / 8264923

 www.queenslandcatering.com

Rate : 9

With 180 per adult and 150 per kids, I’m happy with their services. Happy ang mga guests ko sa food, maaga silang nag-set-up, courteous staff etc. etc….Napansin ko lang dun sa kiddie tables and chairs, luma na yung chairs and yung linens na  ginamit sa tables na plain white lang. Kaya pala yung iba nag-rerent pa ng kiddie tables and chairs. Pero its okey na din with me since I placed the party hats on the top of the table kaya di na din halata tapos yung mga kiddie chairs halo halo ang kulay na luma na.

Magician / Host : Mimmo

 9327654 / 09179940427
Rate : 10

I am really satisfied with Mimmo! Although I know na marami pang mas magaling sa kanya, happy ako sa performance niya talaga and again another sulit supplier for me.  Sulit coz he already provided as the sound system as part of his package kaya no need to hire one. As usual pati adult guests natuwa din sa kanya, kaya kahit kinabukasan na pinag uusapan pa din yung mga magic tricks and animal show niya.

Photographer : Auey Santos
Rate : 10++

4 words for Auey, I love you Auey! Grabe sobra sobrang happy ako kay Auey, I didn’t expect na may kasama pa syang Assistant kaya dami daming pix. Ayun ang dami kong pinaprint tuloy mahigit 150 ang pinaprint ko. Ganda ng mga snapshots ng guests! Tuwang tuwa din ang mga guests ko kasi I gave them copies of their pix.


Lootbags Treasure Chest : E & R Handicrafts, Pakil, Laguna 
Rate : 10

Another featured craft from the Pakileños. The gold treasure chest  which I got at  50 pesos each truly represents the Under the Sea concept in this party. Dun ko nilagay yung mga candies and other lootbag items such as pencils, bubbles stickers and other Divi stuff.


Balloons : Joy Penuliar
Rate : 10

I am satisfied with the mylar balloons Joy P. provided me. Most balloon suppliers kasi uses only  latex and its really pricey to use mylars. She used mostly mylar balloons on the venue, with 3k, I had 1 pair of 5ft balloon pillars with Ariel mylar balloon on top, mylar balloons on the ceiling and 7 mylar balloons centerpieces. She even added balloons doon sa my poolside, although hindi ko na siya ni-require. Since ang aga niya sa venue, she coordinated nadin with the caterer where to place the tables and chairs, pati where to put up the stage etc… thanks Joy. Free party organizer na din. Hehehe! I also have fish lanterns which I bought at Divi for 32 pesos as additional decors. Pinag-agawan agad ng mga guests di pa tapos ang party eh.

Balloon Burst : Acsento Balloons c/o Gretchen

Rate : 9

My balloon supplier is not offering balloon burst so I ordered from Gretchen of Acsento SM North EDSA. Their price is comparable with other suppliers so it’s okey with me.

A balloon burst is a huge / mother balloon with small balloons inside. And once the birthday girl with the help of the parents of course pop the mother balloon, it will create a big burst, the guests will grab as many balloons as they can and each balloons has a corresponding price. 

Pinata : Paete, Laguna
Rate : 10

Paete, Laguna, the home of piñatas would cost you 100 pesos only or even less. I ordered a piñata with Flounder ang, kasi wala sa market nun eh. I gave the owner lang a pix of flounder and yun na…. Happy me!

Prizes : Divisoria
Syempre the ever reliable Divi….sobrang dami kong nabili. Siguro mga 4 times din akong bumalik doon para di din mabigat sa bulsa.

Invitation : Message in a Bottle

Another D-I-Y project, I bought the bottle at Tabora St at 9 pesos each. Bought ½ kilo of blue and pink colored sand at 50 pesos per kilo. I printed the invitation ina  a paper stock and tied it with raffia. Mukang mahal pero I spent  around 10pesos per bottle di kasama ang labor of course, its labor of love. I burned the sides of the location map to have an old map appeal and it says “The Adventure starts here! “

Videographer : Joe’s Portrait
Rate : 9

A neighborhood videographer. 2 days before the event I still  don’t have a videographer kaya kinuha ko na agad sya or else wala akong videographer. I got him for 2,000 service lang, and he gave me the tape after the event. Masipag sya and ang aga dumating 1pm palang nasa venue na siya.

Ice-cream : Bukas Palad Foundation
Rate : 9

I haven’t tried their icecream coz I’m busy being a D-I-Y party mom…but hubby likes it. Bukas Palad Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (BUKAS PALAD) is a non-government organization that provides sustainable development, education, livelihood, information and communication technology to needy children, elderly, urban poor, and victims of calamities and disasters. Kaya it’s like helping narin the organization when you patronize their products…

Cake : Tess Dilla / Sweet Home Bakeshop

Rate : 9

I really love the design of my cake, and it tastes so good.  The cupcakes and cookies are reasonable. The only problem I had is the location of their shop in Pasig. But its worth it.

Other Ek-eks

- 2 confetti canyos which I used during the cake blowing ceremony also from Divi

-  Party poppers for guests also from Divi, naki pop din sila during the candle blowin

- D-I-Y Photo collage which I placed at the cake table. I don’t have the budget na anymore of having it printed.

-   D-I-Y Shell necklace (all materials are sourced out from Divi which costs around 5-10 pesos each). Upon the entrance of the guests they will be welcomed with a shell necklace instead of the usual leis.

-   Cousins arrived with their Hawaiian outfit and dance as entertainment number