Celebration

*press PLAY*

I think you wanna come over,
Yeah, I heard it through the grapevine

For the first two years, the Fabcasters threw a Christmas party for our guests and listeners. The first year was the quite modest “Pasko Na Sinta Ketch” held at Butterfly Bar in Tomas Morato. We quietly invited only a few guests, since at that time we were still very protective of keeping Migs’ and CC’s identities a secret.

The following year, we decided to be more ambitious and held it in Astoria Suites. We also increased the number of guests. Each Fabcaster was encouraged to invite their own guests so that they can mingle, mix and match during the party.

Are you drunk or you sober?
Think about it, doesn’t matter
And if it makes you feel good then I say do it,
I don’t know what you’re waiting for

We were learning how to throw a party as we went along. And we discovered that one of the best ways to create a great party moment is to provide social lubricants—aka alcohol. First year it was mostly beer. Second year had beer but more wine. This year we had wine, an effing huge bottle of Patron Tequila, and two cases of Soju, the Korean sake.

Come join the party, yeah
Coz’ everybody just won’t do
Let’s get this started, yeah
Coz everybody wants to party with you

Properly lubricated, the guests were in a much more relaxed state. Get beautiful, mostly single (or single-for-the-night) gay guys together, throw in some music (live and recorded, Broadway, pop and dance), and mix them all with a lot of alcohol and viola!

Put your arms around me
When it gets too hot we can go outside
But for now just come here, let me whisper in your ear
An invitation to the dance of life

Flirting, kissing-in-public, and making-out sessions in and out of the venue were rampant as the night wore on. In the upstairs balcony, in the garden, by the entrance, beside Orlando, across the street—people were creating new beginnings.

(Guess who!)

Come join the party, it’s a celebration
Anybody just won’t do
Let’s get this started, no more hesitation
Coz everybody wants to party with you

At one point almost all of the Fabcasters were onstage (CC decided to keep his exposure to a minimum) and someone took a photo of that moment. As I was viewing that particular photo this afternoon, I realized that it was the best Fabcasters’ party mounted so far. Can we top it? Maybe not—but that’s okay.

What happened last night was lightning captured in a bottle—of wine, Patron or Soju. Treasure that time, appreciate the memories and embrace the impermanence of the moment.

Celebrate life!

*(“Celebration” by Madonna; photo credits by JC and Jaybeecc)