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The MIP Christmas Party 2007

Dec 9, '07 1:29 AM
for everyone

My Islands Philippines (fondly called by its members as MIP) once again is having its Christmas Party that had taken place last Friday, December 7. The event was held at the same venue as last year's - Bonifacio Hall at Ilustrado Restaurant, with prior arrangement facilitated by the MIP Secretary and muse, Ms. Jennie Dy.

I had been so busy lately because of an upcoming event to be held next week at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. Two days before the event, I didn't have much time to get online. I didn't check the MIP forum and didn't have any idea as to the latest update of the planned Christmas Party. So the ever gracious and sympathetic Ms. Jennie Dy texted me the details in the last minute:
Venue: Ilustrado
Time: 6:00pm
Attire: Casual
Activities: Games, Party, Exchange Gifts
Originally, there should be a photoshoot before the party would start but since the schedule was moved to a Friday and everyone is going to be busy from work, photoshoot was left out from the plan.

I brought my girlfriend for the party. We arrived at the venue a few minutes late but found out only Sir Rey arrived ahead of us. I saw his Revo at the parking area when we get inside the restaurant. Sir Rey or Rey Nocum is MIP's macro master. We climbed upstair and found the venue to be empty - even Sir Rey who already arrived ahead of us is yet nowhere to be found. I realized MIPers were just on their way. Moments later, Sir Rey, Ms. Jennie Dy, and Denz Dayao arrived. Ms. Jen came with boyfriend Aldwin in tow. Denz came with better half Ling and officemate Roy. Only Sir Rey was ''single" at the moment. We gathered ourselves while waiting for the food. The group's secretary, Ms. Jen, started her report. She announced that a special guest would arrive soon. She also announced that Rubbersoul couldn't come anymore due to work-related circumstances. I was disappointed when I heard such. Not only because the party was scheduled on a Friday in his favor, but because I would want to meet once again one of Cebu's veteran in film photography who just recently turn digital. A wise man where you can learn things from him every now and then - Rubbersoul of MIP.

Master blogger and seasoned storyteller Dennis Villegas a.k.a. Pareng Dennis texted that he could no longer arrive due to heavy traffic. His namesake Denz playfully remarked, "We need his blogging skills. Sabihin mo ke tukayo mawala man siya basta ang blog (niya) hindi." Needless to say, Pareng Dennis didn't show up. He just texted me to extend his best regards to everyone in the party.

Doc Gerry texted me that he couldn't come as well. Ms. Jennie Dy said Doc Gerry had prior commitment for an scheduled surgery. With that, Sir Rey jokingly said, "Dapat dinala na lang niya pasyente niya dito." Somebody added, "Libre pa documentation."

MJ couldn't come. He had that stated earlier. He's out of the country since November according to Ms. Jen.

Initially, there were eight of us: Sir Rey, Jennie Dy and boyfriend Aldwin, Denz and wife Ling, Roy, me and my girlfriend Jovy. Even when the food was already being served, we were still counting for more MIPers to come. Later, Ms. Jen informed us that couples Paolo and Joy won't arrive anymore. So, there was only one person left who is sure to come, being referred to by Ms. Jen as "special guest." Meanwhile, as photography enthusiasts would have it, boys talked cameras. I think girls talked about girly things (Hehehe).

The special guest turn out to be Grace from Dubai. She arrived just in time when the party had already started. She was tagging Ador behind. Ador is also an active MIPer during those times he was employed in Dubai. Overall, there were 10 members of MIP present at the affair.

Parlor games like breaking the egg and "Polygon" highlighted the event. Everybody was having fun. My girlfriend was very much amused with the comical Denz. She didn't expect the MIP Christmas Party can be that happier and fun. During the games, Jovy is my game partner and we hadn't win anything.

After the exchanging of gifts, Grace handed to each and everyone of us souvenirs from Saudi Arabia. Later when I was home, I found out it is a picture frame with picture of the desert with eight different colors of desert sand neatly piled in the frame. It's a cool souvenir.

The party finished at past 10pm. Did we have a blast at that night! Yet, personally, I thought, the more MIPer came, the more it should be fun.

For the transportation back home, Sir Rey gave us a lift. There were four of us whom he dropped in Cubao; Grace, Ador, Jovy and me. Kuya Rey, thanx for the ride :)

This is my unadorned ~~and boring~~ report about the MIP Christmas Party 2007 held last Friday, December 7.

Jhun Vibar, Albert, Ms. Belle and those who were not able to make it for this year's MIP gathering in Intramuros, I hope we'll make it next year. We can also hope the affair is a trendsetter for a regular annual gathering of all MIP members all across the globe.

Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec / F-stop: f/3.5 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld / time stamp: Dec. 7, 2006 9:35pm
Candid shot. Clockwise from foreground: Ador, Grace, Jovy, Aldwin, Roy, Sir Rey, Ling, Denz, and Jennie Dy.

MIP X'mas Party 2007. Group hug photo courtesy by Rey Nocum. More of Sir Rey's photos during the event can also be found from here.
Left to right: dodongflores (that's me), Jovy, Ling, Ador, Denz, Aldwin, Jennie Dy, Grace, Roy, and Rey Nocum.