New Year Revelry

A good old fashioned costume ball to bid goodbye to 2007 and welcome with open arms 2008 was held recently at Dumaguete's quintessential party place, El Camino Blanco. A most marvelous party it was with Negros Oriental social, political and business bigwigs putting their best foot forward to show their sense of ingenuity and creativity in dress. Young and old locals with some out-of-town guests painstakingly put together a “disfras” just like in the heyday of then swinging Bais. A costume party was “de riguer” then, a must for every New Year's celebration.

My eagle eyes were mesmerized with what I distinguished as original and what was standard. It seemed that there was a migration of Hawaii and the South Seas that night to greet 2008 their way with a hearty “Iorana Matahiti Api.”

Spotted in their colorful island getup were Mediong Teves, Charito Teves and her extensive clan, Cecile and Gerry Villegas, Baby and Nanette Teves, and many more. Hands down charming were the Sagarbarria clan who came straight out of Bedrock with their Flintstones outfits. Chiquiting S. led the troop as “Fred”, Maissa as “Wilma”, daughter Chessa as “Pebbles”, Cacho and Chabeli as “Barney” and “Betty” and Chaco and Amada Vicente and their set cas as the “Pirates of Tañon Straight”. There were dolls, sexy schoolgirls, doctors, nurses, not to be outdone playboy bunnies, belly dancers, mafia bosses, gangsters, soldiers and terrorists (ready to blast out the old year that was not so nice), geishas, samurais, hippies, acidheads, and a gangster moll dressed in authentic screaming yellow flapper garb—Rica Longa. The Jaime Yoldi clan came as a house cards and Antonio and Chiqui Yoldi came as monks. Natch, Filipiñana was well presented. There was even bacon and eggs ensemble and a judge complete with gavel. Well, very modestly I was the most photographed that night as a bankrupt and down-and-out Tsar Nicholas of Russia “sans” Alexandra. As if I didn't expect it, I won the first prize in a solo category.

Bacolod 's DJ Reebok spun retro music which had the dance floor oozing with revelers and the well stocked bar had the spirits high till the crack of dawn. It was a fabulous way to welcome the New Year which I'm optimistic will be better than the last.

There was absolutely no excuse for the party to fail. To quote the saintly Pope John Paul II, “An excuse is worse and more terrible than a lie, for an excuse is a lie well guarded!” There you go!…. Happee New Year!…….Nous!*