Pre-birthday Bash

15 December 2009

Bash (noun): 1. A party or celebration; 2. A heavy blow dealt to somebody or something.

The last time I officially emceed an “event” was when I was in 4th year high school. It was our school’s annual intramurals. I was not under pressure then because nobody was “really” listening (its high school and it’s a sports event, go figure). This time however, everybody was looking at me as if I did something wrong, waiting intently for a screw-up or something “not proper”. And not to disappoint, I got tongue-tied on the first delivered paragraph.

(security personnel/receptionist)

I was asked to host at our company’s Christmas Dinner/Party. That would be fine in normal circumstances but three of our company’s executives (plus the big boss’ wife) will be at the party. They are Americans, by the way. See my dilemma now? If it’s any consolation, I have a partner, and lucky for me, she’s one of the most “bubbly” personalities in our office (remember A.K.A Diana Grace?). Minus that, it seems it would not be a walk-in-the-park task. Looking back, I could not even remember the first sentences I said, let alone notice the reactions of my officemates. Nothing registered, not until Diane tapped me on the shoulder. I don’t know if anybody noticed, but I was really spaced out.

Unlike any task, hosting an event needs spontaneity. While you can prepare your thoughts, much of what comes out of your mouth would depend on how the people react. Being prepared is just having a piece of paper in your hand, with a list of the event’s program. We talked over the sequencing just hours before the party, and just to relieve some of the pressure, we joined the “instant choir” for the thanksgiving mass (conducted by A.K.A Louie) just to blow off some steam. That did not work even if we got drenched with holy water from the priest’s overgenerous last blessing. So we still have butterflies in our stomachs when we got to the venue. Jitters. If only speaking is as easy as writing.

(Louie, Bossing, Diana Grace, ex-Belstar dancer, ako, ex-VIAP employee)

Did I mention that we have to do it in English? If any of the “nosebleed” crap is true, I would have been taken out of the venue in a stretcher, lined-up for a blood transfusion. Thank God, the event went well without any serious bloodletting. Much of the entertainment came from coaxing, picture-taking, mild trash-talking, and bantering (parang high school lang eh), majority of which was at my expense, thanks to Diane, who apparently have not taken her meds for the day.

While I would not be offering my services for any hosting job in the near future, it was a nice experience. All in all, the event went well. I left the venue at 12 midnight, just in time to greet my birthday. I left with a new pair of slippers (Salamat kay Louie, Diana Grace, Bossing at Amiel), never really saw myself wearing Havaianas, but what the hell, as long as its free (hah!).

(habang hinihintay ang boyips ni diana grace)

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