Getting old-is it just me?
2 days ago a friend of mine, Maria Sofia Nacionales, celebrated her birthday. After years of separation I really didn’t remember when her birthday was. Was it my age?
Greeted her through email. And asked if she was going to have a parteeey!! And her answer got me to really think…… Are we getting old?
Palawan is a beautiful island. In fact, I am previledged to be a native of Puerto Princesa, the best city. Studied in the old elementary school of PPPilot Elem. School, attended high school in the Laboratory High School of then Palawan State College, and went away to Dumaguete for 2 years of college, but came back to palawan to finish studying in my old school-with-new- name Palawan State University.
As I was growing up, nightouts was basically just going to the local pub and watching singers from manila belt out favorites like "laklak" and "alone"by the group " heart. Sipping the iced tea that came with the entrance fee was a talent we all honed to perfection. That one glass of iced was all we drank till the third and final set of the band after which we would go to the fave lugawan called "chowqueen" along rizal ave.
During late 80’s, the popular night places were "The Rig" disco and "musikahan". If you wanted to dance you go to Rig, if you wanted to have a night of singing then go to Musikahan. In the 90’s, there was Rig disco turned Ballroom dancing venue which we didn’t frequent, again there still was the musikahan plus 2 new additions which were "The Blackbox" and "Club Uno". Now a decade later, all these listed above is history. Now we palawenos have Kinabuch and Scenario. There are a lot of night destinations but I think everyone will agree that these 2 dominate the nightscene.
Now let’s go back to Sofie. I asked if she was going to have a parteeey!! Living in New York I thought she’ll have a more exciting nightlife than us natives. I couldn’t be more wrong. Turns out she just did what we always do. Have a quiet dinner with close friends. Miles apart and we do the same thing. Is it the way we were raised? Or are we aging?
Growing up in Puerto I always dreamed of being able to experience the night scene I only see in the movies. Those beautifully dressed people dancing to the same rythm. All having that glassy eyed faraway look of someone who’s alcohol level is at its peak. Everyone’s brotherly towards one another yet distant as to leave everyone to do whatever. I wanted to have a piece of it. Or I thought I did.
Last summer of 2006, my cosmic brother Reujen Lista invited me to such a place. "Sige sis, I’ll bring you to Embassy". I coudn’t believe my ears. I finally was going to have what I dreamt of all these years. And he was going to get us in. You see it’s not that simple. Embassy is a nightplace yes, and you can go in anyday as long as you are 1. have 600 and 2. you’re properly attired. But that’s not it. I didn’t just want to go to Embassy? I wanted to go to Embassy V.I.P!!! I know that’s where the action was. And that’s not an easy room to be in. You have to have contacts. And as a native of Palawan I didn’t know who had access. So can you imagine how ecstatic I was to find out that Reujen was letting us in. I finally was going to be one of those beautifully dressed people zonked out of my brain with intoxicating substances(mixed alcoholic drinks) that my mother would be shocked to find out I drank. I was going to experience it!!! I was really bouncingly excited. So tickled that I couldn’t wipe my grin off my face for 2 days.
We started the "Embassy" night getting wasted at "Jill’s". At 2am, I was beginning to be depressed. It’s almost pack up time and we were still at Jill’s. Are we even going to Embassy? Did Reujen forget? Finally, at quarter to 3, Reujen stood up. "Tara!!! It’s time. Woooohooo!!! Tuloy pala. I was practically bouncing to Embassy. All the wengweng downed was I guess instantly metabolized by my body. I’m so sad for Reujen, because he was with a wide eyed open mouthed ignorant kid promdiprovince. That must have been embarrassing for him and Ceska(his girlfriend). With Mark at my side, we entered into what can be compared to a dark hole. It was dark!! Nothing to light our way but the rhythmic stacato on and off of the lazer light beating with the techno music. Listen, I used to hate techno. It’s waaaay too annoying for me. But with their sound system? They must have spent millions on the sounds. I loved it. And that night "GOD WAS IN THE HOUSE!!!!". I loved it. I just watched everyone. Just sank down in the sofa and continued downing the bottle we brought in with us.
Ok, ok I did enjoy Embassy. It was the day after that I suffered. I had a hangover that lasted for 2 days. Yes, I did enjoy the night. But if 8 hours of happiness meant 48 hours of suffering then I can truly say I can pass up on any night outs anytime. It was an experience. And I was glad I was able to dip my finger in it. But I wouldn’t make a habit of it. Am I getting old?
Now back to my peacefull town. Our perfect nightout would be having dinner with friends starting at about 7sh. After a no carbo meal, we’ll probably have a cup or 2 of splenda laced coffee or if everyones up for it which rarely happens,maybe have some cocktails. At about 11, we would all be yawning and emagining our beds. That’s how our weekends go. It’s just old friends getting together, and talking about each others lives. Just catching up. I always thought maybe it’s because we live in a place like Puerto where the choice of night places were limited. I always blamed our complacent way of having fun on the place we live in. The limited choice, the lack of liniency perhaps, and most of the time just plain lethargy. But why does Sofie who lives miles away, in an exciting place like New York doing the same routine? With all those choices of pubs to go to, she opts to just do the same as her native counterparts. Just a quiet time with her close friends. Now, wouldn’t you wonder if you were me? I must be getting old. Or worst!!! Maybe I am old.
April 3rd, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Lua, it’s not just you–there comes a time in everyone’s life when one outgrows clubs and pubs. Now, to answer your question: I have always preferred to celebrate my birthday by sharing great food and great conversations with people who truly care about me. Perhaps I owe that to my Palawan upbringing. Here in New York, everyone is busy, so it is a challenge to gather all my friends at once. I usually end up celebrating throughout the week with different people, which is kind of cool, cause I get to stretch it out.