The Notable Christmas

It's not about the gifts, the foods... It's about how we spend holidays with our loved ones because the true meaning of Christmas is within our family. One of the best gifts you can give is to celebrate Christmas with the ones you really love. Last year, it’s a privilege to celebrate Christmas together with the Borbon’s (and other family: Doce, Delos Reyes, Macatangay). It was planned last June 2016 that we will be having a Reunion/Christmas Party together. It was glad that finally everyone is game! Two weeks before Christmas, we started to plan the party. The excitement is really there and the ideas were growing. Since it’s the first time, we need to plan it as perfect as it is. As one of the organizers, I surely will make it a memorable Christmas. Despite of the busy schedules from school I gave my lil’ times just to finish everything. It wasn’t just a reunion but also a celebration of Diane’s 18^th birthday.

On the 23^rd of December, we prepare the venue, foods, gifts, raffles and prizes for the event. This is one of the most exciting instants – to prepare. Everyone is excited. On the 24^th, we put the tarpaulin (for Diane) behind the cloth and started to polish the program secretly. Yeah, it is very difficult to hide the surprise because she’s always with us. We tried our very best for her not to know everything. Every detail should be kept. Waking up together during Christmas time is a dream come true for us! Sobrang matagal ng pangarap ito na mangyari para sa lahat. The children are busy going to different houses and even their Godparents while those teens are busy preparing for the party. After lunch, we need to have a practice for the newly-made chorale – The BDDM Chorale. Sobrang hirap mag-ayos ng surprise party na kasama nyo ang isusurprise so I decided to let Diane leave the venue. Buti na lang pupunta kami sa mga Tita Dulce and she joined us! Nakuha ko ng maayos ang cake at we polished the flow successfully especially the assigned tasks.

So, we waited for few hours before the program starts. Everyone is required to wear the unity shirt na pinatatakan din ng bawat family. We looked as one family, that day! To formally start the program, Andrealin Borbon led the prayer following a song number by the host, David Borbon. The BDDM Chorale was introduced; sang Christmas in our Hearts & Thank you for the Love. We have lots of games and prizes to be given away but one of the most exciting parts is the opening remarks led by Lola Andrea Borbon who brought everyone into tears. She seems very happy and complete that day. She might not see every happening but she believes that it is worth memorable. Walang kasing saya ang nararamdaman ng isang Lola na magcelebrate ng Pasko kasama ang kanyang mga kapatid, anak, apo at pamangkin.

The first game was “Bring Me” who’ll let you laugh in tears because of the twists. Lahat ng makakapagbigay ng bagay na hinihingi ay pwedeng sumayaw o kumanta. This is also applied in the raffles. Nakakatuwa na lahat ay game na kumanta para lang makuha ang prize!

One of the highlight of the party is the celebration of Diane’s 18^th birthday. Isa ito sa pinakamahirap na naplano namin. Allyson & I planned this surprise. We assigned everyone kung paano ilalabas ang mga surpresa ky Diane. After the second game, we were given a queue para sa surprise. David gave some introduction for the birthdays and then he said, someone celebrated her 18^th birthday last December 12. Hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Diane nung bumaba ang tarpaulin kasabay ng paglabas ng cake. She seems really surprised that night; her tears falling down in her eyes with so much happiness. We also prepare 18 roses, 18 candles and 18 chocolates. Maaaring hindi inakala ni Diane na pagkakaabahalan namin na icelebrate ang birthday nya. But the most touching part of the night is the message of her Lola. Diane grew up with her Lola at masasabi naman talagang Lola’s girl. Most of the audiences were in tears while listening to Lola Deng’s message.

15 minutes break after the birthday surprise for the preparation of Christmas costumes. This is the most awaited part of the event. Ang cucute ng mga bata! They were wearing a Christmas costume. Ages 1-14 years are required to wear costumes. Jasmine Kaye (2 years old) won the first place in the kids division. OMG! Sobrang cute ng batang ito! Jusko! Nakakaloka ang kacute-an! Zyryll Kaith won the first place in the second division. Gandang bata nito ah! She wears Cutie Reindeer while Jasmine is the Little Santa. Lahat yata ng mga manonoood ay cute na cute sa mga batang kasali. Mga batang pa lang marurunong ng rumampa. Everyone is enjoying the night! Aside from it, calamansi relay is the funniest game ever! Sobrang nakakatawa ang mga mag-aasawa habang naglalaro. Sobrang game at sobrang nakakatawa. Grabe! Pati ang apple game, jusmiyo! Walang kamatayan ang pagtawa!

Next to it, is the exchange gift where we received different gifts. You will not leave the party without gifts. You will see the smile on every faces. Everyone is happy and they enjoyed every moment we’ve been together. This might be the first but it won’t be the last, I guess. Lola Anding’s happiness can’t replace anything. Sobrang saya. Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na she shared it to her colleagues. Hope it will not be the last and this became a tradition.