The art of partying is hard to master, it takes experience and know-how, one can only attain through years and years of partying. One must understand that partying isn’t just another social activity. Sometimes it creates an image for you; it can make or break a business opportunity, and sometimes, it might even start a relationship. So do not take partying lightly, especially if you plan to be one of
Dress to Impress- Never step into a bar looking like you just rolled out of bed. First impressions, unfortunately, last. So you would want to step into the scene looking hot, but still respectable. Don’t let everything hang out; you are a Partyphile, not a stripper. You do not have to show your internal organs when out partying; just don something with a statement, and attract all the POSITIVE attention you need.
Beauty isn’t In the Eye of the Beer Holder- Please stop drinking beer too much. It isn’t an attractive drink. I understand you are scared to spend your money on a cocktail you are unsure of (the taste), but trust me, there are a lot of really good ones out there. Some aren’t even that expensive. Drinking beer just makes you blend in the crowd; and the point is to stand out. Start with something simple, like a rum-coke or a vodka-7, and then work your way to more exciting cocktails and mixes. Here’s a clue, if I can’t print the name of the drink on this paper (because it sounds really naughty), then it probably tastes great. Trust me on this one.
Hey Big Spender- Contrary to popular belief, partyphiles should not spend too much. Never blow your week’s allowance on one exciting Saturnight. You should know how to manage your finances, know where and when to spend it. Use your charms and party know-how to get free drinks, without making the person (sponsor) feel short-handed. However, if you do not have money, DO NOT GO OUT, young partyphile. It is as simple as that. Social climbing is not cool, and borrowing money just to party isn’t either.
Careless Whisper- Do not care too much what others think. Nothing is more attractive than somebody who knows how to let his/her hair down and just party! So dance all you want, drink all you want, scream all you want, and party like there was no tomorrow. Never feel the need to explain yourself (and your actions) to anyone. The only person worth explaining to is yourself.
Just Dance- Trust me, it’s gonna be ok. Don’t be afraid if you have two left feet, just let loose and start moving those hips. Dancing inside a bar makes you look like you are unafraid, and confident. It tells the world that you know how to have fun and are comfortable with your body. So the next time you go out to party, don’t just sit and bob your head. Get on your feet and dance!
Stand Up and Out- Do not act like a wallflower. Be pro-active. Get on your feet, mingle with people, and make new friends. Dance on top of your table, or the bar. Get by the DJs side, and dance with him. Do something that would make you stand out, and make the crowd take notice. Just remember, that you would want to be remembered in a positive light.
Never Hug the Throne- Never ever vomit in public. It is super un-cool to vomit where people could see, especially inside clubs, where people are dancing. If you can’t take it, hold it in, run to the bathroom and puke there. Once you start feeling like you want to shower the world with your dinner, tell a friend and suck on some hard candy. However, I still believe that the secret is not drinking too much.
Stop it- Know when to stop drinking. Drunks have been known to do some outrageously crazy stuff. Getting drunk in public will not help your image in any way, and will give you a negative reputation. Alcohol is supposed to work as social lubrication. You shouldn’t drink too much that you start making a fool out of yourself, or start throwing up. Once you feel like you have had enough, rest for a while and stop drinking alcohol, instead gulp on some water. If you still feel drunk, head home. It is that simple. It is better to throw up on the road rather than inside a bar.
Bring the Gang- Never come to a bar alone. It makes you look side, and dirty. I don’t think I need to explain this anymore, its just sad.
Be Yourself- Be yourself and let loose, partying is a venue to meet new people and to enjoy yourself. Don’t be too stuck up on your image, sometimes, nobody cares about you, and you have to be ok with that. The most important thing to remember is: you should know how to share the spot light. You are not a star… at least, not yet.
Follow these tips and you will surely get to partyphile nirvana; a state where everything is free and possible. Make the most out of partying, know how to play your cards right, and you will soon be getting all that you want.
Confession: One must always remember to act like one’s self. Sometimes, it is easy to forget who we really are, especially when in a new crowd, or dancing in a new bar. Sometimes we clam up; sometimes we just let our hair down.
However, unless you start acting like the real you, you will never feel how it truly is to party. Partying is a state of mind…it is one where you do not have to actually use your mind. You just be yourself, and start feeling the party building up inside you. So don’t be afraid, just listen to yourself, and party the way you want to.
Catch Confessions of a Partyphile (the radio show) on 105.9 Mix FM every Wednesday nights, 6 to 9 in the PM. For comments, suggestions, and more confessions from this partyphile, log on to http://party.i.ph
Partylandia is always evolving and a Partyphile with some good noggin’ feel the need to be informed on what’s hip, hot and happening to stay on top of the trends. Even though it is hard to believe, the local party scene is fast-paced, and ever-changing. One night you might be the hottest creature in the bar, the next you might discover that you could no longer get in for free, because your VIP card has “expired”. You have to know the alternatives, you have to know where to go, in case your favorite bar decides to start playing novelty songs; you have to know where to find information; you have to know different drink options; and to help you with that, here is a list of fresh partyphile gems.
Gilbey’s Premium Strength- This amber-colored drink may resemble beer, but it is galaxies from common lager. This drink has been taking Partylandia by storm, and has been converting beer drinkers, one cold GPS bottle at a time. This interesting mix of Gin, Tonic Water, Ginger, Citrus and Green Tea makes for a refreshingly tangy treat you could gulp down for hours. For about fifty pesos per bottle, it isn’t bad, especially since it has 7% alcohol, which should give you that buzz; an easy-to-open cap; a unique but familiar taste, and it doesn’t leave your stomach heavy. Forget all the others--this is the poison of choice.
Metro Lounge- This new place is HOT! All of Davao’s real partyphiles have been frequenting the place, and it is easy to understand why. DJ Torch Gacuma, one of Partylandia’s fave DJs spins there every Saurdays, so you are assured of great music. The interiors are wonderful. With a blue and white scheme, Metro Lounge is sleek and sophisticated. It is smaller compared to most bars in the city, but it makes up for it by giving you wonderful service from the wait staff, great music, beautiful interiors, a gorgeous crowd, and a secret surprise if you come early. The Metro Lounge is the place to be if you want to cement your Partyphile status.
Coffee Cat- I don’t know about you, but my Party buddies and I meet for coffee before we step out to party. Recently, Coffee Cat has been our fave place to hang out. We love their coffee creations and yogurt shakes, plus the interiors are worthy of impromptu photo shoots. Their black and white scheme, and the friendly wait staff makes this place homey and cozy, while maintaing sleek, sophisticated modernism. Plus, you get your fair share of eye candy.
Forge- This quaint boutique (that transforms into a bar at night) is the new haven for the modern Bohemian. This shop, owned by the quirky and fun duo of Hyku and Gib, is the place to be for senseless, relaxed fun. Avail of the cheapest beer in town, for 25 pesos a bottle, or try their unique mixed drinks, served in plastic buckets (they give you multiple straws if you come in a group, but you all drink from the same bucket. Of course, you could always request for your drink to be served in a pitcher, if you’re feeling divalicious, but they might throw you out). While you drink with your friends and listen to all the stories of the artists that frequent the place, you could even do a bit of shopping (they sell quirky shirts at reasonable prices). Forge is along Palma Gil Street, near Humbertos. Look for the shop that has paintings of aliens, space ships, and stars on the wall. Bring all your friends, and leave your attitude out the door.
Celebration- This new song is the first single off the Queen of Pop’s fresh album. It was obviously made to be played in bars and clubs, and it sounds more like vocal house than mainstream Pop. Lady Gaga and the Paradiso Girls have to move over, because the original party girl is back in the airwaves, and from the sounds of it, is staying for another sixty thousand years (Madonna just never seems to grow old).
Smallfish Productions- Smallfish Productions has been dishing out some great parties these past few months, and somehow, they have taken it upon themselves to bring back Davao’s exciting night life. Made up by four full-fledged partyphiles, Smallfish Productions, has been throwing posh parties, sans the jologs crowd, old-Davao style. Being partyphiles themselves, they know exactly what partyphiles want: great music, quirky themes, free booze, hot prizes and a great energy; and that is exactly what they provided on their last three events: Traffic at the Metro, Confessions at the Metro and, the recently concluded Wave: Beach. Breeze. Booze. If you want to rub elbows with Davao’s young gliteratti, watch out for their next event and climb the partyphile ladder.
Plurk- Plurk is the latest internet obsession of partyphiles. It is much like Twitter, only more interactive. It is a micro-blogging site that promotes getting to know the person for their ideas, not their photoshopped profile pictures. According to rumors in Plurkandia, Plurk stands for Peace, Love, Unity, Respect, and Karma; the last element being the scoring system in this social networking site. In a nutshell, you get more smileys and perks for having higher karma. Exercising PLUR, will give you higher K. Recently though, lonely partyphiles who, for some reason, cannot leave the confines of their homes to go out to party have started throwing drinking parties over Plurk. One would start a thread about an impromptu Plurk drinking party, and everyone else joins in, sharing pictures of themselves drinking; sharing cocktail recipes; or new songs, all while drinking their poison of choice in the comfort of their homes. Basically, it is like talking over beer, only your drinking buddies are far, far away. Sometimes Plurkers even end up setting real drinking sessions. (Please add me up http://plurk.com/zhaun I’m in dire need of a karma increase).
Bols Peppermint- Alright, alright, I know this isn’t a new drink, but I have recently discovered that they serve it in Some Place Else. If you love mint, this is definitely the drink for you. It tastes like vodka with A LOT of mint, like you just ate 20 menthol candies…all at the same time. The mintiness shoots through your nose, and by the time you get over how clear your sinuses have become, you will have fallen in love with this drink. Another plus: Some Place Else serves a glass of this for only seventy pesos.
Confessions of a Partyphile- Confessions of a Partyphile is now a radio show. Catch it every Wednesdays, 6 to 9 PM at 105.9 Mix FM. The show features three hours of the best party music in the land, and the topics on the show are basically the same with the topics we discuss in this column. The show also gives you updates on where to party, how to party, and how to throw your own house party. Of course, yours truly, will be the host of the show, so if you like this column, tune in to Confessions of a Partyphile, the radio show. More importantly, if you decide to throw a house party on a Wednesday night, make Confessions of a Partyphile the soundtrack, and get ready for a truly hot bangin’ party.
For comments, suggestions, and more confessions from this partyphile, log on to http://party.i.ph
Beat eggs, add in some salt and pepper. You may also add some fresh milk, if you wish
Pour the beated eggs over your potatoes and veggies, and top with slices of cheese.
cover with a cookie sheet or a plate, so the eggs would start cooking from the steam (other wise, the top would be left raw)
flip your frying pan over the cookie sheet so the "raw" part is on the under (where it was previously the top) and slide it back in the frying pan (this cooks the whole fritata completely)
A couple of days ago, as I was partying at Metro Lounge, a High School friend came up to me. After she had discovered that I wrote a column about the
The questions she asked me, and the way she asked me, reminded me that our local party scene isn’t nearly as exciting as
“The Davaoeno partyphile goes out during weekends and payday, likes to hang around to places that offer cheap beers (early part of the party) then transfers to a place that has lots of people because they want to be seen (that they are cool). There is one thing that we need to change and start educating the Davaoeno partyphile. They have to start dressing up if they want to go clubbing. Not just the typical shorts and slippers. “
And although these statements seemed derogatory to
So What? This Is Our Party
So what if Davaoenos aren’t willing to spend for overpriced lager and costly cocktails? At least we do not pretend to be filthy rich and that we don’t mind spending thousands on our drinks.
So what if we don’t dress up when we go out to party? At least people see us and get to know us for who we are, and not for what brands we wear. At least, we do not feel the need to disguise our true selves with fabulous clothes. At least we are confident enough with ourselves to go out in whatever it is we feel like wearing, just because we believe that we are great, just the way we are
So what if our party scene is not as hot as the party scenes in other key cities in the Phillies? At least we get to experience a truly Davaoeno party scene. No pretensions. No nonsense. No social climbing.
Partying is a State of Mind
I have always said that partying is a state of mind. It doesn’t matter where you party, when you party, or who you party with; a true partyphile brings a party with him/her, wherever s/he goes. Partying is about having fun, no matter what. If dressing up is your thing, then, by all means, dress up. Don’t care how many people stare at you when you step into a bar of T-shirt clad, flip-flopped partyphiles. If you have turned yourself into a fashionista, show that off!
If you have an appreciation for fine spirits, and you enjoy cool cocktails, then by all means, order that. Nobody has been stopping you all these years. You could even promote your favorite wines and spirits to your other partyphile friends, as I am sure, they are just scared of ordering a 200 peso drink they’re not even sure they’d enjoy. Instead of complaining, maybe you could start changing the
Partyphile Education and Reaching Partyphile Nirvana
Nobody has been introducing the finer things in the party life to newbie partyphiles, so don’t expect people to start ordering cocktail creations, all of a sudden. Even “Sex on the Beach”, shocks local partyphiles. Not everyone knows it is a cocktail; and you can’t blame them. What drinks do bars really offer? They have been complaining that all people order is beer, but have you recently observed a bar actually highlighting their signature drink. If partyphiles are unaware of the special drinks they serve, then how could they be expected to order anything other than the tried and tested beer?
What I’m saying is simple. The
Until more people promote the
But even that is not a bad thing, because a partyphile parties from the inside.
My dear partyphile reader, you must understand that partying transcends the local trends. One of these days, you will realize that you do not need to be in a crowd to have a party. So don’t allow yourself to be held back by what others say. Let your hair down and do what you feel like doing, and only then will you reach partyphile Nirvana.
Confessions:
If you have guests this Kadayawan, don’t be embarrassed to give them a truly Davaoeno experience. Start off by drinking cheap beer along Torres, move on to hotter clubs for some dancing, and cap the night off, with the
So what if it doesn’t come close to
Catch Confessions of a Partyphile, the radio show, on 105.9 Mix Fm every Wednesdays 6 to 9 in the pm. For comments, suggestions, and more confessions from this partyphile, log on to http://party.i.ph
Music is one of the most important elements to any party. It sets the mood, and to some extent, dictates how the crowd should behave. If you are looking for new songs to play on your next party, here is a rundown of the top ten Dance/Club songs based on Billboard Magazine for the first week of August.
Top Ten: Love Game by Lady Gaga
The new divette (baby diva) of Pop music strikes again with this catchy tune. Electropop is all the rage right now and Lady Gaga delivers another danceable ditty like it is nobody’s business. You will love the song once you get over how dirty the lyrics are.
However, I am not sure that much may be said about Gaga’s artistic relevance in this song, because it sounds to me like it was very well calculated to become a Pop hit (read: to sell). Well, it achieves that, and so much more. The chorus has been quoted again and again (and has even been featured in Urban Dictionary) because of the line “I wanna take a ride on your disco stick”, which has left all the green-minded partyphiles guessing. Over all the song is catchy, fun, and danceable. It was clearly made to be played in clubs, and partyphiles have responded and put it on the tenth spot. I give it 3 (out of 5) shots of tequila.
Top Nine: Love Etc by the Pet Shop Boys
This song definitely took a lot of time to get used to. It sounded much like something new pop tarts would do like Lily Allen and Lenka. However, this is from one of the oldest and most respected Electropop groups in the world: the Pet Shop Boys.
This single sounds light, sunny, summery and very English; which is never a bad thing. However, I think it lacks a bass line that most kids from our generation would look for. The song seems to end too soon, and there isn’t anything about the song that stands out to me. I am amazed that it reached the top spot on the Billboard dance Charts a couple of weeks back. Thank god, the video for this song was amazing and there are a couple of other remixes to this song that is quite likeable. The Pet Shop Boys could do so much better, and because of that, I give this song 2 shots of tequila.
Top Eight: Crazy Possessive by Kaci Batagglia
This song about being crazily possessive towards one’s love interest has not proved to be as popular ion the Philippines as it is in the rest of the world, but I like this song. It starts with a bang, and Kaci’s vocals are powerful enough to ride the hard beat. It sounds like a Lady Gaga track, if Gaga was blessed with enough pipes as Batagglia.
The song sounds edgy, and at times angry (which is perfectly in harmony with the message of the song) with Kaci singing in a full, nasal, sometimes auto-tuned voice; but the tender parts where Batagglia almost whispers the words are what makes the song unforgettable. I give it 4 shots of tequila.
Top Seven: Money’s Too Tight to Mention by Simply Red
This song was actually released back in the 80s, so this isn’t anything new. However, the British group, Simply Red released this again with their Greatest Hits record. I would not, ever, party to this song, just because I seldom appreciate songs that are older than me.
But, the song is quite relevant today, with the recession and all. I give it 1.5 shots of tequila. Billboard, how can you dance to this tune?
Top Six: Fire Burning by Sean Kingston
I always thought of Sean Kingston as a one hit wonder. With this song, he proves he’s got more of his brand of reggae-pop up his red, rolled-up sleeves. The song is repetitive, catchy, and upbeat; it is fun, sexy, and is a perfect candidate for LSS.
Top Five: Patron Tequila by the Paradiso Girls featuring Lil Jon
This is one of my favorite songs to play on my radio show, and this song is currently making the rounds in all the hottest bars in the country. With lyrics like “By the end of the night I’m gonna have you drunk and throwing up”, this song was definitely made to be played in clubs.
The song, originally recorded (but not released) by Keri Hilson, has been given new life by the gorgeous Paradiso Girls, the Brit version of the Pussycat Dolls, under the same manager, Robin Antin. Unlike the Dolls, the Paradiso Girls only have three singing ladies, the fourth member is a DJ, and the final member, a Filipina named Shar Amor, is the group’s resident rapper.
I do not know if Patron Tequila payed the Girls to sing this track, but the song is as heady, hypnotic and likeable as the Mexican’s poison of choice. I give this song five shots of Patron tequila. How can I not?
Top Four: Sing by Wynonna
This song isn’t exactly a party song, it’s more of a country ballad, however, it got to the fourth spot because of the remixes included in the single.
The remixes for this song are, in my opinion, more beautiful than the original, and I think, Ms Judd should seriously contemplate on switching genres. Maybe she could be the next big house diva, much like Moony. It is surprising how a “country” song could turn into such a beautiful party ditty. For that, and for Ms Judd’s effort to try to keep up with the times, I give this song 3.5 shots of Tequila.
Top Three: Waking Up in Vegas by Katy Perry
Waking Up in Vegas marks Perry’s return to up-tempo pop songs after that somber ditty “Thinking Of You”. However, this song is a bit cutesier than her first three hits, and somehow, I think Miss Perry lost her edginess in it. I imagine this song to fit in real well in Miley Cyrus’ or Ashley Tisdale’s bubble gum pop/rock albums.
Nevertheless, this is a pretty good song. The lyrics are clever, the chorus is catchy, and it almost sounds like a tourism ad for
Top Two: Hush Hush by the Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger sounds great in the first part of the song where she sings the mid-tempo R&B ballad with heavy, sometimes breathy, vocals. She proves that she has an actual vocal range and can sing it with the best of them. She pours her heart out as she sings “I don’t want to stay another minute…I don’t want you to say another word, hush hush, hush hush”, and you could feel genuine emotion there for a second, until it proceeds to become a bizarre and terribly out-of-place cover of the Disco hit “I Will Survive”. From strong vocals, Scherzinger immediately switch to an annoying, almost yodeling voice with a twang that is anything but attractive.
I personally do not understand why they would sample Ms Gaynor’s song in this mid-tempo ballad, but somehow, one of the producers thought it would be cool. It isn’t; it sounds awkward and forced. After releasing Jai Ho, which was amusing and obnoxious all at the same time, I thought the Pussycat Dolls would actually give us a good song, unfortunately, I was wrong, and we have to live with this song for probably another two weeks, because that is how long I predict it will still be on the airwaves.
By the middle of the song, YOU would want to tell the Dolls to “hush, hush”. I give this moronic musical mash-up two shots of tequila.
Top Spot: Give You Everything by Ericka Jayne
I first heard (and saw) this song on Youtube, and I was smiling and bobbing my head 30 seconds into the song. It is a fun ditty which I hope makes it to the hottest local bars in the metro, because this was definitely made for all night parties. Ericka Jayne is like a mix of Madonna and Lady Gaga, if you could imagine that, but Jayne is a bit cheekier with somewhat of a British sensibility about her (although she’s American).
From the opening beats, you are hypnotized and caught up in the musical loops of this song. You suddenly find yourself looking for a dance floor and a cold drink. It sounds like the ‘90s bubble gum pop everyone used to dance to, but more current, less corny, with an edge. She doesn’t really show her vocal prowess, and she doesn’t need to. She sings the song simply and it works.
I give this 5 shots of tequila.
Catch Confessions of a Partyphile, the radio show, on 105.9 Mix FM every Wednesdays, 6 to 9 PM. For comments, suggestions and more confessions from this partyphile please visit http://party.i.ph
I bet you didn't know there is such a thing as an 18.2 per cent beer. It's called Tokyo beer and is made with cranberries, jasmine, malt hops, and champagne yeast. 
