From VIP to “OMG, We’re Too Old for This!”

So, we were invited to Lunar: Art, Cafe, and Bar on October 18th by our dear friend Erica Dalucanog. Now, before you start imagining a quiet night sipping lattes in an art gallery, let me stop you right there. Erica’s boyfriend, Daniel Tan, was DJing at this event, and naturally, we said, “Sure, why not!” I mean, we survived La Jefa with only minor tequila-induced regrets, so what’s one more night out, right?

But here’s the kicker: Erica is way younger than us. Like, “I don’t need to moisturize or pop collagen pills” kind of younger. I’m pretty sure she completely forgot the glaring age gap when she casually invited us to Lunar. Spoiler alert: Lunar is not for folks who grew up without Wi-Fi. It’s Gen Z central. And by that, I mean a sea of cropped tops, TikTok dances, and energy levels we couldn’t compete with if we tried.

Of course, in classic Erica fashion, she gave us just the date and a hopeful “I hope you can join!” So naturally, we figured, sure, why not? But as the days passed, I noticed something peculiar. There were tickets being sold for this event. Tickets! And here we were, operating on the assumption that we’d just show up and flash our “we’re with Erica” card. No, ma’am. To avoid the standing-room-only situation, Ralph and I did what any responsible, slightly older crowd would do: we booked a VIP table. Yes, the whole eight-ticket ordeal, because if we’re going down, we’re going down in luxury!

I rallied the troops: Ken, Lady Jenn, Joanne Alagao, Moreen Austria, Gina and Val Araneta. As usual, Ralph and I were embarrassingly early. I mean, parking is no joke, and I’ll be damned if I’m trekking in heels because we couldn’t find a spot. The ever-punctual Joanne Alagao was the first to arrive, bless her heart. And then Erica made her entrance, looking like she was born for this event—stunning, fabulous, the works. Turns out she had her own VIP table for her crew, so, good thing we snagged our own because, honey, we were not about to impose!

As our crew trickled in, the teasing began. “Why Lunar?” they asked, eyebrows raised. To which we replied, “We were just invited, okay? Blame Erica!” The place filled up as the night wore on, and it was clear we were the oldest ones there. Manong Val even pulled a genius move, putting on his hat to disguise his white hair. Classy. Meanwhile, Manang Gina was battling jet lag from her 3-month-long U.S. vacation (what a trooper). Then there was Moreen, Jusha Abdallah, and Ralph—three Reiki masters taking shots in the middle of a Gen Z crowd. You can’t make this stuff up.

Now, let’s talk about the bathroom situation. Packed. Jam-packed. You know what I hate more than standing in line? Holding my pee while standing in line. But you do what you gotta do, right? Despite the crowded bathroom and the endless queue, we still managed to enjoy ourselves. Jusha was our personal shot fairy, and Erica kept checking on us like the sweet soul she is. The shots were flowing, but I, being the wise, older (and slightly scarred from La Jefa) version of myself, chugged water like it was going out of style. Hydration is key, people. Three waters for every tequila shot—trust me, it’s a life hack.

Hydration is key, people. Three waters for every tequila shot—trust me, it’s a life hack.

But let me be honest: Lunar was fun for the experience, but it’s a one-and-done for me. That crowd is built for the young, the energetic, and those who can party without waking up sore the next day. I mean, I survived, sure. But I won’t be making Lunar my regular spot. La Jefa, on the other hand? Now that’s my kind of vibe. VIP treatment, cozy bathrooms, and no existential crisis about how old I am compared to the crowd. What more could I ask for?

So, there you have it. I checked off Lunar from my bucket list, had my fun, but now I’ll be sticking to places where I’m not the oldest in the room. Age may be just a number, but let’s be real—it’s also a preference when it comes to nightlife. Cheers to knowing your limits, your preferences, and to never standing in line for the bathroom again!