Last weekend, Ralph and I suited up for the event of the season: Ariana Celine’s (a.k.a. Anya’s) 18th birthday bash at Roy’s Hotel. Technically, it was just down the road, but because we’re both overachievers with parking trauma, we left at 6 PM for a 6:30 invite. And guess what? We snagged the last open parking spot. Manifestation works, people.
I was teetering around in heels higher than my willpower on Day 5 of the 21-day challenge, so my gait was… let’s call it “fashionably compromised.” But pain is temporary, Instagram stories are forever.
As soon as we walked in, we bumped into Ramiro (debutante’s dad), who pointed me toward Janice—my ride-or-die bestie and the stunning (albeit slightly frazzled) mother of the debutante. I found her looking like a telenovela lead, back turned, all dramatic. I snuck up and whispered, “Is this the mother of the debutante?” She lit up—until she launched into her event-stress monologue. Apparently, she wasn’t thrilled about the LED screen being partially blocked by the stage lighting. Honestly? I saw it too. It was giving Game of Thrones final season energy—visually dramatic but with questionable execution. Still, I told her to chill and enjoy the night. Because seriously… it’s showtime.
The hallway was basically a Hinigaran reunion, with titos and titas flocking to the charcuterie like it was Noche Buena. Tito Amay Presas and wife, Tito Boy Parcon and Tita Nena—yes, I saw you double-dipping in the cheese section, don’t deny it.
Janice seated us at a VIP-worthy table with a great view, and I chatted up Lelord Vega, a high school classmate who dared to sit across the table until I bullied him into sitting closer. Reunion politics, y’all.
And then… the amenities. A glambot. A photobooth. A legit bar. This wasn’t just a debut—it was practically a mini-Met Gala. Kristine and Joyce made it just in time for the program kickoff. Lucky for them, I was parked near the entrance and had my phone ready like a mom at a school play. I captured the dramatic parent entrance, the dazzling debutante reveal—it was giving Bridgerton ballroom realness.
Now, food. Let’s talk about it.
I came in all noble and determined: “I will not eat. I am on Day 5 of the challenge. I am strong.” But after clapping, standing, crying, socializing, and posing for like 85 group photos, I was low-key dizzy. I caved. But only a little. Just enough to stop seeing stars. And for the record, it was totally worth it.
The throwback videos? Tears. So many tears. Seeing Anya’s baby pictures and the way her parents literally gifted her the world—cue the emotional breakdown. I saw her crying too. Understandable, especially with what I heard about some teenage love life drama. Don’t worry, Anya, we’ve all survived first-boyfriend woes. This too shall pass.
Joyce and I milked the glambot and photo ops for all they were worth. Because let’s face it—we don’t see each other often and memories > posture. We wrapped the night with a shot from the bar and a little dancing—just enough to pretend we were still 25.
Ralph signaled it was time to go. Not because he’s a killjoy, but because he had an AI project waiting—his version of a Cinderella curfew, but with more code and less glass slipper.
All in all? It was a BLAST.
The heels were painful, the LED screen was awkward, the diet got temporarily ghosted—but the memories? Totally worth it.
Note to self:
Next time, wear wedges. Or bring slippers in the car. Or just go barefoot by the photobooth. At this age, no one’s judging.
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