Janet Jackson, Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode, Far East Movement—and we are just talking about the first quarter of the year.
DJ Bob Sinclar, LMFAO,
Up next, we have Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars and Maroon 5. The list goes on and on. If you follow me on my Twitter (twitter.com/iamtimyap), I do daily updates and give away tickets to most of the shindigs around the metro. Pardon the shameless plug, but that is the currency of now. These tickets are the hottest in town, more than any invitation to any party or chi chi event to launch this or that new product. One simply cannot attend all events, even if some would gladly attend even the opening of an envelope, no offense meant. I used to be one of those people.
The first big party of the year was dubbed as such. “Big” would be an understatement as Bob Sinclar, famous for countless hits primarily of which is Love Generation, gave Manila an overdose of goosebumps and grind and a perfect high to jumpstart the year. I hosted this year’s GMA New Year’s Countdown at SM Mall of Asia where more than 100,000 revelers gathered, and when the clock hit 2011, an overwhelming sense of optimism enveloped the air.
The vibe at Bob Sinclar was very similar. I was right behind him at the DJ’s booth, alongside Domini Primero, Allen Mojica and Sunny Ku (incidentally, it’s his birthday today so greet him, guys!), prime movers of this most unforgettable event. I saw from the stage the most beautiful crowd that had gathered for a “rave.” Yes, I know the term is so ’90s but that was how it felt like—just a whole slew of shiny, happy people who came together in the name of music. It was also the midnight of my birthday that night, so I turned a year wiser and happier, with DJ Bob Sinclar DJ-ing for me at my “birthday party.” Congratulations are in order to Driven Manila for making Manila dance, dance, dance!
Speaking of dance, aside from the seven new spots that have opened recently (Opus, Robot, Kyss, 7th High, eXcess, Salon de Ning, Palladium), the peeps behind Driven and Jay Server are opening up Time, a new club that occupies the space formerly known as 78 Orange. So expect more debauchery on the dance front.
Still on a New Year high
Art of Scent, that hub of fragrance at the Newport Mall at Resorts World, recently sponsored the sold-out performance of LMFAO at Republiq. I was backstage chitchatting with some funky guy in zebra pants admiring his attire. I thought he was the back up dancer. He turned out to be the lead singer of the band. To cut the story short, I had the time of my life that night, the occasion being my post birthday bash and the salubong of my dear friend and fellow STAR columnist Raymond Gutierrez.
I’m still on a New Year’s high this Year of the Golden Rabbit. The first 15 days are crucial, to put it in a feng shui perspective. So gear up on positivity and action plans and de-clutter the negativity in your life. For me, the most auspicious way of spending Chinese New Year’s is to host the Mandarin Oriental Hotel’s annual Chinese New Year countdown.
I just love hosting New Year’s countdowns. I feel that this is my Dick Clark (and now Ryan Seacrest) moment hosting each New Year’s ball drop. There is this palpable energy that you feel when you are in front of an excited crowd ready to welcome the year with a bang. The bang came in the form of fantastic fireworks by Enchanted Kingdom. Plus, of course, Master Joseph Chao, Mandarin GM Mark Bradford and the city’s VVIPs leading the parade to spread the luck.
My co-host that night, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, had her own version a week after, with Maritess Allen distributing her feng shui books—a must have every year for me plus trinkets and other lucky charms. Tessa is one of the most in demand hostesses and that night, Jon Jon Rufino, winner of the best in Chinoiserie brought home a Globe Tattoo My Fi, courtesy of Globe’s Dong Ronquillo!
Too many events, parties and happenings around the metro! Can’t put them all in this space but all I’m trying to say is that this wave of optimism and excitement, despite everything that’s happening is something that we should nourish and nurture. That we may hop around this year with fuzzy feelings filled with great memories, meeting the most interesting people and having the most meaningful experiences.
Second quarter storm, coming up. Bring it on.