24 going on 30
July 30, 2004 | 12:00am
Manila is an ongoing party. I came to this realization in the last few months. Anyone who tells you otherwise, just hasn’t been getting the SMS invites (gasp, Emily Post would curl up and die!) or hasn’t been reading the newspapers. On the other hand, those who are more in touch with activities of the metropolis would agree that on any given day here in Manila, rain notwithstanding, there is something to do – a bar opening or re-opening, a birthday party, a product launch, a band playing, a new DJ spinning, or just the plain various "theme nights" bars invented in an attempt to keep the party going.
Naturally one would think that for someone my age this would indeed be a reason to celebrate. But the truth is quite the opposite actually and sadly along with the realization that Manila is a non-stop shindig came the realization that I think I want to leave the party. It’s not that I’m not all for having fun anymore or going out and meeting new people, I think I’ve just become saturated with Manila’s nightlife and I’m glad to be slipping out.
It’s a weird sort of epiphany to have at such a young age but I think it’s also because I’m not what I would call an average twentysomething. By that I mean I’m not into relishing what’s left of my calendar birthdays (before I hop onto the thermometer) by going out every other night of the week. Not that I have anything against those who do choose this avenue of entertainment. I think I’ve just decided that I’ve reached the point where I’m a little bit bored with it.
This bus stop is probably a natural one that everyone gets to at some point in their lives (well, except maybe for those seedy old men in clubs with bling bling that blinds still trying to pick up the pre-teens). I guess for me it just might have come a little sooner. Someone once said I’m an old soul and I tend to agree. Hanging out at my old boyfriend’s house a few years ago watching DVDs he used to say I was more like a 30-year-old than someone in her 20s. More than checking out the latest happening hot spot I would rather spend quiet time with close friends talking and sharing steaming cups of coffee. I would always rather be out of town on the weekends than in Manila.
I mean agreeably, even though I admit to being a friendly person, I’m still more inclined to spend time with close friends rather than going out with virtual strangers. Even at the behest of my fellow single pals I would still rather be with those I know instead of going out and "meeting new people". I can be somewhat of a hermit at times and letting the latest slew of parties pass me by while I just indulge in DVD-fests at home or catching up on my reading.
This is probably mainly due to the fact that I’ve had my party days. For the last four years I’ve en-joyed countless bashes with everyone and anyone, drank my share of drink du jours, and made my typical number of party acquaintances. In other words, if I’d had wild oats I’ve sown them and now I think I’m ready to just head home and enjoy the sunset.
After all, I no longer really see the rationale of a hedonistic lifestyle. I believe I’ve made the friends that I’ll have for life and whatever little time I do find myself having I’d rather spend it with them. My Saturdays and Sundays would be more fulfilling going scuba-diving instead of checking out who’s out on the town and who’s with who or not with who… to be honest the sheer politics of the social set are mind-boggling. Not to sound snobbish, but I couldn’t care less who broke up with whom or who is cheating on their significant other. Gossip has had its time on my priority list when I was younger and now it goes in one ear and out the other. I’ve seen too many problems arise from he said/she said and I think it’s important to just know whom you trust and leave it at that.
But as above-mentioned, I have nothing against anyone still partying hearty on the never-ending stage that is the Manila nightlife. I firmly believe that everyone has to saturate at their own pace and decide when they want to take a breather from free-flowing drinks, the occasional handsome hotties, and the ever-popular mini-skirt festival that seems to plague Makati now. Seriously, is it just me, or are the skirts getting shorter as the girls get younger? In either case, I completely understand those with the irresistible urge to go out and party, as my friend GP once said it’s all about phases and we all go through them at our own speed and time.
Do I sound like I’m packing my bags for a long absence from the nightlife? Well, while I admit to no longer being as enthusiastic about it as I used to I’ll still indulge every now and then I’m just looking forward to being more discerning about the times I choose to hit the town. Parties thrown by people I actually know, product launches I’m actually interested in, events I helped organize, and going out with close friends on the weekends. Otherwise, it’s just the gym and the house for this homebody and hopefully more of the beach. As for everyone else, hey live it up, enjoy the epicurean lifestyle for I believe that, despite economic and political turmoil, Manila is incredibly abundant in that.
What’s on your mind? Still wanna invite me to your party? E-mail me at aquamarine_tranquility @yahoo.com
Naturally one would think that for someone my age this would indeed be a reason to celebrate. But the truth is quite the opposite actually and sadly along with the realization that Manila is a non-stop shindig came the realization that I think I want to leave the party. It’s not that I’m not all for having fun anymore or going out and meeting new people, I think I’ve just become saturated with Manila’s nightlife and I’m glad to be slipping out.
It’s a weird sort of epiphany to have at such a young age but I think it’s also because I’m not what I would call an average twentysomething. By that I mean I’m not into relishing what’s left of my calendar birthdays (before I hop onto the thermometer) by going out every other night of the week. Not that I have anything against those who do choose this avenue of entertainment. I think I’ve just decided that I’ve reached the point where I’m a little bit bored with it.
This bus stop is probably a natural one that everyone gets to at some point in their lives (well, except maybe for those seedy old men in clubs with bling bling that blinds still trying to pick up the pre-teens). I guess for me it just might have come a little sooner. Someone once said I’m an old soul and I tend to agree. Hanging out at my old boyfriend’s house a few years ago watching DVDs he used to say I was more like a 30-year-old than someone in her 20s. More than checking out the latest happening hot spot I would rather spend quiet time with close friends talking and sharing steaming cups of coffee. I would always rather be out of town on the weekends than in Manila.
I mean agreeably, even though I admit to being a friendly person, I’m still more inclined to spend time with close friends rather than going out with virtual strangers. Even at the behest of my fellow single pals I would still rather be with those I know instead of going out and "meeting new people". I can be somewhat of a hermit at times and letting the latest slew of parties pass me by while I just indulge in DVD-fests at home or catching up on my reading.
This is probably mainly due to the fact that I’ve had my party days. For the last four years I’ve en-joyed countless bashes with everyone and anyone, drank my share of drink du jours, and made my typical number of party acquaintances. In other words, if I’d had wild oats I’ve sown them and now I think I’m ready to just head home and enjoy the sunset.
After all, I no longer really see the rationale of a hedonistic lifestyle. I believe I’ve made the friends that I’ll have for life and whatever little time I do find myself having I’d rather spend it with them. My Saturdays and Sundays would be more fulfilling going scuba-diving instead of checking out who’s out on the town and who’s with who or not with who… to be honest the sheer politics of the social set are mind-boggling. Not to sound snobbish, but I couldn’t care less who broke up with whom or who is cheating on their significant other. Gossip has had its time on my priority list when I was younger and now it goes in one ear and out the other. I’ve seen too many problems arise from he said/she said and I think it’s important to just know whom you trust and leave it at that.
But as above-mentioned, I have nothing against anyone still partying hearty on the never-ending stage that is the Manila nightlife. I firmly believe that everyone has to saturate at their own pace and decide when they want to take a breather from free-flowing drinks, the occasional handsome hotties, and the ever-popular mini-skirt festival that seems to plague Makati now. Seriously, is it just me, or are the skirts getting shorter as the girls get younger? In either case, I completely understand those with the irresistible urge to go out and party, as my friend GP once said it’s all about phases and we all go through them at our own speed and time.
Do I sound like I’m packing my bags for a long absence from the nightlife? Well, while I admit to no longer being as enthusiastic about it as I used to I’ll still indulge every now and then I’m just looking forward to being more discerning about the times I choose to hit the town. Parties thrown by people I actually know, product launches I’m actually interested in, events I helped organize, and going out with close friends on the weekends. Otherwise, it’s just the gym and the house for this homebody and hopefully more of the beach. As for everyone else, hey live it up, enjoy the epicurean lifestyle for I believe that, despite economic and political turmoil, Manila is incredibly abundant in that.
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