Saturday, January 26, 2008 Pokemon party paradise By Jeanette Huang Teves Mom-about-town
PIPLUP. Chimchar, Turtwig, Manaphy, Plusle, Pikachu...won't make any sense to an adult but these characters spell a whole lot of fun to Pokemon video game fans like Jahn Juhlia Panda Lu.
Jahn-Jahn, the eldest daughter of entrepreneurs Wilson and Pia Lu, recently celebrated her 7th birthday with a spectacular Pokemon-themed affair at the Davao Convention and Trade Center.
The name Pokemon, short for Pocket Monsters, collectively refers to the 493 fictional species of the popular Nintendo video game.
The Lu family was supposed to go on a cruise for Jahn's birthday. But the overseas trip was cancelled during the last minute because of booking problems.
With only less than a month to plan for the grand party, Wilson and Pia enlisted the help of one of Davao's top party coordinators and decorators, the ever- reliable Bai Lim of Astrochairs.
Two sets of birthday invitations were ordered from different suppliers, Clowning Around and Davao Graphics. Its innovative design was a Pokeball with four of Jahn's well-loved Pokemon characters Piplup, Chimchar, Turtwig and Pikachu.
The brilliant and artistic Bai magically turned the birthday venue into a Pokemon paradise with blue, red and yellow-colored balloons and ceiling works. Huge Pokemon characters were creatively displayed on stage. Each guest table had chocolate moist cakes from Sugar Munch as delectable centerpieces.
Booboo Carandang-Maramba of Natalie's Cakes made the impressive 5-layered fondant cake adorned with Jahn's favorite Pokemon characters as delightful toppers.
The action-packed games and ingenious booths included 'Pin the Pikachu Tail', 'Pass the Pokemon', Pokemon Coloring Contest, 'Collect the PokeBalls', 'Pokemon Egg Hunting', Pokemon face painting, among others. The thrilling 'pabitin', piñata, game prizes and awards were all Pokemon products.
Likewise, fabulous party giveaways were colorful Pokemon coin banks stuffed with yummy candies, biscuits, chocolates, muffins and toys as well as gift boxes containing Pokemon goodies.
An exciting carnival show delighted both the young and old alike.
"For me, I think a 7-year-old child knows already what the best party for him/her is. At this stage of a child's development, independent decision-making really plays an important role in their lives. That was why we let Jahn decide for her party. We respected her ideas. All we did was just supervising," shares doting mom Pia who also has a younger son, John Jozshua.
Jahn's birthday outfit was an adorable gown in bright yellow and fuschia designed by Jan Vega of Limited.
"It was really fulfilling to see our daughter very happy on her special day. We also appreciated that most of the invited guests came and joined us," she adds.
Pia observed that Jahn immensely enjoyed the party because most of her classmates and close friends came to celebrate with her.
"I was planning to have a tea party for Jahn but she really rejected it. If I did the party my way, surely, all she would remember was I never gave her the chance to choose. I realized that as parents, we have to be good listeners. It is very crucial to a parent and child relationship to respect decisions," admits the pretty mom.
"Our birthday message for Jahn is for her to grow having a good heart and to be smart in everything she'll do and decide," Pia ends with a smile. (E-mail the writer at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com.)
