Pokémon party paradise
Sun.Star Davao, Jan. 26, 2008

Piplup. Chimchar, Turtwig, Manaphy, Plusle, Pikachu….won’t make any sense to an adult but these characters spell a whole lot of fun to Pokémon 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 Pokémon-themed affair at the Davao Convention and Trade Center.

The name Pokémon, 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 Pokéball with four of Jahn’s well-loved Pokémon characters Piplup, Chimchar, Turtwig and Pikachu.

The brilliant and artistic Bai magically turned the birthday venue into a Pokémon paradise with blue, red and yellow-colored balloons and ceiling works. Huge Pokémon 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 Pokémon characters as delightful toppers.

The action-packed games and ingenious booths included ‘Pin the Pikachu Tail’, ‘Pass the Pokémon’, Pokémon Coloring Contest, ‘Collect the PokéBalls’, ‘Pokémon Egg Hunting’, Pokémon face painting, among others. The thrilling ‘pabitin’, piñata, game prizes and awards were all Pokémon products.

Likewise, fabulous party give-aways were colorful Pokémon coin banks stuffed with yummy candies, bisquits, chocolates, muffins and toys as well as gift boxes containing Pokémon 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 celebrated 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. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com to view articles with photos)