UP SHARP Chocolate Buffet 2011: A Sweet Affair in Tinseltown

by admin - February 15, 2011

At last! The chocobuffet is overrrr! Hahaha

Last night (because it's the 15th now already) before the event was of mixed emotions: excitement, nervousness, paranoia, fear to disappoint, and that feeling of a rodent gnawing my insides.. weird. So okay.. I am happy it is over.

The past weeks have been sooo stressful. I honestly wanted to be dining room manager *ehem* since last year, but now that I was given the position for this year's Valentine buffet (which is I think the most-awaited event from UP SHARP), it was, to subtly put it, nakakasakit ng tiyan sa takot.

Here is what the publicity material looked like, by the way.

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Here's a little back story for you (because I wasn't able to blog it *wink wink*)

Once upon a time, when the only thing we know was that we will be having a chocolate buffet this year, I was asked if I want to be DRM (dining room manager). I know I wanted to, but I still had to think it over for like, a day, given the load of academics and my domestic duties (charot). Anyhow, long story short, I accepted the position.

Sir Wally Robles, Za, Nina, and I

So meetings were done, as well as brainstorming and voting for this year's theme. And yep, it was voted that our Valentine event will be Hollywood-themed -- Hollywood in the 60s 70s, that is. Exoiting!

It was decided that the event will be done in NIML (indoors), so I measured the area and did my layout. I spent nights browsing the internet, looking for ideas for the room decor, table, and DR outfit. I passed my final layout on January 6, and in my head I already had in mind what to do inside the room, in the waiting area, and along the path from the outside. Then came January 20, because of asdfghjkpfft, there was a sudden venue change. Bummer.

..chocobuffet ticket (yay clapper!) and menu

The venue suddenly became outdoors. And just so you know, February is kinda rainy here in the Philippines. Who would wanna spend Valentine's Day evening on a date, binging on chocolates, while it's raining?! Well, I do. But anyway, I think you get the drift.

When I was told that the Alonso Hall Atrium will be the venue, I felt the bedrock shake beneath me (yeah, I am exaggerating). So I measured the area, and made a new layout (which is shown below haha) Yes, it's from my chocobuffet PFR.

Fast forward to the day of the event...

The call time I set was 8:00am. I was there before 8, the morning was a bit cold but at least it wasn't raining. Now, if you're gonna look at the image above, see tables 5, 6, and 10? The area there was MUSHY -- like your-slipper-will-get-stuck-in-there-if-you-step-your-foot-in kind of mushy. Of course I can't put my tables there. Maybe you're thinking it's not a biggie but lemme tell you, it IS a BIGGIE.

Jo, Anika and I -- testing and sorting the lights by color

For hours we tried to figure out how to place the tables and removing the least number as possible. It wasn't pretty but we used the rubber mat-like thingies that are used on the floor during cocktail mixing. There was still so much left to do, and we were behind schedule. Curse that leaky pipe that made that area squishy!!!

Rotsen installing the lights, me making utos haha

The kitchen needed lots of people, I did too -- we were short on that. We tried to do with what we have though, and gahd, thanks A LOT to the applicants! The setup would have never been finished on time without them. The girls willingly decorated the railings with the cloths and the balloons, as well as the trees with the gold beads. Really, thank you.

I know, I know. No time to curl my hair, okaaay?
Just wore a red lippy, my eyes will be covered anyway..
(excuses *ehem*)

I have to say, the layout turned out to be prettier than I thought it would be. I actually wasn't happy with how it looked under daylight. But as the afternoon passed, well. It was suddenly really pretty to me. Gold + red + black + yellow lights + gents and ladies in black? Sexy and classy, I think.

The DR Staff and brad Jo :)

As soon as guests were welcomed in, there was no stopping more from coming. I have no idea where the people came from, they seemed so.. many. Haha. We even had to add tables during the evening.

..one of the buffet tables

Nga pala, we were honored to have served our college's (College of Home Economics) Dean Dr. Adelaida Mayo and College Secretary Prof. Excelsa Tongson. The college had an event din kaya they were wearing Filipiniana. So pretty.

*more photos from Dean Mayo at the end of this post*

Just so you know, my brother has always been my biggest critic. He and his girlfriend attended the chocobuffet for the third time now, I think. Three years in a row. So after he told me how beautiful he thought the DR was, it felt great, honestly. Haha. He even showed me the evaluation sheet. And he expressed his excitement for next year's event *bwahahaha! pressure on next year's managing batch* >:)

After-event snaps: Jen and Jo (Sales and Marketing);
the DR staff: Za, TJ, Kevz, Luisa, Anika, Mae, Josh, Nina, and Lynn;
Mark (Function Manager) ...plus Engle on the side, haha

I think masyado nang mahaba 'to. Hehe. And I need rest too, I just remembered.

with the kitchen people: Odie, DJ, Isha and Lex

Again, a big thank you to everyone who came and celebrated their Valentine's Day with us. Please do come again, next year! :)

And of course, lotsa hugs too us, SHARPers. A Sweet Affair in Tinseltown was a success!
Yay! Go UP SHARP!

..now I have to hit the covers, before I type in something stupid or senseless. Haha.
Good night! :)

Dean Mayo's photos from the event (click to enlarge):