Malacañang’sLittle PrincessTurns One!

It is simply delightful for little ones to attend a party full of balloons, games, prizes, and "junk" food, and Presidential granddaughter Mikaela Gloria Arroyo’s first birthday party certainly fulfilled many a child’s dream. Last Nov. 9, about 100 children in Disney-themed costumes shared in the celebration of Mika’s birthday, held at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañang Palace. The grand hall was dressed up like a pink Disney castle, with innumerable star-shaped balloons set up by Balloon Creations. Mika herself was dressed in a Snow White costume complete with a dainty pair of sandals and a dancing-light hair-band. Proud parents Mikey and Angela Arroyo made sure every guest was happy, as a buffet of fresh salad greens, steamed garoupa, pepper chicken, pork satay, freshly prepared Mongolian rice bowls, shawarma, pork and beef lechon, pastries, and different kinds of pasta were served and catered by Malacanang’s own kitchen and The Plaza Catering. But to the kids’ delight, there was also "dirty" ice cream, cotton candy, flavored snow cones, fish and squid balls, hotdogs, and popcorn. To keep the young guests entertained, Clowning Around lined up numerous activities like face painting, balloon art, and numerous games that sent all the young-at-heart laughing. Even the nannies got to participate in the games and take home prizes!

Highlights of the party included an inflatable "kiddie walk" bouncing castle, a puppet show by Ropets Co., and a bubble and magic show by Cris Castro, where every child, including the birthday celebrant and her parents, got to participate. Doting grandparents President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo took time off their busy schedules and joined in the fun, and were game and patient enough to be swarmed by all the children and their parents for photo ops.

Also enjoying the party were Mika’s maternal grandparents Herman and Charito Montenegro, Speaker of the House Joe de Venecia’s wife Gina, Mika’s aunt Luli and her pregnant sister-in-law Kakai Arroyo.

After a whole afternoon of fun and festivities, the little guests got to bring home cupcakes that formed part of Mika’s cake, plus a Disney backpack of goodies that would keep their hands full for several days after!