Partying, till the world ends

Summer spells beach parties.

I remember not too long ago at the peak of the telco war, when I along with other mobile brigade warriors, would storm troop from the quiet reins of Station 1 down to the more densely populated Station 3 of our very own Boracay, ensuring revelers would troop to that evening’s Big Fish party, where the world’s top spinners would weave their magic on our sandy, dandy shores.

Naturally, I’ve been to the Boracay beach parties, hopped around the Balearic islands around Ibiza, Spain, even went to the top of Mushroom Mountain in Koh Pangan, Thailand  but nothing, no nothing can beat the scope and scale of Singapore’s ZoukOut in Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island, now in its 10th monumental year.

Yes, the biggest beach party didn’t happen in our native Philippines despite our 7,107-island advantage. But who’s to say we can’t learn and be inspired by our next-door neighbors? The most aspirational part of this program is that this 12-hour party was used to boost Singapore Tourism  yes, they are that advanced in manner of thinking. In fact, figures point out that 45 percent of the fun seekers who participated in the dusk-till-dawn dance festival came from overseas, this writer and a couple of personalities from local entertainment, art, fashion and party industries included. About 30,000 party peeps turned out at ZoukOut’s 10th year fete. Here in Manila, maybe the most revelers we’ve assembled for a massive dance event was close to 10,000  that was for Tiesto.

Welcome to ZoukOut 2011

Months before, the Singapore Tourism Board based in Manila headed by Lynelle Seow, hand-in-hand with their agency Stratworks, organized bar and club tours promoting the 10th ZoukOut. Posters of the event were plastered all over the toilets and bulletin boards of the city’s hippest night spots. Their come on? Only the best DJs in the world  Laidback Luke (who’s Filipino and spun at Republiq the night before), Tiesto and David Guetta, among other noteworthy names in the world of dance. Yes, DJs are still worshipped as gods. Tiesto still occupies top billing in the DJ marquee (useless trivia  we share the same birthday) and David Guetta is probably the highest-paid DJ in the world (useful trivia  he may be coming to Manila soon), having been anointed as Madonna’s “anointed one” and most frequent collaborator. Timothy Chia, head of marketing & events at Zouk Management, said: “What is really important for us is the entertainment line-up. In fact, I would say it is the strongest we have ever had.”

I’m with the band

Dawn til dusk

Once inside Siloso Beach, giant glow-in-the-dark installations were set up to add to the visual delight of the beach goers. Different areas were set up in surreal fashion with bars and VIP areas strategically situated all over the beach  think Boracay, but with Station 1, 2 and 3 united as one. Avant garde-styled stilt-walkers played with the guests who all had a ball having their pictures taken with the night’s mascots (we’re Asian, we love picture-taking). Sponsors’ booths were unobtrusive and made sure they added panache and pizzazz to the event (in that area, we still have a lot to learn) so somehow, everything just gelled. Tourism officials, event and party organizers, please do take notes.

Tickets were sold out (there were even fake tickets circulating  such was the demand for it) weeks before the event (shades of Taylor Swift in Manila) as there was not just one, but two (shades of Vilma Santos’ Bearbrand) headliners. In my mind, how can both superstar DJs agree to perform back-to-back? Apparently, DJs are easier to deal with than movie or pop stars. Do you think Katy Perry and Lady Gaga would ever agree to perform one after the other in a concert? I think not. But perform they did, after the entire roll call of DJs front acting for the two megastars  one of whom is a Filipino-Canadian former model Tirso Garcia, who is now a big name DJ in the Lion City.

Revelers from all over the world partied Sing-style!

To say that the event was packed would be the biggest understatement. We literally had to tie ourselves to each other as our group maneouvered from one area to the next, jostling our way through thousands of bodies blocking our way, blood, sweat and tears level. It’s a good thing Singaporeans are so not temperamental or else, chaos would have ensued. Us being Pinoy, we were able to corner our own spot, doing an “akyat bahay” gang onto the VIP area, with me carrying a table I got from the back kitchen, complete with drinks and the works  I call it partying D-I-Y style. “If you don’t have a table, make one,” that’s how I live my life.

Tiesto played at 4 a.m. (you read that right) while David Guetta played before 6 a.m.  and the crowd was still in the fullest force. I guess everyone took a disco nap. I didn’t as I had to rush to the airport at 7 a.m. to make it to the Singapore Airlines flight back to Manila on a Sunday to make it to Party Pilipinas. Incidentaly, it’s Party Pilipinas’ first year anniversary tomorrow noon  my, oh my, how time flies!

Dream team: Divine Lee and Marc Gueco

Speaking of nightlife, nights before, I checked out the new Singapore nightspots. Had a great sunset session at Ku De Ta at Marina Bay Sands, where so many Pinoys are employed. In fact, the guy who set it up, Vinnie, is best friends with our very own DJ David Jacob. Anywhere you go in Singapore, you are sure of the best quality food and service  service that comes with a warm smile  chances are they’re Filipino, happy to see and serve a kababayan in another town. What can I say? The world is indeed our oyster, or shall I say, chilli crab, lah!

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