A Bear-y Happy Party at the Palace

On May 12 last year, Presidential son and Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo and his wife Angela welcomed their second daughter, Marie Angelique or "Monique." Last May 21, Monique "officially" celebrated her birthday along with her family and 150 of her little friends at the Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañang Palace.

Mommy Angela began planning for the party only last March through the help of Heidi Lu of Balloon Creations, but the event turned out so well that people thought the party took at least six months of preparation. Having the advantage of planning her firstborn daughter Mika’s first birthday three years ago really helped Angela this time. From the get-go, Angela knew what she wanted for her Monique. "I chose the Carebears theme because Monique looks like a Carebear," Angela recalled and laughed.

Angela, who was svelte in her JC Buendia top, was all smiles as she greeted her daughter’s little guests (note, the party invitations were written out to names of children, and not to adults!) while proud Daddy Mikey carried the gleeful Monique around. Big sister Mika also helped entertain guests, as she likewise carried the responsibilities as mini hostess of her younger sister’s party.

Buffet tables throughout the Ceremonial Hall were literally weighed down with food from Mongolian grill (different kinds of meat) by the Plaza, to a smorgasbord of too-good-to- eat kiddie food prepared by the Palace kitchen, which included mini tacos, mini pizzas, mini corndogs, cheese sticks, chicken lollipops, and mini hotdogs with marshmallow toppers (adults were seen lingering around this particular table). On yet another table were the lechon baka carving station and the shawarma wrap station by Amina Shawarma Center. Guests had to leave room for dessert: A chocolate fountain where fruits like apples, bananas, etc. were dipped. Favorite party staples like french fries, cotton candy and FIC ice cream were also served.

Party host Shahein made sure the kids were entertained with games, while Wizzo wowed everyone including Monique’s maternal grandparents Charito and Herman Montenegro (who also shares the same birthday as Monique) with his magic show. The other children chose to take their chances at winning prizes at the game booths, while little ones jumped around in the 3-in-1 inflatable slide/bouncy "castle."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo made sure to drop in and mingle with the guests (all of whom flocked to them upon their arrival) and of course, to kiss their birthday-celebrant "apo." Time came when Monique had to blow the candle of her three-tiered Carebear castle, created by Kitchen Craft. Daddy Mikey and Mommy Angela, together with Mika, Monique, as well as their grandparents all went onstage to sing the birthday song. With the party coming to a close, children went to the souvenir table to take home their personalized Carebear puppets or Carebear lunchbags. At the end of the day, Monique Arroyo’s first birthday celebration was really all just one bear-y happy family affair!