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Let us Party with Filipino Kids

Filipinos as parents tend to be very indulgent with their children. They will do anything in their power to give their children the best life can offer. During a Filipino child’s birthday , the parents usually throw a party the child will never forget and in Filipino tradition, the biggest parties are held on the child’s 7th and 18th birthday (but let’s focus on the kids for now). Filipinos take their parties very seriously and just because it’s their child’s day doesn’t mean the parents can’t have a little fun on their own . Here’s a guide on what to expect at a Filipino children’s party.

“Pabitin” is a rack of goodies or money hanged and it is usually a part of a Filipino Kid ’s party. Someone is in charge of pulling up and down for the kids to have a chance of grabbing their share every time it is lowered down . Photo Credit: Purefoods, Jollibee

Where does it happen ?

For parents who want to be spared from the organizing and planning , the easiest way is to head over to Jollibee. In the Philippines, bigger Jollibee branches offer function rooms, and to have a party, all you’ll have to pay for is the food , and along with the package comes the function room itself, a host, prizes, and party favors, and of course, a Jollibee mascot! It allows hassle-free preparation and everyone loves Jollibee. Other fast-food chains like McDonald’s also provide these kinds of packages as well.

But for those parents whose kids want something different , it can be anywhere that’s spacious enough for games and dining. It can be at another restaurant or in an outdoor setting. But wherever it is, it’s almost always filled with upbeat music and a bunch of fun things ! The rest of the article falls under this category. 

Who brings the entertainment?

Clown is a popular character for a Filipino Kid ’s Party to entertain both the adults and the kids .

Most of the time, parents hire a clown to host the party. These clowns may dress up with bright colors and face paint but they aren’t like the ones in the circus. They are usually humorous and they hype up the children with their planned parlor games. Even the adults enjoy the clown’s jokes from just watching the fun at a distance . 

However, for those kids who are afraid of clowns , the parents usually hire a host or even just ask a friend or relative with hosting experience to allow the other children to enjoy the games . The hosts usually find ways to involve the Yayas (maids) in the fun since they’re usually watching over their respective child in the party but even them,  they need their break , too. 

For those well-off families , parents sometimes hire performers to entertain guests in other ways. This includes magicians, singers, and dancers that are usually in costume from the child’s favorite cartoon. Think of it like meeting a Disney princess with backup dancers. It’s entertaining for the grown-ups at the party, too!

How do you know it’s a Filipino party?

Jollibee has become a part of almost every Filipino Kid ’s Party. Some branches are available close to the Filipino communities around the world . (Photo credit: Jollibee)

If there’s one thing about Filipino children’s parties, it’s definitely the food ! There is almost always lumpia, Filipino style spaghetti (which is a sweeter version of the Italian one), hotdog and marshmallows on a stick, ice cream, soft drinks, and iced tea and it’s never a party in the Philippines without Lechon (unless the food is pre-ordered from a restaurant chain). As simple as these are, these are usually what children love to eat . These are usually served buffet style so there’s more than enough for everyone . It’s not a Filipino party if you’re not stuffed at the end.

There is also the stereotypical Filipino birthday cake. Usually, it’s just a simple chocolate cake covered in colorful buttercream frosting (depending on the child’s theme and preference), a birthday message, and cake toppers which are usually the theme of the party. This is usually cut into pieces after the kids sing Happy Birthday to the celebrant and it is shared with everyone . Honestly, it’s not usually the cake that’s delicious but the feeling of togetherness and celebration. Usually, if there are leftovers, they are usually given to the guests to bring home .

After all the games, the final one is usually the “Pabitin”. The Pabitin, which means “rack of goodies”, is a game where a rack of items is suspended over a crowd who attempt to grab at the stuff as the wooden rack is lowered and raised, up and down . Usually, the taller children have the advantage but that doesn’t mean the shorter ones have some tricks up their sleeve. In the end, it’s a fun game of agility and although some get their share of prizes and others get none, everyone still has a good time.

Like just any other typical culture , Philippine children’s parties have loot bags. This is a small plastic bag that’s usually filled with different kinds of candy and small toys . As simple as they are, they usually bring a child so much joy.

Adult Corner

Although the child’s classmates, cousins, and friends make up the majority of the guests, it doesn’t mean the adults can’t have their fun especially if the party has a larger guest list. The children usually have their games and festivities in the center while adults stay in the corners. Usually, if they’re seated together , they’re family or friends that haven’t caught up in a while. They usually leave the “Yaya” (maid) to watch over their kids while they enjoy their own company. Sometimes light beer is served so they can get buzzed while still keeping it PG for the children.

Sometimes, the host prepares some games for them, and those who are young at heart join in on the fun . Knowing Filipinos, they’ll never miss any opportunity to have fun and enjoy themselves no matter how old they are. In fact, there’s usually a karaoke machine on standby and there’s bound to be a boom box ready to play the music that anyone can dance to after the children’s program . 

Since Filipinos love to attend parties and like finding reasons to have them, a children’s party is just another reason for them to celebrate life especially that of a child’s. Even during their Children’s party, they love doing their own karaoke singing and dance which is pretty much a very Filipino way of catching up.

Learn Tagalog

very indulgent - sobrang mapagpalayaw
throw a party - magkaroon ng pagdiriwang
what to expect - ano ang inaasahan
want to be spared - nais na makaiwas
organizing and planning - ayusin at planohin
spacious enough - sapat na luwag
seated together - magkatabi ng upuan
bright colors - maliwanag na mga kulay
watching the fun at a distance - nanood ng kasiyahan na may distansiya
afraid of clowns - takot sa payaso
hire a host - kumuha ng taga-aliw
enjoy the games - tamasahin ang mga laro
they need their break - kailangan nila ang pahinga
entertaining for the grown-ups - nakakalibang para sa mga may edad
never miss any opportunity - hindi makaligtaan ang kahit-anong pagkakataon
1. very indulgent - sobrang mapagpalayaw
0:03
2. throw a party - magkaroon ng pagdiriwang
0:03
3. what to expect - ano ang inaasahan
0:03
4. want to be spared - nais na makaiwas
0:03
5. organizing and planning - ayusin at planohin
0:03
6. spacious enough - sapat na luwag
0:03
7. seated together - magkatabi ng upuan
0:03
8. bright colors - maliwanag na mga kulay
0:03
9. watching the fun at a distance - nanood ng kasiyahan na may distansiya
0:05
10. afraid of clowns - takot sa payaso
0:03
11. hire a host - kumuha ng taga-aliw
0:03
12. enjoy the games - tamasahin ang mga laro
0:03
13. they need their break - kailangan nila ang pahinga
0:04
14. entertaining for the grown-ups - nakakalibang para sa mga may edad
0:04
15. never miss any opportunity - hindi makaligtaan ang kahit-anong pagkakataon
0:06

Learn Cebuano

very indulgent - nagpatuyang kaayo
throw a party - maghikay og party
what to expect - unsay gipaabot
want to be spared - gusto magpaluwas
organizing and planning - pagorganisar ug pagplano
spacious enough - sakto nga pagkalapad
seated together - galingkod og dungan
bright colors - hayag nga mga kolor
watching the fun at a distance - gatan-aw sa kalingaw gikan sa layo
afraid of clowns - hadlok sa mga clown
hire a host - pagkuha og host
enjoy the games - malingaw sa mga dula
they need their break - kinahanglan sila sa ilang pahuway
entertaining for the grown-ups - kalingawan para sa mga dagko
never miss any opportunity - dili gyud palabyon ang bisan unsang higayon
1. very indulgent - nagpatuyang kaayo
0:04
2. throw a party - maghikay og party
0:03
3. what to expect - unsay gipaabot
0:02
4. want to be spared - gusto magpaluwas
0:02
5. organizing and planning - pagorganisar ug pagplano
0:04
6. spacious enough - sakto nga pagkalapad
0:03
7. seated together - galingkod og dungan
0:03
8. bright colors - hayag nga mga kolor
0:02
9. watching the fun at a distance - gatan-aw sa kalingaw gikan sa layo
0:04
10. afraid of clowns - hadlok sa mga clown
0:03
11. hire a host - pagkuha og host
0:03
12. enjoy the games - malingaw sa mga dula
0:02
13. they need their break - kinahanglan sila sa ilang pahuway
0:03
14. entertaining for the grown-ups - kalingawan para sa mga dagko
0:03
15. never miss any opportunity - dili gyud palabyon ang bisan unsang higayon
0:05

Learn Ilocano

very indulgent - sobra nga andingay
throw a party - agpadaya
what to expect - ana ti ekspektaren
want to be spared - kayat na ti haan nga mairaman
organizing and planning - mang-buangay ken mangplano
spacious enough - husto nga kadakkel
seated together - agasideg da nga nakatugaw
bright colors - narangrang nga kolor
watching the fun at a distance - agbuybuya ti adayo
afraid of clowns - mabuteng ti mangrabrabak
hire a host - mangbayad ti mangimaton
enjoy the games - agragsak kadagiti ay-ayam
they need their break - kasapulan da ti inana
entertaining for the grown-ups - makaay-ayo kadagiti nataengan
never miss any opportunity - haan nga palabasen ti oportunidad
1. very indulgent - sobra nga andingay
0:03
2. throw a party - agpadaya
0:02
3. what to expect - ana ti ekspektaren
0:03
4. want to be spared - kayat na ti haan nga mairaman
0:04
5. organizing and planning - mang-buangay ken mangplano
0:04
6. spacious enough - husto nga kadakkel
0:04
7. seated together - agasideg da nga nakatugaw
0:04
8. bright colors - narangrang nga kolor
0:03
9. watching the fun at a distance - agbuybuya ti adayo
0:03
10. afraid of clowns - mabuteng ti mangrabrabak
0:04
11. hire a host - mangbayad ti mangimaton
0:04
12. enjoy the games - agragsak kadagiti ay-ayam
0:05
13. they need their break - kasapulan da ti inana
0:04
14. entertaining for the grown-ups - makaay-ayo kadagiti nataengan
0:05
15. never miss any opportunity - haan nga palabasen ti oportunidad
0:05

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