DAYANARA MESMEIZE'S 48TH GREAT GATSBY THEME BIRTHDAY PARTY

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

 

In the 1920's, women dressed-up according to the type of events and the time of the day. The most significant of all the dresses was the naturally drop waist slip-on dresses worn by the Gangster and Flapper Girls, with hem lengths never going above-the-knee. It was either smartened-up with bright or neutral fabric materials and always accentuated in glittery sequins and/or jive frills. Famously in those days, loose dresses exemplified a sophisticated beauty and femininity despite its unconstrained designs when worn. 

Gentlemen and ladies alike, may I present to you the impersonation of the Roaring 20's style on Miss Dayanara Mesmeize's birthday party. It was the grandiose thankful celebration of her 48th years of existence on Earth with the theme that took us back to the era of consumerism and modern life. Without further ado, her invited and confirmed guests glamorised the venue at Bournbrook And Selly Oak Social Club with THE GREAT GASTBY side-splitting features. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the evening approached the guests were walking graciously on the quarter-turn stair of the building, only to be stopped by the Lady in fuchsia pink dress. She asked them to stand in front of the ameliorated notice board printed on canvas for a souvenir photo shoot. After that, a fresh door awaited them leading to the main venue where they could hear the clinking of champagne glasses from the bar on the right and the tête-à-tête of the guests. Their eyes were illuminated by the Christmassy lights; beautiful palm trees and interlaced festive yellow cloths. Such was the spruceness which fully surrounded the 10 laid out big round tables covered in white cloths and encircled by wrapped chairs for her designated guests.

 

 

(Photo Courtesy of Dayanara Mesmeize's Facebook Account)

(Photo Courtesy of Dayanara Mesmeize's Facebook Account)

There were group pictures with the celebrant, taken by the Lady in fuchsia pink dress, in the lower main floor of the venue. Most of the guests many costume impersonations were statuesquely stunning and dazzling. Everyone was impressed when they looked at someone and in particular, each round table had classy stars who with dignity depicted and carried out the Gatsby Woman's characteristics. It was only interrupted when her agreeably graceful hostess, Miss Alexandra Marie Diaz, asked the guests to cease what they were doing in order to watch a welcome slideshow created by Miss Tiffany Jones. It was a sequence of digitally compiled memorable images of the celebrant which featured her golden charisma as Miss Dayanara Mesmeize and the pureness of her core self as the essential Neil Sumalangcay.

Miss Tiffany Jones

Photo Courtesy of Tiffany Jones' Facebook Account

(The Hostess, Miss Alexandra Marie Diaz)

All of the guests were in the wonderment paradise and more so, when Dayanara appeared on stage in her glamorous deep plunge halterneck gold evening gown with a gradient faux fur stole. She didn't just impress us with her beautiful Gatsby presence as she also serenaded us with the tune, “When We Were Young”. After her vocal performance and compassionate speech, a dear friend of hers (Teofilo Fernandez, Jr.) initiated and sang gaily the traditional “Happy Birthday To You” song. 

The celebrant was in rhapsodic state after the crowd's joint voices and applause. Her presence was then called off the stage and she headed off (in high heels) to the center of the room. Where a pair of arranged cakes awaited for her utmost whisper, “Make A Wish”, and the blowing out of 2 types of candles. I have to say that the phallus like candle made her react ecstatically and not just the impish ladies. Am I right my dear women of the crowd especially the present October celebrants?  

(The October Celebrants)

The celebrant's heart brimming in self-effacing and unselfish demeanour wasn't just all about holding her own grandiose party. It has always been an occasion with a purpose in which she worked hard to gather in one place the special people, with the same virtues and different idiosyncrasies, she encountered in life. Benevolently speaking, her birthday party's main purpose for 9 years to date has been a blessing to the Asilo De Molo Home For The Aged and to her indigent neighbourhood in Iloilo, Philippines. 

It was almost 21:00 when our tummies were calling and rumbling for the appetising buffet style feast. The scrumptious food choices were prepared and served warmly by the family of Benedict Yap Torres' VIP Catering that certainly replenished the spirit and vigour of the guests. 

(The VIP Catering Benedict Yap Torres and Family)

The night's excitement of the Great Gatsby birthday celebration was resumed by a few intermission numbers on and off the stage... 

The spotless and playful lip sync panoplies of the drag queen, Ebony B Krugger, bestirred us all. She performed on stage with superb lip portrayal of the posthumous greatest hits album, “I Will Always Love You: The Best of Whitney Houston”, by the late American recording artist, Whitney Houston. Wait a minute, there was also a sudden twist when she opened her cape and started frisking off stage in the tune of “Queen of the Night”. I thought that would be the concluding part of her performance but it was only the starter. In addition to this, there was a submissive scene in which she “smashed” playfully one of the Q.E. Doctors. 

There was the harmonising singing performance of the duo sisters, Millicent Jane Erika and Julia Rogers, who sang in their own smoky singsong voices. The boobtube mermaid cut gown of Millicent Jane Erika made her regal that night and while Julia Roberts' glittery sequinned dress defined her sexiness. The sisters' dresses were coordinated in gold colours and their silky locks scintillated the crowd.

We were also grooved by the presence of the Lady Wednesbury, Baga Chipz Mbe, during her honeyed and silvery singing performances on stage. She moved our feet and body to music boomingly and most of us dauntlessly showed-off on the dance floor the frill movements of our dresses. 

The Lady Wednesbury, Baga Chipz Mbe (Left)

Photo Courtesy of Venus Petra Mountney's Facebook Accout

The grandiose physical transformation of Miss Dayanara Mesmeize for 3 years to date were metamorphosed gorgeously under the hands of her chic make-up artist, Miss KC Cueto, and seductive hairstylist, Miss Yurie Mylyn Sy. The ostentatious alteration of the venue with the sound/light system effects was assisted wholeheartedly by her loving partner, Mark, with the unreserved cooperation from DJ Arnold Magno, Mr. Efren Abrina and Mrs. Lyn Abrina. More importantly, the impish cake which made Dayanara smile zestfuly on her 48th birthday party last Saturday was baked by a chef, Roni Smith.

(The Chic Make-Up Artist, Miss KC Cueto)

(The Seductive Hairstylist, Miss Yurie Mylyn Sy)

(Miss Dayanara Mesmeize's Loving Partner, Mark)

The evening of the Great Gatsby was colourfully festive when the selected guests for The Best Great Gatsby Dress were all called up to gather on stage. These were the women who strongly portrayed the trimmed features of the 1920's Gangster and Flapper Girls' outfits. However, there was only one who stood out from the rest and The Best Great Gatsby Dress recipient who received a cash prize of £100.00 was The Lady in Champagne Pink Feather Fascinator... 

The Best Great Gatsby Dress, Molly Malone

Photo Courtesy of Molly Malone's Facebook Account

That was a tough crux unanimously voted by the judges. Per contra, the evening was toughened more when the erotically gratifying beefcake stripper, Fabio, thrilled most women with his raunchy movements. How would we ever forget him on and off the stage when he thrust erotically in particular with his “johnson”; that gave us a water-logged response. The meaty turbulence from Fabio consummated when he splashed a creamy aqueous solution into the obstreperous crowd. Excuse my profanity!

The ultimate segment of the party was enlivened more by a list of 1920's Great Gatsby dance music. All I could say is, no one seemed dead on their feet as the jovial guests who were on the centre of the floor had been dancing vigorously until the wee hours of the next morning.  

Modestly speaking, when you have been humble, pleasant and genuine to people you must believe strongly in yourself that you will reap what you sow at the end of the day. Comparatively speaking, this is how Miss Dayanara Mesmeize has been living her life to the fullest and ever since she went through a successful triple heart bypass. I am sure that all of those present had a wonderful time and owe a debt of gratitude to the warm-hearted Miss Dayanara Mesmeize.

THE SUNSHINY DAY OF MISS AMAZING MIDLANDS 2017

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

(Miss Iwa Moto, Miss Amazing Midlands 2017)

Four months of deliberate preparations for the Dayanara Marques de Araneta Production with the systematic coordination of BFBCV (Birmingham Filipino- British Community Volunteers) exclusively to achieve a 2-day spectacular event held in Birmingham and Beyond. It is the biggest gathering and has just achieved its non-stop 10th year of public existence and named this year as Birmingham- Sandwell West Midlands Fiesta Celebration.

(Birmingham Filipino- British Community Volunteers)

Detailed information of the event has been disseminated, either in person or through social media, in order to acquire attention from the British-Filipino communities and supporters in the U.K. Effectively, most of social media users showed their approval and enthusiasm by sharing on their walls the important particulars of this year's biggest celebration in West Midlands. The solidarity of a number of Filipinos who travelled far to attend the celebration was acclaimed by the hospitable organisers and the jovial locals. I have to say that the unconscious hearty camaraderie and cheerful personalities of my fellow Filipinos made me realised how lovely for us all it was to have this event on a sunny day. In my humble opinion, it was an excursion worth travelling to and more importantly, a BIG THANK YOU to the amiable Miss Dayanara Mesmeize for my complimentary taxi from the station to the venue and vice versa!

 
 
 
 

The sun was glorious as I arrived in Bearwood's Lightwoods Park and I was welcomed with warm greetings from the watchmen in green vests. I was walking on an elongated pavement and from there I saw a stationary Sheriff's car; myriad presence of jovial visitors on the grassland and many merchandisers' stalls with protective tent-like awnings. As I walked through the grassland, I appreciated the unvarying bells and whistles of the raised stage which prominently featured the flag of Republic of the Philippines and the Union Jack of the United Kingdom. There was also a conspicuously erected Filipino version of simple hut (nipa hut) made from natural materials. 

“I couldn't find her and Where is Miss Dayanara?”, I whispered in my mind. All of sudden, she appeared in front of me and handed over my entry badge for the restricted area. A guarded place with encompassing basic chain link fence which effectively secured the safety and properties of the candidates for Miss Amazing Midlands 2017.

The Unshakably Radiant 7 candidates
(From Left to Right: Daniela, Agatha, Leila, Iwa, Sophia, Mikayla and Cassandra)


(With Miss Amazing Midlands 2016 Queen, Miss Venus Petra Moutney)

There were 14 original applicants but only 5 of them pursued and showed up for the competition. However, 2 additional candidates also arrived. The final unshakably radiant 7 candidates ostentatiously showed-off on stage in order to contend for the exalting title of Miss Amazing Midlands 2017...

(The Members of the Jury)

(The Tabulators)

The high spirited audience had a glimpse of the colourful candidates on the side of the stage while the positive hosts, Alexandra Marie Diaz and Julious Labao, introduced one-by-one the calmed members of the jury; the well set-up tabulators and a list of this year's sponsors. Thereupon, all candidates were called one at a time to make a spectacle of themselves with their considerably full FANTASY COSTUMES. All of them were very flamboyant with their well-fastened headdresses and cunningly crafted wings. When the rainbow like appearances of them was completed, the jury handed over the score sheets which were tabulated and the Best in Fantasy Costume was awarded to the Sparkling Lustre Lady in Red, Miss Sophia Frewin.

 (Candidate #1, Miss Sophia and Candidate #2, Miss Cassandra)
 
 (Candidate #3, Miss Leila and Candidate #4, Miss Mikayla)
 
(Candidate #5, Miss Agatha and Candidate #6, Miss Daniela)
 
 (Candidate #7, Miss Iwa)

(Miss Sophia Frewin, Best in Fantasy Costume)

They carefully headed back into their tents, changing room, for the next round of the competition. Subsequently, a local quality Filipino Artist named 'AlPaBeT' rocked us all with his quick & sharp rap performance.

(AlPaBeT)

“Hey, sexy ladies... Where are your itsy bitsy teenie weenie bikini?”. Can you guess what was the next round? Undoubtedly, this was the sensuously delightful SWIMWEAR display. They each trusted on stage with vanity and impressed not just the jury but also, the madding crowd. All of them were indulgently flirtatious in their fleshy, one-piece and two-piece, bathing suits. They were all called back on stage for the traditional 360 degree turn around and in particular, to be examined as to who amongst them had the hourglass figure and buffy booty. The woman who unanimously made the jury gulp and drank more wine was Miss Iwa Moto for Best in Swimwear.

 

 

(Miss Iwa Moto, Best in Swimwear)

 

After the thought-provoking 360 degree turn around by the voluptuous candidates, another local quality Filipino artist in the name of Maria Otadoy stirred and fascinated us with her singing voice.

(Maria Otadoy)

Our energy levels remained high and accelerated more when the candidates were back on stage for their PRODUCTION NUMBER. One-by-one they appeared in their above the knee bodycon dress. They didn't just walk in like a prancing model as they also moved their bodies and feet to music on stage. It was like a dance party and the one who stood out on the disco floor (stage) was Miss Leila Duterte. She unanimously brought home the Best in Catwalk which was assessed during their production number.

 

(Miss Leila Duterte, Best in Catwalk)

We were allured by the candidates wiggly bodies and darling hand moves. Actually, some of us shook our booties as well. However, when the quality siblings called 'Wiggins Sisters' appeared on stage we were enchantedly blown away by their soulful acapella voices. How I wish I could sing like them as the idea of being with your biological sisters of equal musical fortes is very winsome.

(Wiggins Sisters)

The Wiggins Sisters mollified most of us who were under the dehydrating heat of the sun. The ameliorated feeling continued when the candidates performed individually their learnt by heart TALENT. Most of their amusingly dazzling dance performances tickled us but there was only one who scored high in the hearts of the jury. Once again its contestant number 7, Miss Iwa Moto, who was unanimously decided as the Best in Talent.

After the nailed down talents of the sanguine candidates, another local quality Filipino artist was presented and took over the stage. T.MaX intensified the crowd with his hip hop music rhythmical beat with the percussion break of funk or soul recording. It was an upbeat feat music of his which was a contrast to the performance of the BFBCV (Birmingham Filipino- British Community Volunteers) Dancers. They appeared as group of women wearing pleated skirts embellished with shiny sequins; covered their fingers in gold plated filigree bead cones and accessories their head with the traditional jewelled headwear. Over and above that, they enacted a popular traditional fingernail dance to the tune of slow rhythmic movements of their legs, arms and fingers.

(T.MaX)

The performances of the earlier artists were expunged when the cleaning Lady from the Philippines, Lady Imelda, emerged in the crowd with her buffooneries and more importantly, her confidently dominion bright vocals. Then I quipped to myself, “She is indeed the cleaning lady who will sharply restore your sense of hearing and you will envy her vocal cords”.

(The Cleaning Lady from the Philippines, Lady Imelda)

Lady Imelda enjoyed the guffaws of her audience which is why, she started and finished her depiction only on the grassland. She's the Lady Imelda after all who made most of us laugh aloud and astounded with her powerful vocals. Standing ovation!

Here comes the candidates who were warmly admired because of their long chromatic finely detailed sewn gowns. One at a time, they appeared on stage elegantly and took their time in flaunting their body hugging off-shoulder long gowns. Ensuingly, each of them were serenaded by a healthy young boy who handed over red roses with a Hillgrove gentleman's bow. The exquisiteness of their selves in gowns were appreciated by the audience and more so, when they were called back for the jittery QUESTION and ANSWER portion. Each red rose had a covert number which revealed to a corresponding question. Honestly speaking, they all answered clearly, smartly and substantially (core points!).

 

 

The woman wearing the fishtail lace purple off-shoulder neckline body hugging gown, Miss Iwa Moto, was awarded and agreed by all as Best in Long Gown. On the other hand, the woman wearing the see-through trumpet tail flowy pink sweetheart neckline body hugging gown, Miss Sophia Frewin, was unifiedly awarded the Miss Intellectual title.

(Miss Iwa Moto, Best in Long Gown and Miss Sophia Frewin, Miss Intellectual)

They all headed back to their tent-like dressing room and thereafter, the stage was occupied by Alexander Martinez. A Filipino artist who appeared in Poland's Got Talent and wooed us that day with his chosen songs.

(Julious Labao, Alexander Martinez and Alexandra Marie Diaz)

It was roughly 30 minutes past the hour of 17:00, when the FILIPINIANA attire or the “modernised Maria Clara gown” procession of the candidates commenced. They all wore elegant formal outfits which symbolised the virtues, nobility and the world class capacity of a Filipino woman. I admired their compassionate depictions in bearing their own design of modernised Maria Clara gown with the distinct butterfly sleeves. Historically speaking, the modern terno became well-known because of the former first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos, tastes in fashion. The prime candidate who portrayed well the Filipiniana formal attire and stunned the eyes of the audience was, Miss Iwa Moto. More importantly, her statuesque embroidered white “modernised Maria Clara gown” and accessories gained unanimously from the jury the Best in Filipiniana.

 
  
 

(Miss Iwa Moto, Best in Filipiniana)

The stately stance and erect postures of the candidates justified the most iconic Filipino attire. Am I right? Each had their boasting moments on stage and after the last candidate, we were surprised by Ate Gay's brief appearance. A Filipino actor, comedian, impersonator and singer who was flown over from the Philippines only to entertain the unceasing crowd on the concluding day of the barrio fiesta. Moreover, our weary bodies were woken up by the belting singing voice of Arianna Morgan. She solely delivered all of the songs in the finest and excellent styles with no weakness of intensity and excessive breathlessness. Her incredible breath support vocal range was sterling!

(Miss Ate Gay)

(Arianna Morgan)

All of the candidates had their gasconading and swaggering appearances on stage. Which is why, the presence of last year's first runner-up, Nicole Williams, and last year's Queen, Venus Petra Moutney, were called upon for their farewell walk and speech (for the Queen only). Their radiant beauties were seen again by their admirers and their provocative composures in wearing their gowns were once appreciated by their undying supporters.

(Miss Amazing Midlands 2016 1st runner-up, Miss Nicole Williams)

Miss Nicole Williams was uniquely dramatic in wearing her custom-made strapless bronze gown which showed-off her beautiful tattoo. On the other hand, Miss Venus Petra Moutney was raging and confident in her simple tiffany teal satin gown. However, her plunging neckline showed off her perfect bronze and her thigh-high grazing slit exposed her perfectly toned legs.

(Miss Amazing Midlands 2016 Queen , Miss Venus Petra Moutney)

After the farewell walk and speech of the last year's Queen, the admirable and stunning candidates were all called back on stage. They were joined by the members of the jury and the team of tabulators. The host was handling an envelop containing the names for the special awards and the unanimously decided runners-up as well as the title holder of Miss Amazing Midlands 2017. However, the announcement of winners was interrupted when the host misapprehended the tally result for the runners-up and the title holder. The clarity of tabulation was revealed and found no mistake at all. Thenceforward, the runners-up and the Queen of Miss Amazing Midlands 2017 were revealed and declared.

2nd Runner-up, Miss Sophian Frewin
1st Runner-up, Miss Leila Duterte
Miss Amazing Midlands 2017 Queen, Miss Iwa Moto

We all have different perceptions about a certain person which is why, we encircle ourselves in a group of similar inclinations. It is also true that some people like to be admired by the group and this can lead to vanity and arrogance. On a more noteworthy sense, a simple “Hi or Hello” will never hurt nor harm you whether you are on a pompous pedestal or on the ground like most of us. The world is round and multicultural but should not be a control place for authority!