The Rave at Area 55
by Andrei Clyde Arellano
Lights flashing. Music booming. Something is afoot on the highest floor of Pisay’s main building. Behind the double doors of the fourth floor auditorium were aliens. Beings outside our planet, all assembled, preparing for people to storm the complex for a party they will not forget.
On the 30th of October, Pisay held its annual Halloween party for this year 2019. Food, fun, and freaks were to be had as various Pisay students from different grade levels, dressed in a variety of costumes and attires, gathered at the 4th Floor Auditorium for a night of out of this world experiences.
But how did Area 55 came to be?
According to the main organizers, Elmira Decena, the student council treasurer, and Janine Liwanag, the student council vice president, it was actually quite the story.
For Decena, it was a rather comedic one. “The alien theme thing honestly started as a joke!” she stated. “We were originally brainstorming ideas for the Variety Show when someone suggested some outer world thing, [and] that was around the time when Area 51 was at its peak hype, and we all kind of just jumped into it!”
Indeed, almost everyone who is not living under a meteor knows what Area 51 is. The supposed U.S. military base that holds all information about extraterrestrials. The “secret” government project that has been performing experiments on beings outside of our known world, while keeping everyone in the dark about such confidential information.
It’s the stuff of conspiracy theories, and though it started as one, it eventually became a meme which reached its height this late June in a Facebook event which asked people to join forces to storm said base in late September. It even went so far to say that “they can’t stop all of us.”
While reactions to it were mixed — some believing it a funny joke and others already making plans to join the proposed raid — it nevertheless garnered a lot of attention and news coverage. And as everyone knows, that’s one way to make a meme.
For Liwanag, it was a more pragmatic story. She said that, originally, it was supposed to be the theme for the Variety Show held on the afternoon of the Foundation Day.
“We were brainstorming over the summer, and although we had already decided on magic as the theme for the Variety Show, we came up with ‘otherworldly,’ which eventually led to ‘Area 51,’” she stated. “Aliens was too good of a theme to let go, and we found it fitting for Halloween.”.
They both admitted that the theme had no competition, and that it was more or less set in stone the moment it was proposed. Nonetheless, Liwanag felt that the theme was excellent. Even if there were other themes suggested, aliens would have still been the most unique one.
“I haven’t seen a Halloween party about aliens or outer space, so it was definitely very fun to plan from the start. We also believed it would be very easy and fun to promote because of the ‘Storm Area 51’ event that became viral over the summer,” said Liwanag. She also added that the possible costume ideas that people would have, another reason they chose the theme. “We [also] thought that the possible costumes, such as the Little Green Men from Toy Story, would be very cute.”
Both organizers, however, admitted that planning the event was somewhat difficult.
“I think the most difficult part was just coordinating all the tasks because a lot went into this event, like food, decor, logistics, program, and paperwork,” said Liwanag.
“Keeping up with everything that went on with the prep, especially since I was mostly in-charge of the financials involved for the party,” said Decena, when asked about any struggles encountered.
But both organizers credit the people they worked with, namely the student council and staff, in helping them with the entire set-up. Both claimed that the extra sets of hands were invaluable to them and made everything more manageable for them.
As the party went on and guests filled themselves up with fun, laughter, joy, and taho (lots and lots of taho), two guys were doing their best to keep the energy of the party up as students watched on. Batch 2021 students Rod Anthony Ayeras and John Paul Rosales braved the challenge of keeping spirits up as the party lasted into the night.
Just like the organizers, they admitted that hosting was its own challenge. “The most challenging part of hosting must be keeping the audience entertained throughout the whole event, especially since the event was at night so people are already tired at tinatawag na sila ng mga kama nila sa bahay,” said Ayeras.
Rosales, on the other hand, had difficulty with keeping up with the theme of the event. “Siguro yung makisabay sa theme [niyong] event. Pero narealize ko na ‘di ko rin naman kailangan itema lahat sa Halloween, basta mapasaya ko lang ‘yung audience and makatulong sa success [niyong] event.”
But even with these challenges, both hosts were happy with the task of hosting. For them, hosting was something they both found to have meaning to them. Both agreed that it was all about leading the charge to happiness and laughs.
“Ang pinakamasayang parte siguro ng pag-hohost ko ay iyong nakakapagpasaya ako ng mga tao,” Ayeras stated. “Ang pinakagusto ko about hosting, kahit sa ano mang event pa ‘yan, ay ‘yung makapagbigay ngiti at halakhak sa mga nakikinig,” Rosales added.
Both the organizers and hosts agreed that the Halloween party was a great success.
Liwanag cited the fact that there were many more attendees than last year’s party. “We saw much more attendees than we had at last year’s Nightmare Before Christmas, and probably even more than in the Halloween parties before,” she stated.
However, all of them mused that there were things that could have been done better. For the organizers, it was the program that was constrained by time. “There were a bunch of things we weren’t able to do due to time constraints, such as the usual rave and general jamming,” said Decena.
Liwanag also noticed that the dance was cut short compared to previous years. “ I know the iconic end-of-party rave is an important part of the whole Halloween party experience, so it’s just unfortunate we didn’t have enough time this year.”
Ayeras shared his sentiments. “May mga naririnig ako na they wanted sana na mas mahaba pa ‘yung rave and the contest should have been shortened.” He concluded, saying “let’s give people what they want which is more rave. Para sa kanila naman itong party na ito eh, might as well make it the best way na mapapasaya ang mga tao.”
For Rosales, he believed that it could have improved itself in audience interactivity. “Siguro isa sa mga mas makabubuti para sa Halloween parties ay ‘yung mga activities na mas involved ang lower years.” He also shared his sentiments on having bands play during the party. “Maganda rin naman na may mga banda pero sa tingin ko na hindi pa gaanong naaappreciate ng mga lower years.”
They all hoped that next year’s party would be just as much of a blast, if not more. Ayeras stressed that it would be Batch 2021’s last Halloween party, so he hopes that it would be a most memorable one. Decena’s hopes were simple, yet succinct and accurate. “Hopefully more music, fun, and food!”
Liwanag hopes that next year’s theme would also be a fun unique, ending by capitalizing the importance of the Halloween party to Pisay. “… I really believe that Halloween is a great opportunity for the Pisay community to de-stress and just enjoy the simple pleasures of a holiday.”
In a school that brings enormous stress to students and faculty alike, it’s nice to have at least a few days a year where the students can pause thinking about that paper they have due tomorrow, or the project they need to finish by midnight, and instead think of which costume on display was the best, or how they can have fun with their friends tonight.
Liwanag’s statement is a reminder that, in the end, everyone needs time to unwind, and the Halloween party is one great way to do so. A night where everyone can celebrate the Spook Season is indeed fun for many, and a good way to end a tiring school month.
