All Aboard Tsai Airline’s Birthday Flight

 

She loves to entertain, loves to laugh, loves to invite friends and family over to their beautiful condo overlooking Navy Pier in Chicago, to her amazing Rockwell residence in Makati for drinks, food and lively conversations, or to her large, rustic cabin overlooking the challenging Mountain Course of Tagaytay Highlands for a round of golf with her charming husband, Fred Tsai, followed by a sumptuous feast at their place afterwards. There is never a dull moment when Fred or Nora Tsai invites you to their intimate gatherings, but this time, they both decided to make it special for the birthday girl herself.

The official invitation arrived a month after her “Save the Date” postcards. It was a big envelope containing visas, airline boarding passes, a return envelope for the RSVP card, and information on how to board Tsai Airlines on November 28, 2015, Thanksgiving weekend.  It was an intriguing kind of invitation, one that peaked one’s curiosity especially since the venue was no less than the newly renovated Drake Hotel in Oakbrook.  It was to be a formal affair so everyone prepared for a glamorous evening and anticipated a fun night that Nora and Fred are well-known for.

A timely arrival is always recommended for their parties.  At the corridor leading to the Grand Ballroom, different “Immigration Officers” were in line to check the “visas”, and to give arriving guests or passengers the VIP treatment, where VIP stood for “Very Inspired Performances” as her close friends mimicked the Immigration Hall.  They also issued official looking blue passports with clear plastic holders to be used later for a most rewarding game, flaming excitement and anticipation as guests continued to arrive, also getting a “goody bag” courtesy of their hosts.  Bing Rebodos, known in Nora’s circle as the “Indian man” was supposed to be a Saudi native, but looked more like a fortune teller than officer, getting into his Indian character and amusing guests as he pretended to ask them official questions. Faye Mendiola’s version of a Brazilian native was a Carmen Miranda look-alike, at least with the fruit on her head, and super long lashes that she batted when talking to the attendees. Even Nora’s own sons got into the international scene wearing porter’s uniforms and pretending to offer help for bags and such to the ladies. This created a comical airport effect that set the fun tone of the evening.  Guests were then directed to go to the lounge where a jazz quartet played to await their “flight”, while pass on hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were offered by the Drake staff.  When the time came for everyone to “board the flight” ,a soft chime, reminiscent of the one used in symphony halls, alerted the attendees to make their way to the ballroom. The party goers “checked in” to locate their tables and seats, and soon, the flight “took off” to signal the official start of Nora Tsai’s birthday celebration.

When the guests took their seats, into the ballroom walked in the handsome and dashing airline officer, wearing an airline captain’s uniform, the night’s doting husband Fred Tsai who made all the ladies wishful, and all the men “challenged” (by their wives, no less) by his absolute cooperation and generosity in hosting this memorable fete for his lady love of almost forty years.  Finally, emcee Bambie Sotomil, after a flurry of information and introductions, announced the grand entrance of the lady behind all of this commotion, Nora Tsai, resplendent in a ruby red gown. She warmly welcomed all her passengers/guests to a night of celebration and fun, surrounded by her husband, children, their spouses and grandchildren.  Attention to detail was evident even on our place settings—each table was a country replete with little souvenirs and knick knacks from that region, along with a vase of holiday blooms that added to the ambiance of the evening. The ballroom was full, the band played non-stop dance music and at the center of it all, an LED illuminated dance floor. This brought  to mind the famous “Saturday Night Fever” clip of John Travolta gyrating to the seventies’ disco music in the film that made his career as a Hollywood leading man. In between the tasty meal and announcements were the vocal renditions and the travel parlor game which made use of all those blue passports. The winner was Olivia, one of Nora’s granddaughters who got a local round trip ticket to any destination where Lolo Fred’s mileage points will take them. The highlight of the evening, however, was a surprise performance by the birthday lady herself, and her talent made this writer’s jaw drop even more when she took the charge of Freddie Alba’s drums and went into a spirited performance onstage, keeping beat to a rock and roll song from the 60’s.  Finally, it was mostly dancing from that point on, but judging from everyone’s responses and faces, it was one of the best adult birthday parties they had witnessed, participated in and experienced, certainly not your usual, run of the mill cookie cutter events where the celebrant was the focus.  At this party, Nora wanted to engage the party goers, to make them part of her milestone celebration, and for a few hours, she made them feel that they did go on a trip, a “fun-cation” at her party. Fred and Nora Tsai outdid themselves and threw an interesting, unusual and fabulous party there ever was for a “woman of a certain age” –it showcased not only the celebrant’s spirit, but also her sense of humor, hidden talent and utmost generosity to her invited guests, family and friends.

Showing her infinite thoughtfulness, a few days after her party, Nora called me to thank me for attending, and I congratulated her for hosting a fun night for all. Soon after, this email came in and I am reprinting it so she can thank everyone in her own, unique way.

Hi Girlie ,
I can’t find a better term for the 2 major “swat team members ” as Fred puts it, for my sister Olivia Reantaso & Dr.Naty Bernardino from the Philippines. Initially, Dr. Naty was with me shopping for items needed for give always & initiated the making of pompoms between her “alalays” & mine ( Nemia Jamco & Mae Aquino). My sister assisted me in facilitating printing of invitations, buying items for the grouping for table centerpieces when I left Manila, and of course runner & pick & delivery guy was Tony, our driver.
So if you can condense & relay this better I would appreciate it. The others I would like to thank are:
The Emcee, Bambie Sotomil, the DJ Eugene Infante
The Band: Boy Bonjoc w/ Freddie & Hazel Alba as sponsors
For flowers & decorations: Au & Tito Gagni, Baby & Ben Barin, John Madriaga, the Sotomils
Helping me in Chicago were:  Noemi & Ruben Cortez , Nora Corres , Zeny & Vic de Guzman
The Immigration officers : From Saudi was Bing Rebodos, from Brazil was Faye Mendiola, from India was Naty Lamba, from the Philippines was Pete Sotomil and from the U.S. were George & Nadia Horb
The Polynesian dancers Drs. Bay Galvez , Lei Mon, Phoebe Tan
The Roaring 20’s ladies, choreography by Lilia Pendon
Uptown Funk dance by Fannie Balenia .
My Classmates from out of state, especially my College of Nursing class ‘67
My son Brian & daughter-in-law Annalisa and my “apos” Olivia & Emily
My son Bob & daughter in law Tracee and my “apos” Lauren and Lily
My daughter Mei & my son-in-law Peter Phillips
Mei’s Mother-in-Law Janet Phillips from Derby , U.K.

To Nora and Fred Tsai, we thank you for showing us that fun, family, and friendship is ageless, and that the best gift for anyone is the feeling of love that you get back when you share it.