We went straight to Sofitel (formerly known as Westin Philippine Plaza).  Bubba didn’t know what I had up my sleeves.  Maybe he was thinking I found a new restaurant to discover.  Early that week, I made a call and inquired about the 4^th of July event from the American Association of the Philippines (AAP), whose number I lifted off from their website (http://www.americanassociationphilippines.org). The AAP in collaboration with MTV Philippines and Sofitel Philippine Plaza hosted its annual July 4^th U.S. Independence Day Celebration on July 1, 2007.  This event was held at Sofitel poolside gardens and sunset pavilion, which I used to frequent back in college for solitude and tranquil afternoons. It was really set for a family day with different activities such as Uncle Sam’s costume parade, kid’s on-the-spot painting contest, other kid’s games and activities, Philippine Marching Band parade, fire truck and canine rescue demonstration, patriotic art contest, auction, raffle prizes and a 4^th of July Barbeque Buffet!  MTV organized a Battle-of-the-Bands where the winning band will get a music video fully sponsored by MTV!  Bands from Brent International School, De La Salle, Ateneo and Assumption joined. Maggie Wilson, MTV VJ and reigning Binibining Pilipinas Ms. World, hosted the celebration together with “Uncle Sam.”  It was an all-afternoon party with great American music from the Bloomfields and song and dance performances from Paris Hilton, Shakira and Beyonce impersonators. The winning band was the youngest in the competition.  Their music was some kind of Fall-out Boys and Gin Blossoms mixture, which was the music that most in the crowd liked. The barbeque buffet was not the long stretch of food I was expecting.  I was craving for “falling-off-the-bone” ribs that night and didn’t get it.  Sofitel wait service could have been better though.  Nevertheless, the food was good.  I liked their nachos and chili con carne (almost as good as mine! Haha, j/p.), which had a little kick to it but it didn’t destroy the savory tomato and beef flavor. We also had grilled burgers, gigantic fries, potato gratin, creamed dory, grilled hotdogs, among others.  I guess it was kind of limited because the proceeds mostly go to the fundraising. To cap the event off, a spectacular fireworks display painted the night sky with sparkling hues.  It was one of the most beautiful fireworks displays I’ve seen and standing next to my LP on the luscious greens of Sofitel really made it all the more special. 

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/193/07_0701-_4th_of_July_at_Sofitel