Comic #1: Blow Out

If you've lived in the Philippines for a bit of time, you know it's tradition that on your birthday, you're expected to treat your friends out.  This is what they call a "Blow Out" (ya I was confused with the name too).  Typically it's dinner and drinks but the main idea is that you show them a good time.  When I had my first birthday in the Philippines during my college stay, I thought my friends were pulling my leg. I just couldn't get over the idea that it was MY special day and that I was supposed to pay for everyone else?  Where were my gifts?

After a bit of coaxing, I was finally convinced to "celebrate" (aka spend my money on everyone else). I still kind of felt like I was being taken for a fool only because the idea was so farfetched to me.  Nonetheless, I did have a good time and I soon got over it when I experienced it from the non-celebrant perspective.  In a way, it's kind of similar to a birthday party except you shouldn't expect gifts.

Before you roast me (if you're from the Philippines), I do know that there are lot of traditional birthday parties in the Philippines with gifts and the what not.  For anyone unfamiliar of this, this idea of the "Blow Out" seems to be common among a group of close friends.  So there's no need to worry about your 1 year old not getting gifts at their birthday party. =D