With everyone told to stay home, celebrations have become strictly indoor during the community quarantine period.
And with social events now curtailed, many event companies have made adjustments accordingly in order to operate continually.
One of them is La Belle Fete favored by celebrities.
It ihas been organizing Do-It-Yourself home parties and intimate event packages in collaboration with event stylist Gideon Hermosa, another celebrity-favorite supplier.
Ycoy Sitchon, managing director of La Belle Fete, said, "As early as April, we came up with a collaboration with renowned stylist Gideon Hermosa called The G Fete.
"While people are in quarantine and lockdown, most of them still want to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, monthly baby milestones, and other fetes at home.
"On the other hand, the lack of materials, resources, and the tedious task of planning and designing prove to be hindrances and sources of frustration.
"The prevalent COVID-19 anxiety adds to the somber mood of people.
"Bearing in mind these concerns, the G Fete is born."
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) interviewed Sitchon via email on May 28, 2020.
According to Ycoy, La Belle Fete curates a "specialized theme" for a celebration in which Gideon provides handcrafted party decors that include his popular floral arrangements.
Through his in-house flower subscription page The Gardens by the House of Hermosa, Gideon is able to supply clients with handpicked, handcrafted floral designs.
For intimate weddings, Gideon's House of Hermosa has launched "Lille Feast" that offers a bouquet, an entrance décor, a backdrop, and even an altar.
La Belle Fete has assured that the pricing for packages is "cost-efficient vis-a-vis the high-quality #Gideonized decors and specialized service."
Moreoever, G Fete has opened an opportunity for other event suppliers to thrive as well during the quarantine.
KEEPING THE WEDDING INDUSTRY ALIVE
Ycoy said, "We also created different packages adding other suppliers in the mix so we can also give businesses to them—from caterers, virtual entertainers, hosts, to cake artists.
"We tweak and improve packages as we move along."
"Right now, we also offer photo shoots at home."
The G Fete has also encouraged clients to "share their blessings with charitable institutions."
Ycoy enumerated, "Planning and coordinating with these institutions is an add-on service that is free of charge.
"As the government eases the policies, we will continue to revise our packages to adapt to these changes.
"Right now, there is a positive reception as bookings come in."
La Belle Fete also has launched Festoon Co., a creative agency for business innovators in the event and wedding industry.
Ycoy said, "As mentioned, we firmly believe that crisis breeds innovation.
"The economic pains brought by the COVID-19 pandemic paralyze businesses, especially in the event industry.
"It ravages the lives and livelihood of event companies and staff all over the world.
"I launched Festoon Co. as part of my initiatives to assist small organizations in grappling with the crisis."
Virtual celebrations via Zoom
Aside from staging themed home parties with DIY party kits, video calls have made it possible for family and friends to be "present" at these home celebrations.
Nice Print Photography, a popular wedding photography company, recently staged an online gender reveal party with Joy W. Sotto and Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto through the video conference app Zoom.
With the help of G Fete, Coleen Garcia and Billy Crawford got to have a gender reveal party with their friends as well.
Meanwhile, wedding videographer Jason Magbanua has been looking into going wireless as a trick for virtual wedding events.
He briefly told PEP.ph via an email interview on June 2: "I'm trying out a way to implement a wireless broadcast of the event to a private page, so people can witness the wedding."
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