Merla at a roller rink in the 1970s, in a silver sequinned jumpsuit, mid-glide under a mirrorball.

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Merla turns seventy.

Her birthday isthe 22nd of September

We’re throwing the party onthe 26th

Saturday4:00 PMEarly dinner

A Filipino home at first light: morning sun falling through capiz shell windows onto a wooden floor, an empty rattan chair at the edge of the room.

Before the party, there was the house.

The door already open.

Rice on for whoever turned up.

Someone's baby asleep on the sofa.

The radio never off.

Seventy years of making room for people.

Somewhere in the seventies —

A woman laughing beside a painted Divisoria–Quiapo jeepney on a bright Manila street.
the jeepneys were loud,
A woman standing in a sunflower field in low golden light.
the afternoons were long,
A woman standing at a wall of capiz shell windows, afternoon light coming through.
the windows were made of shell,
A woman flipping through records in a record shop.
and the good songs came on vinyl.
Close-up of capiz shell panes, translucent and warm.

She was there for all of it.

A dancer in a sequinned jumpsuit standing on a lit disco floor.
A mirrorball scattering points of light across a dark ceiling.
A woman dancing in a living room, arms up, caught mid-turn.

SEPTEMBER 26COME DANCE

A close-up of a woman smiling under warm disco lighting.

When & where

Saturday, September 26, 2026

4:00 PMEarly dinner

Arcadia ResortBrgy. Wangan, Calinan, Davao City
Add to calendar

Downloads a calendar file. No RSVP needed — just come.

A backyard at blue hour, string lights overhead and a long table set for dinner.

Dress code1970s

Bell-bottoms. Platforms. Sequins.

Collars wide enough to catch the wind.

A dancer in a silver sequinned jumpsuit with wide flares, arms raised under a mirrorball.
A woman laughing in an orange jumpsuit with wide flares, arms mid-swing.

If you own something gold, this is the night.

Merla seated in a rattan peacock chair against an ochre wall, hands folded, looking at the camera.

Seventy years, Merla.

Thank you for every one of them.

Save us a dance.