Topping Out

This weekend we had our topping-out party to celebrate the completion of the construction of the chimney to the full height. That statement isn't entirely accurate as the full height of the chimney isn't reached until the flues are installed, which then project another 3m above the concrete, taking the stack to the full 100m height. But let's not get bogged down in detail.

Topping out parties are a time honoured tradition and it's a way of rewarding the work force with drinks and a meal for their efforts. On this occasion, being somewhat unfamiliar with the Philippines, I allowed our local staff to largely organise the event.

Mmmmm, Roast Pig

A venue was selected that was near to the sea (almost in it!) in a open timber barn with a palm leaf roof and a buffet menu was drawn up. Added to the buffet was two roast pigs, or Lechon as they are called here. These seem to be very popular and are widely available where ever you go. Beer was to be brought in from outside so a mix of the local brews was arranged. A request was made for "liquor" - the potent local rum called Tanduay - which I initially hesitated at as I had concerns that it would lead to "binge drinking", which would then lead to things getting somewhat out of hand but nevertheless I agreed to it. My reasoning being that it was their party and you have to give people responsibilities for them to act responsibly.

A harder decision by far was the request to have a karaoke machine at the event. To say I'm not a fan of karaoke is an understatement but again I capitulated as it's what the locals like. In fact it's not what they like, it's what they love. And it is everywhere. Karaoke in this part of the world isn't anything like karaoke is in the west: the whole ethos is completely different and it is acceptable as drinking warm beer in an English pub.

This can be best explained by something that I witnessed in Taiwan a few years ago. I was walking through a small park in the centre of large city. The park was right in the city centre and so was used as a short cut by workers to offices and shops. As I was passing through I saw a small van pull up with a fold-down side that resembled a hot-dog or burger van that you see in the UK. Intrigued, I stopped to see what was going on and watched as the driver jumped out and proceeded to drop the flap on the side of the van, revealing a large TV screen. Two microphones were produced and plugged in and a large book with laminated pages was plonked on the counter. No sooner had the setting up been completed a passerby in business clothes and a brief case changed direction and headed to the van. There was a brief conversation, a flick through the laminated book and some cash was handed over to the van's owner in exchange for a mic. The guy then proceeded to sing his heart out. In broad daylight. In the middle of a public park in the middle of the city. And not one person batted an eyelid. Once the guy had finished his song he picked up his bag and went to work.

I stayed and watched this for a bit longer and it wasn't a one off. Individuals would come and go and sing a song in the park. No one stopped to laugh and mock and in fact a few people stopped to watch appreciatively.

When I asked about this I was told that the Chinese believe that singing is relaxing; therapeutic; good for the soul. And it's the same here. Every bar, every restaurant has a karaoke machine and it doesn't matter how bad a singer you are (even as bad as me), no one complains, no one criticises and at the end of your performance, assuming there is a crowd, everyone gets a polite round of applause.

Fun For All

The party was set for Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm. Of course, I was bang on time but our buyer who was organising the beer didn't organise it until it was too late and it arrived at around 4:00pm and warm. To me this was a disaster. What were we all going to do whilst the beer was being chilled? Make polite conversation? Small talk? Luckily, the karaoke machine turned up on time and that saved the day. No sooner was it set up than the workers were warbling away at full volume making any conversation, polite or otherwise, impossible. In fact, no one seemed to be bothered or interested in the booze except me and my Irish colleague.

The roast pigs then turned up, the beer was nicely chilled and the buffet was served following prayers and an opening speech from yours truly, and I have to say what a fine spread of food it was. There then followed a drinking competition whereby 5 nominees had to drink a litre bottle of San Miguel as fast as possible. The competition was won by one of our Thai workers, which was amazing as he seemed to spend the first minute sizing up the bottle and the competition before actually starting to drink. Unlike the others, who ploughed into the beer as fast as possible, the Thai worker went at it methodically, like he was having a Sunday lunchtime pint with his mates. This is very typical of the character and approach of the Thai workers. They are never going to tear into a job, guns blazing, but do so quietly and methodically and get on with the task in hand and produce results.

The next competition was a singing one (what else?) and despite the sudden high winds and torrential rain everyone stayed with it until the rain had stopped and we had decided upon a winner.

By around 8:00pm all the food and beer was gone and so I called it a night and left our workers singing away into the night.