There is much to celebrate
“The mind is everything. What you think, you become.” —Buddha
Manifesting is real. I started to shift my perspective on my current life issues and refocused on the positive and progressive. Once I changed the way I was thinking and speaking, I had a clearer intention of my desired future. Never staying still, I knew moving forward was the only action to take without fear of distrust, loneliness and uncertainty.
The universe is abundant, and we only need to believe. We become what we believe in! Don’t use your energy to worry. Use your energy to create, grow, glow, manifest and trust! I have used my energy to heal, and now, I am done!
My birthday party at Pardon My French centered on family and friends who are family. We all jointly celebrated with other Virgo birthday friends like Digzy Umali, Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Joel del Prado, Grace Palaganas, Zaldy Veluz, Shelly Lazaro and Jenny Zapanta. My son Bryan Prieto was also marking a big milestone, so there was a special video by Ian Cruz Films that highlighted Bryan’s wedding to Tinkay Crespo-Prieto on Balesin Island last June 18, 2018.
Serenade
During the sumptuous dinner, I got new artist David Young to serenade me with the rest of the couples that evening. After all, we were celebrating love and love again!
David is a new discovery from a post of my neighbor, Rica Lopez-de Jesus, and who was suggested by Frannie and RJ Jacinto. His performance was shortly followed by the blowing out of candles on Goldilocks cakes. Pinky Yee of Goldilocks cleverly incorporated my theme—“I do! I did! I’m done!”—into my two-layer birthday cake.
Thanks to my event planner Bangs Zaldivar, the party went smoothly with The Plug Band getting the dance energy to the max and DJ Bernard de Castro playing until 2 a.m. Special thanks to Mitch Arce of @storytellersofmanila, who instantly converted the décor of birthday boy Joel del Prado from his venue to mine!
Champagne brunch
Celebrating his 50th birthday in style, Joel marked his milestone with a lavish champagne brunch at Chef Alain Bistro and Brasserie (Active Fun Centre, BGC). The celebration was highlighted by Moët & Chandon as the official champagne of the day, complementing the exquisite buffet spread curated by two-Michelin-starred chef Alain Raye. Guests indulged in fresh oysters flown in from Paris, a succulent suckling pig, a well-curated cheese station and a delightful selection of French patisserie for dessert.
The festive atmosphere was elevated by the music of Marcy David, who had guests dancing and singing until they dropped. It was an unforgettable day filled with laughter, great food and memorable moments shared among close friends and family.
I was so delighted that fellow Virgo, Senator Grace, with her hubby Neil dropped by PMF and reminded me of her party a few days later. She celebrated her birthday at The Core in BGC with her Assumption HS Class ’86 and Team GP friends. It was a wonderful fun party where The Plug Band entertained all the guests again.
RJ’s 50th
Also turning 50 this year is RJ Ledesma, who celebrated last June at Chef Jessie’s in Rockwell Club, Makati City. RJ is a respected media personality and serial entrepreneur whose journey reflects passion, versatility and continuous growth.
An all-around nice guy, RJ’s ventures include cofounding Mercato Centrale, a successful food market, and EnterPH, which helps businesses enter the Philippine market. RJ serves as the president of his family’s real estate company and is the honorary consul of Monaco to the Philippines.
RJ’s 50th birthday celebration highlighted his varied achievements and the positive impact he has had on countless Filipinos. The event was attended by known personalities in the business and media landscape, reflecting the respect and admiration he has garnered over the years. His numerous accomplishments have left a lasting impact on his community. His dedication to his work and his ability to inspire others through storytelling and knowledge-sharing make him a figure worth celebrating.
Big 6-0
Turning his big 6-0 this year, Joel Cruz celebrated his milestone a year ahead with family and friends and the ninongs and ninangs of his eight children. There were more than 400 who came to partake of the sumptuous dinner fare (which consisted of the lutong bahay of his late Nanay Milagros, and of course the traditional lechon since they are near the La Loma lechonan), and enjoyed the exciting program that followed.
A surprise part of the program was the “Sound of Music” performance of Joel’s children.
The guests included Julius and Tintin Babao, Margie Moran, Jean Saburit, Inez Veneracion, Camille Villar, Geoff Taylor and wife Jito Custodio, Yoli Ayson, Ricky Laurel of Lyceum of the Philippines and Joel’s classmates from the University of Santo Tomas from high school to college, including Eric Pineda, costume designer of “Ang Probinsyano.”
The singing of the birthday song was beside a five-layer birthday cake made by Pinky Fernando’s bakeshop. Also present was Aficionado’s SVP and cofounder Remar de Leon.
Two stores to go
There is much to celebrate these days, especially for Wilcon Depot, with just two more stores to go until they hit their 100th!
Wilcon Depot, the Philippines’ leading home improvement and construction supply retailer, proudly opened its 98th store in Pala Pala, Cavite—its eighth branch in the province.
The grand opening was attended by HCG brand ambassador Mark Rivera, Wilcon Depot AVP for sales and operations Erine Borja, Matimco Modern sales director Jeffry Go and president and CEO Charlie H. Liu, Wilcon Depot president and CEO Lorraine Belo-Cincochan, Dasmariñas City Vice Mayor Raul Rex R. Mangubat, Wilcon Depot SEVP and COO Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, Kent Floors marketing director Christian Tiu, HCG VP for sales and marketing David Chang, Davies VP for modern retail and international sales Donald Magbayao, Limson Marketing CEO Carl Lim and Sampaloc I barangay captain Melencio B. Likot Jr.
