Cheers to love, life and friendship

CUTE cupcake tower

Every time my birth anniversary comes around, I miss my mother and father all the more. No matter how old I get, the “little girl” in me still yearns for them. That’s why I am eternally grateful to my true friends in and out of the biz for more than compensating for the absence of Ma and Dad.

Friendship is the best kind of love. I have been truly blessed with the most loving ones. They came in full force to my nth debut bash on Sept. 29 at the über-chic 38 Valencia Events Place (Valencia St., Gilmore, Quezon City), owned by my beloved Mother Lily Monteverde.

Allow me to thank everyone who made my birth anniversary party such an epic night that will forever be etched in my heart. Their presence at my party was the best present of all:

Mother Lily and Roselle Monteverde, my gracious hosts, I will forever be grateful for this “all my wishes-come-true” party.

NYOY Volante

True Faith (especially my lovey Medwin Marfil), for always being my official birth anniversary band.

Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez, for their duet, which was the highlight of the night. Pangga Luke Mejares, Nyoy Volante, Wency Cornejo, Maegan Aguilar, Jonathan Badon, Ferdie Topacio, Ricky Davao, Alvin Anson and Gary Berena, for gamely jamming onstage.

To Ogie’s “babies” Davey Langit and Lara Maigue, for serenading my guests.

The best Michael Jackson impersonator, Jericho Valencia, for his surprise dance number which thrilled me no end.

MOTHER Lily Monteverde plays the piano.

To my fave couple, China Cojuangco and Gino Gonzalez, for celebrating with me twice.

Alice Dixson, Pops Fernandez, Malou Choa-Fagar, Korina Sanchez, Julius and Tintin Babao, Tita Girlie Rodis, my second mom

Amalia Fuentes, Niño Muhlach and son Alonzo, ma cherie amie Michela Cazzola, my sisters Rita Avila, Shyr Valdez and Yayo Aguila—a million thanks!

Hugs and kisses to Jestoni Alarcon and wife Lizette, Bo Cerrudo, bestie Alvin Anson, Bayani and Len Agbayani, Alanna Lopez

ALICE Dixson

Montelibano, Richie Coronel Santos, Aries Saludo, Ruby Cojuito of Flawless, Ronald Carballo, Alvin Fortuna, Dennis Coronel, Kenneth Dong, Olai and Roland Espiritu and my “core group of drinking buddies,” who know who they are.

Endless thanks to master deejays Martin Porta and Jon Tupaz for the cool music. To Jay Santillan and his LST Mobile Sound System (www.lstmobile.com) for their awesome setup, Charisse Tinio of Nice Print for the fab coverage, Pinky Fernando of Fernandos Bakeshop for the lovely letter cakes and cute cupcake tower, Richard Villanueva and Kenneth Concepcion of The Crowd Bar, Melinda Chua of Aruba Bar, Albert Nocom of Uno Bar and Maita Locsin of Chivz Lounge Bar for the overflowing booze.

POPS Fernandez

Special thanks to my Inquirer fam, Emmie, Ton and Marinel for coming straight from work. To my fave cousin Trish and my ever-dependable friend Jie for the asalto, Yong Nieva and Cora Padiernos of Thaipan for the birth anniversary dinner, and to my BFF Cesar Montano for joining my intimate celebration (Sept. 22).

Most of all, to my wonderful kids, Bianchi and IC, for being my daily source of joy and strength.

You all give me more and more reasons to celebrate life, friendship and love!

PHOTOS BY KIMBERLY DE LA CRUZ