Charice’s ma Raquel turns ‘18, not 40’

WITH son Carl and close friend Robin Sorosoro photo by GRIG MONTEGRANDE

The appearance of her daughter Charice eclipsed the frivolous trappings for birthday girl Raquel Pempengco’s party celebrating her turning 40 (“I’m not 40… I’m 18 with 22 years experience,” said the invitation) on Saturday night at Terrazas de Teodora, a resort in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Mommy Raqz, as Raquel is known in the biz, made her grand entrance accompanied by son Carl and a close friend, Robin Sorosoro.

Like a debut, the program included presentations of 18 roses, 18 candles and 18 wishes to Mommy Raqz — whose estranged husband, Ricky, was stabbed to death on Oct. 31, 2011.

There was also a cotillon, where she danced with “18 men closest to her heart,” led by Robin.

The absence of invited guests Boy Abunda, Karen Davila, Charo Santos, Kris Aquino and other celebrities was said to be due to the late delivery of the invitations, which were sent only

CHARICE serenades Racquel during the celebration in Terrazas de Teodora, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. photo by GRIG MONTEGRANDE

a day before the event.

But no matter. Charice made it worthwhile by singing “Louder,” a track from her new CD, as her mom sat on center stage. Earlier, a photo montage of Mommy Raqz and her two kids taken in various locations were shown, with Charice singing “Wind Beneath My Wings” in the background.