Mama's 95th birthday

My mother has just turned 95 last June 28, 2008. She always looks forward to celebrating her birthdays, be it a big celebration or a small one in Jollibee, she just has to celebrate, period. She thinks of her birthday for 364 days. That's why last Sunday, a day after her 95th birthday celebration, she's already talking of where she will hold her 96th birthday.

Last Saturday, she had her dinner party at the Bays 2 & 3 of Santuario de San Antonio social hall at Forbes Park, Makati. She invited about 150 guests (and she told me that was already substantially reduced), but due to the rains, about 130 guests turned out. Her CWL friends from Grace Park Caloocan City were there. Even the man who bought our old house in Grace Park came. Her cousins who are in their 80's and 90's came. And of course her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were there, except for Kuya Tonieng who's in Cebu and Cesar who's in Bukidnon. The biggest surprise to her was Ate Baby who came all the way from New Jersey just to be with her. Bless you, ate Baby...

We honored her guests who are 90 years old and and above by giving them bouquet of roses each:
Mrs. Jacinta Villena Mendoza or Nana Nene - 95 years old, Her cousin who's her best friend and kabarkada (they even became neighbors in Grace Park when they got married).
Mrs. Dolores Santos Barcelona or Mommy Ona - 92 years old, her comadre, being the ninang of our youngest brother, Benjie.
Mrs. Lydia Santos Torres - 90 years old, her sister in-law who was not able to come because she was preparing for her own birthday celebration the next day, June 29.

I would like to acknowledge the Velvet Mood Musicale of Edwin Silangcruz whose beautiful music and wonderful voice of their singer, Ting, really made the audience enjoy the night. The songs sang were really oldies of the 30's - 50's, mostly Tagalog songs. And the guests were clapping their hands after each song.

I also would like to thank Josiahs Catering for the very delicious cocktail buffet. Jet Versoza, the owner also celebrated her own birthday on June 28... Belated Happy Birthday, Jet!

Kudos also to Lawrence of Angel of Hearts for the beautiful centerpieces. I had to do a raffle, otherwise, the guests were ready to pull each flower and cannibalize them. But what i was not able to control was the guests' scrambling for the delicious carrot walnut cupcakes of Katcakes by Katrina Ann Aguilar. These cupcakes were homemade, and the guests really loooove them!!!

Special thanks should go to my cousin Moppet Cruz who read Mama's story which my mother wrote herself (with some editing by Cheya). Her very clear reading, complete with ad-libbing and emoting made it very interesting to listen to. And to Justine Burgos, my niece who sang "Ikaw" so beautifully.

I thank the Lord for Mama's good health. May she remain to be healthy and strong as long as she lives. May she live to be a hundred! But she has to beat her cousin Baya who lived till 104. She also has an aunt who lived to 102.. Imagine that!