Celebration

To celebrate my 25th (Fine, fine! Just add 10 if you want to get really anal about the details..... Sheez!) birthday, I treated some of my most cherished family and friends to partake of the fabulously vast and famously delicious buffet at Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila's Spiral.


Amidst all the endless chatter and laughter over lunch, the restaurant staff suprised me by suddenly gathering at our table to sing me a Happy Birthday song...

...and present me with a scrumptious dark chocolate cake.


After extinguishing the candles with the more than enthusiastic help of my toddler...

....my ever-curious friends Pam and Jenni momentarily paused from their impromptu dessert critiquing session to ask what my birthday wish was.

I was suddenly stunned to realize I actually failed to make a wish before blowing out my candles!

Year and after year ever since I could remember, I had always made it a point to make a silent wish during my birthday. I could not believe I did not do it this time.

I found myself immediately mulling it over in my mind, until it dawned on me.

I did not make a wish because I did not have one. Right at that singular instance in time, I was simply and extraordinarily content with how my life was. I was surrounded by people I loved dearly and who loved me in return, sharing great food and basking in each other's presence.

My ultra-cool parents who are always, always there for their kids, no matter what or how or why...


My little big brothers who crack me up without even trying...


My beautiful grandmother whom nobody believes is 88....


My one and only lovely aunt Laly....


My sweet, sweet cousins Carmela and Camille (Margarita, we miss you!)....


And my super laugh-til-our-tummies-burst partners Jennigirl and Pammy.


My marvelous husband, who thoughtfully made all the preparations, kept checking on all our guests to ensure everybody was having fun. From time to time, he would also check on me....as well as check me out. Bwahaha! He is really the best man ever.


My hyperactive son, who was very busy running around the hotel and saying hi to every stranger he saw, kept passing by my seat to flash his huge heart-melting impish smile and slap me a high-five.

The glorious day filled me with such an overwhelming sense of joy and fulfillment that rendered the need to wish for more unnecessary.

All I felt was grateful.

So to each and everyone of you who have made my life better and happier by being a part of it....

Thank you.

I love you all very much.

MwaaaaaaaH!!!