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The Birthday Surprise

It happened a little more than a month ago, but it took me awhile to gather photos of that rainy Monday night in May. My friend Dinny told me that we're meeting our college chum Myrna from Las Vegas at Ten Years After, the bar across ABS CBN Studios that play good old 80s music. My friends were acting pretty weird that day, one of them, Tonette brought me longanisa from La Union but left in a huff without saying hello because she had to go to the salon. Another friend Rex, accidentally dialed our house number looking for his constant companion, Judy. Mercury must be in retrograde again, I thought to myself.
As Dinny and I alighted from our car at the bar parking lot, the cigarette vendor gave away the surprise, "may private party dyan para kay JC Buendia!" he boasted. My heart was pounding as I entered the bar, the waiters were all lined up leading the birthday song, I was just so happy to see friends all gathered in one room, from fashion, show business, high school, college, the gym and work.
I'd like to thank Lumen Teves for conniving with Dinny Lazo, Eve Maduma, John Cuenco, Noy Naredo and my secretary Eva. I felt so loved!

Ten Years After, Sgt. Esguerra, Q.C.

Oh yes, it was a surprise birthday party!

I was so happy to see so many friends all in one room!

My birthday cake was a yellow refrigerator!!

"Who organized this?"

'My Refigerator Door' cake!

Miss Protons, Kimi Lu!

Birthday squeeze from Nancy Reyes!

"Were you surprised?" ~ Dale de la Cruz

Leading the fashion contingent, Frederick Peralta!

Ed, Erica, Reby and EJ Trinidad with chocolatier Raul Matias.

Go USTe!! Marita Nagar, Jamie Rivera, Candy Ramirez-Lingao and Tonette Aquino

Franco Laurel, Michelle Tomacruz, Rey Lanada, Enrico Villanueva and Rissa Oreta.

Dong Omaga Diaz, Trishan Cuaso, Randy Ortiz, Vic Barba, Tonichi Nocom, Melo Esguerra and Gerry Katigbak.

Tastemakers, Vic Barba, Randy Ortiz and Tonichi Nocom

Our favorite model Trishan Cuaso and Frederick Peralta

Mau de Leon, Joel Ontong, Ton Lao, Michael Carandang, Sonia Agbayani and Frederick Peralta

Fresh in white, Melo Esguerra and Samir Ayeb

Judy Nuevo, Bernard Bolisay, Rex Ruiz, Maxie Cinco and Eric Pineda

Caloy Tan, Eve Maduma and Lumen Teves

Boj Iliscupidez and Brins Al-Tawil

Amanda and Candy Lingao with Marita and Pat Nagar

Ton Lao, Sonia Agbayani and Michael Carandang

Buddy bud, Johann Abellaneda!

Michelle Tomacruz

'Buds' Rey Lanada

Amigos para siempre, Franco Laurel

'Mommee' Olive Isidro

Mr. ABS Joel Mercado and Mr. abs Boom Labrusca

Jackie to my Oleg, Agot Isidro.

Big Birthday hug from Biboy Arboleda!

Through thick and thin, through sick and sin, Biboy Arboleda

Bobby Yan, Grace Molina and Lui Villaruz

John and James Zablan with Sonia and Michael

David Chua

Bong Bong and Bea Teves with Lianne Ang

Johann Abellaneda, Cathy Sy and Cherry Fulgencio

Maa and Viva Reyes

Frederick Peralta, Noy Naredo, Dinny Lazo and Bernard Bolisay

Lianne Ang, Bea Teves and the brains behind the surprise, Lumen Teves.


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