Welcome to 2025! This brand new year brings new reasons to celebrate. Starting with…my birth month! January comes again, making us feel energized for new beginnings and more successes. It’s making me feel extra happy, too, as I look forward to a string of my birthday celebrations. But before we kick them off, let’s look back at some favorite birthdays I’ve attended in the past. It was so hard to choose because there’s a lot! But my final choice would be the celebrations for two women I admire a lot -- women of ageless beauty, grace and wisdom, who also happen to be besties — Tita Nene Leonor and Nini Licaros!

I remember Tita Nene’s birthday fondly. I organized her party at Sage Grill Makati Shangri-La with a set menu, endless glasses of wine and a live band! We stayed up partying ‘till the morning. It was an unforgettable gathering with Tita Nene and 70 of her nearest and dearest. At 92 years young, she’s still the life of the party!

Her BFF and the ageless beauty queen, Nini Licaros, is also someone I look up to. She spent her recent birthday in honor of her friends, complete with a delicious buffet and fantastic live band at The City Club in Makati. It was such a sweet gesture to reciprocate all their love and efforts. We had so much fun, we stayed ’til 1 a.m., too! So much fun seeing many good friends and spending time with the loveliest Nini.

With this coming birthday and all that comes, I can only wish to age as gracefully and to live life just as fully as they do! Cheers to you both!