A debut and a 70th
birthday bash!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY everyone! The day of hearts is here at last and I just know how special it is for people in love (you, lucky you!).

It was a joint birthday celebration last week for lovely debutante Stephanie Angelie Ampil and her loving maternal grandma Celia Montilla Leonardia, who was also celebrating her 70 th natal day.

The affair was held at Imelda's Restaurant which was all aglow with Steph's radiant beauty and the love and affection that everyone had for her and Celia. The two celebrators welcomed their well-dressed guests who soon filled up the place. The debutante's parents, Stephen “Choy” and Milagros “MM”, together with her sisters, Ester Cecile “Eca”, and Mary Natalie “Marty”, were all over the place, making sure each guest was comfortably seated. It was also a reunion for old friends and former high school classmates of Steph's Dad, Choy, who were the ninongs at her baptism.

Everyone enjoyed the scrumptious delicacies at the buffet table which was specially prepared for the occasion. After the guests had their fill of the delicious food, a short video was shown detailing Stephanie's life as a baby and her growing up years as a little girl blossoming into a young lady of eighteen. As she sat onstage, the debutante was showered with messages of love from those nearest and dearest to her. Special guest performer of the evening was her ninong, actor-singer Rey Abellana, who thrilled the guests as he sang his beautiful songs for his ahijada.

Rey's brother Dino, also sang popular ditties which wowed the crowd. The brothers performed with another singer Jun Subido in a rousing performance that brought the house down. A touching moment was when the ninongs and Steph's “lolos,” came onstage to offer a rose and to dance with her. Steph showed what an articulate and composed young lady she is with her wonderful “thank you” speech where she thanked her parents, her grandparents and all those who have given her their love and care through the years. What a memorable evening it was for all of us who were there.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPH and CELIA!*