1) you were told that there will be a family photo shoot but, actually, there was none ?
2) you were told to prepare for a formal dinner in a fine dining restaurant just to find out that it
was purely a joke?
3) unknowingly, you became a year older three months in advanced from your real birth date?
With trembling knees, I entered Ysabel's Garden's lobby as I saw my sister Banjie well dressed and fully made-up obviously for an occasion. From the Celebrator's Room where I was immediately sacked , I saw the garden below elegantly set up undeniably for a very special event. A bunch of fresh peach and white roses served as center piece for each white-covered table for ten complete with peach table runner, sparkling wine glasses and cutleries. All the Tiffany chairs were tied with olive green ribbons which blended monochromatically with the fresh plants . Lamps and lighted candles meticulously placed around the venue created an ambiance of class and romance. I've seen this place before , in a dream, I guess. But at that moment, it was real!
From the same distance, I saw some familiar faces of relatives and friends. The music of the Beatles filled the air, bringing back the happy-go-lucky memories of my high school days. Ironically, the rock songs of The Queen flashed back some sentimental moments with my teenage crushes and high school and college best friends. I also saw my daughter Rein and her husband Joe busy entertaining guests. None of my sisters were available for a chat because every one was busy attending to the last minute details of the party. I was later on instructed on what to do next.
May 10, 2014! This was the day when I suddenly turned 60 ~ unofficially! My husband and my children hosted an early surprise party for my 60th birthday , exactly three months in advanced of my real birthday. There were candles and cupcakes, ribbons and roses , music and dances... and oh! I felt like a debutante on that day!
It was such a great night to treasure ~ a rare opportunity to be the center of the celebration. Best of all, I enjoyed it , worry-free!
I would like to share with you the excitement, joy and happiness I have experienced on that night through the pictures ( which I would probably be publishing in three (3) parts because there were so many ) courtesy of my sister Evelyn Baladjay~Arciaga and my two high school batchmates Araceli Moscoso Marasigan and Leony Sison~ Abello.
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| As I went down the stairs from the Celebrator's Room, I simply felt like a debutante being introduced to the society... |
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| and be greeted by my Prince Charming with an arm bouquet of peach and white roses |
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| Together, we walk down the aisle in the midst of the smiling crowd... |
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| The Hosts of my Surprise Early 60th Birthday Bash (L-R) Rein Bael-Kitchen, Joseff Kitchen and Nonoy Bael Thank you so much for your undying love and endless generosity... |
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| Thank you to the awesome masters of ceremonies, Aimeelyn Dizon and Ritz Einne Hugo |
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| It was short but a very inspiring message from Bro. Gerwin Castillo. Many, many thanks... |
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| The Thanksgiving Prayer was led by my brother -in-law, Mr. Anthony Arciaga . . . |
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| It's Dinner Time . . . |
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| ... the time to enjoy the food catered by Queensland . . . |
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| Like a debutante, I had 60 ROSES. To the tune of IN THE MOOD, my first dance was my father, Ernie Baladjay, Sr. |
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| Another dozen of roses from my brother Ernie Baladjay, Jr., my second dance. |
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| This time, it was a WALTZ . . . |
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| My third dance was with my youngest guest during my wedding almost 30 years ago and now my eldest nephew Earl Hugo |
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| ... and to my surprise, it was a Hawaiian Dance complete with leis and a sarong... Unfortunately, I don't think I did justice to My Little Grass Shack, did I? |
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| My fourth batch of roses came from my son Joseff. He was my fourth dance, this time to the tune of Michael Buble's SWAY...Thank You, Son... Sorry for the stressful nights this dance has brought you. I just hope you also had fun... haha |
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| The sweetest dance of the night came from my Prince Charming |
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| ....and he completed my 60 ROSES, too! Good, it didn't take us overnight to complete my 60 roses! Five gentlemen, with a dozen each, were enough! |
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| You've Got A Friend ~ A special song number from my high school classmates and batchmates from VMHS I've got a lot of friends, indeed!   
and games for the ladies brought so much fun , too !
There was also a very special dance number from my dear sisters . . .
 The Birthday song  |
The party was capped with a heartfelt rendition of "The Tribute" by
my niece Chrizelle Baladjay that brought me into tears...
GRATITUDE IS THE MEMORY OF THE HEART!
Thank you for the opportunity to smell the fragrance of 60 ( even more ) lovely peach roses; to
feel the hugs and kisses of people closest to my heart; to be the Queen of the Night, even if I didn't call the shots; and to witness every moment of the affair served in a silver platter!
To everyone who made this surprise birthday bash a remarkable success, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
