As my dad said, all you need in life are five good friends.
While planning my party, I realised how many people I wanted to thank for their kindness, their time and generosity, and for being good to me and my family.
First to arrive were the DJs: Diego Mapa, whom I have known since 1990 when he was ‘this high’, and Melvin Mojica who has been my friend and collaborator since 1995.
The two older boys waited for the party to start with their iPads
While Christian had a blast with The Cure
Traffic was really bad, but the guests finally arrived after 8 (what a relief). Promise, there was no dress code, but almost everyone really came in black, white, or blue
My sister Ana (and her boyfriend Carlos) came early and ruined my eye makeup with her letter and present
Jeroen and his mates: (L-R) Darren McDermott, Gerome Vizmanos (who was my classmate at Parsons NY), and Joris Spanhoff (a.k.a. the BFF)
Me wearing “The Dress” — with Poma Malantic, Kevin Ching, Janina Dizon Hoschka, and Dennis Robles
Friends from the Grocery days: Yodel Pe (who did my invitation), Jo Ann Bitagcol (our muse), and Fren Te (who managed Defect)
Newly weds Mikee Carrion and Nikki Luna
Hayden Kho was popular with the girls: Kerin Ching, childhood friend Lia Anonas, Rem de Vera (Kaladkarin of the Year awardee), Chiyo Tagami, Harriet van den Borne
Rita Nazareno
Takatoshi Kimachi, who designed the Pepper Lunch and Yakitori One stores
Grace Velasco—proof that great friends can be met online
Friends from the ’90s: Tata Montilla, Melvin Mojica, Fren Te, Princesse Fernandez, and my sister-in-law, Charmaine Zamora
My cousins: RJ Galang, his wife Ana, and Robin Galang
Stop the monopod! More collaborators: Melvin Mojica, Garovs and Ryan Vergara, Kellyn See and Rex Gapuz, Tinay Villamiel
Dennis Robles, Jenny, Lucille and Candy Dizon, JP Singson
Melvin Mojica, Kerin Ching and Nicolo Manahan
Jeroen with my idol Lorraine Mabasa and her husband Johnby
Friends from the industry: Alexei Villaraza and Dinna Vasquez
Patty Betita
Kissa McDermott and Kevin Ching
Feeling FIFA: Fumio Onishi
Jo Ann Bitagcol (left) Ginggay dela Merced (right)
Jasper van den Borne, Gerome Vizmanos, Lia Anonas, Van Porciuncula (who takes care of this site), Rem de Vera, Harriet van den Borne
Drea Zuleta, Ana Galang, Grace Velasco, Erika Tatad
Dancing to Hall & Oates: Judd Figueres and Melvin Mojica
Choosing dessert: Christian with Lia Anonas
Not everyone is here though. Some of my friends were traveling and some of the guests weren’t photographed.
I don’t get to celebrate every year, so thank you, Jeroen, for my party and thanks to everyone who was there!
Special thanks to Patrick Diokno for the photos 
