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A Baby Birthday and a `Babe Launch’ Fashion Party

Maria Girlie Pascual

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

 

Two incongruous events that I had been invited to make up my column for December. The first is a first birthday party for one of the prettiest babies I know, whose beaming and proud parents, Jay Andrew and Mae Ponte-Mendoza, have showered with love and care since the day she was born. I was there for their wedding, the baby shower, and now for the first of many celebrations that I know Avery Joy Mendoza will be lucky to have in the coming years. She is truly a lucky girl because not only was the weather sunny and snow-free that day, all her aunts, uncles, grandmas and grandpa, cousins and close friends, all came to her party bearing gifts, food and wonderful well-wishes. The happy occasion was held at the Arlingdale Lakes Clubhouse at noon, and not only was the food delicious as always, but it was nice to see the Ponte and Mendoza clan coming together just for this special little girl, Avery Joy, who, I know, will be the apple of everyone’s eyes for all the years to come! Happy Birthday, Princess!

The second party that I was invited to was courtesy of the main producer, the ever-smiling petite and lively Amy Cheboob, introduced to us by line producer to the stars, Gerry Rebello, a permanent fixture in our showbiz landscape here in Chicago. They have an upcoming fashion show in the spring of next year, entitled “Estilo Filipino,” where prominent Manila-based designers will bring their haute couture creations to the Windy City, to be brought to Chicago by the triumvirate of Amy Cheboob, Lisa Soriano and Tom Padua, the fashion show’s producers. The initial meeting where the ramp models were introduced and interviewed for media distribution was held at the Bay Leaf establishment on Irving Park Road and Pulaski, a nicely renovated bar and restaurant which is owned and operated by the funny and charming Dominic Tablate, and the event was emceed by our very own Melody Rabor-Dizon, who will also be modeling for the show. Melody conducted the on-camera interviews with the gorgeous young ladies, tall, slim, and mostly in their twenties or late teens, as well as kept the discussions lively and made the other lady entrepreneurs feel welcome. Some of those participating in this category are Ginalene Lopez, and Mhel Tolledo, both looking stylish and slim as always, and for the upcoming young ladies, there were Kayla Tejero, daughter of our columnist Ryan Tejero, and Charyzah Costales, a fivefoot- nine Pinay beauty and the daughter of Melody’s family friend, Alma Costales, from her hometown of Cebu. Each of these lassies were asked to pose for photos, along with the interview, and all of them, beautiful, young and excited for their chance to strut the runway in designer clothes.

I shared with them my own experience in the first fashion show of these famous Manila designers–Edgar Madamba, Edgar San Diego, two of the more well-known couturiers in the Philippines because of their association with Philippine Fashion Week as well as the hit TV show, Project Runway Philippines, where they served as consultants, and recounted the time when Gerry asked me to join the catwalk models in a show produced by my now BFF Mr. Dan Gawat, then, a stylish fashionforward businessman that I met through ViaTimes. I had to lose 10 pounds in three months to fit into the gowns that they brought, plus learn how to walk like a lady for a change, instead of my usual “charging bull” gait that the three hair and makeup stylists for that show, Glenn Rivera, Edwin Cruz and Robert Chavez, that all three tried to teach me prior to my turn in the spotlight. With my reliable bustier snug and tight keeping the folds at bay, my hair perfectly coiffed and my make-up flawless, I sauntered in the middle of the catwalk, masking my heart attack with a smile, even as the two-minute strut felt like a walk of eternity. After the first gown, the next two I wore with more confidence and a new-found swagger that yes! I was actually a model, if only for a night!

Sadly, I declined to model for this one, explaining that I now know for sure that I was more of a singer, a golfer, a broadcaster, than a runway “glamazon”—that, I will leave to the more naturally feminine, gamine, and gentle ladies. Watch out for “Estilo Filipino” this coming May, 2017– ViaTimes and CPRTV will be publishing more information as it comes, and pictures of the final lucky ladies chosen for that night.

In closing, I would like to thank Gerry and Amy for inviting me to the production meeting, and thank you also to Jay and Mae Mendoza for making me part of their families and in wishing Avery Joy a wonderful life and more blessings ahead!

In Mae’s words: “Thank you to the family and friends who made Avery Joy’s first birthday, extra special! She is so lucky to have such wonderful people in her life. A special shout-out to the Ninongs, Ninangs, Titas, and Titos who helped with setting up the party and cleaning up afterwards, as well. And also to the Lola’s for cooking and baking! We feel so special and blessed to have you all gracing our baby girl with your wishes and generosity. Thank you so much!” Special mention to my family and friends in the pictures.

Happy Holidays everyone! Maligayang Pasko, let’s focus on the good things we have and the new things that will be coming to all of us in the New Year–MABUHAY!

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(1) Pretty celebrant Avery Joy Mendoza; (2) Birthday girl Avery Joy Mendoza with parents Andrew Jay and Mae Ponte-Mendoza.

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Proud Lolo and Lolas– seated are Andres and Avelia Mendoza holding Avery Joy, with Grandma Judy Ponte, auntie and cousins, dad Jay and Mommy Mae Mendoza standing .

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Kayla Tejero with mommy Pros and Melody for the Estilo Filipino production meeting.

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Mendoza and Ponte families and friends celebrate Avery Joy’s first birthday.

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(1) The Estilo Filipino producers and company with director Gerry Rebello, Liza Soriano far right, next to Amy Cheboob with hubby, and Tom Padua on Gerry’s left.; 2) Melody Dizon with Cebu friend Amy Costales, and the

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(1) Executive Producer Amy Cheboob w lovely models and businesswomen Ginalene Lopez, Mhel Tolledo and Melody Dizon.; (2) Pretty girls all in a row at Bay Leaf Restaurant, at the fashion launching.

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