#JC@40! AMilestone Celebration

By: Jovie Calma

 

They say life begins at 40 and that it’s a milestone, a serious one… one that offers the possibility of reinvention. Some people asked me why do I have to reveal my real age although I don’t look like one. My response, growing old is a happier experience than many of us imagine. Yes, I was thrilled when I turned 40! I told myself, “This is it! A new beginning!” Each year on my birthday, it was like New Year’s Eve for me as I take a moment to take a good sneak at my life and see where I’m at. This year was totally different. As I believe that in the journey of life, it is important to have direction and purpose. Each one of us has a built-in compass to help us get to wherever we desire to go. Don’t forget to trust that compass, and refer to it often, for with that trusting will come the strength to bear whatever life deals you. At some point, there was a time that my life was filled with uncertainties, but I’m grateful that I’m blessed with amazing family (both of my Angeles and Calma) and friends who have constantly showered me perfect gifts on my special day and that I’m reminded of my existence– the overflowing love is immeasurable. But I need one more. A gift from myself, a chance to look at my life, my dreams and to make sure that I am behind the steering wheel to control the direction of my life. My birthday kicked off in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic exploring Isla Saona, the beautiful tropical island located a short distance from the mainland. Caribbean Sea meets Atlantic Ocean! It was marvelous! I spent a grand time in the natural beauty with its pristine white beaches and marvelous clear Caribbean waters. It was an EPIC day, so to speak, but it was also an eye-opener as I explored the countryside where I had the opportunity to see how other families live in their simplest way of life. While I was there, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook the island. I honestly admit, I was scared. Not of being alone in my room but scared of not being able to express my great love to all my loved ones. It was a reminder that life is too short and that we don’t have to waste it. Live in the moment and make the most of it. It dawned on me that it was about time to refer to my life map, fasten my seatbelt and set my gear. Thank you, Tito Aris Topacio, Tita Rhoda, DJ Rog Vergara, and Ate Maricor for celebrating with us. It was also an opportunity to celebrate with the new Mr. and Mrs. Charles “Artie” and Cherie Topacio as they tied the knot! Back in Chicago on my actual 40th Birthday, I took a second to think about what a privilege it is to simply be ALIVE and LOVED! The year that I was misdiagnosed with leukemia four years ago, it was the same year that I appreciated my life as a huge blessing. My family and true friends were there for me (and still are!) as I weather the storms in my life. It has been a roller-coaster ride but I’ve embraced it with gusto and LIVE in the moment. Years gone by and here I am, still alive and blessed, knowing that I have a loving God who never fails to spoil me with such a terrific family and wonderful friends who make it a point to remind me that I’m special to them. From the core of my being, my heartfelt thanks to all my family and friends who have created beautiful moments and wonderful memories at my Photo Booth Themed Party on June 6th and my Birthday Toast at EPIC on June 7th! I’ve been showered with all your awesome gifts of fun and love! Please allow me to express my special messages to those who organized both of my celebrations. First off, to my Periwinkle sister Girley Espino, for sharing your gift in making sure that my crib is in a festive mood, love all the decorations! I intend to keep it through the entire year. I loved the yummy cake that you brought on my actual birthday as well! To my North Star sister Chaz Patron, I know how you really tried to organize a surprise party for me but, yep, it was tough to surprise me with all my travels but thank you for coordinating everything. We missed you at the actual party but I love that you surprised me the day after! To my sweet diva sister, my red velvet, Princess Bunsoy Santos, super love the JOVIE cake! It was so beautiful that I didn’t wanna share it! LOL! Thanks a bunch to my theater BFF sister Nina Mae Vidal, for keeping me in check the whole night making sure I didn’t miss the birthday cake ceremony and that “sharing the cake is caring”! Mango and chocolate flavors, so good! To my dance diva sister Priane Tejada Gunabe, I love it when you make sure that everyone is checking-in at the DJ White House with the hashtag: #JC@40! I’m grateful to you, Rev. Fr. Joel Lopez, despite your busy schedule and distance, you took time to drive and gave us your blessings in my humble abode. To my BFF and soul sister, Amie Hana, we missed you at the party but the most important thing is that you feel better and I felt you were celebrating with us in spirit. To my Mom and Dad, I’m jovial that you were able to celebrate with me. Thank you for being my hero and the wind beneath my wings! To my pretty sister, my Ate Jo Ann Calma Alzol and family, for being there for me always despite the thousand miles between us. To my other beautiful sister, my Ditche Jing Calma Zamora and family, I’m stoked that you were able to celebrate with me, what a surprise! To my younger brother, Rod Calma, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Bummed that I missed you at EPIC since we left early. My second Mom and Dad, Veronica Leighton and Joe Mauricio, I’m blessed to have you both in my life and I’m proud to be your adopted daughter! My dearest Doc Cleofe Guangko Casambre, you’re one in a million! I’m looking forward to hear the entire song that you composed with my name as the beginning of the melody. You’re such a genius! To my dear friend, Jojo Sayson, I’m grateful that you ask me to be an angel of Project Michelangelo Foundation, as the International Ambassador. I’m humbled. To Vic Melecio for coordinating my birthday toast celebration at EPIC, we had a blast. Well, you better make sure that you’ll be able to book my 50th in a cruise ship to travel the Mediterranean region! To Jon Cotay, you’re the best my dear friend. Thank you AKIRA Chicago for making me look fabulous always! I heart you to pieces my amiga Arabel Rosales for being the sweetest and the most sincere friend that you are. Let’s “work it” for Latino Fashion Week! To my caring friend, Moses, I’ll be there for you my dear brother as you are to me, always. There are tons of FUN photos from Big Hugs Photo Booth courtesy of my friend, Stan Ley and awesome photos from Ernie Antonio Jr. and Ben Abino, thank you so much to you all! Fun friends like you all are the only thing that stops me from feeling old on my birthday! To everyone, thanks for making my birthday celebrations youthful! To everyone who took time to share all your birthday wishes via FB, Twitter, Instagram, SMS, E-mail and snail mail, I appreciate you all. I’ll try my best to reply to each of those messages. Your wishes touched me and made my birthday all the more special. And lastly, to my love, Dion, who made me feel the need of celebrating another milestone in my life and the one who professed how I truly deserve it, I can’t thank you enough. My boys, Alric and Rovic for your unconditional love, for keeping your rooms neat and clean, running errands and for entertaining the guests, I’m a proud Mom! No words that could fully grasp, your love is the greatest gift of all! Now, that I’m 40, I don’t have many worries (real or imagined) that I had when I was 20 or 30. I’ve learned what’s important and what’s not. I’ve accomplished major things in my life and established my priorities. I’ve lived through loss and I’ve learned to let the people that I love know it, because I understand that life’s not forever and that life’s what you make it. What a better way to celebrate this major milestone than with my loved ones! I am the most JOVIAL woman on earth! #JC@40! continued with amazing surprises and celebrations from people who are close to my heart! Yes, it’s indeed a birth month celebration! Sending love and brilliance to everyone! XO ♥

ovie40- I’m forever grateful to my loving and supportive family through the years! #JC@40!

PhotoBoothFun- It was a blast and FUN-filled celebration with all my loves! #JC@40!

Group- It’s a blessing to be ALIVE and LOVED! #JC@40!

 

JovieJingChaz- The Best Surprise of all! Post-#JC@40! celebration!