Hilly Milestone

By: Veronica Leighton

 

Many milestones have been experienced and celebrated by yours truly when we talk about birthdays. If you are going to ask me how many milestones, I will say publicly that you can take a guess. Kiddingly, I’d say I feel like I am “old as the hills,” a humorous idiomatic expression referring to being old, archaic, ancient, etc. “Over the hill” is another expression describing old age. Why the hills, and not mountains, I have no idea.

Suffice it to say that I just celebrated my umpteenth birthday and I am so thankful and grateful in receiving some meaningful, loving, thoughtful and touching birthday greetings that came from these special people’s hearts. Let me share them with you in this column. Thanks to the wonderful age of the social media, these messages were facilitated through Facebook.

Pastor Gil Valenzuela: “On your birthday I’m sending you bamboos instead of flowers, for many have already told you about your beauty and charm like the flowers but we also have to recognize your other virtues. Like the bamboo you are resilient, strong, versatile and prolific! Happy Birthday, Ms. Veronica Leighton. Never tire of serving people.”

Maria Odiamar Racho: “To an amazing, resilient trailblazer and connector to our community, wishing you many blessings, much love and great joy in the years to come. Thank you for all you do.”

Nick Vera Perez: “The only woman that I have full respect and admiration, who gives love and charity more than others. My great Via Times & CPRTV producer! Truly staying remarkable, she has taught me one thing that I still carry everyday which most fail, CONSISTENCY”. Thank you for the lessons learned. Happiest birthday, Mommy Vero!”

Nelia Guinsatao: “Happy Birthday to one of my mentors, influencers, support system, and a very sincere friend. Love you, my friend! Happy and healthy days ahead!”

Jessica J. Rolla: “Happy Birthday to you, dear Tita Vero – you found me when I was a shy, semi-awkward 17-year-old and helped me gain more confidence after my debut and becoming Miss Philippines FACC, welcoming me in your “Chicago’s Prettiest Fiiipinas”, ha, let’s not say the year.”

Maria Girlie Pascual: Happy Birthday to one of the primary community influencers, first Asian woman publisher, TV show executive producer in Chicago who showed Filipinos that a woman can stay on top as long as she wanted with stamina, hard work and grace –We love you Veronica Leighton, and thank you for your service through Via Times-CPRTV… and happy one-year anniversary to you and Irogski, Joe Mauricio, the man behind the woman who makes it all look easy!”

I can read all these unsolicitied, thoughtful and remarkable greetings over and over for the years to come as these will give me the inspiration, the drive, the stamina, to keep me going until there’s no more strength left in my body. Thank you all, and I love you too!

In this wonderful age of wisdom, here’s another lovely quotation that I would love to hang in my office…”When I passed forty I dropped pretense, ‘cause men like women who got some sense.” (Remarkable poet Maya Angelou).

Now, from FB to VT pages, let me quote what I expressed to people dear to me on my last birthday celebration…”Birthdays come and go, but they always leave memorable imprints and unforgettable memories in our lives. My last birthday on May 31 was so unforgettable for its kind thoughts, laughter, and messages with friends and family who created remarkable and fond memories for this “over the hill” woman.

Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart to my pre-celebrator hosting BFFs Nora and Fred Tsai and Maria Girlie Pascual, and Lou Cabalona, and special thanks to our birthday dinner guests at the Three Embers Restaurant at Marriott Resort Lincolnshire: Daniel R. Gawat & Thom Bierbrodt for the birthday cake; special presence of my loving family, my son Bobby Leighton, daughter-in-law Christina Leighton, apos Maya & Christian; sisters Mariquit Divinagracia (& husband Ulysses) & Rhodora Gutierrez (& husband Nilo), cousin Gloria Vargas, aunt Angie Jacala & daughter Gigi, friends Salina Vest and Phil; Direk Gerry Rebello with Gene Flores; Tom Padua & wife Edith, Christa Maree, and Beatriz Calalec Pagal.

Warmest thanks to BFF’s Fred & Nora Tsai, for hosting a surprise pre-birthday intimate party at their luxurious Lake Point condo on Lake Shore Drive attended by Maria Girlie Pascual, James DC Aagi Club, Elizabeth Cambay Regacho and husband Elbert, Rose Cordero, and Mabel Turtogo Sacay. Hosts Nora & Fred painstakingly prepared out-of-this-world hors d’ouvres (spotlighting famous Serrano ham from Spain) and their own delicious specialty dishes. James’ special mixed cocktail summer drinks put everyone on a fun chatty mood, making it difficult for anyone to leave. The evening was capped off with the spectacular Navy Pier fireworks welcoming the Memorial Weekend (and my birthday week), ha ha, as we watched from their windows facing the Navy Pier). My ice cream birthday cake with false lashes decor on the side goes well with my own false lashes. Witty host Nora!

Bamboo painting by Pastor Fil Valenzuela

With the family at Three Embers restaurant Marriott Lincolnshire

Birthday party hosted by friends Nora and Fred Tsai at their Lake Point Tower condo, with guests from ACCHAI organization (see names in article).Thank you, thank you!

Thank you for the birthday cake, Dan Gawat & Thom Bierbrodt, at the Three Embers restaurant.

Thank you to Girlie Pascual, for the birthday treat at our favorite Thai resto, Siam Cafe Niles.

Thank you for the bday treat, Lou Cabalona, shown with Joe and me, at our secret Pavilion hole, The Avalon restaurant. Baby Boom Boom Reign is also with us at the foot of the table sleeping in his basket. So cute!