It was supposed to be a surprise birthday bash, dahlings, but the effervescent Jackie Ejercito got wind of it. So, she herself took charge and planned her own party with the help of event stylist Barbie Pardo.
The grand happening was held at Jackie’s fabulous Forbes Park home, whose garden was enclosed with an air-conditioned tent, complete with chandeliers and filled with flowers by Pat Pastelero.
Our woman of the hour, blooming in an off-white lace Jonathan Simkhai dress, greeted her well-wishers who included Choy Cojuangco, Al Tengco, Ram and Judy Antonio, and Monty and Tina Roxas.
Close pals jetted in from all over the world, palangga, to greet Jackie.
From London came Joanna Arambulo Shentov. Vivacious fashion plate Kitty Go, stunning in her fuchsia Roksanda Ilincic dress, flew in from Hong Kong.
On a rare night out was brilliant private banker Andrew Gan, who had been absent from the social scene because he was making sure his mother, my darling Billie Gan, would bounce back to good health after suffering a medical setback recently.
Not far behind was another palangga, eye specialist Glenn Carandang.
There were surprise musical numbers by Jackie’s pals, such as the Breakfast Club composed of Cherry Tan Ty and Alfred Ty, Weng and William Chang, Florence and William Ko, and Mia Ynares and Lito Serrano.
Other performances were by the “Palengke” group of Weng Ejercito, Corrine Yenko, Jat Antonio, Fr. Peter Lavin, Chiqui Morada, Winnie Go, Willian Chan, Moises Go, Art Dichaves, Arnold del Rosario, Sander Tantoco and RJ Borromeo.
Jackie’s high school buddies—Dawn Feliciano, Tina Roxas and Annette Oliveros—also did a number.
And not to be outdone were KJ O’Hara, Jem Ejercito, Malou Camer, Cherrie del Guzman, Jerraine Peña and Jemelle Conde, all from the “BB” group.
The “Songbies,” composed of Gretchen Barretto, Mimi Que, Aivee Teo, Charmaine Lagman and Patrick Rosas, gave a dessert spread and did a super surprise song number. They were all escorted by their hubbies and partners—Tonyboy Cojuangco, Mario Que, Dr. Zee Teo and Michael Locsin.
Jackie’s well-mannered sons Manu, Jack and Luis did a song-and-dance number which brought the house down.
Jackie was surrounded by dear famille and friends: her mom, former senator Loi, brother Jude Ejercito, San Juan Vice Mayor Janella Ejercito and Jill Ejercito, her nieces and nephews Jolo, Julian and Justin Ejercito, and sisters-in-law Weng Ocampo Ejercito and Precy Vitug-Ejercito.
It was a splendid evening full of fun and surprises. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening was the appearance of the celebrator’s closest pal, world-class architect and interior designer Jonathan Matti, who cut his European business trip with a client just to be with Jackie on her special day.
The party went on with lots of dancing and flowing champagne, including Fifi L’Amour Bubbly Rose which everybody was raving about. The excellent food was catered by La Tasca.
Naturellement, there were hot, juicy stories, but my lips are sealed.
Cheers, Jackie! We love you!
