Surrounded by love and laughter, PR guru Susan Joven celebrated an extra-special milestone in the grand home of one of her dearest friends, Ching Cruz.

Susan is the driving force behind the PR campaigns of many leading brands in the country.

Breaking from the tradition of celebrating her birthday abroad with her traveling sisterhood, this year Susan readily agreed to Ching’s invitation to host a birthday bash. After all, this was a milestone year.

So it was that the ever-glam hostess, alongside her husband, Philip Cruz, threw their doors wide open to a few guests for this very happy occasion.

It was a gathering of family and treasured friends, a lovely mix of old and new, from different phases of the celebrator’s life: Virgie Ramos, Fe Rodriguez, Anton and Nina Huang, Dr. George Canlas, Foreign Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin and Louie Locsin, and Susan’s beloved grandchildren Noey and Chloe de la Merced, to name a few.

Cocktails and appetizers were served in the beautiful patio and garden, where garlands of Tivoli lights sparkled among giant fern trees.

The party then moved to the all-white dining room, where tables were set beneath towering bouquets of spring flowers and the room was gently lit by the soft glow of crystal chandeliers.

In one corner, a mini band played cool classics to set the mood.

Quietly working behind the scenes on the sumptuous spread was chef Noel de la Rama who was on a visit from New York where he is based. He will collaborate with Ching and Philip on a new dining concept.

Before dessert was served, Susan’s only daughter, Ginggay dela Merced, and the lady of the house, Ching, thanked well-wishers.

Love and grateful hearts filled the room with each touching and sometimes funny toast given by some of Susan’s nearest and dearest friends. For this hardworking, fun-loving, tireless woman, perhaps tita Virgie Ramos summed it up best, “Susan is not getting older, but only getting better with every year.”

After blowing out the candles on her birthday cake, Susan had a delightful surprise waiting: leading theater artist Cris Villonco sang a beautiful rendition of the birthday girl’s favorite song, “Make You Feel My Love,” as grandson Noey led his Mamita to a dance.