Close pals Baby Espanola, Nora Robles and Rosalind Wee surprised her with a grand dinner bash at Brasserie on 3, Conrad Hotel.

Celine came with hubby Noel Bautista, and their children Con-Con and Sheba, Jay-Jay and Apple, and Chin-Chin and Sultan Joson.

Dinner started with thanksgiving prayer led by her granddaughters, Sam and Andrea Joson, followed by the blowing of the birthday cake led by 12-year-old granddaughter, Marga Bautista.

Buffet included prime rib, turkey, lamb, roasted duck, curacha from Zamboanga, and prawns—you name it, they served it, dahlings.

During dessert, a program started; it was emceed by her sister, Nona Ricafort, who was assisted by Celine’s daughters, Chin-Chin and Apple.

Nona introduced the wonderful Bautista and Saldana families, including the grand dame, Celine’s 97-year-old mom, doña Rufina Saldana.

Also introduced was Celine’s sister Marieliese Evaristo.

Celine’s grandson Santino Bautista led the tributes, followed by Inos Eugenio, Meng Perdices, Nora Robles, Bebot Laurel and Velia Cruz from Zonta Club of Metro Rizal and Toastmasters Club.

Other tributes were made by Pilie Aquino, Cathy Saldana and Baby Espanola, and Cristina Caedo.

Jun Leonor sang while Sen. Cynthia Villar gave a touching message.

The speakers paid tribute to Celine as a “leader, organizer, as talented, loving, and compassionate.”

Celine was evidently touched as she shed tears of joy. Trivia contest followed with prizes donated by Nona.

Celine’s giveaway to her guests? One-of-a-kind diamond-like studded bracelet from Shanghai.

A great way to end the fun birthday bash of the well-loved Celine Saldana Bautista!

Huma

The grand opening of Huma Mediterranean Cuisine recently spiced up the posh S Maison Mall at the MOA Complex recently.

Following the successful opening of its first restaurant Al Fairuz Lebanese Cuisine in SM City Clark, Huma Island Resort & Spa Palawan pulled out all the stops to make sure guests had a grand authentic Mediterranean experience. Well, believe me, palangga, they surely did.

With their preference for simple, fresh and natural dishes, businessman Dr. Hamad Al Tuwaijri and his wife Louisa El Chaer, the owners, decided to invest and open a series of Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurants around the Philippines.

Over a hundred personalities from various sectors of society were welcomed with Lebanese cocktails and special Huma drinks paired with delectable appetizers such as Falafel, Hummus, Fatayer Sabanek and Mussakan Chicken.

The place had a well-designed façade with Shisha pipes and custom-made glass lanterns highlighting the colorful interiors reflecting the rich culture of the countries around the Mediterranean Sea.

The bash opened with a performance by belly dancers led by certified belly dance instructor Lala Ilao-Dinglasan with Joam Medina, Kat Fonacier-Garcia and Aksana Kalinich.

Madame Louisa El Chaer later talked about the inspiration for the restaurant.

Emcee was basketball coach-turned-businessman Rafa Dinglasan, who is of Lebanese descent, natch!

Louisa El Chaer of Nouda later led the ribbon-cutting with her brother, executive chef Elias El Chaer, Lebanese honorary consul Joseph Assad and Department of Tourism regional director Marie Venus Tan.