Birthday celebrations
with a twist

Bamboo Tonogbanua, Bacolod's very own gifted artist and designer, recently celebrated his birthday with a bang. Friends, fellow artists and admirers trooped en masse to his elegant digs where they gathered at his newly-renovated rooftop terrace for the party.

The scene reminded us of the high-rise apartment buildings in New York (Bamboo's favorite place to visit every year), where a lot of people have mini gardens on the rooftops to enjoy the fresh air and the view. My group, headed by Circulo de Bacolod president Mila Moya and the rest of our members, had the time of our lives chitchatting and swapping stories about the hottest news in town. Oh my goodness! The tidbits we heard were even juicier than the delicious Lengua Estofada which we all enjoyed together with the Lasagna (from Emily Jison), Pancit Efuven (from Cora Han) and Bamboo's scrumptious potato salad.

There were desserts galore to seduce all the figure-conscious ladies (who happily gave in to the seduction!). As an added treat, each guest was given a Fortune plant in an exquisite bowl as they said goodbye to their host. How's that for style!

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Another enjoyable happening was the unique birthday celebration of Ysabella Visitacion Wuthrich, Joann Visitacion's adorable little girl. Joann, a former MassKara beauty queen and singer-TV host has now joined the league of entrepreneurs.

It was during the birthday party that she launched her three "babies" - a beauty parlor, a party rental and catering business - Ysabella's Cuisine, which was formally blessed by Fr. Gary Fuentebella. Guests marveled over the delectable array of food specially prepared for the occasion. One of the unique features of the catering business is, it offers giant imported canopies from the USA which can accommodate up to 500 people.

Most of the lady guests ere treated to a total beauty pampering service at Joann's Beauty Haven in her Villa Angela home, where Zhandie Mazo (formerly of Toni & Guy, Salon d' Orient) is the resident operator.

The ladies simply went gaga over the permanent eyelash extension (Look Ma, no more false eyelashes!). Others enjoyed the Jacuzzi, foot spa and other pampering services. It was truly a one-of-a-kind celebration with delicious food and super pampering to boot! Congratulations Joann, on this new venture!*