A suave and urbane
gentleman's birthday bash

How does one describe a guy like Nene Rojas?

That he is suave and urbane with a naughty sense of humor is well-known to his friends and admirers. To top it all, he is a good friend and a loyal ally. No wonder he has remained popular and loved by all.

This was evident by the huge crowd of well-wishers, who came to celebrate his birthday recently. By the time we arrived, the poolside party under a starlit sky at his posh home was in full swing with the band setting the mood for a swinging evening.

It was a “white wine” kind of crowd, filled with sugar bigwigs (Nene is, after all, the president of the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters and of the Integrated Sugarcane Growers of Negros), movers and shakers, top government officials, fashionistas, media, clergy, etc. Loving wife Lourdes and his entire brood were on hand to help entertain his guests.

Like the terrific host that he is, Nene table-hopped most of the time, making sure that the wine flowed all evening. Everyone oohed and aahed at the opulent feast on the buffet tables, designed to make even the most sensuous epicurean smack his lips with delight. What a superb dinner we all had, highlighted by an array of spectacular desserts that decimated our resolve to hold back.

It was hard to leave the party while the fun was still going on, but the hour was late and it was time to go.

To our wonderful host, Nene, May you always stay as young and happy as you are. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!*