Same time, next year!

May you have many more birthdays to come!

That was what his guests and well-wishers were telling birthday boy, cancer patient Rudy “Daboy” Fernandez, when he marked his 56th birthday last Monday, March 3, at the Wack Wack Golf & Country Club in Mandaluyong City, organized by his wife Lorna “LT” Tolentino and Precy Vitug-Estrada (wife of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada), with the help of their bosom buddy Paul Cabral.

“That’s my birthday wish,” admitted the teary-eyed celebrator who was later serenaded by friends and colleagues. “Many more birthdays to come. Actually, even just a few more birthdays are good enough for me.”

The glittering array of well-wishers was led by Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada who jokingly evaded the attempts of Ai-Ai delas Alas, his leading lady in a planned Star Cinema movie, to “rehearse” their kissing scene.

Among those who dedicated songs to Rudy were Pops Fernandez, Ricky Davao, Jestoni Alarcon, Edgar Mortiz, Ara Mina, Eddie Gutierrez (Song: Ang walang kamatayang Blue Suede Shoes of his idol Elvis Presley) and Regine Velasquez (Pangako and Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin).

Lorna reaffirmed her “pledge of love” by singing Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin to Daboy. The couple held hands and exchanged sweet glances while Tirso Cruz III, who hosted the impromptu “mini-concert,” sang Somewhere to them, theme song of their 1984 starrer of the same title.

The barkada of Senators Jinggoy and Bong Revilla, Phillip Salvador and Tirso sang Florante’s Handog (with reworded lyrics) as finale, driving Daboy to near tears.

In his thank-you speech, Daboy said, as he did during his birthday last year, “I’m not gonna die yet!,” asking everybody not to be sad, assuring them, “I’m alive and kicking!,” even as he left a reminder to see the same faces, “Same time next year!”

Tonight, Daboy and LT will fly to the States for a month-long trip. First stop: L.A. where Daboy will receive an award along with several other Filipino artists. Next stop: Las Vegas, to watch the Unfinished Business bout between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. Last stop: Boston, where Daboy will try a new kind of chemo/treatment for the fourth-stage cancer that has metastasized to his liver.

What’s up?

• Immigration lawyer Michael Templo will conduct a seminar on Overview: US Immigration on Saturday, March 8, 2 to 5 p.m. at the AIM Conference Center of the Igorot Club in Club John Hay, Baguio City. For reservations and seminar fees, text 0916-6280990, or call landline 02-8935964 or 02-7592985. Or visit www.templolaw.com. Incidentally. Michael will donate to 50 media personnel personal accident assurance coverages of P50,000 each in support of the Heart to Heart — Alay sa Media free clinic and heart lecture of the Heart Foundation of the Philippines set for tomorrow, March 7 (postponed from Feb. 29), 7 a.m. 12 noon at the Atrium 2, 8th Floor of the Medical Arts Building, Philippine Heart Center, East Ave., Quezon City. According to Mildred Ortega-Templo, Michael’s mom who is the event’s coordinator, 50 media personnel will be accommodated on a first-come-first-served basis. Reminder from Mildred: “Participants must fast starting tonight (12 midnight) for the blood screening.” (For further inquiries, call the HFP Secretariat at 928-1414 or 925-2401 local 3225.)

• Here’s Fr. Corsie Legaspi’s healing schedule for the rest of this month: Today, 1 to 5 p.m...March 15, Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m...and March 29, Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m., all at the Coming Home Retreat and Meditation Center in Binakayan, Cavite. (For further inquiries, call 046-4348759 or 046-8780069, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected] or at [email protected])