Sweet 14

"If life be short, then moderate your worldly cares and projects; do not cumber yourselves with too much provision for a short voyage." – Thomas Manton

The Tambunting residence became the site of merrymaking as the blooming Therese Tambunting celebrated her 14th birthday. The party was thrown by her loving parents Joselito and Vicky Tambunting as a celebration of their daughter’s blossoming youth.

The birthday girl wore an elegant black dress with matching black-laced sandals. The usual gaggle of friends and family were there but what made it special in Therese’s heart was the surprise appearance of pop singer Jimmy Bondoc, who sang his big hit, Let Me Be The One to a starry-eyed Therese. Afterwards, the typical teenage party continued with plenty of singing and dancing, led by no other than the celebrator herself.

"Beauty, brains and heart" are three words to describe Therese, since not only is she an attractive young lass, she is also a consistent topnotcher in school. She also displays admirable generosity in helping the less fortunate.

At the age of nine, Therese attended the blessing and inauguration of the Parish Church at Phase 7, Bagong Silang, Caloocan, which was donated by her late grandmother Aurora Paraiso-Tambunting, grandfather Jose Tambunting, late uncle Ramon Paraiso Tambunting and aunt Teresita Tambunting-Liboro. Out of their own savings from their pocket money, Therese and her brother Iolani bought four big industrial fans to help the cooling of the big church. When Parish Priest Fr. Hamilton Ureta acknowledged them in his homily, even Jaime Cardinal Sin was impressed.

At the parish church where Therese attends Sunday Mass, she always looks for her suki, a 10-year-old sampaguita vendor from whom she always buys all the stock. Therese does this so that the sampaguita vendor will be able to go to school.

At Elsie Gaches in Alabang, there was an inauguration of the home for 100 handicapped children, which was donated by her aunt Teresita Liboro and late uncle Ramon Tambunting. Therese visited and even brought her van loaded with toys, her gift to the children.

Therese, may all your dreams come true!

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrators today, Ramona Ty, Ramon "Eki" Cardenas and Philip Cruz.

Advance birthday greetings to debonair Mandarin Oriental general manager Helmut Gaisberger and Tina Macasaet, Sept. 2; Tito Lagdameo, Sept. 3; Philippine Star publisher and chairman of the board Maximo Soliven and Connie Lopez, Sept. 4; socialites Jojo Zabarte and Connie Araneta, Sept. 5; Dr. Elias Pantangco, Sept. 6.

Belated birthday greetings to Summit Publishing boss Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng and Nena Villanueva, Aug. 25; pediatrician Liaa Cojuangco-Bautista, Aug. 26 and Bench boss Ben Chan, Aug. 27.

So, how was your week?

(For comments and inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)