Joy Suarez and Her Journey to Gold

It all started when our celebrant came home last summer for business and pleasure. It was purely small talk at first with the Suarez sisters Joy & Beth when talk shifted on the latter’s upcoming golden birthday. And the casual mood shifted to a more exciting one. After all, hitting the half century mark is one personal milestone worth celebrating.

GOLDEN GIRL: Joy Suarez

And just last week, Your Roving Eye was pleasantly surprised to find out that all the talk we had had taken a tone of finality and she was so glad that her parents and siblings and their families were coming to celebrate with her.

We were all billeted at the newly- opened Premiere Villa section of Astoria Palawan in Puerto Princesa City. The Mangrove, the resort’s main function hall for social functions and corporate affairs was transformed into an enchanted forest  since the celebrant wanted a fairy tale- themed celebration.

The event venue’s foyer

Joy Suarez with nephews Kurt Jo and Christian Bustrillos who designed her second gown  

The event opened with scenes from the Snow White replete with the seven dwarfs. The celebrant who had three outfit changes was an ethereal vision in her golden ballgown. A special 25 roses ceremony immediately followed. From her Papa Rene, to her brother in laws, nephews, the resort’s different department heads down to her son Josh, it was a magical moment.

Dinner was a wide array of both Filipino and international dishes. The open bar was awash with cocktails, soda and, wine.

Since the Suarez clan is musically- inclined, guests were treated to a display of dazzling vocal stylings and some solo spots.

Joy with son Josh, daughter Jewel, Mama Cord & Papa Rene

SISTER ACT: Joy joins her sisters Sherwina, Irene, Grace & Elizabeth in a touching song number

Surprise number from Astoria Palawan’s different department heads

MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Bro-in- law Mark Apat & son perform.

Later on, a teary- eyed Joy listens to her kids’ messages

COOSOME COUPLES: Winsor & Sherwina Polestico,  Albert & Irene Labra 

and Joseph & Beth Bustrillos

CUTE COUSINS: Christian Bustrillos, Star Bustrillos & Jewel Javier

It was almost dawn when the celebration finally had to end. It was a mix of reluctance and relief that I turned over the microphone to the technical crew. As each of the guests started to leave the ballroom, the noisy chatter slowly died down, the service crew started to clear up the tables and the venue slowly darkened as the lights were switched off one by one.

Your Roving Eye with Jewel Cruz, Rodney Urbano, Lyan Dela Cruz & Johnjohn Osorio

As I headed back to my room, thoughts on the happy occasion and the scrumptious treat that we partook kept swirling in and out of my head. 

And just before calling it a day, it was time to thank the affable Joy Suarez, the bubbly and hardworking resident manager of Astoria Palawan for the invite to be part of her golden journey as emcee of the entire proceedings.

In between being a kindergarten teacher to a Sheraton Hotel executive abroad, Joy graduated with a Masters diploma Magna Cum Laude, became Rotary Club of Tagbilaran club president and has gotten full circle in the hospitality industry after coming back home and becoming top honcho of two Astoria resorts in Boracay and currently managing Astoria Palawan.

Cheers Ms. Joy and Long May You Reign!

Close Encounter with Sarah Geronimo

Your blogger with Mae Collyer

One of my most memorable hosting stints was during the Fellowship & Awards Night of the 2009 SONY ERICSSON Dealers' National Conference held at the Peacock Garden Resort in Baclayon, Bohol

It all started with a call from Graciel Penalosa who was the Bohol- based coordinator for the big event. 

After the exchange of more calls and the confirmation of the hosting gig with a good friend of mine, the fabulous U.P. Diliman graduate Mae Collyer, we were requested to attend a pre- production meeting and a series of briefings. 

Since a major star was involved who turned out to be Sarah Geronimo, there were explicit reminders as to professional conduct as well as guidelines with the star's privacy and the limits to our interaction with her and her coterie of assistants and road manager

Anyway, the event was to start at 6 pm but we were already there as early as 10 am for more briefings, last- minute instructions and blockings onstage not to mention going over the 30 page cue cards to familiarize ourselves with the program flow, the script and the reminders

That's me with Mae Collyer and Kim Villamor

At around 4 pm, we were ushered into the area designated as make up and green room. Anyway, after talented hair & make up artist Kim Villamor was done and after what seemed to be an eternity, we were finally given the go signal that we have to get ready for the show to start

And the rest of the night as captured in photographs:

That's Sarah Geronimo as she tickled me while Mae Collyer looks on 

Save & Earn's CEO Raymond Roldan claims his prize

Photo Credits:

Ed Canuto