Who Liberty missed at her birthday bash

MANILA, Philippines – Liberty Ilagan missed two people dear to her when she hosted a small tea party, lit up with violin music, at Shangri-La Makati recently — her daughter Happy Ongpauco (who was abroad) and Amalia Fuentes who is recovering from a stroke she suffered while vacationing with friends in Seoul in October last year.

‘Amalia was always present every year,’ said Liberty. ‘The last time I visited her, she was fast recovering. She could recognize visitors.’

Among Liberty’s well-wishers were Helen Gamboa-Sotto (above, left), her daughters Love and Soeng Ikeda (above, right) and (top, seated, from left) Cecil Limjuco, Charito Ampil, Maria Bilbao, Criselda Lontoc and Naty Papas, and (standing, also from left) Helen, Pempe Rodrigo, Lety Ruiz Marielies Evaristo, Liberty, Monette Guevara and Barbara Perez.