MANILA, Philippines — Celebrity daughter Juliana Gomez marked her 18th birthday through a disco-themed party recently held in Bench Tower in Bonifacio Global City.
The only child of Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez and Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez, Juliana wanted her party to be far from traditional debuts with 18 roses and 18 candles.
On his Instagram account, Richard said that his daughter is the best thing that ever happened to him and Lucy.
“You are truly a bearer of joy to everyone. I wish you your hearts desire, the best in life and the best of health. Now that you are 18 choose the kind of friends and people you are with. When given a chance to decide on something always decide on what will give you peace and happiness,” the actor wrote.
“Continue to be nice and helpful to people. Always remember that we love you very very much! To me and mom you will always be that beautiful little girl no matter how old you get. Iloveyou!” he added.
For her part, Lucy said in an ABS-CBN interview that she never felt that any occasion had to be marked with a material present.
“Because loving your child and wanting the best thing for her is an everyday thing. It's not quantified in one single event na lahat ng pagmamahal mo ay ibubuhos mo in one material gift," she said.
"I just want her to be the person that God has assigned her to be. I always tell her na 'Juliana, you have be that person that God wants you to be and the work you must do now, is to find out what that is," she added.
Instead of going for ball gowns, Juliana reportedly opted for white ensembles. Likewise, in lieu of a traditional giant fondant cake, she blew her birthday candles on layers of sugar-glazed doughnuts.