An emotional birthday celebration for Eva Abesamis

Eva Abesamis, the beautiful woman with those prominent cheekbones, celebrated another great year recently with loads of chosen invitees to support a meaningful cause. Eva’s son, David de Koenigswarter, has been performing with his successful Blues band named The Brat Pack for almost eight years now. He founded the group alongside his good friend RJ Pineda, who was the subject of the good cause that evening. RJ ran into some financial hurdles in the near past that prevented him from finishing his last two years in college, something that Eva, almost a  mother to him as well, could not bear.

The celebration became a get-together of support — in both a financial and emotional vein — to put together enough resources to send RJ back to school to finish college.

David de Koenigswarter with his mom Eva Ebasamis and Citoy Lopez

The evening featured music from the past and present that helped everyone to get into the buffet of scrumptious food. The hostess ordered the crisp Cebu lechon and flavorful chicken galantina, plus the must-have paella, dahlings, followed by a variety of sinful cakes and assorted desserts. The Brat Pack members are David Koenigswarter on bass, Gilbert Asuque on drums, Christine Mercado on vocals, and the RJ on the piano.

Adding to the fun night was the guest performance of dear, dear friend, Ramon “RJ” Jacinto who played songs like Kansas City, Muli, La Bamba, and the like. The “Rock ‘n’ Roll King” got the movers shaking and rolling till almost 2 a.m.

Allana Montelibano, Vicky Zubiri

Beaming with pride was Eva’s loyal partner for years sugar baron Citoy Lopez, no less, palanggas. And her best pal vivacious Allana Montelibano who came with her two brilliant daughters Bianca and Karla.

Now, who got so buzzed that he/she couldn’t stop gossiping about some of the invitees present? Ooops!

B-day music for Nelson Mendoza, seminarian turned restaurateur

Nelson Mendoza (fourth from left) with Rico and Jessie Maloles, Boyet Fajardo, Danny dela Cuesta, Randy Garces

Nelson “Papa Nels” Geralde Mendoza celebrated his fantastic 75th birthday celebration with a mini concert featuring guest singers Min Yasmin from Malaysia and international and opera singer Jonathan Badon, dancers and the man-of-the-hour Nelson, naturellement.

“At the height of the war in 1943, food was scarce, no oatmeal. I did not even enjoy mother’s milk because we were on the run all the time. So my lola had to carry me. So that’s where we came from. We were raised with a very deep background of spirituality. My father was the son of an ex-seminarian.  That’s why he wanted me to become a priest. So he encouraged me to become a priest,” said Nelson.

Sr. Catherine Quatchon, Mother Eleonor Cosima Camisa

Nelson entered the seminary in 1959 and stayed for three years in Cagayan de Oro seminary. In 1962, he took up philosophy at the San Jose seminary.
“I was valedictorian in the minor seminary. I was an achiever. Then I graduated. Then I continued teaching. It took me a while to be interested in girls. I was a devoted professor. I was also given administrative duties,” Nelson shared.
These days, Nelson and his business partner Jessie V. Maloles opened four Bless Las Paellas Spanish restaurant to make the popular Spanish dish affordable to every food lover. Not only that, dahlings, he plans to open about six more branches before the year ends.

Eric and Riza Asa Ashon

Nelson is a true achiever and mover at 75, dahlings. Not bad, huh? Not bad at all.