A celebration of life and nature

It was a very special day for Sen. Loren Legarda as her publisher, biographer and long-time friend Bing Carrion-Buck hosted a birthday celebration and a book launch for her at Red in Shangri-La Makati.

Her guests included Senators Jamby Madrigal and Miguel Zubiri, Representatives Mary Ann Susano, Ed Zialcita, Bongbong Marcos, Martin Romualdez, Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna and Liza Maza of Gabriela, Imee Marcos, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, Presidential Legal Counsel and Mrs. Jesus Dureza, Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Filipino Chinese Federation’s Donald Dee and Michael Tan, businesswoman Doris Magsaysay-Ho, San Francisco California Commissioner Puchi Carrion-Di Ricco, SM Investments’ Tessie Sy-Coson, URC’s Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Philip and Ching Cruz, Lily Monteverde, Inquirer’s Isagani Yambot, People Asia’s Babe Romualdez and Joanne Ramirez and STAR’s Ching Alano. Guests partook of the buffet consisting of Red’s mouthwatering Angus beef, pastas, desserts, cheeses and salads with flowing red and white wine.

Carrion-Buck started the book launch program, calling on the honoree on stage to present her the first copy of Loren: A Celebration of Life and Nature. The 200-page full color coffee table book is Loren’s personal conversation with the Filipino people, sharing her life’s works through the quotations covering her principles, beliefs, her passionate advocacies on women, children, the environment and nature.

Loren and Bing then called on United Laboratories, Inc. chairman Joy Campos-Hess to give her a copy of the book for her generous support for the book’s publication. Shangri-La Properties president Andy Bautista was asked on stage to receive a copy of the book as a token of appreciation for the hotel’s cooperation and superb service. To cap the program, Loren called on Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to thank him for gracing the occasion and presented him another book.

Loren ended the program by delivering her speech covering the making of the book, her appreciation of Bing’s support and thanking all for coming saying, “I call on our public leaders today to set aside their narrow ambitions, the disease of presidentialitis, the quest for self-glory and self-gratification so that, with God’s help, we can work to overcome the current crisis. There is a time for ambition. This is the time to let go and truly serve our people. After all, the presidency is destiny.”

A new town hall in Mabalacat

Globe Asiatique Xevera in Mabalacat, Pampanga promises to be a bustling center of convergence for all the nearby towns and the city’s residents with a school, church, wet and dry market, commercial areas, an amusement park and the new town hall.

Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales spoke of how Globe Asiatique’s developments in Pampanga are revolutionary and should be emulated by other developers. Prior to Xevera Mabalacat, Globe Asiatique was responsible for developing this same affordable dream community in Xevera Bacolor. Another project, The Enclave in Angeles City, is touted as a retirement village for foreign businessmen based inside the Clark Freeport.

A brass band played as President Arroyo led the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Globe Asiatique president Delfin Lee turned over the deed of donation for the town hall of Mabalacat to Morales. In turn, Morales presented a plaque to Lee honoring him as an adopted son of Mabalacat. President Arroyo toured the building and visited the model units of Xevera Mabalacat.

Residents of Xevera Mabalacat will now be afforded accessibility and convenience with the town hall near their home.

(For more information, visit www.xeveramabalacat.com or call (045) 323-8000, 0917-8031000 and 0922-8031000.)