How do you fete a family’s “princess” like Aurora Dorothy Hain?
On her 18th birthday recently, Dora, the appellation for her by her loved ones, had a spectacular “Luminous Night” celebration that seemed to be a cross between Cirque du Soleil and Wizard of Oz at the Grand Ballroom of Okada hotel.
In the breathtaking ballroom abloom with flowers, the debutante performed a death-defying, no-harness aerial number at the beginning of the program. Later in the night, a gigantic birthday cake slowly dropped from the ceiling.
“Dora is our family’s selfless ‘princess,’” says her grandmother and namesake Aurora Hain.
“She’s a sweet girl, full of compassion, kindness and wisdom,” says her mom Kelly.
“She’s a cheerful child filled with humility and love,” says her father Dondon.
“She’s my anchor, the light in my darkness,” says her older sister Queenie.
“I am incomplete without her,” says her eldest brother John.
Even on ordinary days, Dora’s family will shower her those accolades. Love, she says, is the basic fiber that her family is made of.
“My family is my best friend,” says Dora, a Grade 12 student at Southville International School. “Aside from being a complete, happy family, I can say that the best thing about having them is the bond we share. With my family, everybody can be himself or herself without fearing judgment.”
Dora recalls being bullied when she was in grade school and that even her best friends left her side. She cried to her dad. She remembers her father Dondon Hain, a city councilor of Cabuyao who filed his candidacy to run as congressman of the third district of Laguna, telling her: “Anak, ako nalang best friend mo. Kami na lang nina Mommy at mga kapatid mo. Tandaan mo maraming kaibigan natin will come and go pero kaming pamilya mopang habang buhay kami (My child, allow me to be your best friend. Let your mom and me and your siblings be your best friends. Some of our friends will come and go. Your family members are your lifetime allies).”
Dora, a niece of incumbent Cabuyao City Mayor Dennis Hain, made a choice and discovered all the more that her family is her protector at all times.
“Someday, if fate will agree with me, I want to be part of the fashion industry. I want to be part of the Fashion Week of big designs, most especially Chanel,” says Dora.
Her grandmother Aurora, a businesswoman, disclosed in the vernacular that when she contracted COVID during the pandemic, “Dora volunteered to be my caregiver. She did not mind getting the virus, too. She did not want me to be alone. She kept me company and gave me love.”
“Dora is my number one supporter, my number one fan. Queenie and I are incomplete without Dora. We won’t be happy without her. She was my first princess before I had my daughter Kelay. Dora is also my food buddy,” says John, chairman of barangay Niugan in Cabuyao.
For her part, Queenie adds, “My sister is my anchor when my life seems like a stormy sea. When I was the youngest in our family, I always wanted another sibling and prayed for a sister. God has blessed me with Dora; she is my answered prayer, the light in my darkness. Whenever the weight of the world is on my shoulders, she always makes sure to lift it, making everything feel as light as a feather. When life gives me lemons, I’m pretty sure that Dora is by my side and we will not make just lemonade — we will create a lemonade empire. We will be so rich, own hectares of lemon farms, and have the world’s biggest lemon party ever.”
“For me, as her mom, it’s a beautiful experience every time Dora does not forget special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. Once, when she was four, she picked santan flowers in our garden, gave them to me, and said, ‘I don’t have money to buy you gifts, Mommy. But I have flowers for you.’”
Dondon, Dora’s father and best friend, said that his youngest daughter is cheerful and humble. “She’s a loving sister and daughter. She wants to be able to make a name for herself one day. She has the charisma of her Lolo Banoy — friendly, helpful, compassionate and empathetic.”
Happy birthday, Dora, from your Ninong Bum, with love. *