Fashion designer Aileen Pasagad celebrates 'lonely birthday'

Fashion designer Aileen Pasagad 

celebrates 'lonely birthday'

No roses, no candles, no cotillion. None of such traditional practices when a woman spends her 50th "debut," her celebration of   achievement and the blessing to start new venture of life. 

Fashion designer Aileen Sendrijas Pasagad turned 50 last Sunday (May 9) and, as she told VRS weeks ago, “I’m having a grand party. Please come."

Initially, Aileen wanted to celebrate her special day with an Oscar-themed party. But had to scrap it due to the pandemic. Plan B was to celebrate with a handful family friends. 

She ended up celebrating with her family...at home.

Aileeen is a descendant of Francisco Sendrijas, better known as "Francisco Dagohoy," a significant historical figure in Bohol. 

She was born in Inabanga town, but love brought her to Bilar town as the wife of  Zosimo Pasagad, a seafarer. 

Family: where love emanates. Aileen Sendrijas Pasagad with daughter Jesseth and sons Jairus and Josh.

Their union produced three offsprings: daughter Jesseth Nez, a petroleum engineer who was Miss Bohol 2018 3rd Runner-up and is now the Operations Engineer at the Malampaya Offshore Platform of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., and sons- Jairus Zim and Josh Ron Zimon, still students.

Aileen started designing gowns for her dear daughter when she joined beauty pageants and eventually decided to make designing a full-time business that is the "Aileen Pasagad Couture", after taking a short course at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines (FIP) - Cebu. 

From having highly-satisfied clients, she is now the fastest-rising designer in Bohol.

This year 2021 would have been her most meaningful as she was excitedly looking forward to her 50th birthday celebration, with preparations made to make it special and memorable.

It took time for the family to step back and assess the situation since recently, Bohol has been having a sudden surge in the COVID-19 positive cases, with 50% coming from Tagbilaran, with the number expected to rise, especially with the coming month-long fiesta season in Bohol. 

Considering that Tagbilaran City has become the COVID hotspot in the province, the family decided that organizing a birthday celebration in this crucial time is a careless and insensitive move and in case a guest tests positive, attendees will all be close contacts, resulting to the crippling of the local fashion and events industry, as people would be required to undergo quarantine. 

What would have been an “Oscar’s Night”-inspired party showcasing the glamor of Hollywood last May 9 was cancelled as a responsible decision for the health and safety of everyone. But it didn’t stop the family from having an intimate gathering attended by family and close associates that will be an offshoot to the grand 50+1 celebration next year, God willing.

Aileen found a “new family” in the Bohol Designers’ Circle (BDC) with Ladoi Aquino, Christian Bustrillos, Christian Relator, Bebei Tagoctoc, Ryan Sadudaquil, Nikki Simporios, Kim Villamor, and Charlowe Arbasto.

What is her ultimate 50th birthday wish? 

"I wish the COVID-19 pandemic to finally end, so we can all reconnect with our loved ones and share meals with friends without fear of getting sick," she said. 

What is her plan for the next years? 

"I also wish to stay healthy in the next years of my life, so I can continue to support my children in their dreams and see them grow into successful adults. Having a healthy mind and body will also allow me to run my business more passionately," Aileen said. 

"Lastly, I wish that I can continue to provide my clients with the best service," she added. 

 

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