I am what I am
And what I am needs no excuses
I deal my own deck
Sometimes the ace, sometimes the deuces
It's one life and there's no return and no deposit
One life so it's time to open up your closet
Life's not worth a damn till you can shout out
"I am what I am"
--I am What I Am
If she were a song, Bohol's fashion diva Maximiel said
that she would be Pop Music.
“I love for the fact that it fits my vocal range,"
Maximiel told VRS in an exclusive interview.
|
Bohol's fashion diva Maximiel celebrated her nth birthday
in full glitz and glamour. Contributed
Photo |
Maximiel is a singer and she can carry a tune. She proved
this during her nth birthday concert dubbed as "Maxelicious" held
last Feb. 9 at the Metro Centre Hotel.
And her guests realised there was something special about
her with the deep, honeyed voice.
The "who's who" joined together to celebrate
the beloved designer's birthday.
Guests included from Metro Tagbilaran Society: Meg
Raynaldo, proprietor of D'Box, philanthropist Maria Thomas, international chef
Sofia Reynaldo, Michael Yu and international florist Boy Dumadag of Blue
Grass Project, restaurateur Madz Borja of Acacia de Bubu, jetsetter Casty
Fortich, businessman Roy Tan and Janin Tan, Bunny CaseƱas Amores of B'Grazing
Co, Geofry Damgo of Louis Vuitton Malletier USA, jeweller Dale Reimer, mining magnate
Rachael Ngo, BCCTV's boss Leizel Lim, socialites Ruby Guinto and Marilou
Remoreras, actress and singer Scarlet, sportsman Achilles Amores,
businessman Paul Lucas, Margie Corales Dumadag of Flower Design
Studio in Maryland, USA and JP Maslog.
Her high school classmates also attended the event:
Councilor Chito Mercado, Yen Tibog of Gardenville, hotelier
Marilou Abarado of AMS hostel), entreprenuer Lilet Mulle, businesswowan
Zenaida Balatero, Angelie Escuadro of the Supreme Court of the Philippines,
educator Fe Deja, Dubai-based Zenaida Torillo, Jic Sampomones of Napocor, nurse
Julieta Narido of Holy Spirit School, businesswoman Annette Skelton and Mary
Ann Lantaka.
Maximiel proved that she's aging with grace (eternal
beauty) as she made a grand entrance during her party and performed a song
number for her guests.
"I feel like I am an empowered person, full of life,
passion and love,” she said.
She wore two gowns for her big night, she herself
designed.
Maximiel confessed she is a Broadway diva and a fan of
James Bond. The Bond songs have been recorded by some of the greats of popular
music, and hold a special place in the legacy of film soundtracks.
|
The birthday celebrator with her friends and guests. |
"Through the years, I love James Bond songs,"
she said.
And here are seven songs, the “soundtrack of her life” that
mean so much to Maximiel:
1)I Am What I Am (By Gloria Gaynor)- "No
matter what they say I am born this way I am what I am."
2)I Will Survive (by Gloria Gaynor)- "In spite of
everything I'm a survivor."
3)Private Dancer (by Tina Turner)- "I'm a
seductress."
4)Diamonds Are Forever (by Dame Shirley Bassey, a James
Bond theme)-"Intense vocal range and musical sexiness."
5)Goldfinger (by Dame Shirley Bassey, a James Bond theme)
- "Grandueur of the orchestra of James Bond music transends me to
another dimension."
6)Skyfall (by Dame Adele, a James Bond theme)- "I
love the music of Adele of 'Broken Hearts'."
7)Writing's on the Wall (by Sam Smith, another Bond
theme)- "It speaks of risking your life to someone."
Diamonds never lie
to me,
For when love's gone,
They'll lustre on.
Diamonds are forever, forever, forever.
Diamonds are forever, forever, forever.
Forever and ever.
--Diamonds Are Forever
* * *
42 couples tie knot in
Tagbilaran mass wedding
At least 42 couples tied the knot in a mass wedding on
Valentine’s Day, February 14, despite concerns over the spread of coronavirus
(COVID-19).
They exchanged vows during the “Kasalan sa Tagbilaran sa
Valentine’s Day” at the Tagbilaran City Hall atrium.
But before the ceremony, the couples had to follow some
precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
Personnel from the city health office had to check their
body temperatures, including those of their guests, said Chris John Torralba,
chief of the City General Services Office.
Masks and alcohol were also given to the couples and
their guests.
The mass wedding was officiated by Tagbilaran City Mayor
John Geesnell Yap II, who encouraged couples to remain committed and “in love”
with each other.
Tagbilaran's First Lady Jane Censoria Yap also shared
precious lessons about love and marriage.
Local Civil Registry Head Virgilia Incog facilitated the
event in coordination with the city mayor’s office.
The oldest couple who got married were Rey Gultiano, 44,
and Mary Rose Balena, 34, both residents of this city.
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At least 42 couples exchanged “I dos” in the annual civil
mass wedding at the Tagbilaran City Hall on Friday, February 14. Photo courtesy: Fiel Angeli Gabin/CIO
|
The City Hall’s atrium was turned into a reception
area, where the couples and their immediate families enjoyed the buffet.
The city government allotted a budget for bouquet, food,
cake, wine, and gifts.
City hall employees also celebrated love when they
were allowed to wear civilian clothes.
Torralba, in his memo, assigned colors that would show
their love status: red as the color to wear for those in love or in happy
relationships; red for in love/in a relationship; green for looking for number
2; pink for umaasa; yellow for single and ready to mingle; violet for its
complicated; black for broken hearted; white for no boyfriend/girlfriend since
birth; blue for friendzoned; grey for bitter, orange for assuming and for those
wearing their office uniform, kill joy.
Torralba just wanted to make Valentine’s Day celebration
fun for employees.
"But employees wearing red dominate here,” he said.
l
* * *
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