Many say that age is just a number. Adding another year to your life means adding another chance at opportunities, meeting new people and making a difference – and the cycle continues.
I, for a fact, agree with that sentiment but not because I deny the reality of getting older, but because I know that I have a reason to celebrate the years that are being added to my existence.
We call that reason: FRIENDS. The real ones – those who make the years worth living and give us a reason to be grateful.
Such is the day when my good friend Sonia Bermejo celebrated her birthday on Saturday, October 1 at the JW Marriott hotel in downtown Los Angeles. It was hosted by a good friend of ours, Camille Agbayani, who was the Beautiful Life Celebration’s 2015 Queen of the Philippines – Universe.
Camille and Sonia have been friends for quite some time, after meeting in the Philippines in 2008.
Camille is the founder and owner of L’Aura Wellness in Artesia. It is a one-stop shop for body and facial contouring. She is a kind-hearted businesswoman, and is very amiable.
Camille loves to be around pleasant people. It has always been her goal to help others gain self-confidence. She is an advocate of unleashing one’s inner beauty and letting it shine. She has set her mind on finding more ways and means to stay healthy and youthful.
It was nice to see both Camille and Sonia. Due to our busy schedules, I seldom see Camille. She really went out her way to make Sonia’s day special. I was actually touched by the gesture. It’s very sweet of her to host the event and invite friends and families to wish our dear celebrant a happy birthday.
As for the birthday girl – a dear friend of mine – her relentless faith and determination made it very easy for me to appoint her as executive director of The Beautiful Life Celebration in 2015, a Filipino-American commemorative program that I’ve been running for five years. Sonia’s drive for excellence is so contagious, which I love about her.
But what I love the most is her warm personality and love for people. She is one of the most accommodating individuals I’ve known. Watching her entertain her guests at her party reminded me how worthwhile it is to have true friends stand by you all these years. I am lucky to be one of the people to wish her more blessings in life.
I say blessings as I allude to what Sonia always tells people regarding the successes that she achieves.
“It’s really all because of God’s grace and His wonderful plan. All these blessings wouldn’t be possible without God’s plan. I can only do so much…Fulfill my duties, follow my passion…But none of that is possible if God did not lay it out for me. I am so thankful to Him,” she says.
Sonia is currently the publisher and executive director of a magazine called, “Manila UP!” It was recently launched in Manila and was hosted by Ilocos Sur ex-governor and current Narvacan councilor Chavit Singson.
Sonia is also one of the board members of the FAPCCA (Fil-Am Press Club of CA) and the vice president and a board member of the RSG Foundation. She also runs her own property management business.
Even before coming to the U.S., she’s been in the media and entertainment industry in the Philippines. Supplied with talent and ambition, she climbed the corporate ladder as a public relations director for a well-known gourmet restaurant as well and was an account executive-turned-account manager for a major network in the Philippines.
“All of blessings that I’ve been receiving and has received are from God. I believe He gave me amazing opportunities so I can also give back by helping other people, which I love doing. I am so happy and honored to have this party. Camille knows that I am not into the whole big birthday bash thing but she is just a darling and insisted that it’s a great time to spend wit friends and family,” Sonia added.
Well, it was indeed a wonderful gathering and I’m glad that Sonia did not refuse such a generous and well-deserved offer from a very thoughtful friend.
To two of the most generous and loving people I know, I wish you both good health and more success. And once again, happy birthday my dear Sonia, may you continue to bless other people.
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Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at [email protected]
