On being Mellie

“The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.”  — William James

Sharing the joys of living a blessed life is the charismatic Guatemala Consul and Consular Corps of the Philippines former dean Mellie Ablaza as she recently launched her book entitled On Being Mellie at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Printed as a gift from Vibal Publishing president Esther Vibal, On Being Mellie was written by Jojo Silvestre, Boysie Villavicencio and edited by Chit Lijauco with the help of Ben Farrales, Cha Cha Camacho, Dodie Garcia, Wilson Wong, Alfred Ursua and Arlu Gomez. The coffee table book chronicles the various highlights of Consul Mellie Ablaza’s years: from her childhood in Pangasinan, her school days at the University of the Philippines College of Law, her tribute to Philippine fashion, the lavish parties that she hosted, her active participation in various organizations and most importantly, her life as a mother to her successful children and as a loving wife to Zambia Consul General Louie Ablaza. Proceeds from book sales will be donated to the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s Studies, Gawad Kalinga, Congregacion del Santissimo Nombre del Niño Jesus and Friends for the Cultural Concerns of the Philippines’ scholarship projects. Now, I can’t get my hands off this book as I endlessly marvel at the amazing life of Consul Mellie Ablaza. Congratulations!

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrators today, Bonggoy Manahan, former solicitor general Frank Chavez, Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco, Chloe Cruz-Periquet and Crown Asia’s Red Rosales.

Advance birthday greetings to Jason Buendia, Feb. 7; Primeline Inc.’s Ronnie Henares, Feb. 8; Aficionado and Joel Cruz Signatures internal vice president Remar de Leon, Feb. 9; Tessie Daza, Feb. 10; Johnny Manahan and “Knit Queen” Lulu Tan-Gan, Feb. 11.

So how was your week?

(For comments and inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)