Stars ascended as businesswoman Cristina Decena celebrated her 60th birthday in style by making Filipiniana the theme of her big party.
"Pinili namin ng mga anak ko ang Filipiniana na motif dahil sa pagtangkilik ko sa ganda at pagka-elegante neto. Sa dami ng bansang napuntahan ko, mas lalo kong nagustuhan ang kakaibang dating ng mga Filipiniana dahil hindi naman lahat ng bansa ay may pambansang kasuotan," said Decena, during the celebration held at the Ballroom of Hilton Hotel Manila Newport Blvd. in Pasay City last Nov. 30.
(My children and I chose the Filipiniana motif because I enjoy its beauty and elegance. In the many countries I've been to, I've come to love the uniqueness of the Filipiniana because not all countries have national costumes.)
She added: "Kung minsan nakakalimot tayo na napakaganda ng ating bansa. Nakakalimutan natin tangkilikin ang ating mga produkto na napakaganda naman at elegante."
(Sometimes we forget that our country is so beautiful. We forget to enjoy our products which are so beautiful and elegant.)
Decena, who was previously involved with showbiz personalities, shared her wish for her special day.
"Ang birthday wish ko ay mas makasama pa ng matagal ang mga mahal ko sa buhay. Hindi ko inaasahan na magkakaroon ako ng ganito kalaking selebrasyon dahil sanay ako sa simpleng salo-salo lamang," she said.
(My birthday wish is to spend more time with my loved ones. I didn't expect to have such a big celebration because I'm used to just a simple party.)
Asked about her goals for 2023, Decena also wished that her business would still be successful.
"Ang goals ko sa 2023 ay mas mapalago ang mga negosyong natayo ko. Gusto kong mapalago ang mga negosyo ko para makapagbigay pa ng tarbaho sa maraming tao dahil bawat tao ko ay may kanya kanyang pamilya na sinusuportahan para makakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw at mapag aral ang mga anak. Sana mas makapag-bakasyon ako kasama ang ng pamilya at kaibigan ko para makapagrelax ako habang kapiling ang mga tao sa paligid ko. Masarap din naman balik-balikan ang mga ganung klaseng pagsasama," she said.
(My goals in 2023 are to grow the businesses I have built. I want my businesses to grow so that I can provide jobs to many people because each of my people has his own family that is supported to eat three times a day and to educate the children. I hope I can spend more vacations with my family and friends so I can relax while being with the people around me. It's also nice to go back and forth with those kinds of relationships.)
At 60, Decena also said that she is thankful for so many things.
"Gusto kong magpasalamat sa Panginoong Diyos na binigyan niya ako ng anim na dekadang punong-puno ng kulay. Hindi biro lahat ng pinagdaanan ko pero laking pasasalamat ko na ni minsan ay hindi Niya ako pinabayaan. Syempre, ang pamilya ko na naging bato ng aking buhay, sila ang nagbibigay lakas sa akin, at walang sawang nagmamahal sa akin. Taos puso din akong nagpapasalamat sa mga kaibigan ko na sinupportahan ako sa bawat aspeto ng buhay ko, sila ang karamay ko sa negosyo at sa bahay, natatakbuhan nila ako kapag na ngangailangan sila at ganun din ako sa kanila," she added.
(I want to thank the Lord God for giving me six decades full of color. Everything I've been through is no joke but I'm so thankful that He never abandoned me. Of course, my family who became my roc, they give me strength, and love me tirelessly. I also sincerely thank my friends who have supported me in every aspect of my life, they are my sympathizers in business and at home, they run to me when they need me and so do they.)