Senator Robin Padilla, Senator Bong Revilla, Cong. Lani Mercado, Amy Austria, Ricky Davao, Isabel Rivas, Ali Sotto, Marissa Sanchez and Bayani Agbayani surprised Senator Jinggoy Estrada with a musical production number on his birthday held last Feb 17.
Gossip Girl was the host of the private affair and I asked the celebrities for their message for the senator. His best friend Bong was the first to give a message, “Kosa! I am so happy for both of us. God is so good to us. God bless you more. Mabuhay ka!” Lani also greeted and mentioned that she was the first leading lady of Senator Jinggoy in his first movie, "Markang Rehas." I asked the actress-turned-congresswoman if Senator Jinggoy courted her while filming the movie and Senator Bong humorously answered, “Lahat naman ng niligawan ko, niligawan din ni Sen Jinggoy”. When it was Philip Salvador’s turn to greet, the actor expressed his love for the senator despite the fact that Jinggoy did not attend his birthday and again Bong butted in, “Di bale andun naman si Sen. Bong Go.“
Lorna Tolentino, Ali Sotto, Isabel Rivas and Marissa Sanchez also gave their greetings.
But the funniest greeting of them all came from comedian Bayani Agbayani. “Happy birthday Senator. Nagdasal po ako kagabi na sana abutin ninyo ang 99 years tulad ni Sen JPE (Juan Ponce Enrile who was beside the birthday celebrant). At sana pag abot mo ng 99 andun pa rin si JPE sa tabi mo."
The surprise number was organized by the senator’s loving wife Precy Ejercito. This was the second surprise the senator got for his birthday. The first was the day before his birthday when his senatorial staff organized a surprise prank by giving him a huge television box but when the senator opened the box, it was not a lifesize television set. Instead, it was a lifesize senior citizen's card.
In his birthday message, Jinggoy thanked all his guests, including President Bongbong Marcos, Vice President Inday Sara Duterte and all his senator friends and public servants who gave their time to attend his party. He particularly gave a lengthy thank you to his father, President Erap Estrada, his mother Sen Loi Ejercito, his wife and children and the Filipino people, who gave him a chance to serve again. But what struck me was his humility when he called his half-brother Senator JV Ejercito and told him that they should put their differences aside and work together for the country. Happy birthday Senator Jinggoy. It was an honor for me to be the emcee of your birthday party!