My very best birthday present was an intimate birthday concert, an offer from the beautiful hearts of Mon David Nicole David Yalong Carlo David and Josh Nelson. Thank you dear Mika Ela for this video. Pure joy and happiness…
‘Grace upon grace’
My 70th belated birthday was with my biological and extended family. When my family members were on a roadtrip, my community-derived family took a vacation trip or spent the holidays with me. Family is shared love in a bloodline and it is family too with a shared history of unconditional love through decade, especially during the pandemic. These folks were kind, generous, caring and considerate to us to bring groceries, indoor plants and prepared dinners. God, please protect them at all times!
#M4D was a phenomenal concert. We truly enjoyed the second half when the music was balanced and did not overwhelm the beautiful voice of Martin Nievera.
But what was memorable for me was Santino Nievera on the drums. He was magical when he played “Sweet Child of Mine.” This segment touched me as if live electricity was energizing my heart and soul. Santino is as gifted as his brothers, Robin, Ram, and his dad, Martin.
I was so touched by the Dear Evan Hanssen song and the shared story on bullying, as the excerpts Martin did from the Broadway songs and the beautifully sung Original Pilipino songs. He truly is the Concert King in moving his audiences who were singing along and dancing at times. Absolutely a great concert in how it moved me, as the audience. Thank you so much M4D (Martin Nievera 40th Anniversary Concert)
Best part for me was Apl.de.ap coming out to share the stage with Martin in watching several Pilipino and American artists greet him on his 40th anniversary.
Beautifully done, Ted Benito
Best intentions undergird love actions. They come first as molecules in the brain, followed by meticulous planning, then action.
I postponed way back in May 2022 a big trip to Alberta, Canada to see Lake Banff and magnificent bodies of water for my August 70th birthday. I had planned to celebrate quietly with my husband.
The Higher Universe saw months ahead why I had to. A death in the family happened – my husband’s sister in law, Sarah F. Delacruz – spouse to his youngest brother, CJ, was buried on August 13. That preempted any intended milestone celebration that weekend. Sarah was buried in an ecosystem of love from her family and faith community who witnessed her giving to her church and her outreach to the community, using joyful Philippine culture.
Had I had not postponed it, we would have gone back prematurely, much like in 2016, when we came back hurriedly from Quezon to bury my eldest sister, Rose.
My birthday coincides with the 2012 death of a handsome best friend of our family, Bobby Bowens – whose name is inscribed on a building in Richmond because of his selfless, untiring work to serve others and to stop the hemorrhaging of death to AIDS-HIV. He died in 2012, survived by his beautiful wife of 2 decades, Lillian and their three kids: Bryan, Leann and Larisa.
By only grieving these former earthly beings, now beautiful divine spirits, without praising present lives would not respect the divinity in me, nor others who are still here, present and alive. The Universe prevailed in its its best intentions. Besides, as Maura would say, “Never underappreciate yourself. It diminishes the God in you. Be with God, always.”
‘Grace upon grace’ was a mantra I learned from Nicole David Yalong, who calls me her fairy godmother, which tickles me to death. Just like my precious #princess2015la, 7yo, who would whisper to me: “Grandma, I cannot ever hate you. I love you very much. And for always.” She adds that always, telling me that when she graduates from college and if I am not around, she will look for me in the clouds knowing how proud I am of her. Gosh, give me more life, another 15 years more, please.
My desire not to celebrate my 70th was subsumed by the very best intentions of Mon David, Nicole David Yalong, Carlo David, and Josh Nelson, a friend to the David family to do an intimate concert in my home. I cried hearing this offer of the best gift I ever received.
The magnificence of their soulful gifts was captured by my thoughtful friends Benel Se-Liban and Nathan Glenn. As you visit my website, lotusrainier.com you can really feel the love of folks who attended. Read their posts of August 23, 2022.
I only hired a chef to cater, from the number one restaurant in Glendale, La Bella Pinseria Romana, made so by the highest quality cooking of Chef Joe. I had no platters so he lent them to me. His execution was impeccable: ribeye with truffles, branzino, cassarece with bone marrow, la bella salad, eggplant parmigiana, broccolini, and the New Calendonian blue prawns.
The generosity of my friends created such a maturity of love expressed, one to the other, in joyful songs, storytelling and gosh, the bountiful desserts, provided with such conscientious efforts of Cora Oriel, who drove 60 miles to get the best brazo de Mercedes and sans rival; Caroline Adobo who delivered despite the distance, @coriput – my daughter who made the mango passion fruit tart which disappeared in a blink of an eye – so good and refreshing; Mike Zuniga who baked 8 dozens ensaymadas on his day off, and Maura Brito who worked a double shift to help me as Ana Burog and Don Sagarbarria.
But my biggest supporter was my husband who moved chairs, set up the canopy, wash the kitchen rugs and more. It was as if I had a crew of 50 lifting me up to the heavens. He challenged us all attending that night if we might consider fundraising for social causes using the format of that evening. Friends agreed and chose Mending Kids – to support cleft palate surgeries amongst children.
Last but not least is Alan del Rosario who edited these photos, and created my most beautiful birthday dress. He too is very talented, and a very generous human being.
August 23 is now a new milestone for me, I came of divine age, feeling the live beings present, with their love for me. Thank you, God and Mama Mary! 70 is my baptism and confirmation year into this lovely circle of 27 folks. My sister Sion Ferrer and her son Brian Ferrer made that 29 later.
#loveandkindnesshasmultipliereffect
By @Benel Se-Liban
I enjoyed the wonderful milestone birthday celebration of a dear friend, Prosy Delacruz, at her lovely home! She knows how to spoil her guests!
The intimate mini-concert of Mon David, Nicole, and Carlo David with Josh Nelson!
the sumptuous Italian dinner catered by Chef Joe of La Bella Pinseria Roma. My favorite was the pasta with bone marrow!
, the dessert feast: Brazo de Mercedes, sans rival, mango cake, ube cake, ensaymadas, and mango tart!
Special truffles were handmade by Romeo’s Chocolates.
Thanks for spoiling us on your birthday! Wish Cris and JP were there to celebrate with you.
Happy Birthday Prosy! Cheers to a loving, passionate, generous wife, mom, grandmother, and community leader! Wishing you more blessings and good health. May the Holy Spirit continue to give the grace and inspiration to be a blessing for others! 
Written by Nathan Glenn
The day was filled with a heavy burden from my work and as we drove to LA we looked forward to seeing our friends and celebrate the 70th birthday of our dear dear friend Prosy Delacruz. As soon as the legendary pianist Josh Nelson played the piano and artist Mon David soulful voice and his two very talented children’ sang their repertoire we knew this was more than just a birthday party, it was a celebration of life.
No copyright infringement intended. Songs were sung as a repertoire, with no monies gained.
The music lifted my heavy spirit and grateful for the wonderful evening and the life we have. As the final song “both sides now” from Joni Mitchell was sang so beautifuly resonated in my mind and for the first time in the hundreds of times I’ve heard and loved it, this song it touched me so deep and brought a little tear in my eyes. That I don’t really know life at all and it took this long to realize the song was exactly that. To live life and stop figuring it out.
70 years and yet you look and definitely act like a debutante. Full of passion and zest for life thank you Prosy for including me and Mary Jane in your journey called life. We have another 25 years of dancing and fun times.
The day would not be a complete celebration without the amazing Italian food from La Bella Pinsa Romana, a table of desserts like braso de Mercedes cupcake, sansrival, mango cake from Carolina Adobo, freshly made ensaymada and delivered personally by Max and Lucy….oh very.
Nothing is more special in life than breaking bread with friends and family, it strengthens the spirit and our resolve.
Happy birthday Prosy! Stay true, stay young, and stay hip!
