A STAR?STUDDED AFFAIR. The stars were sparkling on the night of the ?Annual Awards Celebration? of Philam Plans, held at the Edsa Shangri?La Hotel.

The affair kicked off with a business conference featuring Jose Isagani Antonio and Dero Pedero as speakers. Antonio heads one of the biggest

Pedero, popular music composer, is the man behind hit songs like ?Narito Ako,? ?Buhay ng Buhay Ko,? and ?Isang Mundo Isang Awit.? Outside of his music, he is a life enhancement coach and an advertising man as well.

Pedero?s empowering seminars delve on principles, formulas and strategies for success and prosperity. He talked about ?Dream Achievement Techniques? and how to aplly to them during hard times. Indeed, part of his talk discussed ?money, money, money.?

Fashioned after the Oscars of Hollywood, the Philam Plans Annual Awards is a much awaited event heralded with an exhibit of various techno gadgets. This time, two luxury cars from BMW were on display at the lobby.

Singers Raymond Lauchenco and Pinky Amador hosted and sang. But the surprise of the evening was power?voiced Bituin Escalante who did a medley of James Bond movie theme songs.

Over one hundred awardees were honored by Philamlife president and CEO Jesus G. Hofilena, assisted by Roland U. Gaerlan, marketing and sales first V?P, and founding president Eliseo P. Dizon Jr. The company cited achievers for top awards, National Quality Awards and Rookie Awards, also awards for Chairman?s Council and Salary Allotment/ Group Business.

After the Awards Night, qualified members of the President?s Honor Club stayed on at the Edsa Shangri?La for another day. The President?s Honor Club is an exclusive club reserved for those who meet the steep sales projections. In their honor, president Hofilena hosted lunch at Antonio?s Restaurant in Tagaytay.

Philam Plans Inc., a leader in the pre?need industry and five-year leader in the pension plan market, is an affiliate of the Philippine American Life and General Insurance Co.

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ULIRANG INA. Each year on Mother?s Day, the National Mother?s Day and Father?s Day Foundation of the Philippines bestows the Ulirang Ina Awards on what the foundation deems as deserving moms who manage to achieve in their respective fields as well.

Recipients this year included Teresita Reyes, wife of Secretary Reyes; Virginia Smith Barbers, wife of Senator Robert Barbers, BID Commissioner Andrea Domingo, and Consul of Monaco Fortune Ledesma. A posthumous award was given to Rustan?s founder Gliceria Tantoco, represented by her daughters Nedy Tantoco and Menchu Tantoco Lopez.

Fortune Ledesma, apart from being the mother of three ? RJ, Rina and Rico ? and married to real estate developer/ Bulgaria Consul Rene L. Ledesma, was cited for her socio?civic and religious activities. A high visible socialite, Fortune has a serious side to her, including the Couples for Christ Forbes Park chapter, and various civic organizations and charities.

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BY THE WAY... Birthday greetings this week go to ? publicist Jackie Maniquis, today, June 16; antique collector Ernie Liwanag, June 18; Frannie Jacinto, Spanish journalist Jose ?Pepe? Rodriguez, Jojo Aquino, hairdresser Beny Baluyut, June 20; composer Louie Ocampo, designer Edgar Allan, former governor Chavit Singson, Ruby Tuason, June 21; Cora Rosario Sandico of COD, June 22.... Have a great week. SMILE!