Ultimate Warrior said before he died, “No talent becomes a legend on their own. Every man’s heart one day beats its final beat, his lungs breathe their final breath. And if what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others, and makes them bleed deeper, than something larger than life, then his essence, his spirit, will be immortalized by the storytellers, by the loyalty, by the memory of those who honor him and make the running the man did live forever.”
My heart has been beating for forty long years already. It almost stopped and gave up on me several years ago, but God has been good and here I am again, celebrating my special day.
For the past five years, I have been blessed to celebrate my birthday with all the people I know. This year my birthday saw a four-day celebration, starting from the day of my birthday August 17, in Davao City together with my YSA family as YSA opened and blessed a new clinic, which I can say is so far the finest of YSA’s 28 clinics nationwide.
August 18, I celebrated with the media and talents hosted by Pizza World, Fashion Smile, and Aramesh Spa owners Dr. Far and Dr. Shideh. My blogger friends, lifestyle and sports writers, and rising star Len Len Frial and singer Francine Rifol all came to celebrate with me. The lunch wouldn’t be complete without the special lechon sponsored by my boss and brother Robert Nazal, hunk president of Glutamax Paulo Legaspi, and my mentor Uncle MVP. We started at 11am and said goodbye at 4pm.
August 19, I invited my closest friends, the people who have been a blessing to my success and my partners in the industry, my best friend Hollywood director Gorio Vicuna and his wife Peejay, actor and producer Anthony Diaz who just arrived in the country and went straight to my event.
Rap artist Wilson Gaviola, a true brother to me, was also there, along with actor and fashion director Manu Respall, IFFB Pro Arnold Classic Gemmalyn Crosby and her husband Ric Crosby, lifestyle writer Anton delos Reyes, friends from Los Angeles especially Team Pacquiao, and Michelle Taruc, a BFF of Kris Aquino.
I was surprised when Century Tuna Body 2015 Champ Sarah Polverini came, because she was only 12 years old then when I first handled her career. And of course, my very special guests – my best friend, agent, manager , wife and “sugar mommy” Marissa and my children who call themselves the INCREDIBLES. My night, and my life, is complete.
August 20 was my party with the community, relatives, gym mates and basketball team. Every year, I do an outreach program, feeding sopas and crackers to children in my neighborhood. The past years, I was able to share food with 50 children. This year, they were 115. The Skin Specialist Dr. Jean Marquez and my soulmate Gwen Pang sponsored the lechon. It was a great thanksgiving for all the people I have been with. I am not perfect, I have my shortcomings, but my goal in life is to speak and share positivity to all people. There were times when problems are too difficult to fix, but I believe that there is always a way.
A 4-day celebration may sound long to some people, but for me, it is very short to be with all my friends. I thank everyone who have been part of my life, through highs and lows, triumph and defeat. Thank you to all the greetings on social media. I was overwhelmed with all your love. Special mention to my cousin who sent a really touching message, NBI’s Palmer Umlas Mallari tod me: Pinsan, happybirthday. Keep brightening people’s lives.
All my life that’s what I do and what I want to do: brightening people’s lives.
Thank you and I continue to seek prayers for my health, especially my heart. But I am prepared to leave anytime because I know that I will be in the right place when the time comes.
When my heart one day beats its final beat, my lungs breathe their final breath, I know that I will have made the blood pulse through the body of others, and I can rest because I know that my spirit will be immortalized by the storytellers, loyalty, memory of those who will make my running live forever. Robbie Pangilinan
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