My Birthday

My Birthday Photo

Bo Tiza preparing my Birthday cake.

My 62nd Birthday Cake

It was already 01.25 am this morning before I hit my bed, when I wrote a short message on my Facebook wall to thank all my FB friends who wrote their “Happy Birthday” messages yesterday, 1^st June. Likewise, there were also never ending calls and SMSs from my friends extending their congratulations to me on the occasion of my 62nd birthday.

“Congratulations on your birthday, another bonus year for you,” yelled my friend Datuk TJ as I came out from Church early yesterday morning. He was more enthusiastic than me when he said, “in actual fact everyday is a bonus for us”. I certainly agree with him who himself is much older than me and has already experienced the benefits of those “everyday bonus”.

Indeed, I am now 62 but to me they are only numbers. My predominant wish is, of course, to score bigger numbers. With God's grace coupled with good wishes and the prayers from my close friends and from my spiritual director, Rev. Fr. Michael Modoit (I received his SMS early in the morning to wish me and wrote in his message that he would pray for me that morning itself), I am proud of my nephew for remembering me in alter of God. I am confident that scoring additional numbers is not beyond my dream – to be able to see the reality of 2020 projection that Malaysia would become a developed country by then. I have to caution myself though to reduce my intake of ‘Talak’, a potent alcoholic drink when taken indiscriminately.

For the record, I would like to reproduce a birthday sms message from my good friend, Justin and my reply to him as well:-

SMS from Justin:-

“I BELIEVE 2DAY IS AN AUSPICIOUS DAY FOR YOU.

MAY YOU EXPERIENCE THE EXTRA-ORDINARY PEACE, JOY AND GRACE THAT COMES FROM THE HEART OF GOD, CONTINUED GOOD HEALTH, SUCCESS AND GOD'S PRESENCE ALWAYS.

MY FAMILY JOINS ME IN WISHING YOU MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY.”

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY."

My reply to Justin:-

“Yes, today is an auspicious day for both of us since my birthday falls on your Saint's Day. I am just wondering why I chose my namesake as his Saint's Day (St. Sylvester’s) falls on 31st December. It is about 7 months later than my actual birthday today. May be I am just the opposite of St. Sylvester, if I may interpret it wrongly. Anyway thank you for your kind words. God bless.”

No elaborate birthday celebration for me this time. My wife and daughter however threw a small party attended by my children and their wives, nephews, nieces and close friends to witness me blowing my 6 big candles and two small ones. I was expecting 62 candles altogether but my daughter told me to count the 6 big candles. How naive I was!

As usual, the party was not over until everybody decided to call it a night at around 01.00am. Only then I could turn on my computer to write my message in the Facebook.

Some photos taken during the party on the evening of 1st June, 2009.

Constance and me

My wife Genevieve -the women behind the small party.

Terrence Manjaji and his group of friends.

Arthur talking to his nephew Lumbanon

The ladies section, while Constance is seen hugging her nephew Tavagon.

(L - R) Lily Anderson, Winnie Leong and Theresa Manjaji.

Maurice Jintol and Simon Bosuin (foreground)

My grand niece 'Epit' pouring out her wine.

The Ladies Sara, Sara's friend, Clare and Janety

Theresa Manjaji Genevieve Lansing

Annabel's 18th Birthday

Annabel Fredoline Mojilis celebrated her 18th Birthday last night (8th May) at her residence attended by her close friends, relatives and invited guests.  

Annabel is the second daughter (third siblings of six) of Fredoline (Don) Mojilis and Anastasia Modili from Kg. Kobusak, Nosoob. 

Among the invited guests were Rev. Fr. Raju, Datuk Marcel Leiking, Freddy Ekol and wife Flavia, and Jeoffrey Ekol. The band in attendance was led by Stephen Jimbangan with Alex on the keyboard.

In his welcoming address, Fredoline Mojilis thanked everyone for their attendance not only to celebrate his daughter's 18th birthday but also to bid farewell to Annabel who leaves for Labuan this Sunday to pursue her matriculation.

Annabel (centre) with her Dad Don (extreme right) and Mum Anas (extreme left).

The Don Family singing the birthday song for Annabel.

Freddy Ekol, who was also the MC, and Rev. Fr. Raju at the function. 

The ladies are enjoying themselves listening to songs rendered by guest singers.

Some of VIP guests. L-R: Bambaazon Wilfred Mojilis, Peter Labansing and Datuk Marcel Leiking.

Fredoline, fondly known as Don, is seen introducing the birthday girl, Annabel.

The 'Mojilis Trio' being closely tutored by their Dad Fredoline before they presented thier songs to the applause of the guests. L-R: Diana. Annabel, Havandai and Dad Don.

Dad and his beautiful daughter, Annabel.

Freddy Ekol, the MC for the night, introducing Fredoline to entertain his guests.

Fredoline rendering his favourite song, "Maria".

Talented Fredoline strumming the guitar.

Lead guitarist, Stephen Jimbangan.

Joan celebrated her Sweet Sixteen Birthday

Last night (18^th April 2009), Joan Erick Jominol celebrated her 16^th birthday at her parent’s house at Kg. Babah, Bunduon, Penampang.  Actually, her birthday fell a day earlier but the family decided to celebrate it a day after, purely for the convenience of her school friends and family relatives.

Joan seated at extreme right (in white) with her friends before the function started.

Joan (pronounced as Jo’an) is the 3^rd sibling of 4 of Erick Joseph Jominol and Theresa Manjaji. She is a Form 4 student at St. Michael’s School, Penampang.

Birthday song was sung by her friends before Joan blew the 16 candles.

The party was largely attended by friends of her age who wasted no time to let their hairs down hardly after the 16 candles were blown off by the birthday girl. Draught beer was lavishly served to the guests whilst her teenage guests were sparingly served with wine albeit under the strict parental supervision.

Joan seems to be saying ... why only 15 candles?

The party was accompanied with a mobile karaoke entertainment with the elder sister and cousins who took turns as DJs for the night. The girls danced among themselves to the tune of rock music, while the boys took turns to show their skills in rap-dancing.

 

Joan and friends toasting with wine.

Joan with her parents and grand parents.

From R-L: Joseph Jominol (Grand Father), Theresa Manjaji (Mum), Joan (Birthday Girl), Erick Jominol (Dad), and Mary Magdalene Lotijin (Grand Mother).

16^th Birthday Celebration is considered to be an unforgettable experience for teenagers. Joan is no exception especially when she was able to celebrate her birthday at this time of the year. She has the Lent period to thank for, which was over much earlier this year than in previous years.

The family guests enjoying their draught beer. No 'Talak' for me.

For the album while the guests are queuing up for dinner at the background.

The party lasted well past midnight with occasional firecrackers let off to break the monotony of the music and dance – much to the delight of the youngsters but nuisance to those accompanying parents and guests who were enjoying the ‘Aramai Tii”. 

Correction: The name is Joanne and not Joan as reported above. Apology to the birthday girl, Joanne. Linundus.