MANILA, Philippines?And why not? She doesn?t look it. She is glamorous, successful in her career with a large group of caring friends (mostly women) who cherish the generous love she showers upon them.

?Love begets love,? as the saying goes, a truism among those whose lives she has touched as they return the ?favor? with great esteem and respect, evident in their presence every time Toni would have an event.

These women came in full force to make Toni Gregory?s 60th birthday an event to remember.

Some are in denial upon entering ?seniority.? Not Toni who happily counted her blessings and looked at memories of a life well spent. ?Only Toni? could go into laughter after attaining ?senior-hood. And ?Only Toni? will think of a unique string of celebrations spanning a whole month and involving the many who figured in the various stages of her life and career.

One of her many gifts is to create occasions when she can make someone feel special.

?Only Toni? is the title of the book her children Gabby and Anton presented to her.

?A Portrait of Elegance, Passion and Love? is a chronicle of how Toni manifested how important family and friends are to her, often dishing out surprises. So it was that Toni a few weeks before May 17 planned a series of bonding sessions, punctuated with tales of years gone by and a look toward the future.

But the well-loved celebrator was not alone in wanting to celebrate. Even her house staff did their thing.

On the morning of her birthday, she walked on a path strewn with fresh rose petals to her favorite breakfast nook on the patio of her house.

Before that, she was with the Holy Spirit Alumnae Foundation board members on a trip to Majayjay with the inevitable stop in Liliw for the famed tsinelas.

May 1, again it was Majayjay, for another group of ladies, some of them co-birth anniversary celebrators of Toni. How could Toni buy more of those bakyas? No, not quite for herself. Toni gave a tiny bayong to all, each containing a gift enough to buy a pair of slip-ons of their own choice.

Next weekend, the activity shifted to the bonding trip to Macau with her sisters and daughter.

On that May 17, she took her children to dinner.

On May 19, with yet another group that included Sonia Roco, Zeny Silva, Mila Abad, Mila Valenzuela, Liza Leviste, Carmita Francisco, Conchita Razon and Dading Clemente, this writer hosted breakfast of Biñan pospas (arroz caldo), puto, kutsinta and French toast with brewed coffee.

Toni had giveaways again for everybody?specially formulated body massage oil, beautifully packaged with ribbons and flowerettes.

Ever grateful to the group that compose her househelp, she treated them to lunch at Serye. Then she hied off with nephews and nieces to Boracay and on return, there was the Brahma Kumaris lunch.

To punctuate all these activities, and to Toni?s surprise, on May 29, her ?babies? at Westin Philippine Plaza and Mondragon (where her career went into full bloom) gave a dinner honoring her. It was here that Gabby and Anton presented the book, a memorable gift of love that brought Toni to tears.

The celebration goes on?with a trip this week to Europe, a month-long hiatus for a lady who deserves a relaxing break.

Some Toni ?truisms?

?Turning 60 is no reason for us to diminish our once youthful self-image because there are lots of us whose attitude and values have not aged.?

?Have you ever sat down with young people, participated in their activities, bought label garments and drawn the conclusion that to discover the Fountain of Youth is to be into them??

?I guarantee you that a quick make-over will make your spirit soar when you see a beautiful woman staring at you in the mirror.?

?Still the best indicator of youthfulness is how you feel inside. At age 60 and above, are you happy with the prospect of another 20 good years exploring limitless possibilities??

?Follow your quest?for a dream man, dream career, dream hairstyle, dream travel destination, even a dream body!?

Indeed, only Toni can have that beautiful outlook in life.