GABRIELLE ?Gabbi? Antoinette Floirendo, younger daughter of Tonyboy and Margie Floirendo, had a simple wish when she celebrated her 18th birthday. ?I want to have a fun party with my friends like Alice in Wonderland,? she told her mom.

Lifecycles Events Group, Gaita Fores? Cibo and top set designer Rico Ancheto set things in motion.

On Dec. 21, close friends and relatives walked into Gabbi?s wonderland. A huge tent was lined with long banquet tables dotted with floralscapes by Fiori di M.

In the tent, the décor was magical. Baroque-style mirrors that gave distorted shapes were reminiscent of Alice?s tea party and an enormous clock ticking away was the backdrop of the stage where the Philippine Youth Symphony of Irene Marcos played dinner music of light classics and pop music to Cibo?s four-course dinner. Even the swimming pool had lit-up topiaries dotted with red roses.

After cocktails, the royally dressed Queen and King announced the entrance of the honoree with her parents. Gabbi was lovely in a Jun Escario gown with a tiered skirt in midnight blue. Margie was elegant and svelte in black lace and beige top. Older sister Monica Floirendo was in a white gown by Jasmine de Milo, who is making waves in London.

A short video was shown to Gabbi?s surprise, with friends giving various insights about her character: fun-loving, naughty, caring, thoughtful, sensitive, bright. Her friends then gave her more good wishes as she blew the candles on her cake?a Penk Ching creation of a giant mushroom with a pensive Alice sitting prettily atop.

Highlight

But the evening?s highlight was Gabbi?s announcement that in lieu of gifts, a donation be given to Habitat for Humanity. A hefty sum of over P2 million was raised to help build homes for 50 families in Barangay San Vicente, Panabo, Davao City, the Floirendos? bailiwick.

DJ Manolet Dario and Bombie then took over the party that had everybody dancing, starting with her grandfather Don Antonio Floirendo and wife Doña Nenita.

Gabbi got her wish?she had a grand time at her 18th-birthday celebration and reached out to the homeless as well.