CELEBRATIONS of life need not be grand or frivolous, but we should still rejoice in the blessings and milestones we receive. No matter how small the blessing, it is always enjoyable to spend time with family and friends.

With an “Ondoy”-enforced school break, my four-year-old daughter Athena and I did some baking and sorting of old clothes for the flood victims. She happily told her Teacher Trina that she hoped they liked her Dora toys.

With all these devastating calamities and untimely tragedies, I feel more and more that our precious lives are too short to waste on envy, pride and selfishness. As a full-time mom, I rear my children to value life with zest and excitement.

Sanrio Luxe

Simple pleasures like eating a Happy Meal at McDonald’s can be valued. Athena is collecting the Hello Kitty apple-shaped time capsules in celebration of Kitty’s 35 years. My stylish friend, Cindy Yang, gave her the 36-piece complete collection, so her extras went off to the “Ondoy” victims.

My love for Hello Kitty has passed on to Athena and her elder sister Annika. At the opening of Sanrio Luxe at Greenbelt 5, all three of us were in matching outfits by talented designer Kate Torralba. The star-studded opening was highlighted by topless hunk Derek Ramsey welcoming the first customers into Sanrio Luxe. (Unbeknownst to the crowd, Sanrio Queen Virgie Ramos had actually allowed my close friends and I to have the first picks one week before.)

Limited-edition Hello Kitty dolls that have been “Tessafied” by four of my favorite designers – Rajo Laurel, Dennis Lustico, Jan Garcia and of course Kate – are for sale and proceeds will go to support scholarly priests that have been handpicked by Virgie.

The sophisticated yet playful items in the shop are indicative of Hello Kitty’s coming of age. She’s all grown up and ready to party. Good thing my 11-year-old Annika and I have the same shoe size, so we can share our cute Kitty rain boots.

Both my girls will be dressed for Halloween wearing costumes designed by Kate. Halloween is a favorite occasion for people who like costumes.

Hong Kong treats

Every year, Hong Kong plans fabulously enjoyable Hong Kong Halloween Treats for the whole family. The Hong Kong Tourism Board recently presented the many month-long festivities happening at Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park.

Visitors can enjoy the bright and dark side of Hong Kong Disney as it transforms into haunting events, alien invasions and demon jungles. A spooky, sensational Glow in the Park Parade rocks with Jack Skellington, his Pumpkin Men and the horrors from Dr. Finkelstein’s Lab.

Amazing Race couple Ernie and Jeena Lopez spent a weekend there with their cute kids, son Blade and his twin sisters Isis and Sabrina. With a lot of Pinoy performers at The Park, we get extra attention and friendly service. For information, visit www.hongkongdisneyland.com.

Not to be “out-glowed” by its neighboring park, Ocean Park has 800 houses, 13 freaky shows, and 404 ghoulish souls to thrill the teenage kids they are targeting. Ocean Park’s Halloween Bash has set the standard for interactive and innovative theme park entertainment for the past six years, and is now recognized as the region’s premier Halloween event. Check out www.oceanpark.com.hk.

High

I am still debating what I want to wear for Halloween and where to spend it. Discovery Shores general manager Jun Parreño has a standing offer to celebrate it with him in Bora, but my running buddy Leana Farrales is getting married to debonair golfer Charlie Carmona a couple of days before, and that is one wedding I am not going to miss, so I will just have to see whether Bora is in the cards.

I decided to recycle one of my gowns for my Halloween costume, and have donated the savings to “Ondoy” relief efforts. Some of my older gowns were damaged when my basement got flooded at the height of “Ondoy.” Too bad I can’t donate them to “Ondoy” victims.

It was not difficult for me to find an outfit for the celestial theme celebration of the 7th anniversary of Highlands Prime. Titled “On 7th Heaven,” the anniversary show at the Manila Polo Club was well attended by the low-key but highly respected Sy family, homeowners and other friends.

Being its first-ever anniversary celebration, HPI showed how thankful it is for its unprecedented success within the very exclusive Tagaytay Highlands. The evening was all about thanksgiving and the seven projects in the pipeline, namely the Woodridge Place II, Il Piazze at Milago, the Horizon II, The Cliff at Hillside, Camp Highlands, Pueblo Real II and HPI’s daring venture in Canlubang.

Antonio Henson, the usually reserved HPI president, took the lead on the dance floor to the versatile tunes of the Highway 54 band. Great door prizes and first-class entertainment capped by luxurious wines from Titania Wine Cellar made for an unforgettable evening.

Sale, Lustico fashion show

Speaking of unforgettable events, let me end by sharing some exciting activities in the metropolis. The Big Outlet Sale 2009 is back with better brands and bigger discounts next weekend from Oct. 16-18 at the Mega Tent along Meralco Ave., Ortigas Center.
Top brands in apparel, sportswear, cosmetics and gadgets are all giving mega discounts, perfect for early Christmas gifts. The best part is that BPI cardholders get free entrance and additional discounts, plus three-months-interest-free payment terms.

Also, the first Quezon City International Marathon will be pushing through on Oct. 18, starting at the Quezon City Hall. Penalties for late registration have been waived, so visit www.runnex.org/qcim2009/ to register by today. The QCIM is part of the commemorative activities for QC’s platinum anniversary.

Lastly, check out the ad for “Lustico: A Fashion Presentation by Dennis Lustico” in today’s paper. This celebration of life happens on October 17 at the Makati Shangri-La. Taguig First Lady Kaye Tinga and I have worked very hard on this show, which is raising funds for the Red Cross, so I hope this will be one milestone we can truly share with family and friends this year.

E-mail the author at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph.