Irene Villanueva Wicklein celebrates 'doble cinco'

Irene Villanueva Wicklein, from the distinguished Villanueva clan of Negros Oriental, recently celebrated her 'doble cinco,' a.k.a. 55th birthday in style. Well-known for her role as president of the Toy Titas of Manila, she has led a group of ADB spouses in creating toy libraries for underprivileged communities in Metro Manila, showing her strong commitment to giving back.

Her husband, Winfried "Vinnie" Wicklein, director general at the Asian Development Bank, stood by her side as they hosted a lively Mexican-themed party. Guests from the diplomatic, expat and Filipino social circles gathered to mark the occasion.

Ines Cabarrus and Elian Habayeb of Chihuahua restaurant served up a fantastic array of Mexican-inspired dishes, while Monique Tancongco's stunning three-tier birthday cake from Monique Cakes was a definite crowd-pleaser. Irene, known for her beautiful tablescapes, didn't disappoint — she used cacti as the centerpiece for the buffet table and incorporated images of Frida Kahlo and sombreros around their home. Latin music played throughout the evening, complementing the theme.

It was a celebration full of color, life and joy — truly a fiesta in every sense of the word. Here's to a wonderful Doble Cinco and many more years of happiness and celebration for Irene!