Cover Rocio Zobel and Dr Hayden Kho, Jr celebrating their birthdays last May 2026
Rocio Zobel and Dr Hayden Kho, Jr celebrating their birthdays last May 2026
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A carefully planned dinner, thoughtful seating arrangements and genuine conversations defined Dr Hayden Kho's birthday celebration where the company mattered more than the festivities
For his birthday this year, Dr Hayden Kho chose his circle of friends over fanfare. The evening unfolded in two acts, beginning with dinner in a wine cellar before moving to Medusa at The Palace. “It was also the perfect setting to welcome the birthday of Rocio Zobel, whose birthday falls just a day after mine,” says Kho.
The gathering came together quickly. Kho personally sent invitations five days before the event, while close friend Ana Amigo helped coordinate preparations. Within a few days, the guest list, tables and programme were in place.
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Above A look inside the dinner celebration
A look inside the dinner celebration
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Above Dr Vicki Belo, Scarlet Snow Belo and Dr Hayden Kho, Jr
Above Georgina Wilson Burnand, Solenn Heussaff, Isabelle Daza-Semblat, Federico Barnabe, Rocio Zobel and Anne Curtis
Dr Vicki Belo, Scarlet Snow Belo and Dr Hayden Kho, Jr
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Attention centred on the guest experience. Amigo, together with Happy Ongpauco, handled the table styling and décor, while Kho focused on the seating arrangement. “I wanted to make sure everyone felt comfortable and included, while also creating opportunities for new friendships and connections to form throughout the evening,” he explains.
One of the evening’s pleasures was seeing Kho’s friends and colleagues from different chapters of his life in one room.
Entertainment was not on the programme, as Kho wanted the night to focus on his guests rather than performers. But a surprise pianist and soloist, arranged by a friend, added an unexpected touch and accompanied the transition from dinner to celebration.
Above Maggio Cipriani and Rocio Zobel
Above Bini’s Stacey, Aiah, Jhoanna and Mikha
Maggio Cipriani and Rocio Zobel
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Above Ria Prieto, Ruffa Gutierrez, Dr Hayden Kho, Jr, Raymond Gutierrez, Christi McGarry and BJ Pascual
Above Vladdy Daddy, Brandon Espiritu, River Joseph and Iñigo Pascual
Ria Prieto, Ruffa Gutierrez, Dr Hayden Kho, Jr, Raymond Gutierrez, Christi McGarry and BJ Pascual
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For Kho, however, the people in attendance remained the highlight. Looking across the room prompted reflection on the friendships he has built over the years and the value he places on maintaining them. “I felt very appreciated that night,” he says. “Seeing all the people who took the time to celebrate with me reminded me of how lucky I am every day to have this sort of relationships.”
In a calendar filled with commitments, showing up really is important. That was the thread running through the evening. As one birthday gave way to another, the celebration became less about the passage of a year and more about the ties that endure.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
