Actress and ex-beauty queen Bianca Manalo had a blast at her 37th birthday party held at the Malacañang Palace.
In her recent Instagram post, Bianca uploaded snaps of the celebration which was headlined with a photo of her and her boyfriend Senator Win Gatchalian together with President Bongbong Marcos Jr., and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
Bianca proudly shared that her party was hosted by the presidential couple themselves.
“Never in my wildest dreams have I ever thought of celebrating my birthday in Malacañang, to be hosted by our very own President Bongbong Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. Together with the Philippine Senators and Spouses,” Bianca wrote.
She added, “I am beyond grateful! ??? I am 37 but still feels 27.”
In one of the photos, President Marcos can be seen signing their framed photo, while Sen. JV Ejercito can also be spotted at the scene.
Presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos, Sen. Nancy Binay, as well as other politicians and their partners were also spotted at the occasion.
Meanwhile, the event elicited mixed reactions from netizens. While others complimented and expressed well-wishes at Manalo’s celebration, some netizens couldn’t help but criticize using the highly regarded Malacañang Palace as a venue for such an occasion.
“Opppss.. sorry ang ingay ko pala. [H]appiest birthday Queen B! ?,” Sen. Joel Villanueva commented on the post.
“Happy birthday ate b!,” Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2020 Samantha Bernardo greeted her fellow beauty queen.
“HAPPY [HAPPY] BIRTHDAY MS. BIANCA!!! soo gorgeous!!! hope u get what ur heart desires!❤️,” a netizen wrote.
“Pwede pala magcelebrate ng birthday sa Malacañang ang hindi naman taga Malacañang, na jowa ng Senador,” an IG user said.
“Ginawang birthday place ang Malacañang? NAOL,” quipped another.
This was not the first time the Palace was used as a venue for birthday celebrations.
It can be recalled that former Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications Paul Soriano celebrated his birthday at the Malacañang Palace last October 2022.
In July 2023, former First Lady Imelda Marcos also celebrated her 94th birthday party in the Palace, which served as her residence for decades during her late husband’s rule.
