Surprise after surprise

A HAPPY SURPRISE Dioceldo reacts to seeing all his friends and family as he enters Sage Grill in Makati Shangrila

The Father of Philippine Cosmetics, Dioceldo Sy, was in for a heartwarming surprise on his 67th birthday. On March 6, 2025, over 100 of his closest friends and family gathered at Sage Grill in Makati Shangri-La Hotel to celebrate the special event.

ONE BIG FAMILY Dioceldo’s family with the family of his brother, Silliman

The evening was graced by notable figures from the business world, including Herbert Sy of SM Markets, Robina Gokongwei-Pe of Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., Luis Yu of Landers Philippines, Atty. Nilo Divina of Divina Law, Stephen Cheng of SM Appliances, AJ Violago of San Lorenzo Group of Companies and Violago Homes, and retired Bloomberry president and COO Thomas Arasi. Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Dante Tinga, a longtime friend of Dioceldo, was also in attendance. Boxing champion Gerry Peñalosa, Greek Ambassador to the Philippines Ioannis Pediotis and wife Aliki Pediotis, Miss Grand International 2021 first runner-up Samantha Bernardo-Moore, Miss Earth Philippines Water 2011 Muriel Orais-Sy, and actress Ara Mina joined the celebration as well. Adding to the warmth of the evening, Dioceldo’s high school batchmates from the class of 1976 reunited to mark the occasion.

Dioceldo Sy with his children Demiee, Denice, and Donwa

Hosting the event was Dioceldo’s brother, Silliman Sy, who also serves as the COO of Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc. He set the tone for an evening filled with laughter and heartfelt moments. In his toast, Silliman shared that his brother’s goal is to reach 100 years old, raising his glass to “33 more years of life!” He also praised Dioceldo’s friends for keeping the surprise under wraps, as many of them had spent time with him just days prior through meetings or early birthday dinners.

A highlight of the evening was a lighthearted roast, with a few of Dioceldo’s friends taking the stage to share their funny stories. Robina Gokongwei-Pe joked that Dioceldo is a UP Maroons fan when he’s with her but a National University supporter when he’s with Herbert Sy. When caught between the two, he talks about his own PBA team, Blackwater. Dioceldo playfully responded, clarifying that he is always a proud supporter of NU Women’s Basketball, but he is also happy to cheer for the UP Men’s team, both reigning UAAP champions in 2024.

Herbert Sy joined in the fun, teasing that he and Dioceldo go way back. He joked that sharing the same last name, Sy, comes in handy whenever his wife hears something about “Mr. Sy” in intriguing rumors, allowing him to shift the attention to Dioceldo instead. Wrapping up his message, Herbert thanked Dioceldo for being part of the NU Women’s Basketball team’s management, playfully adding that their team has outperformed Robina’s UP Women’s Basketball squad many times.

Robina Gokongwei-Pe and Dioceldo Sy

As a special token, Silliman’s daughter, Sabrina, presented Dioceldo with a custom Levi’s denim jacket. The piece was hand-painted with an eagle design by artist Elden Lumaniog, Silliman’s brother-in-law. The eagle holds deep meaning for Dioceldo, symbolizing the balance between soaring high, staying grounded, and knowing when to take bold leaps. His admiration for the eagle began in the 1980s after a chance encounter with Mr. Henry Sy Sr., a moment that shaped his outlook on business and life.

The most touching surprise of the night came from Dioceldo’s daughter, Denice Sy, who unveiled a children’s book she authored in his honor. Titled Dioceldo’s Big Dream, the book is a heartfelt tribute to his journey, from his childhood with his grandfather to the struggles he overcame before building Ever Bilena. It is not for sale but was created to preserve his legacy for his family.

PLEASANT PRESENTS Dioceldo receives special gifts from his daughter Denice and niece Sabrina

In her speech, Denice shared that while her dad is known as a businessman, mentor, and friend, he is also a loving grandfather. She explained that her inspiration came from his recent interviews and love for children, hoping the book would inspire young readers, including her son, Jake. She revealed that Jake was the first recipient of the book and that he loved it so much, he asked her to read it multiple times in one sitting.

Co-authored by Ivan Arlantico and illustrated by Angelica Valdez Agulto-Pulido, the book was inspired by works like Big John, which tells the life story of John Gokongwei, A Letter to My Grandchildren by Waltermart founder Wilson Lim Jr., and Manila Bulletin’s Emilio Yap biography. Denice wanted to honor her father’s journey in the same way these books celebrated other business icons.

Overwhelmed by the love and effort put into the evening, Dioceldo took the stage to thank everyone who made the surprise possible. He expressed his deep gratitude to his friends and family for their presence and for keeping the secret so well. He also gave a special thanks to his life partner, Christine Codrington, who spearheaded the event alongside his son, DonwaySy.

DIOCELDO'S BIG DREAM Dioceldo holds up a children's book about him authored by his daughter Denice

To keep the energy high, The Poppin Band performed two sets featuring medleys from the '60s, '70s, and '80s. A tennis-themed backdrop, designed by Flairfetti, added a personal touch to the event, breaking away from Dioceldo’s usual basketball-themed celebrations and highlighting his lesser-known passion for tennis.

Just when Dioceldo thought the biggest surprise was the gathering itself, the night proved him wrong—not once, but twice. The outpouring of love from his family, friends, and longtime colleagues was more than just a birthday celebration. From the heartfelt toasts and playful roasts to the thoughtful gifts that spoke to his journey, it was a reflection of how deeply he is cherished and how many lives he has touched. 

With 33 more years to go, as Silliman playfully declared, Dioceldo’s 67th birthday is another exciting chapter in a life full of endless possibilities!