RICO MALOLES 80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Text and Photos by Noli A. Berioso
Octavio “Rico” De Santos Maloles II celebrated his 80th birthday with a blast last Friday, February 9, 2018 at the posh Main Lounge of Manila Polo Club, Forbes Park, Makati City. His immediate family, Jessie his wife, sons MacMac and EJ and daughters Rico Jessie(RJ), Jessie Rico (JR) and Mary were in attendance together with relatives and close friends from the business circle.
Born on February 8, 1938, Rico is the only son of former Ambassador Octavio L. Maloles, Jr. and Carnival Queen Alicia Cabarus De Santos.Rico is a well travelled man. He finished his elementary and secondary education in San Beda, Manila but he also went to different educational institutions in abroad such as New York University, Universidad De Mexico, Universidad Catolica Rio De Janiero among others. He finished Law, Business Administration and Fine Arts.
During one of his stay in Davao, he met this beautiful lady (Rita Avila deadringer) named Jessie Vitor, and the rest is history. They got married in a civil wedding way back in 2001 and in church wedding in Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City in 2007. Jessie like her mother in law is a beauty queen. She was Mrs. Philippines International 2014. They have three lovely daughters, Rico Jessie, Jessie Rico and Mary. Today, Rico and his wife Jessie together with their family and business friend Anthony Nelson Mendoza put a company named Bless Amare Group of Companies which comprises of chain of restaurants in Greater Metro Manila(Bless Las Paellas, Bless Okiniiri) and hotels.
Entertainment numbers during the birthday celebration were provided by Malaysian singer Min Yasmin and well known tenor Jonathan Badon. Highlight of the event is the grand fashion show featuring the creations of Rye Bayle and Marlo Javier. Beauty queens Stephany Stefanowitz, Yvette Marie Santiago, Jennifer Barientos and Misters of Filipinas title holders Gil Wagas, Miguel Guia, CJ Querol and Vincent Jarina were among the many models walked the ramp during the fashion show.
It was an unforgettable evening for many of the guests but most especially to Mr. Rico Maloles,a true gentlemen to the eyes of everyone, a loving husband to his wife, and a good father to his children, a genuine man of destiny. He is 80teen all over again.