2008 Birthday cake from Ryla Lim of Nikon Cakes

For 11 years now, I have been running a Birthday contest. Whoever greets me first after MY clock strikes 12:00 midnight on every 18th of March wins a very special prize! Prizes are different each year. I started by giving little surprises to the greeter like candy bars, a bag of chips, prepaid phone credits or a dinner in a restaurant. Once there was a winner who likes to collect bells and chimes so I gave her one. Last year, the winner received a facial spa treatment. I just feel joyful inside to surprise someone who remembers my birthday with a little something.

And for this year, the award for the “annual greet me first” contest goes to… (drum rolls) Helen Tubeo- Laureano, my sister-in-law from Davao City.  She greeted me at around 4:45 am today.