PEP.ph covered Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati's son, Baby Zion's first birthday yesterday, June 15. The celebration was also Zion's christening day, and the party was star-studded with 25 pairs of celebrity ninongs and ninangs. The Gutierrez siblings Ruffa, Raymond, and Elvis frontlined the roster of godparents.

The safari-themed birthday party was also graced by politicians like President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Governor Vilma Santos, Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez, Governor L. Ray Villafuerte, and Representative Ronald Singson.

Some of the showbiz personalities chosen to be Zion's godparents were Susan Roces, Willie Revillame, Richard Gomez, Gretchen Barretto, Aga Muhlach, TJ Trinidad, Tonton Gutierrez, Angel Locsin, Bella Padilla, Neil Arce, Tape Inc. executive Malou Choa-Fagar, Tim Yap, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, and James Yap. Aga Muhlach, also a ninong, came with his wife Charlene Gonzales and their children, Atasha and Aaron. Angel Locsin, former perennial on-screen partner of Richard, was also chosen as ninang came with her boyfriend, Luis Manzano.

Richard shared that it was the first time that Sarah had met his closest friends and relatives. “First time niyang ma-meet ang lahat ng friends namin, mga ninong at ninang. Nabulabog siya pero lahat tuwang-tuwa sa kanya. Tuwang-tuwa rin si Zion kasi ang dami niyang nakitang mga babies, mga bata," he tells PEP. Sarah is also overjoyed. “It feels great finally na ma-meet na nila si Baby Zion.”

For Richard, yesterday was extra special because of the triple celebration—Zion's first birthday, christening, and Richard's first Father's Day celebration. “It’s overwhelming, we’re very happy. It’s a very big day today, Father’s Day, it’s his birthday and christening, so sobrang saya namin," he confesses.

Aside from the local showbiz stars previously mentioned, several celebrity friends also joined the joyous occassion. Tonton Gutierrez and his wife Glydel Mercado, Ramon Christopher, Jackie Lou Blanco, John Lapus, Iza Calzado, Dingdong Dantes, Glaiza de Castro, Solenn Heussaff, Berwin Meily, and Bubbles Paraiso were spotted at the party.

Grandparents Eddie Gutierrez and Anabelle Rama were busy making sure everything was in order. “Tuwang-tuwa ang parents ko, and tuwang-tuwa rin ang parents ni Sarah. Talagang buong pamilya ng Gutierrez at Lahbati, kapag nakikita si Baby Zion talagang masayang-masaya sila,” Richard says.

The new parents were asked if they would allow Baby Zion to join showbiz since the Guttierezes legacy is in show business. Mommy Sarah gleefully replies, "I really want him to study first. 'Yon lang naman ang pangarap ko sa kanya, makapag-aral nang mabuti. Siyempre, hindi naman namin maiiwasan ‘yon kung lumaki siya pangarap din niyang pumasok sa industriya natin. Susuportahan namin kung anuman ang dream niya.”

In a separate dialogue with Pep, Daddy Richard shared the same sentiments with Sarah, "Tingnan natin pag lumaki na siya. Kung ano ang gusto ni Baby Zion, depende ‘yon sa kanya." The pair also explained that they just wants to enjoy parenthood for now, and this means we won't be hearing wedding bells in the near future.

Sarah clarifies, "One major decision at a time. Gusto muna namin i-enjoy si Baby Zion. Naaalala ko pa, parang kahapon lang ang liit-liit niya, ngayon tumatakbo-takbo na—with my help, of course. Ang bilis ng panahon, we just wanna enjoy Baby Zion first.” On the other hand, Richard says marriage will come at the right time.

Below is the complete list of ninongs and ninangs of Baby Zion:

Hon. Vice Pres. Jejomar C. Binay and Hon. Vilma Santos-Recto

Hon. Mayor Joseph E. Estrada and Hon. Cong. Lucy Torres-Gomez

Hon. Sec. Panfilo Lacson and Hon. Mayor Pie Alvarez

Hon. Mayor Michael L. Rama and Ms. Marquita Yeung

Hon. Cong. Ronald Singson and Dra. Vinia Javellana

Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan and Ms. Susan Roces

Gov. L. Ray Villafuerte and Ms. Joy Alberto

Mr. Vicente del Rosario and Ms. Lily Monteverde

Mr. Antonio Tuviera and Ms. Alice Eduardo

Mr. Richard Gomez and Ms. Gretchen Barretto

Mr. Aga Muhlach and Ms. Kris Aquino

Mr. Willie Revillame and Ms. Ruffa Gutierrez

Mr. James Yap and Ms. Angel Locsin

Mr. Tim Yap and Ms. Tessa Prieto-Valdes

Mr. Tonton Gutiererz and Ms. Malou Fagar

Mr. Harold Go and Ms. Sari Yap

Mr. TJ Trinidad and Ms. Katrina Ante

Mr. Neil Arce and Ms. Bela Padilla

Mr. Frank Briones and Ms. Marissa Laude

Mr. Raymond Gutierrez and Ms. Maryann Opeña

Mr. Elvis Gutierrez and Ms. Mary Tuazon

Mr. Carlo Caparas and Ms. Donna Villa

(Photo courtesy of PEP.ph)