Friends, family, and fans flocked to the soft opening and blessing of Alden Richards's new fast food store in Biñan, Laguna. Here are the highlights and sidelights of Alden's very special occasion.
Alden Richards, his sister Riza, his lola Erlina Peralta, and his dad Richard Faulkerson were happy to lead the toasting to celebrate the successful opening of his McDonald's branch in Biñan, Laguna. Celebrating beside the family was the Chief Happiness Officer himself, Ronald McDonald.
Divine Tetay opened the program by bantering with the guests, delivering jokes, and doing funny impersonations of Kris Aquino to keep the spirits of the event up.
Such special occasion would never be complete without the requisite selfies and groufies. Here, the fan gang, which includes Valeen Montenegro, Jerald Napoles, Mama Ten (Alden's personal assistant), and Kakai Bautista, took wacky shots with the man of the hour, Alden Richards.
Alden's father, Richard Faulkerson (Alden's real name is Richard Reyes Faulkerson, Jr.), kept his opening-day thank-you speech short and sweet.
Kristoffer Martin and Rodjun Cruz, both close friends of Alden, did not want to miss the chance to be part of such important milestone in their friend's life.
Alden solemnly listened to the sermon of the officiating priest. Alden, after all, has so much to thank for this year. Aside from having his very own franchise and starring in a movie that will be released soon, he is set to open two more branches of Concha's Garden in May.
Alden gladly posed for photos with the GMA executives who came to personally congratulate him on his new achievement. He gamely smiled for the cameras with (from left) GMA SAVP for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, VP for Drama Productions Redgie Acuña-Magno, and SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable.
Alden received the holy communion from Fr. Errol Fidel Mananquil of Pasig.
The Pambansang Bae waved to the people who were patiently waiting outside the store just to catch a glimpse of their idol.
Admittedly, Alden felt relieved that the hardest part of the process (opening the store) was over. Alden revealed in his thank-you speech that he asked his dad Richard and sister Riza to resign from their jobs and just focus on their new store. Riza now serves as the general manager overseeing the store's day-to-day operations. Smiling beside them is Fr. Errol Fidel Mananquil.
The sibling shared a light moment after the store blessing.
'Dragon Lady' actress Joyce Ching came with her fiancé Kevin Alimon.
Alden was happy to see Valeen Montenegro, Lovely Abella, Kakai Bautista, and Betong Sumaya
Even if he was extremely busy that day, Alden made sure that he would get to chat with his friends: (clockwise) Winwyn Marquez and her companion, Bea Binene, Kevin Alimon, Joyce Ching, Rodjun Cruz, Kristoffer Martin and his girlfriend AC Banzon.