Utzurrum: Rotary West at 50, Fermin at 80

EVER-LOVING and dedicated better-half Flor Suico-Ynclino started planning the surprise birthday bash for dear hubby, Fermin (and it was such a well-kept secret!) months before the date with the help of daughter Fiza Y. Du, who is US-based. Then the actual day dawned with party-planners Adel Veloso and Mila Cabiluna supplying the finishing touches. After all, this was no ordinary number: It was 80!

GUESTS. More dinner guests (from left) Freddie Salimbangon, Malyn Paradero, Edna Salimbangon, Meren Gepilano, Monette Aliño, lawyer Joje Decal and Janice Salimbangon.
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Red was the color of the night, with honoree, Fermin (Fer for short), who blushed when greeted, “Why, Dong, you don’t look a day over 50!” It was indeed a far cry when we visited him in the hospital six months ago, after he had leg surgery. Amazing—love truly makes a person youthful, huh, Flor?

Fer’s doting family members and friends were gathered round in love and thanksgiving, praising the Almighty for Fer having reached the magic age of 80!

The kids in the US who couldn’t make it were ably represented by Fiza. There were dance and song numbers, including the incomparable Monette Aliño who rendered Smile, much to the celebrator’s delight!

And the best-kept secret of the evening was Carlos and Kit Yeung who hosted the entire birthday dinner bash for Fermin. This was truly a night of surprises! Many more years, Fer!

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This is another anniversary party, a golden one, for Rotary Club of Cebu West (RCCW) held at the Casino Español de Cebu recently.

Super-excited and inspired at the prospect of celebrating the 50th charter anniversary and induction of officers and members was “golden” president Alvin Uy Tan, who is leading his prestigious club to new heights. Why prestigious? Because among others, RCCW has produced two district governors: Jose Ma Luis Cupin and Raymond Patuasi!

With this year’s rotary theme, “Peace Through Service,” Alvin has focused on his pet project for the year—donation of a fire truck to the Cebu Fil-Chinese Fire Volunteer Brigade, with support coming from Canada.

Other continuing RCCW projects are donations of books, milk, diapers, school supplies and bags to the Asilo de la Milagrosa; Operation Tuli; the waiting shed at the Cebu Normal University; blood letting activities; the installation of a “4-Way Test” Rotary billboard near White Gold, Reclamation Area, and many more. Congratulations, Alvin. May your tribe increase!

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This week’s cultural fare is Cine Europa 15, which will kick off with cocktails on Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the lobby of Cinema One (OnStage) at Ayala Cinemas. This global cultural event is sponsored by the Head of Delegation of the European Union, the ambassadors of the European Union Member States, and the ambassadors of Norway and Switzerland, in partnership with the Arts Council of Cebu Foundation Inc. (ACCFI).

Following the cocktails will be the screening of the Italian film The Last Emperor at 7:50 p.m. at OnStage.

The film festival will be from Sept. 21 (Friday) to Sept. 24 (Monday). Admission is free on a first come-first seated basis. Films are with English subtitles. For venues and time schedules, you may visit artscouncilcebu.org, or call the ACCFI office at (032) 233-0452.