Neri: People

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama was very much in his element as he welcomed honorees and guests at the testimonial dinner in celebration of the 76th Charter Day anniversary of Cebu City. Special honorees were the city's centenarians who came onstage (most of them in wheelchairs) to collect their awards. Seventy five Families of Distinction were also given recognition during the program and I am proud to say that my family, the Garcia clan, was one of them. Outstanding institutions and individuals were also awarded.

THERESIAN GATHERING. During the musical afternoon at Montebello, featured singer Jack Borromeo (seated third from left), who is also a Theresian, with the ladies (seated from left) Cherrie Gross, Marcia Godinez and Aida Ugalde. Standing (from left) Brenda Talisaysay, Lydia Juezan, Norma Borromeo, Lukie Alvarez, Nelia Neri and Olivia Gonzales.
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Highlight of the evening was the fashion show dubbed "Estilong Sugbuanon Fashion Collection of Cebu's Top Designers." Guest model was Ruffa Gutierrez, Mayor Mike's niece, and daughter of congressional aspirant for the north district Annabelle Rama.

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Now happily settled in their new seaside home in Amara are Jose Mari and Chichi Martinez who played dinner hosts to a small group of friends one lovely Saturday evening. Their spacious home was the perfect setting for the one-of-a-kind dinner prepared by their chef son Pepin who will soon open his own resto.

The Martinez home is a masterpiece of the lady of the house Chichi who is a talented interior designer. Not only is it beautifully conceptualized and furnished, it is very functional as well.

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Playing golf was the main agenda of Ted Alo while shopping was wife Flammie's preoccupation when they came all the way from Michigan for their annual vacation. In-between their respective schedules, they had lunch and dinner invitations from friends like former Mayor Alvin Garcia, Babes Herrera, Flor Ynclino, etc.

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New York-based Jason Duterte came home to celebrate his 50th birthday. The dinner affair at the rooftop of Sta. Barbara Suites (beside Montebello Villa Hotel) was hosted by doting aunt/ninang Cherrie (Duterte) and husband Hans Gross (a retired German diplomat) who were in town (from Germany) for an extended vacation. Also on holiday break here were Jason's parents, Jesus "Tuti" (brod of Cherrie) and Jean Duterte, sisters Jessamyn and Jeannette with husband Victor Profera who are all USA-residents.

The best part of the evening, aside from the sumptuous dinner, was the performance of the golden-voiced golden boy Jason who sang Broadway favorites. One could have heard a pin drop when he sang Empty Chairs at Empty Tables from Les Miserables, and Memories from Cats.

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A few days later Norma Borromeo and Cherrie Duterte Gross organized an "Afternoon of Music" at Montebello Villa Hotel. On centerstage were Jason Duterte and Norma's cousin-in-law Jack Borromeo along with the Jayme sisters, Juliet and Juvy who provided the feminine voices. In attendance were the Duterte relatives and Theresian friends which included New Yorker Brenda (Bumanlag) and husband Carlos Talisaysay.