Chinggay V. Utzurrum
The scene

HERE are a few events to attend before we plunge into the frenzy and fever of the Yuletide season.

From the Spanish Consulate comes the news that Spanish language lessons have started last Nov. 7 and will go on till Feb. 27, 2010. Classes will be only on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Casino Español under Professor Mariton Villaflor. To enroll, please call Joy Limosnero at Casino Español at 253-1260 to 64 local 204.

Sun.Star accepts donations for victims of Typhoon Ondoy

****

On the subject of Spain, the Ambassador of Spain to the Republic of the Philippines, Don Luis Arias Romero and Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa’s general manager Joachim Schutte, invite all Iberian food lovers to an evening of Spanish food and wine on Friday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Acqua Restaurant.

Aptly called "Gala de España," the foodfest, will require dress codes; coat and tie/barong for men and cocktail dress for women.

****

Treat yourselves to an early Christmas bake sale, to be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, starting at 10 a.m. at Paseo Cuidad, Ayala Center. This very successful (and scrumptious) array of fruity, nutty and sweet stuff are baked by the members of the St. Joseph foundation ladies.

Be there early to grab the best and the most! Stocks will run out faster than you can blink. There’s also a raffle at 3 p.m., with attractive appliances and jewelry from
Amparito’s Collection. Be there and help a good cause.

***

Another worthy endeavor is the upcoming Kantahan ug Sayawan sa Tuig 60s to 70s sponsored by the Rotary Club of Metro Cebu (RCMC), on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Teatro Casino at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

Revivals of music yesteryears is the trend specially the barkadahan era featuring Cebu’s Top Revival Bands playing songs of the Beatles, Rolling Stones Association, Cascades, Dave Clark, Elvis Presley, etc.

The merrymaking milestone is a surefire recipe for warm nostalgia, dancing and laughter. Cocktails will be served inclusive of one drink for an affordable ticket price.

According to event chairpersons, Danny and Merlee Quinto, proceeds are earmarked for the indigent patients of their project “Operation Restore Hope” for cleft-palate cases.

Sponsored and co-produced by Pagcor-Cebu, guests are requested to don Roaring 60s attire. Please call Rotary Ann Merlee Quinto for info at 0917-620-8912 or Sun cell. 0922-855-5407.

****
The feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is commemorated with utmost reverence by the graduates of the Assumption convent lovingly called Old Girls.

This year it was a lunch at the Regency Crest Condo at Paseo Saturnino where the girls simply let their hair down, with anecdotes about their classmates, and dear nuns and teachers.

Newly elected alumnae president Tina Cruz-Mateo should be congratulated for the Superb menu, that was gorged by all.

Of course the event, as is traditional, started with a Holy Mass by Jesuit priest Fr. Ramon Ofredo, who gave an inspiring homily. The school song was then sung, with a few missed lines, but otherwise, with fervor and fidelity!

Before we close, let me congratulate the newly elected alumnae officers for the year.

****

The first activity that Tina Mateo is organizing is the "Assumption Lay Formation Talks" on the spirituality of Mother Foundress, St. Marie Eugenie (who was canonized two years ago).

This will be on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 22, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Holy Mass will be offered at 11 a.m.

The Old Girls are lucky to have a team from Manila headed by Sr. Regivic Yulo, RA.

Friends of the Assumption in Cebu are most welcome. Venue for the talks is 17S0, 17th Floor, i3 Bldg., Asiatown IT Park in Lahug.

This promises to be a beautiful way to discover the charism of the Assumption. For those interested, please call Tina at 0917-322-8780; Marvy Pineda at 0917-320-0956; Camille Aldeguer at 0917-630-0721 or Vicky Pastoriza at 0918-905-6897 for more details.

****
“We had the time of our lives!” gushed graduates of high school class 1959 of University of Southern Philippines (USP), who celebrated their golden year recently.

Balikbayan Gemma Sasedor-Burns, who is a ball of energy, together with batchmates, Linda Qiamco-Daniels, Teresita Loy-Maish and Dr. Vicente Villa Jr. are grateful to last year’s (class 1958) moving spirit, Evasio Cagande, who spearheaded the smashing reunion and passed the torch to Gemma for the equally exciting golden jubilee of batch 1959!