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Thursday, February 09, 2006
Magsaysay: Gathering family round
By Whatever
Jo Magsaysay
The pre-eminence of the entourage headed by H.E President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Republic of the Philippines and Philippine Vice-President Noli de Castro sets apart the wedding of Haidie, daughter of DFA Undersecretary Francisco L. Benedicto and Leontina L. Benedicto to Rene Carl, son of the late Senator Renato L. Cayetano and Sandra S. Cayetano from all the rest of the weddings of the year 2006.
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Since the nuptials will, at this writing, still be forthcoming on Sunday, the 12th at the Sacred Heart Church, let us just feast our eyes on the rest of the names of the personages who will stand witness to the wedding, and be dazzled by the list: Senator Manuel A. Roxas II, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, Congresswoman Cynthia A. Villar, Deputy Speaker Raul V. del Mar, Nancy R. Cuenco, Congressman Francis G. Escudero, Menchu Tantoco Lopez, Dr. Lucio C. Tan, Anita K. Siy, Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña, Alice Cayetano McHugh, Andrew E. Gotianuy and Helena Benedicto.
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Star sapphire is the gem assigned to couples who have gone through the crucible of 50 golden years and have basked under the lambent flame of the yellow diamond on the 60th year. Now on their 65th year, the brilliant incandescence of the star sapphire with its blue light reflecting the five-point pattern of the heavenly star shines upon two very dear friends, Binoy and Esther (Lozada) Unchuan who celebrated 65 years of blessed togetherness last Tuesday. Four generations converged at White Sands, Maribago Beach to witness the reaffirmation of their marriage vows officiated by Fr. Ramon Fred P. Ofredo and the feast at the wedding banquet. A toast to Binoy and Esther for the blessings of love, joy and peace to continue till the diamond jubilee!
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From all quarters of the globe, Denmark, Germany, Iceland and Norway, Australia, Thailand, Canada and the U.S. of A, a horde of Kierulfs will be descending upon the Philippines for the greatest, grandest, most glorious reunion ever recorded in family history. Kiermeet 2006 Philippines will officially begin on the 13th February with the unveiling at the Baywalk Manila, of a replica of the fabled Little Mermaid of Copenhagen. The sculpture of the legendary sirena is donated by the Kierulf families of Manila, descendants of William (Guillermo) Duntzfeldt Kierulf, former Consul General of the Kingdom of Denmark to the Philippines. Together with his twin brother, Christian Pingel, William settled down in Manila and before long, generations of Kierulfs have sprouted all over the Philippines.
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A frenetic schedule awaits the visiting Kierulfs following a tour of Manila and welcome dinner at the Polo Club hosted by the Manila Kierulfs. On Valentine’s Day, a tour of Tagaytay and Pagsanjan Falls followed by a hearts and flowers Valentine dinner show. Tacloban City, Palo and Ormoc City on sked the next day with the Tacloban Kierulfs playing luncheon hosts. A brief stop-over in Palo where Pedro Kierulf, a great grandson of the patriarch William Duntzfeldt Kierulf resides with his family. Then on to Ormoc with more Kierulfs before touching home with the Cebu Kierulfs after a tour of Bohol. Spreading out the red carpet for their cousins, sight-seeing, bienvenida and despedida parties on the agenda prepared by the Cebu Kierulfs before last stop at Boracay for r&r. On tippy-toe with excitement is Chica Kierulf Farrarons who hopes more relatives and cousins will contact her (416-1235 or 0917-3281334) or Atty. Arturo Kierulf (253-0550 or 0919-2870951) for more details.
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Missed the explosions of chrysanthemums, the outbursts of pompoms…missed the serpentine flashes hissing across the sky, the fountains splashing rainbows, colored lights and all the Fire in the Sky that Waterfront Hotel set up to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Earlier, dining at Café Uno was, as usual, as always, overwhelming from the cold appetizers, a palette of colors (pink salmon, green asparagus, yellow corn, white turnip, red prawns) to the hot meats and sauces simmering in the chafing trays to the killer desserts all enjoyed in the delightful company of Marco Protacio certain the rain will not throw a wet blanket on the fireworks display because eggs had been offered, assured Renee Villasin whose luminous eyes reflected the lovelight in her eyes. On to the lobby for the lion and dragon dance; the interminable beat of the drum combined with hard seats and yayas' heads screening our view spelled a raging headache, we (Teresin M. and Honey L.) took off and left.
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Also missed the ceremonial dotting of the Lion’s Eye at the Marriott 9:30 a.m. is the crack of dawn after a wakeful night pampering old bones. Would have loved to give Karl Hudson a great big bear hug of congratulations. He did it! He upped and did it! Popped the question and everything’s coming up roses. A rose is a rose is a lovely Rose Amores who said yes! And now it’s official! A formal engagement party with his folks in New Zealand, a wedding in August.
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Shouldn’t miss the blast promised by HSBC tomorrow in Shangri-La to welcome the Year of the Dog. RJ Jacinto and his band to give you all a rootin-tootin fun time.
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Interesting info coming my way is about Ma. Zonette Hife-Balbuena, STC alumna, formerly a medalist USC Varsity swimmer and first Philippine synchronized swimming member, formerly a ballet and Dance Troupe member, is now a new member of dancesport team Cebu City. Not bad for a beginner in dancesport, she garnered third place in the 1st Dancesport sa Sugbo competition, and fifth place in Standard Discipline Category (Waltz, Tango) in the recently held First Cebu International Dancesport Federation Open Championship wherein she competed against 33-40 couples from HongKong, China, Macao, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cebu and Manila.
Zonette and dance teacher Dandan Almario will be with Dancesport Team Cebu City, headed by principal dancer-coach Loloi Rendon togeher with dance partner Eleanor O. Hayco, to compete on March 11 in the 2006 DSCPI (Dancesport Council of the Phils.) First Quarter Ranking and Competition at Philsports (Ultra), Pasig City.
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Add to Zonette’s album of happy memories are photos of Elki Hife Balbuena, her and Rudy’s daughter, who together with a friend Abegail Lua, daughter of Belinda and Alan Lua joined the World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany from August 16-21, 2005. One of the activities were joining catechism classes with the delegates from all over the world, masses, singing religious songs, and of course a vigil mass with Pope Benedict XVI. It was a memorable and touching experience.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 9, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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