Thursday, June 14, 2007 Magsaysay: Gold gathers By Jo Magsaysay Whatever
The cryingest, weepingest and yet the happiest celebration ever was the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Dito and Toya Bugarin.
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There, frail and fragile in his wheelchair since his heart by-pass and near-fatal strokes several years back, Dito - well-shaven and scrubbed to a rosy glow - whispered the marriage vows, tears uncontrollably streaming down his cheeks.
Firmly holding his hand in hers, Toya stood, a stoic figure bravely holding back the sobs that shook her shoulders. Soon everyone on the little chapel of the Archbishop’s Palace was crying and weeping, choking down sobs, dabbing their wet cheeks. So heartbreaking and so beautiful.
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This is the family that has stayed together, through anguish and joy, through tears and laughter all through the fifty years. The erudite Dito, Atty. Expedito Bugarin, former dean of the College of Law of the University of San Carlos whose colleagues - Judge Gabriel Ingles, Judge Frank Seville, Dean Cora Evangelista Velencia, Jack Mendez, Jose Perez and Vicente Verela were all present for the momentous occasion, remembering their compañero best for his witty repartees. There too were Dito’s musical confreres of the Cebu Symphony Orchestra Bonnie Cabahug, Enrique Diola, Vicente Abellon and Renator Kintanar, when he lent his musicality to the violin, viola and cello, to their concertizing - everyone recalling the beautiful music they played together.
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Most of all, the tears and the laughter getting the family together in a happy reunion. All the way from Vancouver, Canada, Dito’s brother Capt. Nemy Bugarin with his son Kenrick, their children John with his wife Gigi with their children from San Jose, CA; Rena and Tito Tenazas and children from Toronto Canada; Carl and wife Emmy with their children from San Jose, CA; Lemuel Bugarin (Dito’s nephew) from Los Angeles, Gat and Alma de Guzman (Dito’s cousins) from Los Angeles, CA. Not to be outdone, Toya’s side of the family, the fabulous feisty Abads were, except for Tiburcio and Erlinda, all present from Lydia McKenzie, Onker Pido, Carlota Pimentel, flying down from LA, Mila Dance jetting in from London, Marilyn and Ramy Rodriguez, who performed a sensous hula dance. Pitching in their own talents for the after-dinner program at the Casino Español were Duke Duke, who has taken over his father’s thriving law practice, and his daughter Maegan while his other daughters Donna and Justine did a hip-hop (or was it a flip-flop) or whatever bouncy dance that kids do so happily these days.
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Crossing the dance floor to where her father sat in his wheelchair, Rena (Mrs. Tito Tenazas) gently lifted Dito up and slowly leading, they waltzed while Toya, who had given up her long-standing years with Sycip Gorres and Velayo to devote the best years of her life being Dito’s loving wife, raising their children to be upright models in their own careers waltzed around the floor in the arms of son, Duke. A sight to sting the eyes with tears and warm the heart with love.
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A sentimental journey to a tearful homecoming that blossomed into a joyful birthday celebration for Trining Sadaya Aguirre.
The reclusive Trining an intensely private person had quietly disappeared from the local scene over 20 years ago and just as quietly returned from America with her sister Didang Paulin, best remembered and celebrated as one of Cebu’s top socialites and fashion icons. At 89 years old, Trining who has lost her sight to glaucoma and her stature to osteoporosis astonished her friends with her youthful outlook, her baby-smooth skin and keen mind, recalling old names and old places she loved so much when she lived here.
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A pot-luck dinner organized by Didang, still looking like the fashion maven she was in a finely-pleated silk blouse perked up with snazzy bling, drew together old friends from way back when. Special guests were Adela Jarque and her family held dearly loved by Trining who saw them grwoing up. Particularly Glenn and Honey Loop’s handsome young prince Edward, whom Trining had been cuddling when he was barely a week old and according to Honey, had been supplying huge cans of Nan powdered milk for months. Stalwart and loyal friends Myrna Echivarre, Lucy Franco Garcia without the third one of their triumvirate Minnie Yuvienco who was in Manila, were on hand, plying Trining with goodies.
Didang’s good looking son Dr. Chito with his angel, Anne Figueroa, were there of course as were Gerry and Chita Ypil, Mila Tolentino, Flor Ynclino, Leoning Du, Den and Lolly Diez, who brought her casava biko a la Annie Aboitiz, Eloise Calagos Sy representing Quintin and Emma, whose Eloise Boutique in their QC Pavilion, was Trining’s favorite store. Speaking of which, the get-together was held in the wind-swept pavilion of Helen Uytengsu’s elegant little mansion which has been designed by the late Henry “as partyphile” who loved entertaining people. Helen, ever sharp and practical-minded had converted their residence into apartments, “pads” for business executives, one of which a roomy suite, has Trining and Didang tenants.
Feasting on the buffet spread of lechon, lumpia, empanadas, dinuguan and other goodies including Millie Sembrano’s special dishes (she just sent them, a cataract operation prevented her from joining the party) with a cousin, Norma Solon taking over from where Didang left off faithfully taking care of her sister, hand and foot in the States, Trining looked completely happy and content now that she is back.
