Tuesday, September 25, 2007 Espina: Fun, friendship and fellowship By Mila Espina In my diary
CALL it by any other name, but most happenings in Cebu boil down to fun, fellowship and friendship. Many events in July, August and early September had all these ingredients, and how!
The fabulous gathering of the 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel Cebu (MPPHC) to honor some selected outstanding leaders turned out to be a time to bond with friends. I met my former classmate, Liela San Agustin Salgado, way back from the University of Sto. Tomas. She’s as bubbly as ever; and we spent reminiscing about our college adventures and misadventures. Of course, the man behind the success of the affair, Consul Robert Lim Joseph, was beaming with delight along with Honey Loop, Cristina Garcia, Angel Bognot, awardees Department of Tourism (DOT) Region-7 Director, Dawnie Roa, DOT Undersecretary. Edu Jarque, Cebu Chambr of Commerce and Industry Inc. (CCCI) president Francis Monera, and Ric Poca. Why not? There were dining, drinking and dancing.
The wedding of CCCI PR staff Robby Alugar to Rubilyn Cayson turned out to be like a show unfolding, very interactive as guests synergized with the dinner and rituals. Well, knowing Robby’s penchant for glittering moments, who wouldn’t be mesmerized with this wedding which the couple prepared for almost a year, longer than the usual teleserye launching. What a joy seeing a former student get hitched! We all thought he was heading toward single-blessedness till he met the right match in gracious Rubilyn. Best wishes to both of you.
Another student, Jennylyn Santos, is into event production and told me about the interesting show that will hit Cebu, titled In Kiliti-Cal Condition, featuring Leo Martinez, Jon Santos and Nanette Inventor. It was a major hit in the US show circuit. It is directed by Freddie Santos. The show, which is for the benefit of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, will be held at the Grand Convention Center.
The MPPHC is getting to be the venue of many business and tourism events. The DOT, in consonance with the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp., brought in some CEOs from all over the US and Asia. They visited Cebu to look for possible tie-ups.
Colleague Sam Costanilla had a birthday luncheon hosted by Department of Foreign Affairs Usec. Francisco Benedicto at the Grand Convention Center. Another celebrator last Sept.15 was Father president Anthony Morillo, OAR, of University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R). The school’s university days, music and sports rolled into one, reeled off Sept.17 to 22 under the baton of VP-Student Affairs Charlie Orobia, OAR.
Congratulations to my cousin Baby Saniel and friend Julius Neri, the Papal awardees for their continuous dedication in religious events.
Philippine Airlines celebrated its annual “Daghang Salamat” at the Century Park Sheraton in Manila. The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines held its general membership meeting and elections last Friday, Sept.14, at the MPPHC.
Lydia Sia spent her birthday, with her ever-singing friends in the We Care, at Casino Español and we certainly had a great time. Imagine, these guys have been singing the same repertoire for the past 20 years enough to earn it a platinum record.
Out of this camaraderie came the long-standing scholarship program for high school students in USJ-R, Cebu Normal University and UP High School. Last year, it had a fruitful fund-raising musicale, the West Side Story, performed by USJ-R thespians, a project chaired by Ramon Sebastian.
In November, watch out for “Women Legends,” a fashion–musical diorama by Zonta 1.
