Thursday, December 04, 2008 Utzurrum: Here’s a champagne toast to you, Chona! By Chinggay V. Utzurrum The scene
Here are some newsbits for your social calendar: On the occasion of the 85th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey and with the presence of H.E. Ambassador and Mrs. Adnan Basaga, the Honorary Consul General Leontina L. Benedicto, will host a reception tonight, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, Nivel, Cebu City.
Attire is formal.
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First December bride will be Debbie, daughter of Rev. Abraham and Miriam Kim, as she exchanges vows with Raymund, son of Mr. Buenaventura and Conchita Cordova;
Wedding rites will be on Friday, December 5, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. at the Ocean Pavilion of Shangri-La’s Mactan resort and Spa, Punta Engaño, Mactan.
Reception follows at the same venue.
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On this festive season, Marco Polo Plaza Hotel will host a Media Appreciation Party 2008, on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the hotel’s Grand ballroom, where guests are requested to come in red, green and or gold, to better mark the “Colors of Christmas”.
Guaranteed to be an exciting evening, with fun games, fabulous entertainment, fantastic raffle prizes and must-keep giveaways!, promises MPPH”s Belle Lumapas, P.R. director;
Special performer will be Manila’s latest discovery, Lorenzo.
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Here’s an urgent bulletin for employees of the Cebu City Health Dept. Former Employees Assn. (cchdfea), for a much-anticipated reunion, on Sunday, December 7, 2008. registration will start at 4:30 p.m. Venue is the Cebu Grand Convention Center.
So whether you are retired, have resigned or transferred, you are still considered a former employee. so sign in and join the fun!
Please get in touch with the following: Dr. Felicitas Manaloto at Tel. 233-1591); Susan Calero – 261-4830 or 262-9613); Emma Estorba Dangal – 423-9878) Dr. Rafaela Isidro – 348-1948); Norma Siguracion – 413-9033), and Pat Gomez Tel. 235-9898).
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Columnist, writer, and now author Chona Trinidad, indeed considers 2008 a lucky year, for launching not one but two books, “Nostalgia: The Way we were” and “Manila’s best remembered restaurants.” In The Way We Were, she takes us on a sentimental journey, reflecting childhood memories, prominent personalities, and events and vanishing traditions, more particularly festivals and the Pinoy heritage.
In her second book, Chona reviews Manila’s well-loved and patronized restaurants as they appeared in her well-read food column in Woman’s Journal,. Well worth the read, as many of these restos no longer exist.
Nostalgia was published by the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Publishing House.
Last month another chapter of memories was marked in her birthday calendar, as bosom pal Armi Alba hosted a sumptuoua lunch for her at Patio Guernica, at its new location: Bellagio Square on J. Bocobo St., Malate, Manila.
Manilans cannot easily forget that cozy dining nook in the Remedios Circle, specializing in impeccable Spanish cuisine! Well, at its new location, now, its long time, maitre’d Rodrigo de Jesus, continues the tradition.
We had occasion to sample his famous paella, Rabo de toro, Gambas, Almejas al horno, etc, during Chona’s birthday bash.
The cozy group of ten poured all their love and music on her, even as she gave a short speech before she blew her birthday candles. With a Trio belting sizzling and sultry Spanish melodies, her day was made.
As a fitting finale to a perfect lunch, she gave each guest a token, especially chosen to fit their personality!
