ALL the way from Salt Lake City, Utah (United States) jetted in Maribel Moraza-Backman, and was feted right and left by the huge Aboitiz/Mendezona/Moraza clans.

It was only through our good-natured and thoughtful friend, Maricar Gonzales-Perdices that we, classmates, could squeeze in a last minute lunch bash at Salinas Restaurant.

Maribel’s Cebu trips are few and far-between, so we truly treasure such reunions. It was in the late ‘50s (1959 to be exact) when we, shy “collegialas” graduated from High School at Assumption Convent, Manila. From a class of almost a hundred, only five were Cebuanas: Maribel, Terry Escaño-Manguerra, Marilu Briones-Chiongbian and myself. Bacolod-born Corie Lacson became an adopted Cebuana when she married Ferdie Jakosalem.

Balik-balik, Maribel! We miss you!

• • •

Cebu Theresians from High School 1959 and College 1963 were the liveliest during the red-letter day of classmate Merle Padilla-Cunanan at Casino Español de Cebu.

Aside from Merle’s dear kith and kin, her co-members at the Zonta Club of Cebu 1 were also there to toast another year!

The handful of “Golden Girls” were being updated by the out-of-towners: Mindanao-based Marinela Velez and Myrna “Snoogie” Paredes while Manila-based Victoria Deen Sison regaled us with endless “chisms”!

Many more years, Merle!

• • •

Also at the Casino Español de Cebu, host Jimmy Picornell rolled out the red carpet for visiting “amiga” from Jacksonville, Florida (United States), the “muy simpatica” Petin Sievert. Likewise joining the foursome were Pilar P. Escaño and this writer.

Petin, as always, never fails to entertain with her numerous adventures and otherwise!