The mega twin celebrations in Cebu were the 50th anniversary of Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital and the birthday of Dr. Yong Larrazabal.

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino glittered with the presence of the Larrazabal family and all the administration and staff of all the Cebu Doctors’ branches. The ceremonial citations of achievements of one of the leading medical institutions in the country were interspersed with musical numbers led by Donna Cruz Larrazabal, whom Dr. Yong called his “endless love and inspiration!”

My good friend Zeny Larrazabal was the proud mother and grandmother rolled into one as she happily gathered her children and grandchildren in a photo opportunity that looked like a “handicraft” of colors and images.

I guess the message of Dr. Yong Larrazabal, the president of the Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital, said it all.

He commended the administration, staff and clients of the branches of the Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital for their leadership to maintain high quality management and communitarian services.

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Meanwhile, Café Laguna, the premier resto which serves authentic Tagalog food, celebrated its 31st anniversary. We never miss this celebration where I get to savor my favorite dishes my mother and sisters used to cook when we were growing up in Biñan, Laguna. It also brings memories of my sister, Lydia Castillo (+), who immortalized authentic Tagalog food like kare-kare, fresh lumpia, sinigang na baboy, dinilawang kanduli, adobo, kilawin etc., in her regular columns and published book, “In My Basket,” which was launched in Café Laguna.

Thank you, Lita Urbina and family, for making Filipino dishes, part of the tourism attractions in Cebu and the Visayas.