MRS. Portia Familiaran, wife of Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, marked her 60th birthday on March 27 but was not able to celebrate her entry as a senior citizen with her family, friends, and employees due to the threat of the coronavirus disease where a gathering of people is prohibited.
She felt quite dismayed by such an aspect, as she is used to celebrating her birthday every year but this year circumstances also deterred her from pursuing the celebration.
On her Facebook account, she shared how she fondly remembered her birthday when she was still three years old, she woke up in the morning, went out of her room and proceeded to their kitchen to see if there were people preparing for her birthday celebration because she liked to see them busy working for her celebration.
Her birthday celebration only stopped in the past when her father figured in an accident and became bedridden. Since then, every time her birthday comes, she would secretly cry because she longs for a birthday celebration.
When she got married to Vice Mayor El Cid in 1981, it also stopped her opportunity to serve. She did not celebrate her birthday until 1985. But after that, she decided she would cook during her birthday celebrations.
She enjoyed the celebrations held every year until such time Covid-19 broke out and again, it deterred her from celebrating her natal day this year.
Her family has wished her well despite the lack of celebration. Her long-time friends also wished her well and encouraged her to look forward to more celebrations after this Covid-19 crisis.