It was a sneaky surprise that was stealthily kept top secret for months.
At the beginning of the year, the free-spirited Uy siblings started planning for their beloved mom Gloria Rodrigo Labor Uy’s 80th birthday.
And it was no easy feat with the ever-present threat of the pandemic and the challenge of communicating with three out of the five siblings living abroad. Juanita is a teacher in Davao City; Josephine, a physical therapist in Frisco, Texas; Jennifer, a Davao-based manager of the family businesses HOLA and JAG Farms; Juliet, a registered nurse in Frisco, Texas; and Anthony, an REI sales lead based in Reno, Nevada.
But, thanks to technology, most of the discussions regarding the venue, food, guest list, and the program were seamlessly done through iMessage and FaceTime.
After considering different venues, Juanita decided to set the venue at her own place, Picnics Davao, for their mom’s intimate birthday celebration.
Picnics Davao, a favorite venue for special occasions and photoshoot sessions, began when Juanita’s daughter Geia thought of opening their farm in Tacunan to the public as an outdoor venue for intimate events. Her concept was to offer exclusive use of the place or some parts of the venue with options of dining table or ground set-ups.
Sneaky surprise
It was truly a labor of love preparing for their mom’s milestone. All the siblings pitched in the decoration of the stage, table set-up, dessert table, lights, food, flower arrangements, party program, party games, and giveaways.
The artistic Juanita oversaw the color theme of the party, with the immediate family members wearing orange and khaki, and the guests donning white.
On the day of the celebration, their darling mom Gloria and debonair husband, well-respected civic leader Antonio, gathered with their Davao-based children and guests at Picnics Davao.
As they merrily sang the birthday song and posed for a family photo, imagine the shock of the lovely celebrant when she suddenly saw her three U.S.-based kids in the flesh! The last time they saw each other was during the 80th birthday of their dad Toñing two years ago.
“My three siblings and their family stayed in Jennifer’s house three days prior to the event. They were careful not to post anything on social media that indicated they were in the country, as our Mama is checking out Facebook and Instagram all the time,” giggles eldest daughter Juanita.
Among the highlights of the program was when the ten grandkids and two great-grandkids meaningfully presented a song by Adele entitled “Make You Feel My Love”. Each had a part including one grandson in New York and two granddaughters in Texas who pre-recorded their lines and their virtual presentation flashed on the projector screen.
God’s faithfulness
“Having reached 80 years shows God’s faithfulness in my life. The things I wanted to do and the places I wanted to go, through His grace, I was able to achieve them. I have a loving family, good health, and many blessings from above,” says Gloria who conscientiously managed the family business for most of her life.
She considers reaching 80 glorious years; having a caring family; witnessing her children finish their education; seeing her grandkids and great-grandkids grow up; joining the Marian Pilgrimage at the Holy Land; and conquering Mt. Apo and Mt. Kinabalu as some of her life’s priceless treasures.
Now contentedly retired, Gloria keeps herself fit by staying active. “I like to spend time in my garden every day. I also go to our farms on the weekends and keep myself involved. I love to travel with my family and go on road trips as well. In the evenings, I watch K-dramas and local teleseryes,” says the B.S. in Education graduate.
Second daughter Josephine has nothing but praises for her gracious mom. “She raised us by example and is very generous with her time and financial capabilities, always helping others in need. More importantly, she emphasized that family always comes first; that no matter what, we should always have each other’s backs,” she reveals.
Certainly, Mama Gloria reaped what she sowed what with her legacy on the value of family deeply ingrained in her children’s hearts.
E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com/.