NO ONE can warm the human heart more than the joy that comes from children. Thus, the 89th birthday celebration of the Yanson matriarch, Olivia Villaflores - Yanson, began by sharing the celebration with children schooled in public kindergarten and elementary schools in Bacolod City and its neighbouring towns.
These schools included the Adela Elementary School, Sto. Rosario Elementary School; Banago 2 Elementary School; Bata 2 Elementary School 2; Bacolod Boys Home; Bubog Elementary School; Catabla Baybay Elementary School; Children with Cancer; Concepcion Elementary School; Day Care Centers of Talisay; Don Enrique Lizares Elementary School; Dos Hermanas Elementary School Enrica Lizares Elementary School; FF Gonzaga Elementary School Guinhalaran Elementary School; Habitat Elementary School; Handumanan Elementary School; Holy Infant Family; JR Torres Elementary School Mambulac Elementary School; AL Jayme Elementary School; Don Simplicio Lizares Elementary School; Busay Child Development; Puntevella Elementary School; Purita Elementary School Talisay Elementary School; Talisay South Elementary School, and Tayabas Baybay Elementary School.
These schoolchildren and those who endure cancer were hosted to an al fresco party by the beach at the Yanson's private resort - Villa Olivia, located in Barangay Bubog, Talisay City, on January 23, 2023.
Songs and dances were performed on stage, the drum and bugle corps of DELES elementary school, Disney and Filipino-inspired mascots danced and had photo opportunities with the children, fun games, magic shows, and Tiktok performances that schoolchildren enjoyed and participated in.
They were served breakfast with fruits, snacks, lunch, candies, ice cream, cakes, and other comfort foods from the food carts spreading around the celebration venue.
The schoolchildren displayed their naturally high energy and happiness in attending the celebration.
Leo Rey Yanson, the youngest son of Mommy Love and the late Ricardo Yanson, Sr., choose to host a celebration with the children because he knows that the heart of his mother melts seeing kids around happy and enjoying each other's company.
“The joy of hosting a party for these underprivileged schoolchildren is unspeakable. My mother loves seeing kids receiving gifts and having fun through dances and singing performances,” he said.
He added that his mother and our family have received many blessings from the Lord, and they want to share them with the children who deserve to receive Mommy Love's kindness.
“This is just a simple get-together to impart happiness to others. We are very grateful for the blessing the Lord has given our beloved Mother for reaching the age of 89 and still healthy, happy and strong. We thanked the schoolchildren, their teachers, and parents who celebrated with us to make our Mommy Love smile and be happy,” he said.
These schoolchildren received gift bags filled with assorted school supplies, a pale of Happy Time biscuits, a family pack toothbrush, Colgate toothpaste, Tender care soap, Milo, Bearbrand, Nestea cold drinks, and Lucky Me Noodles.
Leo Rey Yanson extended his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this celebration possible. He wished his mother sustained good health and unconditional love that would continue to stay in her heart.
"Happy birthday, Mommy Love. We love you very much,” he added.
First Lady Lisa Araneta Marcos greets OVY
First lady Lisa Araneta - Marcos arrived in the middle of the birthday celebration of Mommy Love along with former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, Megaworld Corporation CEO Kevin Andrew Tan, Jojie Dingcong, and several others.
They were welcomed by OVY (Mommy Love), her daughter Ginette Yanson - Dumancas, and Leo Rey Yanson, her youngest son upon her arrival at the private resort of the Yanson family in Talisay, Negros Occidental.
The first lady said, “I just want to greet the grand old lady here Tita Love, a happy birthday.”
Furthermore, the celebration went on with the Dragon dances and other entertainment.
OVY and First Lady Marcos led the distribution of the gift bags to the school children and after that, they had lunch together.*