THE golden year celebration of the Hijos de Davao was beautiful, elegant, well attended and fun. There was a particular enchanting glimmer to the ballroom filled with smiling faces on that evening. It was a joyous event after all, and for a small social club that turned into an organization caring for its homeland reaching half a century old, there is a reason to celebrate.
Through the years, the Davao family has grown bigger. A seed planted in the middle of the 20th century sprouted into a sapling 1964. The young and few branches were the descendants of the original settlers who formed a club called Hijos de Davao to gather yearly and honor San Pedro, Davao’s patron saint. It took root and the gathering became a tradition….and tradition gave birth to public awareness turning the club into a socio-economic organization.
Fifty years later, the Hijos de Davao family tree has grown bigger and sprouted hundreds of branches. The sowers and the fruits of the tree they nurtured gathered once more to celebrate a significant event.
Four of the founding officers, Patria Garcia-Montemayor, Atty. Perla Palma Gil, Honesto Cabarroguis and Dr. Julian Rodriguez, were present to witness a milestone. When asked what their most memorable moments were since the club’s conception, the common reply was “every year is always a happy moment.”
Perhaps this year’s ball was happier with the huge turnout of several generations in one place. The party linked the old and the new, a bridge that lets tradition pass to its next caretaker.
The highlights of the event were the launching of the coffee table book entitled “Witnessing Growth,” a compilation of Davao’s key people who were influential in the growth of the city, with Senators Mar Roxas and Teofisto Guingona III as special guests; the presentation and crowning of the muse, Arianna del Rosario, who was extra radiant and beautiful that night; and the Rigodon de Honor participated by the founding officers and the former muses of Hijos.
On stage as guest performer was 70s band that started the Manila Sound phenomenon, the Hotdogs, whose memorable tunes like “Bonga Ka Day” and “Annie Batungbakal” got everyone on the dance floor and dancing ‘til past midnight.
Congratulations to all the officers of Hijos de Davao for mounting a very successful gala! May this be the precursor to more successful gatherings in the coming years of this civic organization.
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