An accomplished and dedicated educator, a beloved mentor, a creative stage director, an active member of civic and service clubs, a tireless organizer of fundraising projects and a helpful friend to all… these words best describe Dr. Milagros Castillo Espina, Ph.D. A woman for all seasons, she has touched so many lives in the academe and in the community. On her 85th birthday, she was honored with a Dinner Musicale dubbed “Best of Broadway” by grateful hearts led by the alumni of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Dramatics and Cultural Ensemble in tandem with the Amparito L. Lhuillier Educational Foundation scholars in cooperation with the We Care Foundation and the Zonta Club of Cebu 1. Venue was the ballroom of Golden Peak Hotel.
Madam Mila was misty-eyed as she listened to the heartwarming tributes from colleagues and former students. Yes, she had been a trailblazer in USJ-R as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; she was the motherly motivator of her students, the helping hand for scholarship grants as well as the moving force in many Zonta projects and the organizer of charitable undertakings for the We Care Foundation.
It was a magical evening with Broadway melodies in the air, stirring up sentimental memories and bringing about wistful smiles. The songs were excerpts from the shows that Madam Mila had directed through the years. It was a nostalgic trip down memory lane that made everyone feel young and dreamy!