Jun Alvendia, son of Esperanza Pahati Alvendia, Maripaz Godinez and I were having lunch at the Jade Vine Restaurant on UN Avenue, and we came to reminiscing the happy times when in the ’60s, Jade Vine played host to impersonations of Broadway shows. Members of Manila’s high society like Chona Kasten, Tingting Cojuangco and Elvira Manahan had the time of their lives.
Scenes impersonated were from “The King and I,” “Sound of Music,” “West Side Story,” “South Pacific,” “Gypsy Rose Lee,” “Cabaret,” “My Fair Lady,” “Hair,” and “Flower Drum Song.”
Events director Oskar Atendido remembers that the impersonators were formalized into a group by Quito Cu-Unjieng for the Cabaret Royale put up by Budji Layug’s family in Makati.
Bert Torrijos, president and general manager of Jade Vine, remembers those days of happy memories. He also remembers the cabinet ladies’ meetings of Eva Macapagal, the yearly birthdays of Vice President Fernando Lopez, catering at the 777 RPS Ang Pangulo for President Marcos.
The Spirit of ’67
To keep the sounds of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s alive, Sonny Alvendia, chair of the board, formed the famous The Spirit of ’67 band (referring to Ateneo HS Class ’67). The moment it hit any venue were they are asked to perform, people would dance and dance.
To celebrate its 51st anniversary, Jade Vine Restaurant & Executive Inn welcomes “The Spirit of ’67” on Sept. 17 at 8 p.m.
A cover charge of P300, consumable, is available. Call Jade Vine at 5248601 to 05 and ask for Gloria Pahati, Christine Alvendia, Benie Arcega or Joey Tanteo.
Come listen to Koo Koo Gonzales (vocalist), Zoe Zuñiga (vocalist), Charlie Ysmael (vocalist), Tony Sabalsa (vocalist), Al Kaz Borromeo (lead guitar), Obet Arnalia (bass guitar), Arnold Austria (drums) and Ronald Vicencio (keyboard).
Why Jade Vine?
Carmelino “Jun” Alvendia says that the jade vine is the name of a beautiful flower that grows in clusters in some forests in the Philippines. He is not sure if his mother named the restaurant “Jade Vine” or her partners Eding Teodoro and Martha Bernhardt (wife of an expat) did. The flower has monochromatic shades of aqua blue to light blue.
When Esperanza Alvendia, who is called “Caring” by family, friends and staff, retired as head of the Home Economics department of the University of Sto. Tomas, she concentrated on serving quality food at her restaurant. She trained Anselmo Aruego, who has been with Jade Vine for 36 years and his assistants Jess Diño and Rey Abad. This explains the consistent quality food that you can still enjoy.
See you at Jade Vine and come and reminisce the good times of good food and dancing music.
St. Philomene feast day
The town of Alcala in Cagayan Valley will celebrate their fiesta on Aug. 27 in honor of St. Philomene, their patroness. The pilgrimage was brought to 25 barrio chapels during the preparation of the fiesta. Monsignor Sergio Utleg, the new Archbishop of Tuguegarao, will celebrate Mass on Aug. 27 at 9 a.m.
Fr. Rino Guaring, parish priest, is asking for help in providing a cover for the ceiling of the church because it is so hot in Cagayan. To help, text Fr. Rino at 0917-5789161.
Santa Rosa de Lima
Pasig Bishop Mylo Vergara will say the Fiesta Mass on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. in honor of Sta. Rosa de Lima, patroness of Peru. The Sta. Rosa de Lima Parish is on San Buenaventura Drive in Bagong Ilog, Pasig. Parish priest is Fr. Mariano Baranda.
Santo Sepulcro fiesta
The people of Paco and devotees of the “Santo Sepulcro” will mark his feast today with Cardinal Rosales officiating the Concelebrated Mass at l0 a.m. Parish priest is Msgr. Rolando de la Cruz. Hermanos mayores are the Knights of Columbus. Parish lay coordinator is Aida Altamirano. Sol Alturas Yu is in charge of sponsors.
San Lorenzo Ruiz in New York
The image of San Lorenzo Ruiz will be enthroned at the St. Margaret Mary Church in Staten Island, New York, on Aug. 28. by Fr. Erno Diaz. Geraldine Osias and Sonia Atabug of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Global Ministry brought the image to New York via Eva Air. Donor is Tony Luna.
A future enthronement is scheduled at the Chapel of Naia 3 on the occasion of its anniversary. Arranging the event is Guia Gonzalez of the Naia admin office. Donor is engineer Rolando Ruiz Luna, project manager of Denver International Airport in Colorado.
