Dr. Warfe Engracia is one of Cebu’s most eminent radiologists. His Rajah Tuipas Medical Services, named after a royal ancestor, keeps him busy the live-long day.
Yet, Dr. Warfe finds time to be involved in civic leadership, and the pursuit of fine music.
He has a strong baritone voice which he has nurtured through the years, and it has livened many a dinner party or program. This year he has had more opportunities than ever to regale his friends with his well honed talent.
Last January Dr. Warfe was conferred the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, by the North Christian University of Florida.
More recently, during its Charter Day awards, the City of Cebu singled out Dr. Warfe as one of its most outstanding individuals in the field of culture.
The two honors called for a grand celebration for which Dr. Warfe took the entire Salon de Granada and its adjoining terrace at the Casino Español de Cebu, and invited a large group of family and friends to make merry.
A sumptuous buffet dinner was served, but where was he? His best friend, Eddie Dakay, pianist par excellence in the style of Liberace and Dr. Warfe’s usual accompanist, smiled mysteriously as he intimated in Cebuano, “Magpa-guapo.”
Eddie was actually just waiting to be cued so that he could start the program Dr. Warfe had in store for guests. Handsome indeed, Dr. Warfe made a dramatic entrance singing “This Land Is Mine” at the top of his voice as Eddie wrought his magic on the keyboard.
Of course, there was a standing ovation, at the start and at the finish, plus much applause as the evening brought more songs and piano whirls.
Present were Dr. Warfe’s daughters Mariquit with husband Elmer Pasual, Ellen Grace with husband Adam Zacher, and Athena Ever Engracia.
More: Rep. Raul del Mar, former Cebu City Mayor Alvin Garcia with wife Ninette, Gabby Leyson and Tina Jordana, and Flor Ynclino, who knew Warfe as a young radiologist at the clinic of Dr. Nestor Canoy where she was executive secretary.
In his thanksgiving speech, Dr. Warfe recalled those days and paid tribute to Dr. Canoy, his kind mentor in radiology when Dr. Warfe was a young graduate from Cebu’s Southwestern University.
Victory Day
The Consulate of the Russian Federation in Cebu, on behalf of the Russian Embassy in Manila, celebrated Victory Day with a reception and dinner at the Museo Sugbo. In attendance were members of the Russian community in Cebu.
Armi Lopez Garcia, honorary consul of the Russian Federation, welcomed Russian Ambassador Igor Anatolyevich Khovsev, and introduced him to Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and his wife Jobel Angan Davide. At the entrance they were given the traditional Russian bread and salt.
They laid a wreath at the monument of Count Leo Tolstoy, Russia’s greatest literary man of letters, author of “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina.”
The celebration had to do with Russia’s (and the Allies’) victory over the Nazis. On a screen at the party, there was a direct transmission of the observance in Moscow’s Red Square with a military parade that was quite a display of power.
A video presentation was done by consul Dennis Karenin. The program closed with a message of thanks from architect Maxwell Espina, director of the Philippines-Russia Business Assembly and chair of the cultural committee.
‘Kasal’
Flowers of varied colors have given a greater dimension to the slopes of Elena Sy Chua’s Original Sirao Garden Little Amsterdam high up in the mountains of Cebu.
It may be sweltering in the city but it’s cool up there, as it was the day Elena hosted a gathering to wrap up the last scenes of Star Cinema’s “Kasal.”
Present were director Ruel Bayani and the stars—Bea Alonzo, Paolo Avelino and Derek Ramsay.