Outgoing president Stella Solero Bernabe explained that Zonta International is an organization of professional women working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy.
One of the club’s main projects in Cebu is the Pink Center for women and children at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Hospital. The ladies are also concerned with micro financing, assistance for public schools, and sustainable programs on health and environment.
Incoming president is Lucille Colina, wife of businessman Vincent Colina. After many years living in the Detroit area (Michigan, US), they have come home to Cebu and built themselves a beautiful house with a great view at Maria Luisa Park.
Aside from Lucille, newly inducted officers are vice presidents Isabel Garcia (internal) and Zelia Borromeo (external); secretaries Nellie Chiu and Letty Canoy; treasurers Pauline Deduque and Lucy Segura; PRO Cristina Ebrada, a former president; auditor Erlinda Binghay; and directors Malu Mendez and Stella Bernabe.
Mila Espina, also a former president, hosted the program which featured excerpts from “Mamma Mia” performed by the Amparito Llamas Lhuillier scholars from the University of San Jose Recoletos.
There were numerous awards presented, and among the recipients were Zonta Area III director Anita Sanchez; Merle Cunanan who had taken charge of the Comelec; and event chairs Chabeng Garcia and Tina Ebrada.
For the finale, Zontians and guests sang together “You’ve Got a Friend.” But that wasn’t the end of the celebration. Dance music played and the ladies took to the dance floor with gusto.
They are all looking forward to a grand occasion next year when Cebu Zonta I, chartered in 1968, will celebrate a Sapphire Jubilee (45 years). They are already drawing up the committees.
Zonta Club of Cebu II
Just as enjoyable and quite colorful was the floral-themed installation of officers of the Zonta Club of Cebu II, held at the ballroom of the Cebu Country Club.
Myrna Cruz Tan has taken up the presidency from Jane Young Llaban who, on this occasion, delivered an emotion-packed valedictory speech. She presented hand-painted pashmina shawls to each and every.
There was a collective sigh when Eduardo Alegrado gallantly presented Myrna with a huge bouquet of roses. Everyone knows what that means in the language of the flowers.
Also inducted into office were president Cynthia Dagus; vice president Mariter Klepp; secretaries Petite Garcia (recording) and Elsa Basubas (corresponding); treasurers Marietta Malinao and Terry Manguerra; and PROs Betty Young and Chinggay Utzurrum.
In the board of directors are Flor Miel (area director), Odette Jereza, Filna Espina, Elena Young, Marilou Cañizares and Mildred Simolde.
This was an occasion to induct new members like Angelina Escaño, Edwina Wu, Suan Tiu, Teresita Tio and Pinky Chang.
Shortly after the event, Myrna, Petite, Elena, Filna, Nancy Velez, Jane Llaban, and Elsa took off for Torino in Italy to attend the Zonta international convention. They took the opportunity to visit other cities of northern Italy.
Petite has recounted their operatic experiences in La Scala de Milan for “Don Pasquale,” the arena at Verona for “Aida,” and La Fenice in Venice for a modern version of “Carmen” that featured Formula 1 vehicles.
Back in Cebu the Zonta II ladies were in the thick of rehearsals for their club’s 30th anniversary bash, also held at the ballroom of the Country Club. Guest of honor and speaker was Olive Ferry, past Zonta International president.
Myrna pointed out on this 30th anniversary that the key word is “pearl,” and what those initials stand for: P is for participation and integration, E for education and empowerment, A for advocacy and active support, R for raising awareness, and L for livelihood training.
That sums up their year-round activities in varied projects ranging from the Pink Center stated above to daycare centers, and a children’s reading center in the Cebu City Library.
This was an occasion to recall past presidents, most of whom were present: Amelia Enriquez, Josie Sala, Pet Misa, Rosario Alfaro, Elena Young, Margot Larrañaga, Lourdes Jereza, Marilou Cañizares, Ma. Theresa Klepp, Filna Espina, Flor Miel, Betty Young, Elsa Basubas and Jane Llaban.
The evening’s highlight was a performance by 18 Zontians titled “Miligoy de Cebu,” a dance inspired by the twittering and hop-hop-hopping of a bird endemic to Cebu. Applause was deafening.
Roland Suarez and his musical ensemble had been dishing out Cebuano music throughout the night. After “Miligoy,” they shifted to modern tunes, easily danceable to the delight of the ladies, some of whom had made sure there were dancing instructors around.
Said one of the twirling ladies in Cebuano, “Ka lami, tuli-lik diri, tuli-lik diha …”