Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia celebrated her birthday at the Provincial Capitol’s social hall with a mass of thanksgiving concelebrated by Msgr. Roberto Alesna and Fr. Dan de los Angeles. There was much to thank for as Cebu’s first lady governor has marked eight years of brilliant leadership to make Cebu the No. 1 province in the country. As she says, “debt-free, and insurgency-free.”
Governor Gwen will complete her third term next year, so this was her last birthday as governor. On the occasion of her 57th birth anniversary she was surrounded by provincial officials, family and friends. After the mass there was a program and lunch was served.
Among the members of her family were her father Rep. Pablo Garcia (her predecessor as governor), brothers Rep. Pablo John Garcia and Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia, son Paolo Garcia, daughter Christina and husband Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco.
Seated with Governor Gwen were Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, good friend Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung, and Rep. Ben Hur Salimbangon.
At another table were Germany’s honorary consul Franz Seidenschwarz; Genevieve Benedicto, representing her husband, Romania’s honorary consul Grand Benedicto; Slovakia’s honorary consul Antonio Chiu, Dominica Chua of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, society columnists Flor Ynclino and Mila Espina, Capitol consultants Tessie Javier, Leilani Paredes and Esther Velasquez.
Casino Español de Cebu held its traditional observance of “Dia de la Hispanidad” on Oct. 13, the Saturday closest to Oct. 12, which is the actual day when Spain celebrates its national day as well was the feast of Our Lady of Pilar, patroness of all Hispanic nations, among them the Philippines, of course.
Holy Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Achilles Dakay. On display was a replica of the statue of Our Lady of Pilar as venerated in Zaragoza, Spain. Many of those present were already in formal clothes for the ball that followed at the club’s main ballroom, Salon de España.
Cocktails, including deliciously chilled sangria, and canapes were served at the upper foyer prior to the opening of the door to the ballroom at 7 p.m. This was a great occasion for all to greet the Casino Español’s officers.
President Antonio “Buddy” Veloso Jr. was with his pretty daughter Camille. They explained that his parents, Tony and Edwina Veloso, were in Zamboanga City for festivities of Our Lady of Pilar there. Christy and Gary Muñoz mentioned that Hermanos y Hermanas de Zamboanga in Cebu also had their feast in honor of Our Lady of Pilar at their shrine punctuated by an “Ofrenda de Flores.”
Other officers present were vice president Editho Tirol and his wife Merian, secretary Gabby Leyson and Tina Jordana, treasurer David Chan and wife Tess, sports director Luis Moro III and wife Lynn, cultural and social events director Paco Jarque and wife Monique who is expecting a baby any day now.
New Spanish honorary consul
Among the earliest arrivals were Anton and Maripaz Perdices. He is the newly designated next honorary consul of Spain in Cebu. His installation has been set for Oct. 26 at Salon Madrid of Casino Español. The exequatur will be presented by Spain’s Consul General in Manila, Pilar Villanueva.
The occasion will also serve to open the exhibit “Liberal Streaks” at the Casino Español’s foyer where it will remain for several weeks, open to the public. The exhibit recalls the promulgation of Spain’s first constitution 200 years ago in the Southern City of Cadiz. The Philippines, at that time a colony of Spain, was represented.
Going back to the “Dia” fete, among those present were Mariano and Maricar Perdices (Anton’s parents); Amadeo Chiongbian; Honey Loop (indicating to the photographers what pictures to take and put later in the Casino’s “Boletin “Informativo”); Ana Maria Escaño, seated with Gema Pido and Julie Najar; and Nessie Bernardo from New York, with the group of Terry Manguerra, Chinggay Utzurrum, and Jane Llaban.
Casino Español de Cebu general manager May Ocaba announced the start of a brief program which had the club’s officers up front leading a toast to more years of success.
Everyone was reminded that in 2020 Casino Español de Cebu will be 100 years old. The celebration is already being discussed.
Dinner was served at Salon Madrid showcasing the club’s specialties. There was paella, of course, and carving stations for turkey and prime rib roast, plus two tables dispensing jamon serrano.
The Queso Manchego also rated ohs and ahs. Take a bow, Marina Codina, the club’s food-and-beverage manager.
It was open bar all night long and non-stop dancing. There were two bands, the Rocking ’60s, and the Phoenix. In between there was recorded music and the dance floor was just as filled up. First to strike to the Latin beat were Del and Marilou Ordonez.
Among the “dancingest” couples were Dave and Betty Young, Donald and Zelda Ruiz, Lisette Garcia and Paquing Serafica, Vic and Toots Torres, Lorna and Tony Quisumbing, Jose Mari and Chichi Martinez, Edgar and Cely Chiongbian, Hans and Gilda Lienaw, Marimi Diaz and Rico Rotea, Edwin and Baby Alvarez, Benny and Gema Sala, David Ugarte and Cecille Cuisia, Anita San Jose and partner.
What next at Casino Español de Cebu? After the exhibit of “Liberal Streaks,” the club will start gearing up for the Christmas season. In early December is the annual “Cestas de Navidad” raffle night. Then comes the New Year’s Eve costume ball with its coveted prizes, followed by the coming of the Three Kings with gifts for the members’ children first Sunday of January.