It was a Type O reunion for supporters and friends who filled a hotel ballroom last night to celebrate the birthday of former mayor Tomas Osmena and his councilor wife, Margot.
Margot turned 65 while her spouse celebrates his 66th year today.
They blew out candles in a birthday cake that was decorated with their 2013 campaign logo “Type O”.
Some Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) supporters wore yellow t-shirts with “I’m back” printed at the back with the couple’s picture and birthday greetings in front.
Among those at the Harolds Hotel bash were both Cebu city congressmen Rodrigo Abellanosa (south district) and Raul del Mar (north district), councilors James Cuenco, Hans Abella, Nestor Archival, Leah Japson, Alvin Arcilla, Noel Wenceslao, and Sisinio Andales.
Abella and Cuenco are allied with Team Rama but keep good relations with Margot.
Also in the crowd were barangay officials and some City Hall department heads.
After dinner, a video presented achievements and family photos of the Osmeña couple, who also marked their 31st wedding anniversary on Wednesday.
There were images of their only son Miguel, his wife Bea and their grandchild Anna Margarita Victoria.
Bea gave birth in the US on Monday.
The Osmeña couple will leave for the US on Monday to visit their first grandchild.
The five-minute video included reports of Cebu City’s inclusion in the list of the best cities in Asia, Best Performing LGU award in 1987 and a photo of the South Road Properties, which Tomas considers his landmark project as former mayor.
Supporters applauded when one slide showed a medical certificate issued by MD Anderson Cancer Center. T saying that Tomas was cancer-free.
The last slide simply said “I’m back.”
In a speech, Margot said that while she deals with several problems, she has many reasons to be thankful.
She said she has a good husband, a good son and a good daughter-in-law, and now they have a new addition to the family, her first grandchild.
“No matter what happens. Overall, it’s a good life and I’m so grateful I married a good man,” she said.
Margot thanked all those who came to the party and joked that she would issue them a certificate of attendance to show to their critics.
She also thanked those who did not come but sent her text messages.
“We respect whatever reasons they gave us,” she said.
In his turn, Tomas said he was proud to have a hardworking wife who passed the most number of committee reports in the City Council.
In last Wednesday’s session, Margot delivered 15 committee reports.
Tomas talked about the need to get involved in nation building and thanked those who shared his dreams when he was still mayor.
Some in the crowd asked Tomas to “come back” to City Hall, a reference to the election in 2016.
He just smiled.