Before August draws to a close, we hark back to the event that set the trend of this memorable month in Cebu: the golden (50th) wedding celebration of Michel and Amparito Lhuillier last August 2nd. It started with a Holy Mass where they renewed wedding vows at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral followed by a grand reception at the Marco Polo Plaza.
The night before, guests from Manila had a casual get-together with their children Charles, Michael, Yvette and Monique, and their grandchildren.
Monique, now an international fashion designer, designed her mother’s wedding gown.
The Lhuillier’s company was one of the earliest sponsors of the live radio program I hosted over Cebu’s pioneer broadcast station kzRC, later known as dyRC, in the mid-1950s. Madame Amparito would always graciously greeted me when we would casually meet at socials, God bless her!
With my current involvement as columnist for Cebu Daily News for 16 years now, I’m retired from radio broadcasting except for a monthly radio program, and retain my membership with the Cebu Zonta Club I, Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Cebu Council, and the Cebu United Radio and TV Artists (CURTA) Inc. I keep in touch with what is happening, through TV and newspapers. While I’m partially handicapped, I still get around in the house, and when accompanied, make it to gatherings, to church, and important errands, all with my trusty walker.
Two weeks after the shocking suicide of Oscar winner and comedian Robin Williams, we learn that his cremated remains have finally been scattered in San Francisco Bay. Again we pray, God rest his soul.
In the wake of his passing, the media has taken up the subject of depression, a condition that may have driven Williams to his tragic end. Dr. Philip Chua, in his “Heart to Heart” column in CDN last week, wrote about factors that may lead people to commit suicide. Archie Modequillo wrote about “Depression — The Inner Storm” in the Freeman which also had a feature about the signs and symptoms of depression, and what can be done about it. Therse were all most enlightening, considering that while we are all prone to it, including this Bystander, we can cope with it, before it becomes fatally serious, thank God.
Thank God, too, for three joyous days for this Bystander with family, friends and colleagues that started last week.
Last August 20th in the morning, CDN publisher and acting editor in chief Eileen Mangubat and the staff delivered to my house a beautiful pre-birthday floral arrangement and gift. Then at noon, a close friend of many, many years Josephine “Jo” Ocubillo took me out to lunch at a laid back but very popular all-Filpino restaurant, Lola Eats off M. Velez Street. Dessert was halo-halo at Chowking.
The following day, the 21st, my Big Day, I received long distance calls from my eldest daughter Amelia and her children An-An and son Cocoy and their families in Texas; my son Antonio and Rebecca and their three girls in Los Angeles, California; and Ramon and Liza and their four tall boys in Canada.
At noon on the 21st, at our Zonta Club of Cebu I general membership meeting at the Cebu Country Club, we started with greetings to fellow August birthday celebrants: Helena Benedicto, August 18th; this Bystander, August 21st and Anita Sanchez, August 23rd. Thanks with love for the outpouring of gifts and flowers from fellow Zontians Pauline Deduque, Beling Go Ching Hai, Tina Ebrada, and a gift box and baskets from Fina Tanchan and our president Nellie Chiu.
The meeting took up various business concerns of the club: its documentation status and accreditation from the province and city of Cebu; an inspiring video message and direction from our new Zonta International president Maria Jose Landeira Oestergaard; the formation of the club’s committee and framework defining our direction and goals; our strategic plan for 2014 – 2016; and various committee reports.
My sincere apologies and regrets to Mdme. Felisa Chiongbian for having missed her invitation to a meeting which I had earlier promised to attend, before I found out it coincided with a regular professional organization meeting I needed to attend on the same day.
And thanks, too, for the gifts from the Cebu Council of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.
My Bystander-ing report on our GSP Cebu Council meeting last Monday and the overwhelming birthday celebration I was honored with by my nieces Stella Go and Rebecca Sarmenta and her family last Saturday, the 23rd, will hold for next week.
Also for next week, another memorable birthday celebration held last Sunday, the 24th, the 80th birthday celebration of Rosita “Rose” Rizada at the City Sports Club.
This opened with a Eucharistic celebration officiated by Msgr. Jose “Father Joe” Tajanlangit, our first parish priest when the Alliance of Two Hearts was established for barangay Banawa. More memories, here, and more memories to share next week.
Until then, as always, may God continue to bless us one and all!