Sixty-six and still expanding

E tu Italia. That country has also issued warnings to its citizens against traveling here, especially in Mindanao where their fellow Italian, missionary Fr. Giancarlo Bossi continues to be held captive by unidentified bandits. Previously, it had only been the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States that had clearly warned their people here with all those advisories. But who can blame the Italians for doing that? Until now, Father Bossi has neither been rescued nor located, military declarations notwithstanding.

***

After about four weeks without a clue, we now hear officials saying that maybe the abductors of Father Bossi were not rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or insurgents. They are now eyeing the Abu Sayyaf Group as the possible culprits. Now that the Italian government has sent its representative to help in the search for Bossi, maybe we will get more action and hear of more "sightings" from the police and the army. What we should be concerned about, meanwhile is whether the representative brought some ransom money, and who will be the ones advising her on how to dispense it.

***

Another one. Another passenger cracked a "bomb joke" while on the plane and was promptly taken off the aircraft by airport police for investigation. The joker happened to be an actor who was bound for Palawan for some shooting job. Apparently annoyed at being reminded by the steward to place his hand luggage in the overhead rack, he said there was a bomb in it. Later, actor Jay Manalo was reported as saying, "I never imagined there was such a law", Oh? And what other laws are there that he does not know about?

***

It was quite a busy day in Bacolod City yesterday with so many social affairs scheduled. Our day started at 10:30 a.m. with the launching of the Philippine Airlines photo exhibit at the SM Mall called "PAL at 66". Has PAL indeed been around that long? Sixty-six! Had it been a human worker, it would have retired a year ago already. But this one has been getting bigger and bigger and continues to keep up with world trends in flight services. And the major events and the intrepid people who had headed it and brought it to its present stature, many of whom have already flown on their lastflights to the Great Beyond, should be remembered and congratulated!

***

A distinction that other airlines here will never be able to top or even equal, is that of being the first airline of Asia, and the country's first flag carrier. And the series of blown-up photographs that are now displayed at the SM shows how PAL has flown some of the world's most important and famous personalities. It was exciting to see the Miss Universe candidates from various countries being brought in by PAL, and see movie stars, presidents, and world celebrities among its passengers.

But the most distinguished and beloved one of all, was the late Pope John Paul II, who had twice visited the Philippines and went around it on board PAL. A very touching photo was the one of the Holy Father holding a child, taken at the Bacolod Airport. Local manager Job Lamela and Rene Soliman, manager of the airline's Corporate Communication department told us the same child, already a teenager, was taken to see the Pope when he returned to RP in 1995!

***

In the afternoon, there was the Appreciation Cocktail party tendered by Waterfront Hotel at the L'Fisher Hotel that drew businessmen and women as well as local officials and members of local media. That, too, was a very successful affair, with the charming hotel representatives Hembler Mendoza, Shell Arciaga and Renee Villasin displaying the signature Waterfront P.R. The blitz lasted till early evening, but we had to leave to prepare for another affair.

***

And this was the very elegant, very well-attended 50th, or Golden Wedding Anniversary bash offered by the family of the very well-loved couple, Rudy and Janette, nee Gatuslao, Remitio at the La Proa Ballroom of L'Fisher. Guests in dazzling gowns and crisp barongs practically filled up the entire place. But of course there was space left for the well-prepared and much applauded presentation performer by the children and grandchildren of Rudy and Janette, who astounded everybody with their youthful looks and enviable figures.

The Gatuslao clan came in full force, as did the numerous friends of the very outgoing couple, who opened the dance for the crowd who soon joined them on the floor. It was a truly wonderful night, and STAR readers will hear more about it when "Behind the Scenes" comes on. Meanwhile, a very Happy Golden Day, Janette and Rudy, we look forward to the Diamond one!*

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