'A grand lady celebrates!'

As you cross the overpass that connects Cebu City's two large malls, a kilometric billboard advertising perfect vision, the gentle smiling eyes of their image model enthralls you. A well-loved social icon and community leader, Rosa Maria Espina de Garcia, "Tita Nena" to the denizens of the well entrenched Escaño clan, widow of Visayan Electric Company's former CEO, Jose "Cheling" Garcia, took time off from her super busy schedule of prayer meetings, Bible studies and marriage encounter counseling, to celebrate her natal day at the famed Casino Español de Cebu.

Tita Nena, radiant in a sophisticated red gown, started her evening with a Holy Mass celebrated by her eldest son, the equally loved Monsignor Chris Garcia (you should see his fabulous collection of Santo Niños and Mother Mary images!), followed by cocktails of the choicest Spanish red and white wines, a scrumptious dinner buffet - a fusion of Spanish, and a touch of Filipino dishes, specialties of the house, highlighted by juicy, tender roast calf, paella, "bueno, todo rico!" and plentiful deserts.

After Tita Nena wished, blew the candle of her eye-catching birthday cake, a mini "palabas" added to the celebratory feeling. Cebu's famed ballroom pair did two numbers, and the brothers and sisters of Monsignor Chris' congregation the "Society of Angels of Peace" serenaded with upbeat inspirational songs. (Let me tell you, they can give "Sister Bertil's Sister Act Choir" a run for their money any ole time!). They charmed the glittery crowd.

Tita Nena's sons, daughters and in-laws, Monsignor Chris, Melinda G., Marget and Efren Sarmiento, Montito and Liz G, and Dominic and Alma G., and a handful of grand and great-grand children hosted Southlandia's business magnates, social icons, chic matrons and young "movers and shakers"; the likes of the Chari, Lulu and much of the Aboitiz clan, Tony, Lucy and Lisette Garcia, Dennis and Arts Council chair Petite Garcia, Cheling and Susan Sala, Mario and Teresita Mendezona, Pem Lao, Loy and Mari Villalon, Deena Pages, Eddie, Therese and Mark Gonzalez, Zee Magazine editor Jing Ramos, Choy and Rosebud Sala, Hazel Gonzalez, Piluling Aldanese and son Tico, Annie Osmeña-Aboitiz, ultra sophisticate Teresin Mendezona, Cito and Janet Ugarte, much of the Escaño clan, and dozens more of the town's "who'-who." It was a grand night for a grand and true lady of substance. Tita Nena, wishing you seventy-five more years of peace, love, beauty and happiness…………….NOUS!*