Doña Georgina at 100

It was a night of glitz and glamour where heirloom jewelries sparkled on the ladies while the men were dashing in their barongs. It was a night like no other, for it was the 100th birthday of the grand Agustin matriarch, Doña Georgina Gelvosa-Agustin at L'Fisher Hotel.

It all began with a secret marriage between Col. Leodegario Natividad Agustin and Georgina Gelvosa. So secret, no one knew, not even their parents. "He was her knight in shining armor. An achiever whose passion was to make his dreams a reality as she played a major role in his dreams. She would be the wind beneath his wings…," say her children.

Through good times and bad times, through raging wars, through famine and sunshine, together they stood the test of time. In eighteen years, they had nine children - Leo, Roem, Delia, Gene, Deanna, V-2, Beaven, Geov and Aymer.

After the war, Col. Agustin got his share of military back pay and he invested it in a fishing boat business which eventually became a whole fleet and he later ventured into the banking business. Thus the birth of the Rural Bank of Hinigaran. In the 1940's the couple was approached by three Christian ladies who had a vision of providing quality Christian education to the needy. Col. and Mrs. Agustin believed in this vision and they mortgaged their haciendas to raise money for the school and today, West Negros College stands.

As the Lord continued to bless them, so did they become a blessing to others. Yet through all these, they lived in modesty and simplicity. Many are amazed how lucid the grand dame still is, giggling at simple jokes, kissing her grandchildren in her special way. When asked about her secret, she said, she reads the Bible daily, sings her favorite hymns, and though near or far, she prays for all her children, her great grandchildren and her great grandchildren every single night. Now on her 100th year, she says she lives for the glory of her King, Jesus Christ.*