Surprises on Nina's birthday

Some three hundred or so guests motored to the topmost hill in Guba, Talamban, to be at the birthday bash of Nena Gullas – the beloved wife of Dodong Gullas who turned all of 40 years young. The beautiful house of Dodong and Nena, located in the hills of Guba is nestled on top of a four-hectare property commanding a panoramic vista of Guba and the hills nearby. The scene is truly fascinating!

Before Nena’s birthday, Dodong kept in wraps all that he planned for Nena’s red letter day. So, on that very day, Saturday, April 10, a thanksgiving Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Candido Saladaga Jr., Order of St. Augustine, Fr. Raymond Alcayaga and Fr. Pacifico Noharra Jr. The award-winning UV Chorale provided the Mass songs and hymns. Right after the Mass, a big dinner reception followed at the side yard of the Gullas home with three large tents in red, adorned with colorful festoons and balloons. On one side of the tent was the Renaissance band, which rendered old romantic melodies.

While dinner was going in, a big surprise for Nena was the arrival of Pilita Corales who sang the birthday song as she entered the party area. A few seconds later, the waiters rolled in to the hall a huge four-layer fondant birthday cake in varied hues, which actually was planed in from Pastry Bin – a very famous bakeshop in Manila owned by Penk Ching and Shen Ratilla. And was Nena surprised! Indeed, she was so excited to see Pilita and the two hugged each other like long lost friends.

Since Dodong is a lover of Visayan songs, Pilita of course favored Dodong with his favorite romantic Visayan songs. After which, Nena belted out two songs – Usahay and Matud Nila and later Pilita sang with her. It was a beautiful surprise for all.

As the celebration was about to end, the inimitable emcee Jude Bacalso asked some relatives and friends to give tribute to the celebrator. And the first to do so was Nena’s husband Dodong who was happy to say with candor that “he thanked Nena for being always there when he needed her, especially during his knee operation where Nena was always smiling, serving him!” Everybody had lumps in their throats and so touched with his message. The others then followed suit.

The affair was very successful and Dodong and Nena thanked one and all for gracing the occasion! ?