A Birthday Full of Surprises

Our good friend Fermin Ynclino, husband of our colleague Flor, had surprises when he turned all of 80 years old on his last birthday.

His children Fred, Fides, Fiza and Felicia (all living abroad) gave a surprise birthday celebration at the Casino Español de Cebu. Of the four children, only Fiza came. The party was organized by planners Mila and Paolo Cabiluna, and Adele Veloso. It was replete with dinner, video presentation of Fermin's travels abroad, songs rendered by friends Monette Aliño and Freddie Salimbangon.

Everything ran smoothly including Fer's blowing of candles on a fondant cake placed on top of the 79 cupcakes…a labor of love by Alice Aguirre, which was also a surprise for the birthday guy. Another surprise was the 35 bottles of wine plus champagne with Fer's grandchildren's names printed on the labels of the wine, courtesy of the Yeungs: when the party was almost over and it was time to settle the bills, Carlos and Mariquita Yeung took the tabs and declared…"this will be on us!" Fiza and Flor were both stunned and couldn't believe it. But Carlos and Kit hugged Flor and Fiza and told them… "this is long overdue!" Overwhelmed, both mother and daughter could only say: Praise the Lord!