On this "CWC Recognition Day," the whole afternoon was spent honoring 46 members. Each received a rosary (in lieu of a plaque) especially made for them.
Sofia Zobel-E. noted, "A rosary would be most appropriate since the group is composed of Catholic ladies." She asked the Sisters of the Immaculate based in Novaliches and Cebu to create the rosaries out of south sea pearls. The rosaries were greatly appreciated by all the honorees.
Recognized for their faithfulness to the CWC, palanggas, were Leonor Guerrero, who has been a CWC member for 64 years; Ma. Paz Brimo, 56 years; Mercedes Gonzalez, 54 years; Consuelo Preysler, 49 years; Miren Foley and Elsie Perrine, 45 years; Miren Achaval, 44 years; Carmen Gaspar, Carmiña Mantecon and Olga Larrazabal, 41 years; Marites Climent and Socorro Fong, 40 years; Beatriz Zobel and Angeles Bartelson, 38 years; Carmen Klingler, Mercedes McMicking and Isabel Oriol, 36 years; Imelda Reyes and Dolores Roces, 35 years; Conchitina Ladao and Ana Maria Schulze, 34 years; Fely Dy Buncio and Carmen Carceller, 33 years; Asuncion del Rosario and Luz Santos, 32 years; Josefina Borromeo, Virginia Borromeo and Margarita Ugarte, 31 years; Carmen Carag, Lydia Miciano, Carmen Paradies, and Ma. del Pilar Roxas, 30 years; Myrna Borromeo and Alice Briones, 28 years; Maureen Sandejas, 27 years; Eleanor Ann Esteban, Feliza Kintanar, Ana Olondriz, Nena O’Pallick, May Perez and Carmen Picornell, 26 years; Miren Berenguer-Testa, Nena Casimiro and Diana Espino, 25 years.
Cecile Ortigas was a special awardee, dahlings. A past president, she makes an effort to attend functions despite her present condition.
A posthumous award was given to Victoria Miailhe who was active from 1946 until she passed away in 1999. Madame Miailhe was a French national who frequented CWC affairs whenever she was in Cosmo Manille. Her grandson Edouard received the award on her behalf. He spoke glowingly of his grandmother’s work with the church which earned her a Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award. Edouard’s wife Sevrine had been advised by Madame Miailhe to join the CWC as soon as the couple had settled in Manille.
The responses on behalf of each category, palanggas, were delivered by Mercedes Zobel McMicking (first category); Eleanor Esteban (25 to 29 years); Carmen Carag (30 to 39 years); Carmiña Mantecon (40 to 49 years); and Mercedes Gonzalez (50 to 64 years).
The last speaker, 88-year-old Mercedes Gonzales, shared her memories as an active member for the past 54 years. Her reminiscences were highly interesting to all the members present especially the newly-inducted ones like Leonor Orosa Goquingco; Nenuca Blardony; Corinna Caparas; world-class couturier Patis Tesoro; vivacious Cecile Limjoco; mi amiga Bambi Harper; Narda Camacho; Shigeko Diploma; Carla Santos; Baby de Villa; ultra-glamorous Mellie Ablaza; Baby Masangkay; Arie Samson; Nena Elizalde; Nora Malabanan; Trixie Castañeda; and Mary Ann Baclao.
President Lulu Castañeda revealed that the CWC’s strength lay in the close relationship of its members who are not only pals and associates, but oftentimes mothers and daughters.
As a fitting climax to the affair, 11 mother and daughter pairs were called to receive the club’s token of appreciation. Among them were Miren Achaval and Ane Miren Preysler; Carmen Carceller and Carmiña Mantecon; Eleanor Ann "Elly" Esteban and Patricia Vergel de Dios; Rita Garcia and Pilar Aldanese; Aurora Gonzalez and Marilen Elizalde and Angie Hager; Leonor Guerrero and Miren Berenguer-Testa; Asuncion del Rosario and Gina Yupangco; our palangga Chit Salud and Irene Salud; Kamla Singh and Sharmila Hiranand; Mimi Valerio and Nikki Valerio; and Beatriz "Bea" Zobel and Sofia Zobel de Elizalde.
It should be noted that the lady with the longest membership, Leonor Guerrero (a member for 64 years), palanggas, was recognized with her daughter Miren Berenguer-Testa who has been with the CWC for 25 years, just like Carmen Carceller.
What exceptional ladies, aren’t they, dahlings?
Be happy. See you.