Of endings and beginnings

At midnight tonight the year 2009 will come to an end. The past months may have not been the best of times for certain individuals, with all the natural calamities and their effects on people’s lives. These setbacks should not stop us from reminiscing and being thankful for the happy memories we shared with families and dear friends in the past years. After all, they remain our source of inspiration, our happiness and our love.

There is no better occasion to celebrate wonderful times than birthdays. This is what Mila Espina did with some of her closest friends during a lauriat dinner at the White Gold Restaurant.

The tireless civic leader that she is, not to mention a well-respected writer and everybody’s friend, Mila’s celebration was witnessed by a diverse sector of the community.  Dedicated members of the We Care Group were in attendance, as well as colleagues from the academe and cause- oriented organizations.

Anna Fegi, a former student of Espina who performs at Disneyland Hong Kong, flew in for the affair and  belted out Broadway hits and favorite love songs.

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Another birthday celebrant was Dawnie Roa, the outgoing regional director of the Department of Tourism. While she was firm about simply having a quiet dinner, her dear friends would not hear of it. Jenny Franco of Travel Vision, who instigated the whole shebang — which is what it turned out to be,  gathered individuals who have known Dawnie through the years to an evening of wine, food, songs and lots of laughter and surprises. In attendance were hoteliers, travel and tour specialists and special friends who wished the celebrant continued blessings and the very best of life.

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Speaking of new beginnings, new life, Paco Jarque and his wife, the former Monique del Gallego, waited three years for the arrival of their bundle of joy, Tamara Alaina. Family friend Fr. Fausto Luzentales officiated the baptismal ceremony, which was truly made more memorable by the fact that he also baptized Monique at the same baptistry a generation ago.  Godparents included Bryan and Chaveli Head, Thomas and Michelle Ngo, Marko Sarmiento, Stefanie Olano, Jade Rabacal, Alfonso Lujan, Ritchie Go and Maia Martinez. Beaming abuelitos and abuelitas were Cisco and Maria Elena Jarque and Cuco and Marilen del Gallego.

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Rios and Lara Agua were more than delighted to present the newest member of their family, Ravi Angelo Agua. Equally proud were grandparents Marius Agua, Angelo Verdan and Lani Echavez. Chosen as godparents for baptism  were Laarni Springer, Tracy Tortosa, Ana Criste Loma, Jesson Lim, Bong Paredes, Manuel Quezon and Justin Arrieta.