Xavier's light shines in Nuvali

The inauguration of Xavier School Nuvali in Calamba City, Laguna attracted over 500 guests who witnessed the blessing of the school’s first two facilities. The program highlighted the 15-hectare land donation of Aurora Properties, Inc., a joint venture between Ayala Land and the Jose A. Yulo family. The special guest of honor was Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC, who unveiled the commemorative marker, alongside school officials led by school president, Fr. Johnny Go, SJ and board chairman Fr. Ismael Zuloaga, SJ.

Inaugurated during the event were the Henry Sy Sr. Primary School Building and the Ramon S. Ang Gymnasium. Henry Sy Sr. attended the event, accompanied by his wife Felicidad Sy and sons Herbert and Harley Sy, both Xavier alumni. The alumni donors of the building’s 39 especially designed rooms and facilities also attended the blessing. San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the gym.

Over 30 Jesuit priests led by The Very Reverend Fr. Jose Cecilio Magadia, SJ, Provincial Superior, turned up for the blessing and celebration of the Mass of the Holy Spirit, officiated by The Most Rev. Francisco San Diego, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Pasig. The program concluded with a message of thanks from Fr. Johnny Go, SJ and the ceremonial lighting of the Xavier flame by Daniel Ng, student council president of Xavier School in San Juan, and two students of the new school in Nuvali.

The alumni members of the school’s board of trustees were all present to welcome the guests including Rudy Ang, Francis Chua, Carlos Chung, Johnip Cua, Manny Fong, Greg Yu and former board trustee Miguel Tan. The gathering was also a reunion of past and present school administrators, including former school principal Jenny Huang Go (who was the principal during my time in Xavier), Norma Sandoval, Lulu Domingo and Robert Suntay (who was my Religion teacher), as well as former school director, Fr. Alberto Ampil, SJ.

During the lunch reception that capped the morning’s program, the school handed out plaques of appreciation to the individual benefactors of the new school and the first two alumni batches that donated to Xavier School Nuvali, the Class of ‘79 and the Class of ‘86 (my batch).

The day echoed our school motto Luceat Lux or “Let your light shine in Nuvali!”

Happy birthday, Jojie!

It is quite easy to understand — with his ever growing stable of celebrity stars and celebrity brands — why my good friend Jojie Dingcong is forever busy. Every time his friends see an opening in his schedule, they grab it and celebrate with Jojie.

Take for example the time when he just got in from a recent trip abroad. Jojie was free so his good friends Anton Mendoza and Pepito Albert organized a birthday party for him at Anton’s home. It was quite a belated birthday celebration for Jojie but his well-meaning buddies said: “Better late than never.”

Pass-around cocktails included shimiji pritos, stuffed pimiento de pardon, mini hamburguesa with gruyere and manchego cheese with truffle honey. Guests enjoyed the party with either champagne or sangria. The buffet included goat cheese and cherry tomatoes, patatas bravas, vegetarian paella, seafood paella negra, roasted suckling pig and roasted sea bass with chorizo and clams.

The food was catered by Kai but primarily came from the menu of Cerveseria. (Both restaurants are owned by Ricco and Tina Ocampo.)

All of Jojie’s talents showed up in full force including Derek Ramsay, Matteo Guidicelli, Bianca Manalo, Cristalle Belo Henares, Edward Mendez, Gerard Sison, John James Uy, James Reid and his newest talents Jake Letts and Chris Everingham of the Philippine Volcanoes.

Jojie, well loved by many, was given another birthday party after that. This time, the celebration was thrown by Jojie’s good friend Renna Hechanova-Angeles. The party was actually a joint birthday celebration with Raul Manzano. It was held at her parents Paing and Mely Hechanova’s home.

Don Anton Roxas, Baby Fores, Conchita Toda, Doody Tuason, Mila Tambunting, Baby Girl Fricke, Gina Roxas and Bea Zobel Jr. all came to celebrate Jojie and Raul’s birthday. Chicharon and a wonderful artichoke dip were passed around before guests had salpicao, Vietnamese spring rolls, baked salmon, lechon, pochero and other wonderful dishes served by the Hechanova household for dinner.

There were several desserts. Gretchen Cojuangco sent her delicious coffee crunch cake. I “died” and went to heaven when I tried the pistachio sans rival Raul brought.

It was a week of heavy celebrations and partying but it was worth all the calories! Happy birthday, Raul and Jojie!

Passion for the gentleman’s sport

The day started with a bit of rain but sunny skies prevailed by mid-morning as the fourth Grey Goose Invitational teed off at the Santa Elena Golf Club. This year’s invitational game added a new dimension with competing players forming their own teams.

Grey Goose Philippine commercial manager Bobby Campos said, “Grey Goose is one of the finest crafted vodka brands from Cognac, France, the home to the world’s most respected experts in spirit-making. The vodka benefits from the region’s rich tradition. It is made from the finest French wheat, the same wheat used to create delicious French pastries. It also employs an exclusive five-step distillation process to concentrate its exceptional flavor. Pure spring water naturally filtered through Champagne limestone is then blended with the spirit. Grey Goose vodka is lush, smooth and rounded, and melts in the mouth with a long-lasting, satisfying finish.”

The fun continued with a 19th Hole Celebration at Sta. Elena’s Guest House grounds hosted by Jinri Park. Special raffle prizes were provided by Singapore Airlines, Jaguar and Land Rover, Fred Perry, AirGurus Ltd. Co., Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa, Club Car Phils. Inc., Acca Kappa and Balance Lifestyle & Fitness Club. 

The tournament winners for the Class C division  were Marco de Guzman (second runner-up), Raj Moreno (first runner-up) and Noel Sebastian (champion); Class B division winners were Marc Naval (second runner-up), Willy Tee Ten (first runner-up) and Singapore Airlines GM Andrew Budiman (champion); and Class A division winners were John Galang (second runner-up), Vince Lauron (first runner-up) and Danny Morales (champion). The Lowest Gross Champion and Longest Drive awards went to Raymond Sangil, Closest-to-the-Pin award to Paul Salvador and Team Championship award went to Bond Urban Pub.