Grand Celebration

More than 800 guests… corporate partners, advertisers, news services representtives and ardent readers came to attend the grand celebration of the Freeman`s 100th anniversary at the Grand Convention Center last February 22. The grand affair was also the celebration of our chairman Jose “Dodong” Gullas’ birthday. The Freeman president and CEO Miguel Belmonte and his lovely wife Milet, came all the way from Manila to be with us on this auspicious occasion. Yes… a once-in-lifetime very special event.

Surrounding chairman Dodong Gullas in his table were his children… Jiji and Eva Gullas, The Freeman vice chairman Johnvic Gullas and wife Tricia, the Belmontes, SM Prime Holdings vice president Marissa Fernan, Ambassador Frank Benedicto, and Bobit Avila.

I salute Dodong for his magnanimous trust in the Lord that despite all the challenges along the way, Dodong stood tall and the newspaper has successfully survived. Prayers were answered and the coming of the Philippine Star, led by the dynamic Mr. Miguel Belmonte, lessened the load of Dodong. Praise the Lord!

As the grandiose celebration of “The Freeman 100” continued, one of the most important part of the program was greeting chairman Dodong with a happy birthday song. Yes, everyone happily sang the birthday song to Dodong, whose birthday was on February 1. This was followed with his short message thanking one and all for their endless support to The Freeman, especially to resident Miguel, whom Dodong calls his brother and without a shadow of a doubt will continue to run The Freeman for another 100 years.

And so, the grand celebration of The Freeman centennial had to end marking as the most beautiful, magnificent and memorable event in history of The Freeman.

Congratulations… so wonderful while it lasted!