Titas de Bacolod

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

So, how was your Valentine’s Day celebration? Memorable and romantic (I hope!).

Some people think it’s vastly overrated, but why shouldn’t love be celebrated in a grand manner? It is after all, what makes the world go ‘round, isn’t it? Wouldn’t this be a dreary world if we didn’t have love to keep us going?

Bacolodnons celebrated Valentine’s Day with a bang as usual. This was a special day for the WOW ladies, who held a most successful bloodletting activity at the Amity HQ in Hilado Street, Shopping Center, in partnership with the GMA Kapuso TV Network.

The place was bustling with activity as a huge number of donors came to donate blood for a worthy cause. Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya came to give moral support to the WOW Club for this worthwhile endeavor.

The WOW ladies, led by their president, Inday Pefianco, served hot arroz caldo donated by Mely’s Garden restaurant, with freshly baked bread brought by members of the Negros Occidental Rainbow Foundation.

In the evening, traffic was practically at a standstill as most people were out for dinner with their family and loved ones.

Our group at the DAILY STAR had a special Valentine’s dinner at L’Fisher Hotel, which was offering a special international menu for the special day. The place was crowded to overflowing. Families and sweet twosomes enjoyed the gastronomic experience while romantic violins serenaded the crowd with popular love songs.

Ah, what a lovely evening it was to celebrate the day of love.*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

Shades of pink and lilac with a touch of silver set the mood of a pretty little girl’s Barbie-themed birthday party. The celebrator, Ysabella Andrea Dormido, known to family and friends as Bella, especially requested for a ballerina Barbie-inspired party as she turned four this month.

Guests came dressed as Ken and Barbie. The excited little guests and their mommies filled the L’ Sea Restaurant function room, that was transformed into a “Barbie Party Room” with décor of colors and toys so close to a little girl’s heart.

Bella and her classmates from L’Ecole opened the party with a fantastic dance number which drew rapturous applause from the audience. She and close friends Lance, Lysander, Shae and Anne made guests giggle and enjoy while they energetically danced to One Direction's Live “While We're Young”. Little boys Ali Visitacion and Myron Garth Lipa serenaded the birthday girl with their own renditions of “My Heart Will Go On” and “Just the Way You Are”, respectively.

Aside from the kiddie games and pabitin, the children had fun watching the puppet show, courtesy of Mr. Wilson. The kids were amazed when they witnessed the highlight of the party – The Bubble Show. Giant and small bubbles floating in the air made the children jump and shout for joy. The kids were also given a chance to try their hands at making bubbles.

Bell is the daughter of Engineer Crispin Dormido and ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Yasmin Pascual-Dormido.

Keisha Cheniese Alquizar won as best in Barbie costume, with Yumi Miranda and Beatrice Mijares as first and second runners-up. After feasting on the yummy food especially prepared for the party, everyone enjoyed the games, songs and dances which they all participated in.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELL!*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

The Ruby Jubilee of the Riverside Nursing Graduating Class ’73 Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 was a most unforgettable reunion with the arrival of class members from USA, Europe and other places in the Philippines.

The organizers abroad, Necoy Lim, Beng Pido, and Lea Agudelo, and their local counterparts, led by Lourdes Lobaton, left no stone unturned to ensure the success of their much-awaited reunion.

January 29 was the day the members arrived. The scene was complete bedlam as they welcomed their friends with tears of joy, shrieks of recognition and amazement, and spent the day bonding again and touring the old familiar places. A fellowship dinner was enjoyed by all at Ading’s Pala-pala.

The next day, a thanksgiving mass was held at the chapel of their alma mater, Riverside College. It was another day of touring the new landmarks of the city. A sumptuous dinner was held at Aboy’s where they sated themselves with their favorite local delicacies.

The third day highlight was a festive lunch at Manokan Country. In the evening, a riotous Mardi Gras was held at Palmas del Mar, where everyone came in spectacular costumes. What a riot it was! Queen of the Mardi Gras was Yolanda Panes, who looked absolutely fabulous that evening. There was dancing until the wee hours and some members almost passed out from exhaustion.

The Gala Night was the finale of the celebration. This time, everyone came dressed to the nines in their best evening attire complete with bling-bling! After the delicious feast especially prepared for the occasion, Cristina Agudelo Dee, looking drop-dead gorgeous in her stunning gown, gave a touching speech that left the audience misty-eyed. She then entertained the crowd with a beautiful operatic song, followed by a show-stopping Broadway number “So in Love”.

The members paid tribute to their Manay Pamplona, who was their strict but loving “terror matron” during their student years. In response, “Manay” sang to her former students. A video presentation of their old school-day photos elicited screams of horror and delight among the alumni. Then it was time to dance, dance, dance “until you drop”!

Wotta night!

Thank you to you dear friend, Paula Gustilo, for arranging our invitation to this unforgettable reunion. I know the class will treasure the laughter, triumphs and struggles of their student days. Everyone declared that this reunion will stay in their memories forever.*