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| Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion |
There was a huge crowd from all sectors of the local community at Bacolod's St. John Mary Vianney Hall when Very Reverend, Fr. Felix Pasquin, well-loved rector of the San Sebastian Cathedral, celebrated his 70 th birthday July 29.
By the time John Orola and yours truly arrived, Fr. Raymond Asoy was holding the audience in stitches delivering his homily with his irrepressible humor and wit. After the mass, Fr. Pasquin welcomed everyone who came to celebrate his birthday and the crowd responded with a vigorous rendition of the Happy Birthday song.
The guests enjoyed the sumptuous dinner which began with a generous serving of everyone's favorite – lechon. After each one had his fill of the delectable food, the program began with a vocal solo by baritone Woodro Guanzon, Parish Pastoral Council president, who sang “The Impossible Dream” to the delight of the crowd. Another guest who rendered a song was Mayor Monico Puentevella, who sang a touching Filipino song a capella and was loudly applauded.
Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra went up the stage to deliver his birthday greetings to Fr. Pasquin, who embraced him warmly. A slight mishap occurred when the top portion of the towering birthday cake fell, due to a wobbly table on stage. Nevertheless, the two gentlemen gamely went on spoon-feeding each other with slices of the birthday cake amid laughter and applause from the audience.
It was obvious how happy Fr. Pasquin was on his natal day and how the people hold him in high esteem and affection. Happy Birthday, Fr. Pasquin! *
