Titas de Bacolod

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

“Omigosh, Wow!”

This was the inevitable reaction of guests to Dr. Rudy Patiño’s newly renovated house in Silay, during his birthday celebration recently. We were happily surprised to see the front lawn spruced up with plants and greens, creating a fitting entrance to the house.

Our affable and genial host greeted us warmly and immediately led us to a tour of his spectacular bedroom, which simply took our breaths away. The room was enormous with a sunken entertainment area done in immaculate white. His fine collection of huge reproductions of famous paintings in Europe dominates the entire room. Various objects d’ art were strategically placed to enhance the effect. The king-sized bed looked so inviting that our whole group couldn’t resist sitting on it for a photo op with former Rep. Kako Lacson.

Dr. Rudy then led us to his incredible bathroom which was as huge as an entire living room. Various works of art filled the room, including a beautiful chandelier, giving it a romantic glow. We noticed the top-of-the-line accoutrements for the toilet and bath. My goodness, one would feel like a king to bathe in a place like this!

When asked who was his interior designer, Dr. Rudy smilingly said, “That’s me!”

Soon, the rest of the guests arrived and everyone indulged in the gustatory pleasures the doctor had tastefully laid out especially for guests. It was a delightful evening of fine friends, who enjoyed each other’s company amid a very welcoming relaxed ambience.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR RUDY!*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

 Ever been to a well-dressed party where the guests kept laughing all night?

Well, this happened recently during the Sunshine Boys' joint birthday celebration at L'Fisher Hotel. Birthday celebrators, Drs. Ricardo Yanson, Serafin Jimena Jr. and Ed Mercado, Pompeyo Querubin, Judge Jesus Ramos and Milque Benedicto, were all a picture of sartorial elegance in their formal coat and tie attires. They certainly gave a party with style, even giving away raffle cash prizes from P2,000 up to P10,000!

Most of the specially invited guests were the WOW ladies, who came dressed to the nines, led by president Inday Pefianco. Wine flowed all night as the hosts mingled, making chica-chica and photo ops with their lovely guests. The always witty emcee, Monet Rojas, who was later joined by the equally witty, William Mirano, carried the ball all throughout the entertaining program with his adlibs and bon mots.

Even Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella sang, “It's a Wonderful World” for the birthday celebrators. This was followed by a special guest from Dumaguete City, Nene Belloso, who sang, “My Way”.

Dinner was excellent. Everyone enjoyed the array of superb dishes especially prepared for the occasion. After the meal, Monet introduced a very funny guest performer, Norman Mitchell, a stand-up comedian, singer and stage personality, who brought the house down with his antics and jokes. His side-splitting performance left the audience weak from laughing so much. He even got everyone to sing along with him (how on earth did he ever do that!), with the songs, “Matilda”, and “Day-O”.

I tell you, I have never laughed so hard at a party in all my life! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUNSHINE BOYS!*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

The moment I stepped into the Queen of Peace Parish for the elegant afternoon wedding of Erween Calvo and Jessica Ho, I was struck by how attractive and good-looking the bridal entourage and guests were.
         
Everyone was dressed to the nines - the ladies in their glamorous gowns and the gents in coat and tie. Motif of the wedding was peach and Tiffany green.
         
The first time Erween saw Jessica, he was gobsmacked by her beauty and he said to himself, “This is the girl I’m going to marry”. He wooed her until she said yes, but marriage still had to wait for another six years. Erween had to pursue his college course at West End College in London where he earned a postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies. In the meantime, Jessica left for the UK to work as a nurse at Clementine Churchill Hospital in London. Yet they kept their love burning brightly through emails, long distance calls, skype, etc.
         
Finally, the long-awaited wedding day came. Erween stood nervously at the altar as his bride walked down the aisle while a string quartet played gently in the background. The violin wrought its magic with the hauntingly beautiful love theme, “A Thousand Years” from the movie, “Twilight”.
         
The crowd oohed and aahed at Jessica’s fabulous wedding gown, highlighted by a giant petal skirt adorned with shimmering beads.
         
The wedding reception was held at L’Fisher Hotel where the guests feasted on superbly prepared cuisine while the couple made a surprise exhibition dance number. A most touching moment was the father of the bride’s emotional speech where he revealed that he didn’t want her to marry at first because in his eyes, she was still his little girl. But seeing how his daughter looked so happy with Erween, he reluctantly conceded, with a gentle admonition for Erween to treat her well or else, give his daughter back to him!

There wasn’t a dry eye when father and daughter embraced tearfully. They were soon joined by Erween in a group hug.

The couple will settle in London.*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

    It was time for the people of Bacolod to hear what our congressman, Evelio “Bing” Leonardia, of the lone district of Bacolod, was doing in Congress. His birthday celebration July 10 at the Garden Royale, Goldenfields Complex in Bacolod City, was a most opportune time for Bing’s State of the District Address.

    The crowd began gathering at the venue as early as 10 a.m. for the Holy Mass, concelebrated by Frs. Mao Buenafe and Belarmino Obordo. It was a heady mix of politicians, businessmen, academe, movers and shakers, media, civic leaders, supporters and well wishers, etc. A burst of thunderous applause greeted Rep Bing, who arrived with wife Elsa and daughter Kara.

    The program began immediately after the mass, and everyone was eager to hear the congressman’s report to the district. Bing began his report with a description of his assuming his congressional seat at the height of the PDAF scandal and the abolition of the pork barrel funds.

    Being a neophyte congressman, he said he refused to accept that “our congressional leadership would rise or fall on the issue of pork alone”. He then went from one Cabinet secretary to another, from office to office, seeking ways and means for the realization of a dream for a better Bacolod. His efforts paid off because while the lone district lost P35 million in PDAF funds for 2013, and another P70 million for 2014, it actually got P892,843,735 worth of public works and infrastructure projects in the last 12 months!

    The congressman then reported in detail the kind of projects the money would go to, which was met with continuous applause from the audience. He also revealed that as a representative, he is a member of eight different committees and is senior vice chair of Transportation, which is probably the highest committee position a neophyte could get in this 16th Congress.

    He has already filed 43 bills in the last 31 work weeks of Congress: an efficiency rating of 1.4 bills per week. These bills have immense significance not just to the nation but especially to the lone district of Bacolod.

    After his impressive SODA, the birthday celebration began with a sumptuous luncheon enjoyed by all the guests. Congratulations, congressman, on your job well done and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Bing!*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

How can two people stay in love for 45 years?

We should ask our dear friends, Nene and Mellie (Mejeca) Leonardia, who recently celebrated their 45 th wedding anniversary in a joyful and intimate celebration at their well-appointed home in Santa Clara Subdivision, Bacolod City, with family members and friends.

Nene looked handsome and debonair in his barong, while Mellie was radiant in a pale blue outfit that was elegant in its simplicity. Fr. Felix Pasquin, a close family friend, officiated at the ceremony.

As the couple renewed their vows, the crowd burst out laughing when Nene answered, “I do!” in a loud voice when asked by the priest, “Do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife…?”

The reception was held at the sprawling garden, that was made festive with a big beautiful white tent draped with sheer gauzy swaths from the ceiling, while a 3-piece band entertained the guests with songs of yesteryears. Everyone enjoyed the mouth-watering dishes specially made for the occasion. Red wine was served to those who cared to have a drink while the rest enjoyed the delicious refreshing concoctions from the refreshment station.

Friends kept asking the couple what was the secret of their successful marriage. With a smile, Nene said it takes love, hard work and respect for each other. To this, Mellie could only smile and nod her head shyly. I couldn't help remembering the lyrics of my favorite song which I found so apropos, “How do you keep the music playing, how do you make it last…How do you keep the song from fading too fast?...

Ahhh, that's love!*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

There’s never a dull moment in a WOW gathering.

These “Women of Wonders” always manage to make each occasion a fantastic must-go happening. Not even a heavy thunderstorm and windswept rains could prevent the ladies from attending the recent second joint birthday celebration and induction of members at the Ambience Hall of the Bacolod Pavillon Hotel.

As soon as the slightly-soaked guests arrived, they were served delicious red wines especially chosen by WOW president Inday Pefianco. Soon, the hall was filled with elegantly dressed members with their favorite blings designed to compete with the brilliance of the fantastic lights in the venue.

Judge Lorna Demonteverde, in a form-fitting black dress with a stunning décolletage, inducted the members of the club. Talented member Aimee Villa entertained the audience with her upbeat songs ala Nora Jones. There were 10 birthday celebrators, who blew the candles on the huge birthday cake while the entire club sang Happy Birthday. The dance floor was filled with the adventurous members, who performed the Line Dance amid much laughter and ribbing from the audience.

Dinner was a special presentation of superbly-done dishes, which had the guests coming back for seconds. Then, it was time to let your hair down and dance, dance, dance! The entire room was swinging with ballroom dancers, who ripped up the dance floor with their unbridled energy as they danced till they dropped!

What a swellegant, elegant party it was!*