Birthdays
It was a beautiful celebration of life and love when the beloved and esteemed Martina “Beling” Go Ching Hai turned all of 90 years. The red-letter affair was organized by her loving children: Paulette Gail and husband Jasper Tan; Janette Nellie and hubby Antonio Chiu; Edward and wife Eleanor.
All the guests stood up as Tita Beling made her grand entrance at the Cebu Country Club ballroom. There was a hush during the invocation when Gen. Benjamin Defensor and singing talent Jacquiee Torreon sang The Prayer while Dance Sports pair Jeff Benarao and Therese Quilaton performed a dance prayer. Next came a very moving tribute from daughter Nellie who is following in her Mom’s footsteps as a civic leader.
Dinner was a sumptious affair followed by dance numbers from the multi-awarded Dance Sports team headed by only son Edward who gave a backgrounder on the group composed of children from indigent families. Needless to say, Tita Beling is the staunchest supporter of these children who are trained to learn the art of dance and develop self-confidence. They in turn are asked to share what they have learned so the teaching/
learning process goes on and on. A surprise number came from couple Wilbert Aunzo and Pearl Marie Caneda.
At the end of the lovely evening, the beaming celebrator, a “woman for all seasons” thanked her guests (including relatives from Manila and elswhere) for their time, their support and their love.
○○○ Angelina Lim Ong was the star of the night during the impressive dinner affair at the Grand Convention Center in celebration of her 80th birthday. Party theme was “Around the World in 80 Years,” a take off from an old movie entitled Around the World in 80 Days and an allusion to the celebrator’s penchant for travel. Happy faces around her were devoted husband Ricardo and their children—Eleanor and husband Edward Hayco; Emily and Henry Uy; Osbert and Sarah; Elsa and Patrick John Ang.
The evening’s entertainment included dances from the different places Angie and Ric have visited in their travels around the world. And the highlight?... Angie and Ric riding a hot air balloon at the Grandcon ballroom, symbolic of the way people traveled in the days of yore.