MARTINA AT 80

By  Tita  G. Cera

If  she  had  her  way , she  would  have  spent  her  80th  birthday   in  a  simple  way - a thanksgiving  mass  for  all  the  bountiful  blessings  she   has  received  and  a  simple  meal  with  her  family.

But  the  children  of  Martina Padilla  Soriano , ( Ty  to  most  of  her  friends , Tinay  to  old relatives )  had  other  plans . Her  children  , who  live  abroad  could  not  go  back  to  the  Philippines  but  wanted  to  host  a  party  for  her . Ella , the  eldest  daughter , called  up their  relative , Mrs.  Filomena  T. Palisoc and requested  her  to  plan  a  party  for  her  Mom . So,  Mrs.  Palisoc , together  with  other  relatives  Mrs. Milagros A. Quinto  and  Mrs. Corazon  Q. de  Guzman , organized  a surprise  birthday   party .

The  birthday  celebration  was   held  at  Casa  Guadalupe (  sometimes  referred  to  as  Casa  Dona  Upeng ),  a  quaint  inn  owned  by  the  Jimenez  family  of  Mangaldan  . A  sumptuous  lunch  was  served  to  the  forty  guests  and  an  impromptu  entertainment   numbers  were  held . There  were  lots  of  fun  and  laughter . After  all , reaching  the  age  of  80  and  beyond  is  a  lifetime  achievement .

The  following  pictures were  taken  during  the  celebration  .

 

Mrs.  Martina  P. Soriano , the  birthday  celebrator , is  escorted  by  nephew  Willy S. Molina  as they  leave  her  house.

 

Mrs. Corazon Q . de  Guzman  pins  a  corsage  on  the  honoree.

 

Martina Padilla  Soriano  at  80 years  old . She  does  not  look  like  an  80  year - old  lady , does  she ?

 

Enjoying  the  beautiful  landscape  at  Casa  Guadalupe  are  Milagros A. Quinto , Dora V. Jimenez ( the Casa owner ) , Martina  and  Filiomena  T. Palisoc . 

 

The  happy  honoree  poses  with  the  organizers  of  the  " surprise  celebration " : Mrs. Milagros A. Quinto , Mrs. Filomena T. Palisoc  and  Mrs.  Corazon  Q. de Guzman .

The  gentlemen of  the  party  with  the  honoree (  left  to  right ) : Willy  S. Molina , Msgr . Segundo  Gotoc , Alfredo  Quinto ( his  hand covers  the  honoree's  face ) ,  Dr.  Gregorio de Guzman  and  Federico  Palisoc .

 

Msgr . Segundo  B.  Gotoc , another  relative , expresses  his  birthday  wishes .

 

 

 

A  beaming  Martina  starts  to  blow  the  candle  on  her  birthday  cake ..

 

 

 

 Friends  who  joined  the  celebrator  are ( seated  left  to  right ) Barbara  G. Yap , Dina  Banez , Marie  Q.  Aquino , Aurora  S. Cendana , Carmen  B. Cendana , and  Teresita G. Cera . Standing  at  the  back  with  the  honoree  are  Mercedes  Cruzabra  and  Milagros A. Quinto . 

More  well-wishers  are  shown  above .  

  

Other  well  wishers  are  shown  above . They  are  all  smiles (  left  to  right ) :  Demetria  V.  Cera , Carmen Cancino , Elena  Ptrona ,  the  honoree  , Romana M. de Vera , Nita  Calicdan  and  Lolita Velante .

 

Henita Magno , Norma  Fernandez , Glorina P. Billote , Elena  Petrona , Mercedes Cruzabra , Herminia Juguilon , Filomena T. Palisoc  and Carmen  B. Cendana  join  the  honoree  .

  

THIS  MAY  BE  A  VERY  BELATED   GREETING  BUT  AS  THEY  SAY  "  BETTER  LATE  THAN  NEVER "  HAPPY  BIRTHDAY  TO  YOU  , ATSI  TINAY  . MAY  YOU  HAVE  MORE  HAPPY  BIRTHDAYS  TO  COME  .  GOD  BLESS  YOU ...

                                                         FROM  MARIE  AND  the   MANGALDANIANS  IN VANCOUVER  

 

Comments

[Teresita G. Cera]

To Linda Bernhardt:
Sorry, I didn't get the card you said you sent.I would like to know your email ad so we can communicate faster. This is my school address:
Mangaldan Central School
Mangaldan, Pangasinan 2432
Philippines

Please keep in touch.

Tita Cera

[Linda Bernhardt]

To Tita Cera :

I tried to send you a card to your school but it was never acknowledged; most probably the address was incorrect?

It is always very refreshing to hear about past
acquaintances/classmates who are active in their
community. One of these days when I find the time I am going to make a copy of the junior/senior prom picture which I mentioned sometime ago. It would help if you can pass on the appropriate address of your school in the main time.

More power as always,

Linda Bernhardt

[Sagrada Corazon Padilla-Ayson]

A more very belated birthday wishes from your family down under. Tia, we may not have been there with you to celebrate your 80th birthday, know that our thoughts and prayers are always with you. Happy 80th birthday from all of us here in Sydney.