A birthday for bonding

A surprise birthday party was planned for Viol Caram by Romy and Antonette Caram Lizaraga-Ortaliz from New York, parents of Pia Ortaliz-Yanson, recently at the North Bar. Members of the clan who wanted to relax watched the dancing below through the huge glass window of the VIP lounge. All-time favorite Spanish cuisines and huge crispy lechons from Jose and Mila Caram were brought in. Two days after, Alice Yusay-Garcia, wife of Antonio Caram-Garcia, held a birthday bash at Sugarland Hotel of her uncle, Felix Yusay.

Relatives and Lebanese and Spanish friends gathered for the celebrator, who now resides in Manila and occasionally visits her son in Sultan Kudarat, where her late husband and his parents, Doña Salud Caram, and Don Vicente Garcia, come from.

After the demise of Tony Caram Garcia, his sons, Olympians Vincent and Erwin, have been running their family business. With Alice at her birthday celebration her were son Vincent, daughter Analisa, now the wife of hotelier Joel Fernando, son of Jet and Beth Fernando, who were also present.

From down south, came her youngest son, Erwin, with daughter Francene. Negros belly dancing founder Irene Caram performed a dance number.

Also present were Sonny and Imelda Ruiz de Luzuriaga, Ed and Daisy Tionco, Franklin and Ruray Fuentebella, Noli and Carmencita Fuentebella, Dr. Antonio and Nelly Sarabia.

A despedida party for Romy and Antonette Caram Lizaraga-Ortaliz before they left for the US, was organized by Ricardo and Olivia Yanson at their mansion. Bacolod's Lebanese and Spanish community and the Sunshine Boys attended the affair. Antonette is recognized as one of the top Cardio Thoracic Critical Care nurses for open heart, and has established the Marie Ortaliz Center, a school in New York. Gypsy Nights Irene Caram, Mayen Lizares and friends will bring to Bacolod, sensuous belly dancing and flamenco in a concert called the "Gypsy Nights Dance Concert" on Oct 29, 8 p.m. at L'Fisher Hotel.*