Birthday and
Homecoming

A thanksgiving Mass started the birthday celebration of Lina Manaloto-Lim, at the Divine Mercy Shrine in Brgy. Calumangan, Bago City, the church built through the initiative of her late husband, Mariano Lim.

Father Bonsoi, parish priest of the shrine, and Fr. Gigie Caraig of the St. Michael Church in Pontevedra, officiated at the Mass, after which all headed to the celebrator's beach house about a kilometer away from the church.

We were welcomed by the swaying of the bougainvillea, the palmas and coconut trees.

Present at the occasion were the celebrator's high school classmates from Class '56 of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, members of the Ladies of Charity, the Viagera group headed by Gene Mapa and Elsie Hinlo, balikbayan Dr. Oscar Gulmatico of Virginia, Washington D.C., Roy Villaruz from Florida, Jun-Jun Dychangco of San Francisco, Rodney and Leila Lucas of London, and the Manaloto siblings. Lina's classmates occupied the lobby downstairs, while the rest were upstairs. The breeze coming from the sea was just enough to cool down the humid heat.

The sumptuous lunch included shrimps and chicken misono, fresh green salad, chicken macaroni and a variety of desserts.

A yearly medical mission headed by Lina Lim held at the Shrine is something to look forward to not only in Calumangan, but also in the neighboring sitio. Helping her are her children, eldest son Marlon, a successful entrepreneur from Manila, Ray, Ai Ai, Marlin and Jerry, who are all successful in their endeavors.

Happy Birthday to Lina, may you continue the legacy started by your husband.

*****

A farewell lunch for former Fiscal Celin Paviera of Silay and now of Los Angeles, California was hosted by Mary Ma Soriano at the Full Moon, at Convention Plaza Hotel, recently.

Celin is a yearly visitor to the City of Smiles and always looks forward to her trip even only for 10 days. Hope to see you again next year!*

Remember: "God's help never fails and how much we receive depends on how much our hearts can believe."