'Msgr. Gigi's 75th
birthday bash'

As the late afternoon sun cast a warm glow on the Carmelite Monastery on Wednesday last week, guests began trickling in for the 75th birthday celebration of our beloved icon, Monsignor Gigi Gaston. It was a big gathering of prominent people in the community, old families of Negros, friends, relatives and his fellow members in the clergy who all came to greet him on his natal day.

The celebration began with a Thanksgiving Mass which was celebrated by Mons Gigi himself. The crowd listened in rapt attention as the enchanting voices of the Cathedral Choir filled the vast chapel. After the Mass, everyone gathered at the Agape Hall for dinner. The buffet was sumptuous and the diners kept coming back for more.

The evening's entertainment was provided by the Cathedral Choir who serenaded the appreciative crowd. After a quick-change in attire, the celebrator, a tenor, displayed his rich and powerful voice as he sang old favorite songs together with renowned voice teacher, Ruth Pedragosa.

Mons. Gigi's clear melodic voice was perfectly suited to his repertoire of Spanish and Italian songs which he sang with much gusto and delight. We especially loved his rendition of "Solamente Una Vez." It was truly heartwarming to see how Mons Gigi is so well-loved by everyone for his wit and charm. There will never be another like him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONS GIGI!

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I HAVE TO HAND IT TO YOU TWINKLING!

You can certainly pick 'em! Bacolod was all abuzz recently when Twinkling came out with her acerbic observations on the "high-handed" manner of some employees of SM City Bacolod in dealing with the local media. In her proverbial "tongue-in-cheek" way, Twinkling said that, as president of the VDS, she will deal only with SM's president Henry Sy on the matter. According to Forbes magazine's annual list of the world's billionaires, Mr. Henry Sy is one of the top billionaires in the Philippines ranking even higher than taipan Lucio Tan. As I said, girl, you can certainly pick 'em!*