‘Mommy Love’
You really must be a palangga if the First Lady of the land and other close friends fly to your side on your birthday.
Love day came early as thousands joined the 89th birthday celebration in Bacolod recently of the Yanson matriarch, Olivia, who is aptly called “Mommy Love” by family and friends.
The festivities, planned and hosted by Olivia’s children, Leo Rey and Ginnette Yanson-Dumancas, started in the wee hours of the morning till past midnight with friends jetting in from all parts of the world to pay tribute to Olivia, who was all smiles in between tears of joy and happiness.
The day started with a thousand school children, all garbed in red shirts printed with “89 years of Love,” ferried in by yellow Ceres buses to the family-owned rest house by the sea that has hosted big wigs in both the political and entertainment world.
Ceres buses are owned by Vallacar Transit, a public transportation company co-founded by Olivia and her late husband, Ricardo, and now touted to be the biggest public transportation company in Southeast Asia.
The children were clearly in awe as they were entertained by songs and dances, a magic show, and get to spend the day with mascots from Jollibee and Disney characters.
Leo Rey Yanson, the youngest of the Yanson children, said that their mom always gets so much joy from children thus it was but natural to kick off the celebration with them.
First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos flew in with close friends from Manila led by Jojie Dingcong, Bacolod’s Masskara chair for 2023, and joined Olivia and her family in hosting the children.
The birthday celebration continued with a dinner-show at SMX Convention Center, which was transformed into a stylish lounge, bedecked with giant chandeliers, and enormous flower arrangements that lent elegance to the event. The decor beautifully matched the eight-ft. cake that was adorned with floral stained glass fittings made by local artists and master baker, Ann Legaspi-Co of Ann Co Cakes.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, Senators Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, Bong Go, tycoon Kevin Tanof Megaworld, socialites Maricris Zobel and Karen Santos, Jonathan Matti, Andrew Gan, and a slew of politicians and who’s who from all over came to celebrate with the family.
Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez and wife Nikki with their son, Victorias Mayor Javi Benitez and girlfriend, actress Sue Ramirez, were also seen in the crowd.
No less than National Artist Ryan Cayabyab orchestrated songs for the evening sang by Jed Madela and the RCS singers, accompanied by an orchestra.
Ginnette rendered a special song for their mom that brought tears to many, as was the poignant message delivered by her daughter, Harvard-educated Cathrina Dumancas. Leo Rey’s daughter, Natalie, also surprised her grandmother with a song number while the rest of the Yanson clan, including Ginnette’s husband, Charles, helped entertained the guests.
YouTube sensation Gigi Delana and the Juan Miguel Salvador band also provided entertainment for the young and not so young partygoers.
Clearly overwhelmed, Olivia could not stop her tears after 89 of their beloved employees each gave her a rose as their proof of love and loyalty to the matriarch who is known as “the heart of the company.”
At the end of her special day, all she could utter was her heart was filled with so much love and joy as she thanked everyone.
(You may e-mail me at [email protected]. Follow me on Instagram @joanneraeramirez.)
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