VIA Times – April 2017 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
Since our Lady Boss Veronica, founded Via Times in 1984, this is the first time that I asked her to allow me to use Notebook’s page two for “My Personal Family Happy-nings,” like the Surprise Birthday Party my nephew Paul and I cooked up for his Mama, my dear younger sister, Vilma Villanueva Molina, whom the good Lord blessed with a 75th Happy Birthday last April 9th, our historic Bataan Day.
Upon realizing Vilma is turning 75 years young (she looks 50, doesn’t she?), I do believe my Good Sis deserves a small but happy “Birthday Celebration.” Oh, yeah, she does not want any celebration, ever. So, I connived with her son, John Paul, to give her a “Surprise Party.”
In three days time, I was spinning my wheels calling friends closest to my heart, and I was able to put together a SURPRISE 75th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION for VILMA!
Thanks to my “Partners in Crime”–John Paul, Irma Miranda (my tenant but more-likemy niece) and her boys Jon Jon and Sim! Irma did the shopping for the cake and decors. Her niece, the artistic Aiza, did the lovely decoration at the NOK Restaurant dining room where we held the party of more than 40. And, of course, special thanks to Jun and Chaz Patron, Mario and Baby Sales for the photography and video. Thanks to our Via Times Lady Veronica for gracing our Family Party. Irog Joe came later. And to the “better-late-than- never Drama Queen ” Evelyn Tolledo, who brought the second birthday cake complete with her choreography– wine, wine glasses and hors d’oeuvres. So touching to see WE MADE VILMA very HAPPY… I saw how she struggled to stop a teardrop from her eyes while cutting her birthday cake. Jhun’s pictorial on this page “speak a thousand words.” John Paul and I are extending our heartfelt THANKS to our family guests (in picture) who responded to my lastminute invitation. My huge THANK YOU also goes to my very close Family/Friends who were not able to make it but sent their love to Vilma, namely –Elsa and Nestor Castillo; Brenda Stevens, and PIWC 2017 overall chair, Lourdes Livas.. God bless you “seventy times seven.” Thank for being our Friends. “Friends Love at all times.”
Top photo: Birthday celebrant Vilma Molina blows her B-Day candles! Below, (1) John Paul, Vilma’s son, and Big Sis Elsie; Vilma’s ever-sweetest smile with Veronica; (3) Front” Pose with the Servant of the Lord, the Rev. Edelmira Navarro, Elsie’s Church Family at the Faith Community Presbyterian Church (FCPC). Rev. Navarro led the Thanksgiving Birthday Prayer for Vilma. Angie Abad and her “significant other”… my apology for forgetting your name.Back row from left are: Jojo and Laila Villegas, also from FCPC; Tessa Comprado; Elsie, John Paul and Vilma; Evelyn Tolledo, Chicago’s Pilita Corrales, Philippines’famous songbird; Dr. Ben Butuyan, also from FCPC, and Venus Veronica! ESN) All photos by Jhun Patron.
HAPPY TOGETHER!!! from left… Myrna Mahant, John Paul, Veronica, Elsie, Chaz, Baby, Patron girls, Mario Sales; (2) Jhun Patron, Veronica,, John Paul, son of the Birthday Celebrant; Cece, Elsie, Patron Little Girl, Tessa Comprado, Vilma, the Birthday Girl, Chaz, Chazzy, Baby Sales, and Mar LaPena, da famous couturier.
My “extended Miranda Family” whose “motherly love” is a blessing to me. Like giving me a hand in the preparation of this small “Family Birthday Celebration” for my Sis Vi. From left above are Aiza who decorated the small hall; Jon Jon and Sim. Next is Vilma, the Birthday celebrant; John Paul, me (Elsie), Nathan Obina, the Mirandas’ son-in-law; Cherylyn and Baby Caden. Not in photo is their Mom Irma who has to work that day, and the three grandkids, Matthew, Ethan and Neitzel, who must be playing around during the picture shoots.(ESN); (2) Elsie, Birthday Girl Vilma; Thelma and Atty. Al Bascos. Back: Ray and Liza Soriano; John Paul, Myrna and Vishnu Mahant and their two college children, Kinjal and Shyam, and Willy Buhay, the Artist. (All photos by Jhun Patron)
