Celebrating True Love That Has Lasted Fifty Years And New Love With New Beginnings

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

 

It was quite the hectic weekend for the first weekend in October, end of September, 2022. September 30th, approximately 450 guests showed up en masse for EDITH and NESTOR ARDIENTE’S 50th Golden Wedding anniversary, as well as for Nestor’s 80th milestone birthday. Resplendent in her fully-embellished gold gown, pearl jewelry, and luminous smile, Edith beamed with pride and happiness in celebrating her 50-year union with her “Ex-boyfriend” Nestor, now an active octogenarian whose passion for golfing was evident in the centerpieces, that like their marriage, was a combination of things they both loved. The accents on the tables were vases of fresh flowers on top of little driving mats strewn with tees and plastic golf balls. Even his custom-birthday cake had a giant golf ball on top of green layers alluding to the many courses he must have played, while their anniversary table was a festive combination of golden numbers and green balloons. It was truly a happy occasion with blessings to start the banquet from Father Dindo Billote, Filipiniana dance numbers performed by the couple’s young family members, particularly from the Teoli family, songs rendered by Alyssa Solomon, daughter of past President of the Philippine Engineers & Scientists Organization (PESO) Marilin Solomon and husband Leo, with touching, funny speeches by the birthday celebrant and his companion of five decades, Nestor and Edith, hosted the perfect celebration of their life and history together. The well-attended fete seemed more like a reunion from different organizations and clubs that the couple have been active in including PESO, the Tamaraw Golf League, where Nestor played his best golf, their church, their neighborhood, and most of all, reunions with family members.

For theirs was a full life, judging by the attendance at Giorgio’s Banquets in Orland Park, and interestingly, had this dynamic couple invited everyone they have touched with their kindness and generosity, they might have needed an even bigger venue. We were just so happy to have been a part of their grand event, and look forward to Nestor’s standing invitation to all who were there, to join him and Edith in celebrating his 80th birthday. They ended the evening’s festivities with laughter and gratefulness for a successful night, but more gratitude for an even fuller life. Everyone was in awe at this couple’s energy, with Edith declaring to all that he was, indeed. the love of her life, feeling blessed to have this perfect union guided by the Lord above, Congratulations Nestor and Edith, for showing us what true love really is.

Then on Sunday, October 2nd, well-known local producer and Stage Director Gerry Rebello, celebrated his union with Melvin Sinamban at a smaller, intimate event at the Doubletree Hotel in Skokie, attended by friends and family at the Penthouse Ballroom of the Monaco Level. The grooms, Gerry in a cobalt shade suit, Melvin in a dark blue tuxedo, professed their love amongst their carefully selected “Ninongs and Ninangs” or sponsors, and Gerry’s close-knit circle of longtime friends and supporters, all wearing, at the couple’s request, any shade of blue.

It was a lively night, with yours truly emceeing for the evening. Young performer, Rane Victoria, opened with a couple of touching love songs, but Sarah Lee brought the house down with her cabaret performance and sultry nuances, making us remember her talent and grace that has not waned through the years. The music numbers were great, but it was the outpouring of love and support from Gerry’s friends for new hubby and immigrant Melvin that made the evening memorable and meaningful to those that know them personally. The couple may not have been your traditional pair, but their celebration was.

From introducing the sponsors as they entered the ballroom, to the opening prayer by Salvy Marino, to the first toast by Veronica Leighton, publisher of this newsmagazine, to the cutting of the cake, their first dance, the clinking of the glasses for the kisses on demand, to the money dance, it was any bride or groom’s dream wedding, but for Gerry and Melvin, it was more than that. That evening was the beginning of their journey together as a married couple, a journey like Nestor and Edith’s, may be the one that they have vowed to take each other for who they are, “TIL DEATH DO US PART”.

Congratulations, Gerry and Melvin! “As an anonymous author once said, “For in dreams and in love, there are no impossibilities”. Gerry and Melvin’s sponsors: Ros Agpasa, Gian Aguilos, Mark Aguja, Aleg Bacerdo, Froilan Cabrera, Mayette Cabrera, Robert Chavez, Dan Gawat, Imelda Enriquez, Jan Paul Ferrer, Noel Hidalgo, Veronica Leighton, Ben & Tessie Lising, Salvy Marino, Wilma Minas, Mercy Molina, Girlie Pascual, Nick Vera-Perez, Elbert & Eliza-beth Regacho. Glenn Rivera, Jerry & Joyce Sison, Gloria Sguros, Dr. Albert Topacio, Jess Viado, and SPECIAL THANKS to one of the managers of the Doubletree Hotel Skokie, Ms. Reggie Astorga-Flojo

AND BEFORE I GO… HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS to our ever-elegant, stylish friend FLOR DE LIZ KRAMER. who celebrated with a small gathering of close friends before she and her husband flew off to Sin City the next day.

Hosted by the attendees themselves, we went to her favorite comfort food place, TITA MIA’S in Niles, with Veronica, the celebrant’s forever friend, our dynamic couple Elbert and Elizabeth Regacho, golfer & fishing buff Jan Paul Ferrer, resident CPRTV director James Delacruz, and the ever-glamorous Salvy Marino. We love you, Flor!

 

Nestor Ardiente celebrates his 80th birthday with Edith at his side for 50 years of marriage bliss

Fun crowd present at Nestor & Edith’s golden wedding celebration & Nestor’s 80th birthday at Giorgio’s Banquets