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Thursday, June 01, 2006
Magsaysay: The holy and the beautiful
By Jo Magsaysay
Whatever
Simple folks, so exceptionally blessed by Divine Providence, the Padilla family converged once again to witness another momentous event: the Episcopal ordination of a family member, another servant of God, becoming a prince of the church. A cause for exaltation and thanksgiving when His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu, conferred upon the Rev. Msgr. Francisco M. Padilla, the titular archbishop of Nebbio, apostolic nuncio to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. The new papal nuncio joins his elder brother, the most Rev. Msgr. Osbaldo M. Padilla, apostolic nuncio to Costa Rica in the exalted ranks of ecclesiastical hierarchy, the third Filipino papal nuncio and second Cebuano. The significant fact of the brothers in the Vatican diplomatic service as papal nuncios is not lost on the Guiness Book of Records which list the two brothers with the honorific titles as the ultimate "first".
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A multitude crowded the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral: honored guests, religious and laity, jostling elbows with curious onlookers to witness the solemnities while security closely monitored every move to assure the protection and safety of the special guest of honor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines. Over 500 guests turned out for the thanksgiving reception and were seated in orderly fashion along long rows of tables in the grand ballroom of the Casino Español where they were provided a hearty buffet and delightful musical entertainment by the Peace Philharmonic Philippines string ensemble and a performance by the internationally acclaimed artist, Ingrid Sala Santamaria, a dear friend of the Padillas. I am not happy to comment that most of us could not fully appreciate the virtuosity of Ingrid due to the juxtaposition of the piano frontally facing a wall which bounded off the music to compete with the rattle of plates, glasses and silver that waiters were mindlessly clearing from the tables. We did, however, appreciate the gorgeous bare back of the beautiful Ingrid set off by her aqua gown!
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A hush across the hall however, when the Most Reverend and much revered Msgr. "Francis" M. Padilla rose to give his closing remarks. In glowing terms he thanked everyone for sharing in his moment of glory and in clear, distinct tones, he paid tribute to his parents whose exemplary lives gave meaning and impetus to his motto: Service and love. Service inspired by his late father whose unselfish dedication to help all those who needed him, whose drive, determination, diligence and discipline in the performance of his work, have become his own spur to prod him on his life’s journey. Love inspired by his mother whose boundless charity towards her family and fellowmen lights up his own life.
I will always cherish the memory of knowing his parents, Dr. Tiburcio Padilla and Concesa Montecillo Padilla from a long time ago. I had written an article about them eight years back on the 90th birthday of Dr. Padilla – then, as now, I cannot call by his nickname "Botiong", but it is with great affection that I refer to Mrs. Padilla, now ailing and bedridden, as "Consing", remembering her warmth, her smiling eyes….Dr. Padilla must have liked my article because I was told he had a clipping of my column framed…dear Dr. Padilla!
Much too modest to talk about the accomplishments of their 13 children, successful and outstanding in their chosen careers, the Padilla sons and daughters all came together for the ordination except for Cristino whose daughter-in-law suffered from complications of a difficult delivery in the States.
Aside from the awesome prelates, Msgr. Osbaldo and Msgr. Francisco , proudly and happily in attendance were Rosario Ceniza, a homemaker for her husband, a lawyer and children in Atlanta; Ernesto, a urologist, enjoying a lucrative practice in Minnesota where he has an impressive mansion by the lake and a yacht for sailing. His twin sons are in Hawaii pursuing collegiate studies. Carmeling Roa, a retired bank executive with husband Roy in the States; Aida, also a bank (PNB) executive who is presently in Manila; Mercedita Madera also another retired bank executive like her sisters Gina Aya-ay and Mila Santos-Yu in Manila; Maring Malinao another bank retiree looks after their ailing mother, their youngest Lorenzo, a yuppie and of course, the most visible of all, the dynamic Merle Cunanan who calls the shots in S.E.C. All simple folks, yet so richly blessed with outstanding parents about whom I referred to as "a vanishing rarity, simple, beautiful and priceless."
*****
Beautiful. So beautiful! All the guests exclaimed, breathless with awe over practically everything on sight at the grand wedding in Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort and Spa of businessman Nelson Yuvallos and his bedimpled bride Karen Seno radiantly beautiful as all brides are, in her gown, splendidly simple and exquisitely beautiful created by Ditas Rodriguez. The nuptial ceremony held in the Ocean Pavilion of Shangri-La officiated by UCCP Minister, Pastor Macky Sabayle, was heartwarmingly beautiful. Cynthia Aliño of Designer Blooms outdid herself in the floral arrangements of fresh blooms in bright Maytime colors, tulips, roses and orchids in crystal vases showing off swimming goldfish while here and there chirping canaries and love birds in cages; fruits and more flowers in a vivid splash of tangerine and chartreuse that reflected the colors of the wedding invitations – distinctly unique butterflies perched on wishing wells that were meticulously handcrafted by handicapped young boys and girls, deaf-mute members of the P.I. Simply beautiful as was the monumental five-foot wedding cake created artfully by Sandra Lim. The popular entertainer Raki Vega with "On the Cover" band provided lovely and lively music when they chose their daughter Kai-Kai and son Dragon as partners for their first dance in accompaniment to the music Moon River.
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The processional included the wedding sponsors Dr. Edwin Medalla and Palerma Go, Jacinto Ligot and Erlinda Ligot, Donatelo and Nieves Suico, Victor and Sonia Yuvallos, Jose and Liza Montecillo, James Tolentino and Florinda Calixto, Jake Marquez and Florina Chandler, Dr. Gene and Jane Matig-a. The groom’s best man was Uztasanes Castro Jr. and maid of honor was Irene Delight Yuvallos. Secondary sponsors were Jay Yuvallos and Christie Yuvallos for the candle; Roberto Vicente and Amanda Vicente for the veil; Francis Seno and Lui Jasmin for the cord while ring and coin bearer was Joseph Nelson Lepon and Karrie Anika Yuvallos was flower girl and Bible bearer. Dinner was perfection, the expertise of the decorative Teresin Mendezona and her colleague-in-art Pinky Chang, both turned food consultants for Shangri-La, had their hands in the selection of the menu.
A keepsake to treasure for treasured jewelry is a large wooden jewel box with antique finish that delighted the wedding guests who once again sighed with pleasure – oh so beautiful! So all beautiful thoughts and good wishes to the bridal couple for happily living after!
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 1, 2006 issue)
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