I witnessed, for the first time, the reunion of the Gahol clan of Taal and Balayan, Batangas, held at the clubhouse of Corinthian Garden Village in Quezon City. The gathering also marked the 80th birthday of Atty. Honorio Gahol Orlina, a classmate of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at San Beda College of Law in Manila. He is also a CPA and was formerly based in Maryland, USA.
I arrived at the venue with Ramon G. Orlina and his children—Michael, Ning-Ning, and Anna Orlina. Later, I saw the family of Maryland-based Alethea Venida Nickerson, along with her husband Daniel and their children. I also saw Ramon’s wife, Lay Ann Lee Orlina, who had arrived early to attend to numerous preparations.
Likewise, I saw the extended families of John Michael and Thess Gahol; Nonoy and Ruby Gahol; Angel and Aurora Gahol; Philip and Abbey Gahol; Chito and Nelia Gahol; and Ricky and Lucille Gahol, together with their daughter Karla Gahol. Also present were Ginga Gahol Olegario, Susan Gahol, Anabel Gahol, Ricky Gahol, Oline Zi Estrada, Robert Gahol, Dr. Renato Cabrera Gahol, MD, and Bong Peñas.
I also saw Carlo Gahol with his wife, TV5 broadcast journalist Maricel Halili-Gahol, who had to leave early due to an assigned coverage.
Atty. Pedro “Pete” Ferrer, also a classmate of former President Duterte at San Beda College of Law, attended the celebration. Honorio’s legacy is closely associated with Casa Gahol (also known as the Orlina-Gahol Ancestral House), a historic landmark in the heritage town of Taal on Calle Marcela Agoncillo.
Casa Gahol, an example of Taal’s bahay na bato architecture, is a significant site where his descendants host cultural events. It continues to serve as a venue for cultural gatherings, book launches, and art-related events organized by the Orlina family.
Lauren Orlina’s Homecoming
“Two hours later, we approached the town of Taal. It felt familiar, yet at the same time drastically different—older, busier, like a sepia-toned photograph. We passed streets lined with old Spanish homes owned by illustrious families of Taal and stopped at our ancestral home, Casa Gahol, which has stood since the late 1800s. The house is made entirely of wood, with windows of capiz shells. My family renovated it, and it is now an open museum to the public, with my uncle’s art gallery on the first floor.
“…My Lola’s sister, Lola Nena Gahol, lived in this house. I remember waving to her from my aunt Marita Marcellana’s house, and she would wave back… Life happened here—my father was born in this house, many celebrations were held, and funerals honored the departed. This home is where the family gathers for prayer and Bible reading, called pabasa, during Holy Week. My great-grandparents, Lolo Iko and Lola Ana, made a vow of protection during World War II, so every Easter, my relatives return to Casa Gahol for the pabasa.
“I sat in an old rocking chair with long wooden arms in the parlor and reflected on what might have been. There are still many mysteries to uncover, and I want to bring life back to these stories. Some may never be known. Although I did not grow up in this house, part of my childhood is imprinted here—and so is my blood. I knew I had come home—home with my people, people with the fire of life and compassion in their hearts, the people of the river.”Mr. & Ms. IBCE 2025
I served as one of the judges in the Mr. & Ms. IBCE 2025 pageant, held on Valentine’s Day 2026 at Mabalacat City College in Pampanga.
My thanks to Institute of Computer Studies Dean Dennis T. Tacadena; Institute of Business Education Dean Rebecca Q. Lising; Hazel Talinio-Quiambao; Alexis Manalang; Rizza Mae Dela Cruz; Elyssa Balase; and fellow judges George Granados, Jayco Manangan, and David Ong.
The winners of Mr. & Ms. IBCE 2025 were Laurence Tolentino and Allayzah Cuyugan, respectively.
PCSO Chorale Brings Pride to RP
Upon arriving at Noctus Music Bar in Quezon City, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Melquiades Robles warmly greeted and recognized me, inviting me to have dinner first.
I first met GM Mel when he was still the spokesperson of El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde. At that time, I was assisting then-senator Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who later became President of the Philippines. He later served as administrator of the Light Rail Transit Authority before being appointed by President Bongbong Marcos in 2022 as PCSO general manager.
I am impressed by his performance as PCSO GM. Under his leadership, the PCSO Chorale received international recognition for the first time. The group was named Grand Prix Champion at the Korea International Choir Competition (KICC) 2026, held in Incheon, South Korea, on March 1, 2026. They bested 47 other choirs, winning gold medals in both the Sacred Music and Mixed categories, and secured a spot in the Asia Choral Grand Prix to be held in August 2027.
Notably, one of the chorale members is my former student from Philippine Women’s University, Paolo Daniel C. Pardo. The chorale is conducted by the versatile Robert Delgado.
Later, singer Marious Alston, a fellow awardee at the 4th Philippine Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers, arrived and sat beside me. I was also pleased to see Borj Papin, a recording artist and nephew of iconic singer Imelda Papin.