I want to thank everyone who greeted me on my 66th birthday last January 26, 2026.
The first from CITEM Friends and Family to greet me were Yayot Garcia with her son Antonio Sebastian Garcia, Josie Briones Gonzales and Marjo Factora-Evio (whose mother Evelyn Factora was my former officemate at DLSU’s De La Salle Integrated Research Center; her aunt CITEM Vice President Atty. Helen A. Cortes was my immediate boss).
This was followed by Alma Maricel F. Paragas, Zharita Sacdalan Bagayas, Alicia Pineda, Ma. Marissa Rarang, Danny J. Eguia, Cynthia Ty, my best friend Chyril Luz Rivera Carino (“Happy birthday to my dearest friend Ogie, a true literary luminary! Thank you for sharing your gift with us…may your day be as impactful & bright as your stories…enjoy your day!”), De La Salle University Full Professor Luz Tupas Suplico-Jeong, Stephen Cabalquinto, Carina Cruz Evangelista (daughter of Joe and Gina de Venecia), and Lourdes Gogola.
Others from current and former CITEM employees who greeted me were Elvie Borje-Soriano with her hubby Pastor Jimmy Lim, Luz Burgos-Soriano, CITEM Deputy Executive Director Malou Mediran, Lalie Rosales Novero, and Dee Roldan of CORPLAN.
From Malacanang, they were Presidential Security Command Chaplain Father Roel Arceno Isip and Director Vivian C. Recio from the Office of Social Secretary.
Fellow journalists, professors, writers, photographers and publicists who greeted me were Noli Guerrero, NET25’s Ian Agsalud, Cali Manzano, Manila Times’ Arlo Custodio, noted author and spluk.ph editor-in-chief Chino Hansel Philyang, Chat Francisco Santos, Police Files Tonite entertainment editor Rosalyn Marino Raymundo, Malaya’s Peps Pepz Bernardo, UST Department of Journalism chair Full Professor Jeremaiah Opiniano, Raul Jed Maderazo, Prof. Jerry Aguilar, Obette Serrano, Ellen Mondez Cruz, Manila Standard columnist Eton Bonifacio Concepcion, Alexander John Fong, Guia Cruz Buenaventura who greeted me on her program Media House Express’ Coffee, Tea on MHE, Lhen Tejome, NET25’s Belle Surara, Philippine Star columnist Wilson Lee Flores, former Manila Bulletin entertainment editor Crispina Martinez Belen, Cheryl Samm Samm, Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Frank Cimatu, Julie B. Gaspar, Rafael Gozum, Audie L. Dela Cruz, Manila Standard’s Charmeneil Vilacarlos, and my Balikbayan colleague Rocelle Anabeza.
Thanks to US-based friends Asian Journal Publications publisher and CEO Roger Oriel, Joseph “Jojo” L. Peralta, singer and Nickelodeon host Eduard Banez, Jules Del Gallego, Donna L. Wilkin Campbell, Dr. Martin Bautista, Rosa Maria, Dale Navarro, LA-based dentist Dr. Fernando dela Pena, Lani Montreal, Marissa Valdez, Ricardo Tecson, Roderick Gutierrez, and US Ambassador MaryKay Loss Carlson.
My gratitude also to my Philippine-based friends who greeted me: De La Salle University President Br. Bernard S. Oca, FSC, former senator Nikki Coseteng, former PCSO chairperson Margie Penson Juico (who said, “Happy birthday! You deserve to be happy always!”), former Pres. Fidel Ramos’ nephew Nani Agsalud Braganza, Senator JV Ejercito, Philippine Retirement Authority chief Bob Zozobrado, Bong Penas, Pat. G. Olarte, Martin Rule, Bleu Sison, Ben Nery, Liberty F. Santos, Queen of Philippine Radio Tina Loy, singer-property specialist Marious Alston, PCSO Chorale conductor Robert Delgado, Frederick Santos, Rei Lachica, Jocelyn Lachica of Career Executive Service Board, Jojo Lim, the Ilano family (PX, Sheng, Elia and Ximone James), Gene Acero Chua, Xandra Valenzuela, retired teacher Milaflor Mahinan, ATOM head Volt Bohol, Mabalacat City College’s Carina Galang and Rizza Mae dela Cruz, Marco D. Nepomuceno, Tom Batalla, Ludmila Labagnoy, Cleo from Malaysian Embassy, Juliver Buted, Benedictine nun Sister Mary John Mananzan, former Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Atty. Ma. Anthonette Velasco-Allones, and Senator Bam Aquino.
Thanks too to saxophonist Pete Canzon, Terens Corner owner Tess Canson, Giann Paolo Canson, Chris R. de Leon, entrepreneur Ramil Cabrera, Marikit Figueras, Marissa Z. Burgos, Mike Ortigas, seaman John Lindres, Alex Roces, couple Boyet and Merle Jose, chef Larry Palco, Anacleta Angeles, Regina Benitez, Parole and Probation Administration administrator Atty. Bienvenido Benitez, Cristhoper Catalla, Desiree Carlos, Daisy Jane Ogatis Pastrana, Lia Torralba, Allan Iguico, Mary Joan Friend, Christina Aliada, Kristi Fermazi, beauty queen-actress Ali Forbes, John Rey Malto, Rhea Arizo Javier, former Office of the Press Secretary officemate Jeannet Toliongco Gando, director Vic Lee Tiro, Hilda Armea, Maria Marietes Coloma Bumanglag, Iyrah Francesca Lindres, Adriano Angeles, beauty queen Catherine Muguerza, Gilbert F. Bautista, Alecs Pahayahay, AI Nishiyama, couple Imelda and Butch Namba, Jose Francisco Kawada, John Mendoza, Joel Vivero Rico, Elhmer Diokno, Howie Gutierrez, Jemmelette Cuadra San Pedro, Kim Tanaman, Dindo Divinagracia, Paolo Paddeu, Maria Gladys Feliciano, Jo Salvador, and La Visual Corporation thru Ms. Lalaine Geronimo.
Thank you too to my former students Winick Reyes, Ashynte Gonzales, Christian Jeff Santos, Jade Maris Orona, Cherylynn Pagdilao-Gonzales, Renon Nokie Nacpil, Tristan Day, Michelle Mirasol, and Kyla Garcia.
Of course thank you to my immediate American family: my mom Rosita Constantino Medina, my sister Victoria Isip, my brother-law Vincent Isip, my nieces Anne K. Isip, Kristine Nunez and Aiko Kumano and nephew Michael Isip.
I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to my relatives who greeted me: retired teacher Pilar B. de Mesa, Mac Peralta, Connie Guanzon-Garcia with hubby Ambassador Victor Garcia, Ramon Magsaysay awardee Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, Robert RJ Fetizanan, Dan Marella, Aldrin and Liz Medina, Anna Toribio Isip, Jaclyn Tummings, Ruby Ann Sobrepena Caseres, Edward Jubay Marella, Bembem Espinosa Diaz, Joselito Constantino (dad of singer Yeng Constantino), Masanobu Isip Kato, Tet Hufana, Erlinda Voces, Roland Isip, Maria Medina, Victoria Toribio, Alexis Medina, Emily Samson, Milagros Marella Bartolaba, Anne Flores, Snow Lim, Jojo Medina, and former Malacanang’s chief librarian Gilda Fernandez Perez.
Many thanks to my cousin Ramon G. Orlina, the Father of Philippine Glass Sculpture, who chose to celebrate his birthday (Jan. 27) on Jan. 26 Monday in his shop in Sampaloc, Manila with his employees.
Thanks to “Ate” Lay Ann Lee Orlina, Ramon’s wife, as well as to my niece Anna and nephew Michael for their unwaivering support.
To Father Bong Guerrero, the Happy Priest, many thanks for blessing “Kuya” Ramon and me and others on our special day with a mass.