CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña had a grand 61st birthday celebration yesterday with several politicians, sports and show business personalities present at the Trade Hall of SM City Cebu.
The estimated 2,000 guests gathered to greet the mayor, who thanks the Sr. Santo Niño for giving him a second life. Osmeña, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer recently underwent operation to remove the organ and is now back at work.
Opposition senators Mar Roxas, Loren Legarda, and Francis “Chiz” Escudero as well as independent senator Sen. Francisco Pangilinan were on hand to wish the mayor well along with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, who came with his mother Dionisia.
Also from the show business sector were Apo Hiking Society’s Danny Javier and actor Edu Manzano, who also sits as chairman of the Optical Media Board.
Osmeña’s political allies from nearby local government units like Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy were also present along with former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson.
From the city, 50 of the 80 barangay captains were also present. Adding icing to the mayor’s cake was the presence of a representative from the Guinness Book of World Records to present the plaque to the city for holding the world’s largest dance class at the Cebu City Sports Center last June 27.
Opposition leader Jonathan Guardo, who has traded barbs with the mayor over the media, also sent a cake.
The gift was accepted by Osmeña, but it did go through the usual security check as a standard procedure.
The mayor said he appreciated the gesture of Guardo, who was once his consultant for sports development before their relationship turned sour on December 2005.
“That’s fine. Thank you. Anyone can give me a gift,” he said. Osmeña said his birthday us a very important occasion because it is his last birthday as the city mayor.
“I am glad that you are here. All of you are more important than the VIPs around. You are the wind beneath my wings,” he told the barangay officials.
At the start of the celebration, the mayor also gave his wife, Margot, a vest and ID card, formally welcoming her to the ranks of the city’s senior citizens.
She also celebrated her 61st birthday the other day.
The mayor said he admires his wife for her concern for the street children and carrying out civic projects, all the while keeping her hands clean from politics.
Pacquiao once more scored a knockout when he wowed the crowd with three songs while his mother, who now also has a career in show business, presented a boogie number.
Towards the close of the program, Pacquiao sang “My Way” with the barangay captains.
When asked for his birthday wish, the mayor repeated something he said a few days ago.
“I cannot ask for more. Sto. Niño has already given me another life. Wishing for more is greed and selfishness,” he said. — Ferliza C. Contratista and Jessica Ann Pareja/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)