Guillermo V. Soliven prays the rosary daily thanking God for his wife Ofelia, their six children and their spouses and 13 grandchildren whom he calls the treasures of his heart. Because the Soliven clan has been showered with abundant love by their family patriarch, they constantly conspire to give it all back to him year after year. For his 84th birthday, Grandpa Willie received a loving surprise from his family who prepared a celebration for him weeks before the actual date.
Last Sunday, all the Solivens were up early. The plan was to meet up at the Magallanes Shell station in Makati for an out-of-town gathering. Grandpa Willie was told that the family planned to have breakfast somewhere in Tagaytay. This being one of his favorite destinations he immediately fell for it and got into the van. The convoy ended up in a beautiful enclave with flowering plants and trees. Nature conspired bringing perfect weather, very cool, dreamy, slightly foggy.
A leisurely walk brought a welcome sight to all his senses. Swaying foliage in a profusion of colors welcomed him into Sonya’s Bed and Breakfast where the breakfast terrace overlooked a gentle stream facing a tropical forest. He was led to a table set with delicate bone china on white embroidered linen, lighted candles and a cascade of sunflowers. Breakfast, being his favorite meal, brought a huge smile to Grandpa Willie’s face. Steaming hot chocolate was poured into dainty cups as baskets of fresh baked sesame bread from Sonya’s Panaderia was passed along with slices of warm white cheese gently fried in tarragon honey. Sunny side-up eggs, tasty chicken and pork adobo slowly simmered in spices and boneless bangus with succulent bellies, mushroom omelets, home-cured bacon slices perfectly crisped, fried rice with a confetti of slivered carrots and green onion swirls, freshly squeezed dalandan juice, coffee and fragrant tarragon tea made everyone happy. We feasted to our hearts’ content on the delightful comfort food as conversation flowed and a symphony of nature unfolded. Birds and butterflies flew by to greet us.
Thoughtful Sonya Garcia, her assistant Christy and all her amiable staff at Sonya’s Garden joyfully attended to all our needs to ensure that it was the perfect celebration. Indeed it was.
After the satisfying breakfast, the grandchildren scampered off. Little did Grandpa know they had checked into the cozy Sweet Williams cottage to prepare and hide from him. On his way to the country store, he was led to a garden foyer. A door suddenly opened. He peered in wonder! The family screamed “Surprise!” The place was decorated with flowers and a pretty blue Happy Birthday poster hand-painted by his grandchild Gia. Daughter Ginette held up his chocolate birthday cake embellished with rose petals. Her husband Pete popped a bottle of bubbling champagne as our joyful birthday celebrant settled on a comfortable sofa for the toast.
His firstborn, youthful looking son Benny began the family tribute, “Happy birthday to our beloved Papa, Grandpa Willie, lovable head of the Soliven clan! Today we pay tribute to an extraordinary man who has taught us all so much about love and life. Your hard work and sacrifices all these decades have born fruits of love through your children and grandchildren here and abroad.”
On a very personal note I must convey my gratitude to Papa Willie, my father-in-law who played Cupid by setting me up on a date with his eldest son Benny (my wonderful husband of 28 years). With all his support, it did not take us long to proceed from that unforgettable first date — to our altar date!
Our only son Vincent, 19, looks up to his grandfather for being a bottomless well of knowledge. “Grandpa Willie’s memory is so sharp, he remembers everything. He is a very talkative person but he never speaks without purpose. He is always willing to share his stories and insights, which I very much appreciate.”
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Here’s what Grandpa Willie’s family has to say about him.
“You are the most important person in our lives! We love you so much, Papa!” — Philip Soliven and his wife Mita.
“Grandpa Willie embodies love. He often tells us he loves us by feeding us every Sunday at their home, by being supportive during graduation and all our events or by just simply telling us. He is never short of showing his love for everyone in his family. He is just overflowing with so much love it probably seeped through the walls and overflowed outside his house.” — Mica Soliven, 24
“I am so blessed that you are my grandfather. Thank you for being a huge part of my life. I wish for more years to be with you.” — Billy Soliven, 21
“We will continue loving you. When sick, we will support you. When you need help, we will be right by your side. When you feel down, we will talk to you. You aren’t alone in your journey through life. We will love you till the very end and even after the very end.” — Manolo, 13
“Proof of your success is how we’ve all turned out to be God-fearing, obedient, successful in our own ways. More importantly, (it is also proof of your success that) we have loving and happy families of our own. Truly, your best legacy in life is the family you and Mommy Ofie have nurtured. Don’t worry…your forgetting to pick me up at Pleasant House Preschool when I was five hasn’t scarred me for life, but rather has left me a pleasant and lasting memory of you being my savior! Thank you for eventually remembering to get me. We love you always.” — youngest son Bookie Soliven with wife Gingdee
“You’ve been there for me every step of the way from my baby ballet days, my figure skating days till now. I can always compare you to a rock. A rock that has stood by everyone it loves regardless of whatever happens in life. A rock that serves as a solid foundation for this beautiful family the Lord has blessed us with. Thank you for being the cheerful, faithful, wonderful Grandpa I’ve come to know and love.” — Aria Soliven, 13
“Thank you for being my inspiration. When I was afraid you were there to encourage me. When I was sad you were there to tell me jokes. So I want to say thank you for being a great grandfather to us and a father to our parents. Happy 84th to the funniest Grandpa ever!” — Luigi Soliven, 12
“Thank you for bringing me into this world, for investing time in raising me and for helping mold me into the person I am today. Thank you for the happy memories — the excitement and joy in seeing you return from your many trips knowing you had thoughtful gifts for each of us hidden in your suitcase. Thank you for your concern about my long office hours and driving home late at night, insisting that I call you upon my safe return back home otherwise you would wake up my mother-in-law to seek my whereabouts. Thank you for all your unconditional love!” — Ginette, eldest daughter
“I still remember how you surprised me by picking me up from school. Thank you for always making time for us and reminding us to value our family. You have taught us to love because LOVE really is the foundation of this family. You inspire me with the love you give and the strength you portray. You are my superman. I love you, Grandpa!” — Bea Soliven Reyes, 20
“Your successes and achievements in school (Ateneo and Fordham) and in your career (managing director of the Central Bank) and various accolades are the result of your hard work and perseverance. And in spite of your busy schedule, you managed to raise six kids splendidly. You also led by example by making it to the best schools, in your case, with very limited financial resources. The drive to have a good education is another value you have imbibed in us. We admire you and thank God for you every day!” — Dennis with Celeste, Cami and Pio Soliven from Virginia, USA
Youngest daughter Carla Soliven-Santo Domingo, husband Bernard, their sons Josh, Enzo and Aiden wrote, “Dearest Grandpa, you have contributed to our lives tremendously! Thanks for all you do. We may be far apart (in Sacramento) but our loving thoughts are always with you!”
(Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com.)