Close friends and relatives gathered recently at the Manila Club in Magallanes, Makati to join COPA chairman Billy Esposo celebrate his 54th birthday and his first anniversary with his new kidney. Billy had a successful kidney transplant last Jan. 9, 2002 at the Makati Medical Center and now acknowledges a third lease on life.
In 1988, Billy contracted a lung ailment that almost killed him. His survival gave him his second lease on life.
But his kidneys failed him about a decade later and Billy stared death in the eye again. A transplant in the nick of time gave him a third lease on life.
Among those who greeted Billy on his "first" birthday were QC Mayor Sonny Belmonte; Makati Mayor Jojo Binay; Supreme Court Justices Rene Corona and Adolf Azcuna; Bulletin publisher Nap Rama; Solar president William Tieng; ABC-Channel 5 chairman Edward Tan and ABC president Ed Roces; Inquirer editors JV Rufino and Fe Zamora; PLDT Senior VP Rosie Montenegro; legal luminary Lorna Kapunan; STAR’s Marvin Sy; Raul Roco; key campaign manager Ernie Pangan; Lito Anzures; Focolare’s New City editor Carlo Gentile; fishing magnate Bobby del Rosario; Parañaque Rep. Ed Zialcita; former Metro governor and PMS chief Elfren Cruz; Studio-5 head Marily Orosa; Peping Cojuangco; socialite Jojo Zabarte; Flor Braid; baking sugar king John Kaw; and Sen. Loren Legarda.
On hand also to celebrate was Billy’s medical team, headed by the now legendary nephrologist Dr. Claver Ramos; and Drs. Milan Tambunting, Jo Sarmiento, Lads Peñaranda, and Phil Esmaquel. Billy’s other doctor, Thelma Tupasi-Ramos accompanied the team.
There is no truth to the rumor that the doctors were there so Billy will not overeat during his party. Billy has gained (kidney transplant recipients easily gain 10 to 20 percent more in weight because of their medications) over 20 kilos since his transplant. But he’s still not as heavy as he was in 1988–200 kilos!
COPA stalwarts were of course on hand led by their secretary-general Pastor "Boy" Saycon and joined by Nick Locsin; Vince Pacheco; Boy and Maria Montelibano; Ching Montinola; Louie and Triccie Sison; Rey Hidalgo; Ed Samaniego; Gary Vazquez; Dave Arcenas; and Eros Kaw.
Billy’s long-time associates, Ateneo classmates and childhood friends were also present: Noy Firmacion; Alecs Wong; Angus Campbell; Tony Uson; Gani Cabuay; Bobby Yatco; Bongs Labao; Alex Evangelista; Locke Sotto; Vangie Peralta; Janie Vi de los Santos; Pocholo Montes; Mayo Hernandez; Bing Villegas; Rosie Montenegro; Andy and Flor Braid; Louie and Froi Kierulf; Henry and Jojo Zabarte; and John T Lamoglia.
The celebration will be held on March 1, 2003, Saturday at #37 Ifugao St., La Vista, Quezon City. It will start with a Mass to be officiated by Rev. Fr. Tamerlane Lana, O.P., UST Rector. The highlight of the program will be the awarding of gold medals to the members of the class. Expected to attend are some former professors and officers of the College of Education.
Members of the class who have not yet registered for the event are urged to contact any of the following immediately: Pacita Icasiano-Habana (tel. no. 926-2685); Lydia Leuterio-Imperial (tel. no. 890-9203); Alicia Hilario-Palomo (tel. no. 362-1668); or Ofelia Catama-Dunca (tel. no. 361-4846).
My aunt and godmother Nellie Mayor Loleng belongs to this class.
I am Felipe Jocano Jr., a member of the faculty of the Department of Anthropology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, UP Diliman. A colleague of mine pointed out your column last Jan. 21 edition of The Philippine STAR, in which you quoted some statements made by Dr. F. Landa Jocano in a previous article. I was very interested, since he happens to be my father. However, if I may, I would like to point out that he is an anthropologist, not a historian, as many people think. Although his explanations of various aspects of Philippine culture often include a historical context, he is first and foremost an anthropologist. This may seem a minor point, but it is one I feel needs pointing out. In any case, I am a primary fan of my father; and so I truly appreciate your quoting him in your column. Thank you, and good day!
Felipe Jocano Jr.