Manay Gina Returns

Civic leader and TV host Gina de Venecia returns to the 12th Congress as head of the Congressional Spouses Foundation, dahlings, for a historical third term (Manay Gina held the position in the 9th and 10th Congressses). In a general assembly held recently at the Batasang Pambansa, some 195 spouses also elected and inducted other officers, like Nikki Teodoro (vice chair for administration), Pat Gonzales (vice chair for operations), Marissa Andaya (secretary), Georgia Remulla (asst. sec.), Vicky Ablan (treasurer), Badette Barbers (asst. trea.), Ciony Espina (auditor) and Cherry Umali (asst. auditor).

Manay Gina’s first two terms saw the completion of The Haven (National Center for Women) and its 13 regional centers. This time around, palanggas, she vows to pursue another relevant project, the construction of a National Center for Streetchildren that will serve as a sanctuary for street urchins throughout the country.

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The expanding turf of The Brick Road, dahlings, at Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall never had it so wild and inebriating as when it simultaneously launched its grand opening of Street party alongside one of its famous chains, TGIFriday’s.

The twin celebration showcased the ribbon snipping to formally introduce The Brick Road as an all-encompassing, upscale restaurant complex in the picturesque side of Sta. Lucia. This was followed by the unveiling of TGIFriday’s memorabilia of exquisite gizmos, thingamajigs and what-have-yous.

The beaming proud owners, palanggas, included Sta. Lucia Realty’s bossman Exequiel Robles, VP-Finance and Admin dashing Zaldy Santos, VP-Marketing and Mall Operations Vicente Santos, straight from London Dhorie Geronimo with son actor Jefferson, Divine Sicat, Arleen Ong of Coast 101, Carla Chan, GMA 7’s Ameetess Dira, Jasmin Fraul, Richard Angeles, Marissa Santos-Tan and Ricky de Guzman. The PBA Sta. Lucia basketball team led by coach Franz Pumaren were all present, as were other PBA cagers like Alvin Patrimonio, Rey Evangelista, Noy Castillo and import David Wood and family.

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Remember, palanggas, "God sometimes puts us in the dark so we may see his dazzling light." Smile. See you.