Romblon on my mind

We spent four glorious days on a weekend in Tablas, Romblon to celebrate the birthday of Lord of Villa M Resort Dr. Gunter Matschuck. Loving wife Joanne, who called it the Romblon Escapade, welcomed guests who flew in from Manila like Dave and Farah Klebs from the German Embassy, Stefan and Shar Schmidt, Stefan and Emma Vogt, also friends like Atty Manette Agbayani and Lulu Boon Beano.

Greek Amb. Ioannis Pedrotis, Saeed and Ruth Ahmad

Oscar Pinlac, Lovelyn Segovia

Dr. Elsie Pascua, Merci Padolina, Alice Samson

Jinky and Jerry Rabano, Lulu Boon Beano

Atty. Manette Agbayani, Bong Prada Lim, Cory Quirino

Stefan and Shar Schmidt

Gela Cornelissen, Joanne and Gunter Matschuck, Dr. George Sarakinis, Hi Society

Jet Capina, Jeffrey Candido

Dr. Gunter Matschuck and Dr. George Sarakinis

Guest of Joanne and Gunter Matschuck in Romblon

Stefan and Emma Vogt, David Klebs and Ralph

Dr. Joni Dison, Bong Prada Lim, Jeffrey Candido, Cocoy Cordoba

Nini Pinlac

Bret and Marisol Campbell

Get together dinner in Romblon

Everyday Joanne had a color theme and guests were asked to dress accordingly. Food was abundant at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was very careful not to overeat and watch my weight.

The main event was on February 26, which was Gunter's special day. He also invited expat friends who have made Romblon their residence and established their own businesses there, also local politicians and friends they have met while visiting their lovely resort.

The celebrant himself was behind the bar mixing cocktails and offering drinks to his guests. There was a long buffet spread of different dishes and local specialties which were enjoyed by the guests. Dancing followed after the blowing of the birthday candles.

It was truly a weekend of fun and should I say also time to relax away from the hustle and bustle of city life. To Gunter who at his age is still super energetic, may you live to be a hundred. Happy birthday! Prost!

On the other hand, a week after another double celebration of Dr. George and Dr. Gunter was held at our Penthouse condo and invited guests were of course the Romblon group who volunteered to do a potluck party and brought different dishes even if yours truly hired a caterer to take care of the food.

As always Marcy David with singer Chris Ledesma provided the music for dancing the whole night. Guests went home with happy memories of Romblon and the party.

To Dr. George and Dr. Gunter, more fun celebrations!

***

Emmy Gonzales, Beging Soriano, Hi Society, Merci Padolina

Agile Zamora

Jose Geffrey Candido, Dr. Joni Dizon

Emmy Gonzales, Cocoy Cordoba, Gerard Ramirez

With celebrant and host Beging Soriano, Dr. George Sarakinis, Gela Cornelissen, Alice Samson, Bong Prada Lim, Merci Padolina

Meanwhile, Ice queen Alice Samson hosted an intimate birthday dinner for the January, February and March Celebrants at the Jasmine Restaurant of the New World Hotel in Makati.

The celebrants Beging Soriano, Bong Prada Lim, Gela Cornellisen, Merci Padolina and Dr. George Sarakinis were treated to a sumptuous Chinese feast which included assorted dim sum, birthday noodles and the mouthwatering Peking duck.

In attendance were the celebrants' dear friends fab interior designer Cocoy Cordoba, businesswoman Emmy Gonzalez and beauty doctor Joni Dizon.