AT HOME WITH BOBOY AND IRMA ATILLO
- Jaime Picornell
- Feb 25, 2019
- 2 min read
Once upon a July 7, Irma Atillo went with Teresin Mendezona to the Fiesta de San Fermin in Pamplona, Spain. Yes, for the running of the bulls which they enjoyed immensely from a balcony close, but not too, to the rampaging crowds and the stampeding beasts which are really not that ferocious.
Irma was so enchanted with the overall festivity, which is more than the bull running, she exclaimed in superlatives her experience when she came home and recounted it to husband Florentino "Boboy" Atillo III.
"Let's call our new home Villa San Fermin," they agreed. And so it is in Mactan, close to Costabella. The palatial structure has a grand entrance hall dominated by a magnificent staircase. That was the scene of a gathering of family and close friends on February 10.
All to celebrate Boboy's nth birthday in the grand style. Boboy and Irma were solicitous to the brim, charm being one of their most salient characteristics.
A pianist played old favorites to which one could hum or venture some lyrics. Cafe Laguna catered, and a carving station was besieged for its two lechons.
Teresin was there, of course, staying overnight in a room that is ever assigned to her. It was nice sitting, and following the conversation of Pinky Chang, Annie Aboitiz and Eloisa Fermin.
In a seat of honor was Boboy's mom Narcisa Atillo. Present were Irma and Boboy's son Nico Atillo and his wife Lisa with their children Fernando and Noah, as well as Lisa's parents, Karlheinz and Siony Neumann.
It was nice to see Marilou Fernan, who lives in Texas, and is in touch with Nena Alvarez Connor, who is in San Antonio. I reminded Marilou about Nena's key expressions way, way back when there was an American Air Force base in Mactan.
These were Sprikitik, Right Away, and Madre Mae pronounced with the adequate degree of intonation according to varied circumstances. Often, they were triggered by someone she secretly called Patok. The secret shall remain.
The scene was the Gotiaoco building where a red carpet led from the sidewalk to the grand columned hall within. Just as I stepped on it, my mobile phone rang. It was an important, awaited call, so I had to answer it in a quiet place.
That done, I took the extended welcome hands from Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, lawyer Frank Malilong, and the beautiful Joy Gothong, wife of Bob Gothong, chairman of the Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum Foundation.
The event was the ceremonial donation turnover of the George Ty Metrobank Foundation to the entity. Did we hear 30 million?
Special guest of honor and speaker was House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Bob Gothong gave the welcome address which was a rationale on the building ordered erected in 1914 by Don Manuel Gotianuy from whom many Cebu Taipans descend. Closing remarks were delivered by Jose Soberano.
Present were Mayor Tommy Osmeña, his wife Councilor Margot Osmeña, Congressman Raul del Mar, Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, Mayen Tan who is a trustee of the museum, and Honorary Consul of Spain, Anton Perdices.
More: Augusto Go, Mike Lopez, Sergio and Ruby Lim, and from the Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission: Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, Dr. Erlinda Alburo and Louie Nacorda.
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