The Hijos de Davao 50th anniversary gala




The golden year celebration of the Hijos de Davao was beautiful, elegant, well attended and fun. There was a particular enchanting glimmer to the ballroom filled with smiling faces on that evening. It was a joyous event after all, and for a small social club that turned into an organization caring for its homeland reaching half a century old, there is a reason to celebrate.



Boy & Bebet Nograles

Dennis & Cherilyn Uy

Mathijs & Amylou Aarts

Margie Moran Floirendo

Miguel & Tisha Dominguez

Rodney & Rochelle de Rosario




Through the years, the Davao family has grown bigger. A seed planted in the middle of the 20th century sprouted into a sapling in 1964. The young and few branches were the descendants of the original settlers who formed a club called Hijos de Davao to gather yearly and honor San Pedro, Davao’s patron saint. It took root and the gathering became a tradition….and tradition gave birth to public awareness turning the club into a socio-economic organization.



Cong. Rodolfo Albano & Cong. Milen Albano

Siblings Jericho & Karlo Nograles

Bianca Dizon, Mervin Loseo & Rosanna Dizon

Inday del Rosario

Bobby Castillo

Sonia with son, Abu, Gempesaw

Naty Fortich

Butchoy & Caroline Taojo

The Angalas, Jayjay, Ada & Eulo.

Charo Moran & Betbet Pichon

Raffy & Annie Garcia

Jennifer Floirendo

Toby & Michelle Ang

Enzo Rabat, Veronica Rabat & Louie Lim

Marila Revilla, Pat Montemayor & Patrice Tan

Jay & Leah Imperial

Jocson & Marizon Liu

Angel & Cara delos Santos

Edgar & Eetang Ang

Tom & Kay Gempesaw

Joel & Tanya Tan

Iñigo Taojo & Vivian Galang



Fifty years later, the Hijos de Davao family tree has grown bigger and sprouted hundreds of branches. The sowers and the fruits of the tree they nurtured gathered once more to celebrate a significant event.



Hijos de Davao current president, Jackie Dizon



Four of the founding officers, Patria Garcia-Montemayor, Atty. Perla Palma Gil, Honesto Cabarroguis and Dr. Julian Rodriguez, were present to witness a milestone. When asked what their most memorable moments were since the club’s conception, the common reply was “every year is always a happy moment.”



Founding officers of Hijos de Davao:


Pat Montemayor
Honesto Cabarroguis

Julian Rodriguez
Perla Palma Gil




Perhaps this year’s ball was happier with the huge turnout of several generations in one place. The party linked the old and the new, a bridge that lets tradition pass to its next caretaker.

The highlights of the event were the launching of the coffee table book entitled “Witnessing Growth,” a compilation of Davao’s key people who were influential in the growth of the city, with Senators Mar Roxas and Teofisto Guingona III as special guests; the presentation and crowning of the muse, Arianna del Rosario, who was extra radiant and beautiful that night; and the Rigodon de Honor participated by the founding officers and the former muses of Hijos.



Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario & Sen. Mar Roxas

The 2014 muse, Arianna del Rosario


Founding past officers with former muses of Hijos de Davao: Jose Velez, Jean Codiñera, Luis Gahol, Perla Palma Gil, Rodney del Rosario, Jackie Dizon, Pat Monetmayor & Honesto Cabarroguis


Benjie Panganiban, Samantha Angala, Abu Gempesaw, Marga Nograles, Patricia Roque, Mara Pineda, Francisco Palma Gil & Leo Magno

Tonette Tionko, Karlo Nograles, Amy Diano, Tomas Tionko, Jr., Naty Fortich, Anthony del Rosario, Chichi Martinez, Amelia Vega, Francisco Leonor, Armella Aquino & Francisco Palma Gil


Tisha Dominguez, Albert Garcia, Margarita Nograles, Benjie Garcia, Ricky Pineda, Cheska Garcia, Cathy Gempesaw & Gerardo Maniquis


Vicente Tionko, Bebot Estanislao, Baby Montemayor, Benjie Lizada, Julie Rodriguez, Angelina Reyes, Robert Soriano & Milen Aquino.





On stage as guest performer was 70s band that started the Manila Sound phenomenon, the Hotdogs, whose memorable tunes like “Bonga Ka Day” and “Annie Batungbakal” got everyone on the dance floor and dancing ‘til past midnight.



Guest performer of the night, the Hotdog band




Congratulations to all the officers of Hijos de Davao for mounting a very successful gala! May this be the precursor to more successful gatherings in the coming years of this civic organization.

*****

For more lifestyle and travel stories, visit http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/ and http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/.

Published in SunStar Davao newspaper on July 7, 2014. 


Seen at the party:



Bong & Amelia Vega

Joey & Yvonne Soriano

Winchester & Mabel Lemen

Vince & Tricie Arcenas

Miko & Mylene Aquino

Nando Daluz & Jean Corndiñera

WIth the SunStar Davao newspaper team: Imee Garcia & Stella Estremera

Josie Tionko

Kara & Jingo Francisco

The Gempesaws: Carissa, Lito & Maite

Robertino del Rosario, Enrique Romero Salas & Luisito Rabat

Joel Rodriguez

The Dianos: Angela, Jun & Amy

Dina Tionko-Dalumpines

Lynne Sotto, Lena Benedicto, Bebot Estanislao, Janet Latayan & Maritel Celi

Jay & Chuchay Sison

Carmina del Rosario & Len Cabili

Richard & Mm Lo

The Pinedas: George, Pinky, Jessica & Patrick

Alpi & Carine Bacani with Karen Alabado

Marissa Salonga-Tionko

Dikdik Rodriguez

Cris & Karla Peralta

The Jaldons: Baby, Mitzi & Cherry.