The 53rd Hijos de Davao, Part 1 ~ D' Durian Daily

There is something more festive with the Hijos de Davao celebration this year. Do we give credit to the presence of the Malacañang VIPs gracing the affair? The infusion of the colorful Mindanao fashion into the program? The more elegant set-up of the ballroom? The professional direction of the program from the host to the good choice of musical performer?

I say all of the above.

But those are just the ornamentation to the spirit of the Davaoeños, who, after 53 years, have kept the tradition of camaraderie and civic missions alive. With the blessings of Davao’s Patron Saint, San Pedro, the heart of Hijos de Davao is beating as passionately as it did on its first day of conception.

This year’s muse, Anette Josephine Salonga Tionko, is a 6^th generation Dabawenya. She is the second child of three children and the only daughter of of Thomas Tionko and Marissa Salonga.

HdD 2017 muse, Anette Josephine Salonga Tionko, with escort, Robertino Soriano Roque

“The experience is surreal. I have been attending the Hijos de Davao celebrations for years now and witnessed muses go up on stage. I can’t believe it’s my turn this year,” said the 17-year old Anette.

Her escort is 18-year old Robertino Soriano Roque, son of Margarita Soriano and Raul Roque.

Mother of the escort, Meg Roque, dances with her son, Robertino

There was a good balance of attendees representing different generations. This just shows how the HdD tradition is successfully getting passed to the younger Davaoeños.

Among the 2017 Hijos De Davao Rigodon de Honor participants were DOF Sec. Carlos Dominguez, USec Ernesto Abella, Atty, Melchor Quitain, PDIC BOD Anita Linda Aquino, DOF USec Antonette Tionko, Congressmen Karlo & Jericho Nograles, Cong Mylene Albano

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EswPBqnrss[/embedyt]

As it was during its conception, the scene is back to glamor. Everyone in the ballroom is dressed appropriately to the occasion—gowns and long dresses, Barong Tagalogs and suits.

USec Antonette Tionko, Atty. Aileen Lizada, Atty.Melchor Quitain, USec Ernie Abella, PDIC DIr. Anita Linda Aquino U& Bebot Estanislao

Ingrid Taojo, Luisito Rabat, Mervin Loseo & Marievic Lapus

Pep-C Velez, Baby Montemayor, Sonja Garcia, Federico Pineda III, Belinda Tan & Tommy Tionko

Camille Cañete, Jiolo Velez, Dottie Wurgler-Cronin, Marie Tionko & Benjie Lizada

Teddy Boy Garcia, Eshma Bautista, Mia Floirendo & Cong. Jericho Nograles

Emil Sitjar, Malouchi Gahol, Lea Imperial, Antonio Allado, Joanne Alladin, Tomas Tionko, Cong Mylene Albano & Cong. Karlo Nograles

This year, the best dressed women will be awarded with a gift certificate each for an overnight stay for two at Davao’s best addresses: Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Marco Polo Davao, SEDA Abreeza, Waterfront Insular Hotel, Park Inn by Radisson and Royal Mandaya Hotel. Good luck. ladies!

Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com. For more lifestyle & travel stories, visit www.ofapplesandlemons.com & www.jeepneyjinggoy.com

Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.

The officers of Hijos de Davao Vincent Garcia, Gerivic Cabreros, Jackie Dizon, Nena Hizon, Mabelle Lemen, Rose Cabaguio, Amy Diano, Pilar Rodriguez & Jose Velez

Proud grandparents of the muse Josie Tionko with Benny & Annie Salonga

Mabel Soriano-Lemen & the mother of the escort, Margarita Soriano

Baby & Binggoy Montemayor, Pres. Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Exec. Sec. Salvador Medialdea, Cong. Milen Garcia, Sonia Garcia-Albano, Edgar Ang & DOT ASec Ricky Alegre