THESE days, most, if not all government officials would celebrate their birthday by splurging. Either they throw an expensive party or go on luxurious trips abroad.
In the case of Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, it was totally different.
She spent her actual birthday with the less-privileged citizens of Manila whose birthdays fall on May 6 or during this month.
To top it all, she did so without fanfare, no media or vloggers invited for the purpose of publicity.
Everything was hush, and I only learned about her birthday from one of her staff in charge of her itinerary for the day.
The first event I attended was the buffet party she threw for some 300 senior citizens at the San Andres Complex.
Her chief of staff, Joshue Santiago, said the attendance was supposed to have been 549. Those who failed to make it were either bedridden or simply physically incapable.
The senior citizens came from all six districts of Manila. Buses were deployed per district to pick them up to and from the party.
They were treated to a sumptuous lunch while being serenaded by a singer and band.
Birthday celebrants were also gifted by Mayor Honey with a special birthday cake and red envelopes or ‘angpao.’
The mayor hopped from one table to another, engaging them to a small talk and have their photos with her taken.
She also gamely danced and sang with them and in her brief message, she greeted and expressed her love for her fellow birthday celebrants whom she thanked for celebrating their birthday with her.
The eldest, 91-year-old Florita Resusta, was all teas when Mayor Honey gave her special treatment by having a solo picture with her onstage.
When Resusta cried, Mayor Honey quickly asked for a tissue paper, handed it over to Resusta and repeatedly told her not to cry, and instead be glad for being healthy at 91.
After the picture-taking with the celebrants per district, each senior citizen received a bag containing vitamins and milk.
Once they boarded the bus that would take them back to where they were picked up, another cake was given to each of them, this time coming from the local government of Manila.
The senior citizens were all moved by the gesture of their mayor and I can only relate to the happiness that Mayor Honey felt. The smiles that she was able to bring on the senior citizens’ faces is just priceless.
I learned from the beauteous Kapitana Evelyn de Guzman that those who were not able to make it due to their physical condition will be given the same set of gifts as ordered by Mayor Honey herself and that these will be delivered to their homes.
A couple of hours later, the good mayor joined about 200 kids at the Manila Zoo.
There, they were treated to an afternoon of fun, games, shows and free tickets to the zoo with one companion each.
Just like their senior counterparts, the said children were also fetched and taken home by buses to and from the zoo. They were also provided with food, birthday cakes, stuffed toys, loot bags and ‘angpao’ or red envelopes containing cash gift.
Thanks to the efforts of De Guzman, Santiago, tourism chief Charlie Dungo, spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante, social welfare chief Re Fugoso and MTPB head Zenaida Viaje, the said celebratory events were both successful.
Asked at that time what her birthday wish was, Mayor Honey said all she wants is the continued trust and support of Manilans, whom she thanked for their confidence in her, with a vow that she will never disappoint them.
Mayor Honey is the kind who keeps her word. You can take that to the bank!
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JOKE (from MPD Director PBGen. Andre Dizon)
Dizon: Bakit si Adan ang pinakamasuwerteng lalaki sa mundo?
Me: Bakit
Dizon: Kasi, wala siyang biyenan!!
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