Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

We had a wonderful celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary and the 30th anniversary of The Philippine Reporter last Aug. 25th, 2019 at Rembrandt Banquet Halls, thanks to the help of family and friends who made it possible.

First, a big personal thank you to all who came to celebrate the significant milestones in our lives: the huge Garcia clan and my relatives from Leyte; journalists and writers of The Philippine Reporter, and with the Filipino-Canadian Journalists and Writers Network; our comrades and friends in the social justice and human rights movement; long-time good friends in the Filipino-Canadian community and advertisers and supporters of the Reporter.

Special thanks to Lilac Caña and Emil Zarris for your outstanding emceeing and performing our favorite songs; to Lui Queaño for your original composition of a love song for us, and your interpretation of an all-time favorite love song of political detainees separated from their loved ones; to Naeema Garcia for your beautiful rendition of “Blue Moon;” to Mike, Elaine Avila and family for the elegant and delicious golden anniversary cake customized for us; to Jinny Marquita and Rovie Pagunsan for connecting us to Stacey who baked The Philippine Reporter’s 30th Anniversary heavenly ube cake; to Rene Sevilla who generously offered to document the event with your professional photography; to Lawrence Garcia for designing the invitations and the two anniversary posters; to Norman Garcia for taking charge of the 30th anniversary preparations;  to Cathy and Jay Jay Carpio for the gorgeous bouquet of a dozen long-stemmed yellow roses and for helping us manage the affairs of the evening; to Au and Bert de Lara for the bountiful late night dessert table and kind fashion-related assistance; to Maria Geroche of Rembrandt for the delicious food, with complimentary hors d’oeuvre, the magnificent banquet hall venue, and your and your staff’s professional and caring service; to Leslie Gesell for the meticulously prepared guest list and table arrangements; to Pat Lazaro, Norman, Lawrence, Mithi Esguerra, Art Viola and Marites Sison for your gracious, kind, insightful, and loving reflections on our marriage, our journalism and our continuing commitment for human rights and social justice.

To all our guests that evening, thank you for your heartfelt greetings, your generous presents, and the wonderful memories, fun and goodwill you shared with us. We will treasure them forever

— Mila and Hermie

See more photos: Philippine Reporter marks 30th year; Garcia couple’s golden anniversary Pictorial by Rene Sevilla