Neri: People

We lost another colleague in the Lifestyle circuit with the passing on of Jenara “Cookie” Regis Newman (less than a year after Jaime Picornell died). Cookie was one of the most dependable Lifestyle writers of SunStar. She never said no to any assignment and was a constant presence in press events, community affairs and the like. We will surely miss her company. Rest well, dear friend, you have gained your eternal reward.***A long overdue and well deserved recognition for Msgr. Rudy Villanueva took place at the San Carlos Seminary College when the Cebu City government in tandem with Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission conferred on him the Order of Rajah Humabon, the highest award the city can give in recognition and appreciation of an individual’s achievements and contributions to the community. Msgr. Rudy was cited for his outstanding work in Music and in Literature.***There’s no stopping Raquel Choa from reaching new heights in her advocacy to promote the cacao industry. As the lady behind The Chocolate Chamber, she has come up with countless ways of using cacao in food and drinks so much so that the Department of Tourism Region 7 has recognized The Chocolate Chamber as a cacao haven “where stories of inspiration in fostering centuries-old tradition are celebrated and the distinctive features of locally farmed, home-grown cacao are highlighted.” The Chocolate Queen happily announced that there’s a new TCC Lounge at NuStar.***It was a lovely Spring day in Rhode Island, USA, when Brian Abellana Lacson proposed marriage to Amanda Colmenares. This was a milestone that Amanda’s beloved parents Caloy and Sheila missed out so doting Mom made up for it by organizing a surprise engagement party when they came back. It was an intimate gathering of close relatives and dear friends at Casino Español. Oh yes, the bride-to-be (though still jet-lagged) was blooming, basking in the loving attention of her soon-to-be groom.***It took a while for Manu Jordana Fernando to put a ring on Bea Marie Roble’s finger because he wanted to do it the old fashioned way. He made an appointment with Marie’s parents, Jay and Elvie Roble, to ask for their permission to marry their daughter. With the go-signal given, there was a suggestion for Manu to formally propose to Marie during the 30th wedding anniversary celebration of her parents at the Sta. Maria Ballroom of Radisson Blu. It was the perfect occasion and made the celebration doubly significant.