Just about everybody worth mentioning knows who Tita Helen is and what she has done in her lifetime. And except for the loss of an eye due to a doctor’s error, Tita Helen remains in good health (thank goodness).

So dear friends and relatives celebrated her 92nd birthday even as they wondered if the celebrant would one day reach 100 (who knows?).

Highlight of the event was the blessing of the Holy Family chapel in the old Benitez family compound in Mariposa St., QC. Tita Helen’s cousin Bishop Rolando Tirona officiated at the inaugural mass together with Fr. Paul Marquez, Fr. Saturnino Pilotos Jr., Fr. Alex Ramos, Fr. Ruben Areno and Fr. Prisco Entines.

The chapel which took 100 days to construct and complete was designed by architects Rosary Benitez and Fedore Yap. But it was Tita Helen who told them what she wanted for it.

The feisty nonegenarian told her guests – "As I mark this milestone day, I could think of no better way to express my convictions and commitments in life than in the construction of the chapel right in Mira–Nila where the Benitezes have lived since my childhood."

"I think of no better model and ideal of family solidarity, love and caring than of the Holy Family," she added. There is a stained glass image of the holy family that was imported from Germany.

It was a rainy day but that didn’t dampen the festive mood of everybody there.

The guests were treated to a concert dubbed "Divertissement" featuring excerpts from the opera "Spolarium" by Ryan Cayabyab with libretto by the great soprano Fides Cuyugan Asensio and from "Mayo: Disperas ng Liwanag" by Rey Paguio and libretto also by Asencio.

Performing were Fides herself, soprano Ana Feleo, tenors Jonathan Badon and Nazer Salcedo, along with students and alumni of the PWU School of Music led by Dean Harold Galang.

Tita Helen whose mother the late Francisca Tirona Benitez was the key founder of the 87-year-old Philippine Women’s University along Taft Avenue, Manila, remains active as chairman of the PWU board.

Tita Helen, much love!

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A BIRTHDAY TO–DO. Lions Club Gov. Justo Ortiz, former presidential adviser on civic affairs, celebrated his 80th birthday recently at a grand affair held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. With him were his eight children with their families, including daughter Connie Ortiz Sarubbi flying in from Honolulu, Hawaii, and son Joe Ortiz of Los Angeles, California. Plus 16 grandchildren and five great grandchildren!

The celebrant’s loving wife Lions Clubs first lady Leonida "Baby" (nee Bayani) Ortiz organized the party.

All the Ortiz children wore red as a "symbol of life." The sons prepared a surprise song number as well as a short video presentation showing funny snipets of Gov. Justo’s colorful life.

In his "thank you" speech, the governor thanked first of all his wife and children as he reminded his kids about the importance of family ties and to continue their love and support for one another. He thanked the Lord for the abundance of blessings he experienced in his eight decades.

It was indeed a wonderful celebration mixed with much sentiment and laughter.

Happy birthday, Gov. Justo Ortiz!