By Cyrus A. Natividad

Mrs. Rosemary B. Valencia shares her success during her 60th Birthday Celebration in Bacolod City.

Happiness is meeting Centralian friends after a long time and feeling that nothing has changed. For sisters Mary and Jho Beton (now Jho Lim and Rosemary Valencia), Bacolod and New Jersey is just a sleep away. “Jho’s arrival from the U.S. is not new to us. She often comes home in a short notice,” Rosemarie said.

Meeting the two sisters who are both members of the CPU Order of Kalantiao was a moment of fraternal recollections from our time. The special occasion was the celebration of the younger Rosemary’s 60th Birthday held at the Planta Hotel in Bacolod City on August 26, 2023. My invitation was forthcoming, not only because of meeting the celebrant, but to update with them on the CPU homecoming celebration on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Rosemary Beton Valencia is a Political Science graduate of CPU Batch ’84. She has been an official of the Municipality of Candoni, Negros Occidental and an active community leader. That traces back to her college days, as a student leader in CPU. Now a successful business woman, she is a doting mother of two – Celeste and Ceinna Marie Valencia. Both daughters are now studying in Australia. Celeste who has her B.S. Nursing taken from CPU, is currently enrolled in further studies in Australia. Rosemary is married to Celestino Valencia, Jr., an Overseas Maritime Engineer. Jho, her sister is also a success in business in New Jersey, U.S.A.

Both topics of the Order of Kalantiao and the CPUAA activities were listed for the day, while looking at and savoring the delicious party punch and dishes at Rojo’s Restaurant by the bay (Thanks to Jho Beton Lim). Not much on developments, but the night tour of the City of Smiles was telling us that Bacolod City is not far behind the City of Love, Iloilo – with the Masskara Festival on its way.

On the next day, Rosemarie’s 60th Birthday celebration started off at 11:00AM with some illustrious families and honored guests from Bacolod and other parts of Negros. The program was filled with fun and excitement as the celebrant’s family managed the party; with tributes and surprises for Rosemary. A ‘Planta Buffet’ was fitting for the celebrant and the guests.

Rosemary blew the candle on her cake and said a lot more about how grateful she is to the Lord for giving her a good family, and more than anything she asked for. She also gave a tribute to her Alma Mater, Central Philippine University for preparing her to success. “I will do my best to be there at the homecoming this year”, she added.