The Binays mark a milestone
SOMETHING wonderful happened at the spanking A Venue Hall in downtown Makati as Makati Mayor Jejomar "Jojo" Binay and his better-half, Dr. Elenita "Ellen" Binay celebrated their birthdays there.
Together with well-wishers and friends, the celebration that early evening started with Holy Mass.
"Of all the birthdays I’ve celebrated, this is the first time for me to see my friends from around the country huddled together in one place. Even my classmates from high school and those from my childhood are here," declared Makati’s chief executive.
Makati City councilor Rico J. Puno serenaded the mayor with his hit song "May Bukas Pa." Mayor Jojo even gamely joined in the singing and sang a few stanzas when the microphone was poked at him.
Dr. Ellen’s favorite song "I Still Believe" was dedicated and sang for her by chanteuse Jenine Desiderio after which balladeer Nonoy Zuniga did a duet with Jenine after crooning his immortal ditty "Never Ever Say Goodbye."
A few Latin numbers from dance sport champion Belinda Alora and partner was performed and to keep the affair personal – creating a mood of nostalgia, an old film about the Binays (of years ago) was shown.
Constituents of Makati City remember that 20 years ago, Makati was not the premiere city that it is today. They recognized that the man behind this success is Mayor Jojo.
Today, Makati City is the country’s financial center because of his innovative governance.
Among the political bigwigs who graced the affair that evening were; Erap Estrada and Dr. Loi Ejercito, Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, Rep. Bongbong Marcos, Batangas vice-governor Mark Leviste, San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, Mayor Toby Tiangco, and Makati vice-mayor Ernesto Mercado together with the city council and officials.
From the entertainment industry came Robin Padilla, Armida Siguion-Reyna and Kris Aquino-Yap, and her sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and Pinky Aquino-Abellada.
At present, Major Jojo is gearing up to be the country’s next vice-president. He is running with former president Joseph Estrada in the 2010 elections.
Ranking 4th in the Top 10 World Mayors Award in 2006, and 1st in Asia, Mayor Jejomar "Jojo" Binay is one Filipino leader that the country can truly boast of.
Mabuhay ang mga Binay ng Makati at nang Pilipinas!