Ruffa in catwalk caps 76th Charter Day

A FASHION show featuring former Miss  World second runner-up Ruffa Gutierrez, 80 models  and top Cebuano designers was a highlight of Cebu City’s 76th Charter Day testimonial dinner.

Gutierrez, an actress and  great-grandchild of  Don Vicente Rama,  father of Cebu City’s Charter, opened the show “Estilong Sugbuanon” in a  black, figure-hugging gown with a plunging back by Cary Santiago at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.

The program, which lasted past  10 p.m.,  honored  senior citizens, outstanding individuals and groups, and “75 families of distinction” .

“What Cebu City is today, is not because of one man, two, or three.  We made Cebu City,” said Mayor Michael Rama in his post-dinner remarks during the annual celebration of cityhood.

“We all are responsible for  what Cebu is today,” he told an appreciative crowd of over 1,000 people in the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug.

The Sunday  testimonial dinner closed the city’s week-long celebration of its 76th year as a city.

In the morning, a  Mass was held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, with  flag raising ceremony and Rama’s Charter Day message at the Plaza Sugbu, and  floral offering at the bust monument of Don Vicente Rama at the Pahina Central fire department.

In the evening, a  testimonial dinner  started with the recognition of eight centenarians, who each received plaques and a check for P100,000 from the mayor.

While dinner was served, the crowd was treated to dance numbers and songs, aside from the fashion show featuring designs by top designers under  Cebu Fashion, Inc.

Gutierrez was the first on the catwalk wearing a  glittering satin grown by Cary Santiago. She led other models  wearing creations of Cebu fashion designers who included Dino Lloren, Jun Escario, Santiago. The show  ended with a handpainted bridal gown by  Philip Rodriguez.

The mayor said he was “very proud” of City Hall  department heads who put together the event with private sector members, especially the year-round program that recognized “75 families of distinction” in Cebu.

Rama also profusely thanked  private citizen volunteers s led by Lourdes “Odette” Jerez,  chairperson of the Cebu City Diamond Corps who led the selection and documention of Cebu CIty’s  75 families.

Representatives of each clan went up on stage, accompanied by  male cadets of the honor guard of the University of Cebu.

The list included the Osmeña clan, which was represented by former vice mayor Renato Osmeña.

The mayor said more famlies will be recognized in future Charter Days.

“I know some families are wondering why their names weren’t included.  Don’t worry there is still going to be 100 years of cityhood which means 25 more families in addition,” the mayor said./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac