Show of force in Tom, Margot O’s birthdays

A sea of Type “Os” flooded the SM trade hall last night as Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district and his wife Councilor Margot Osmeña celebrated their birthdays with friends, top government officials and political supporters.

The night’s biggest surprise for the congressman was a birthday call from President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

A grinning Osmeña said Cabinet members sang the birthday song while he spoke with the president.

“All Cabinet members were on the speaker phone to sing happy birthday,” he told the crowd.

Osmeña received the president’s call while he was headed to the SM trade hall, an hour before his birthday party actually started at 6:30 pm.

“I could not believe the caller ID. It was the president himself (calling me),’ he said.

Rep. Osmeña turned 64 yesterday while Councilor Osmeña celebrated her 63rd birthday on July 25.

“I am so happy that all of you are here in such a special occassion.Pero next year we will be happier.Dili lang ako pero kita tanan (Not only me but all of us),’ he told a cheering crowd of over 1,000 people.

Aside from Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas, other officials who attended the birthday celebration were Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, former governor Lito Osmeña and Liberal Party (LP) provincial chair Hilario Davide III.

Also gracing the event were businessman Tristan Las Marias of Filinvest, Regional Director Raul Aguilos of the Land Transportation Office (LTO-7), former senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Rep. Cynthia Villar and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. said the mayor’s birthday celebration, the dinner and drinks which they served was a donation from supporters and friends.

He said that even the yellow and blue colored t-shirts printed with type “O” in front were also donations from friends.

The congressman’s supporters who came to the birthday celebration wore the blue and yellow type “O” T-shirts.

Rep. Osmeña delivered his birthday message to thank everyone who came shortly after the start of their birthday program hosted by Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-7).

In her message, Margot said she is happy to have found their friends and political supporters whom she referred to as her “kadugo”. “We are all Type O,” she said.

While the band played, businessman Jonathan Guardo walked into the SM trade hall with a cake for Rep. Osmeña.

His cake bore the message “Happy Birthday Tom, Type O na ta! Atan” printed on the front portion.

Guardo said in an interview that he will be campaigning for Rep. Osmeña and the rest of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) candidates in the south district during the election.

He said he has long been in discussion with Osmeña to “mend” their political differences.