Neri: Impressive birthday bash

Chester Cokaliong’s birthday party was another grand affair at Radisson Blu Cebu. At 64, Chester has a long list of accomplishments to be proud of, and that is why every birthday calls for a celebration.BIRTHDAY CELEBRATOR.

Chester Cokaliong and the lady senators — Sen. Nancy Binay (left) and Sen. Imee Marcos.



‘IL DIVO’ PERFORMERS. Rep. Edu Rama, Chester Cokaliong, Councilor Joel Garganera and Cebu City Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros sang “My Way” during the program.

More than 300 guests came to the birthday dinner which included VIPs from Manila, among them were Sen. Imee Marcos, Sen. Nancy Binay and Philippine National Police Gen.

Nicolas Deloso Torre III, Criminal Investigation and Detention Group Director.FRIENDS. From left: Leonardo Sylianco Jr.

, Linda Carolyn Tan, Carolyne Go, Ma. Elena Aspacio, Helena Gue-Yap, Luisa Evelyn Chanlim, Ma. Teresa Hong, Chester Cokaliong, Georgina Lee, Estrella Ng, Grace Ho, Joselito Lee, Joven Cimafranca, Pedro Yap and Susan Yap.

PARTY GUESTS. Standing, from left: David Teng, Ryan Anderson Dy, Gwendolyn Pardo, Rosie Dy, Renee Teng, Irma Del Rosario, Melanie Lim, Catherine Lao, Sen. Imee Marcos, Anna Lynne Cokaliong, Adeline Go, Camille Uy, Melinda Chua, Lani Yu and Jimmy Pardo.

Seated, from left: Simon Del Rosario, Joseph Franco and Nancy Ko, Nelson Uy and Willy Chua.MAYOR’S SPECIAL AWARD. Chester Cokaliong gets the award from Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia for his generous support to the Sinulog Devotee City.

From left: Cebu City Vice Mayor Donaldo ‘Dondon’ Hontiveros, Rep. Eduardo ‘Edu’ Rama Jr., Cebu City Councilors Rey Gealon, Philip Zafra and Jocelyn Pesquera, Rep.

Rachel Marguerite ‘Cutie’ Del Mar, Chester Cokaliong, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, Cebu City Councilors Francis Esparis, Noel Wenceslao, Joel Garganera, Pastor Alcover, Jerry Guardo and Edgardo ‘Jaypee’ Labella. The program included a video presentation of the inauguration of the Tejero gym, a project of the Edgar Cokaliong Foundation. However the big surprise of the evening was the Il Divo-like number performed by Chester and a quartet singing “My Way,” dedicated to his lovely wife, Anna Lynne.

COKALIONG FAMILY. Singing the birthday song with Sen. Imee Marcos on the lead.

ROW OF GENTLEMEN. From left: Toledo City Attorney, Hazan Bargamento; USP College of Law Dean, Atty. Peter B.

Cañamo; PNP CIDG Director, Major General Nicolas Torre III; Chester Cokaliong; PNP CIDG 7 Col. Christopher Bermudez; Cebu City Attorney, Santiago L. Ortiz, Jr.

and Atty. Andrew Jericho Cañedo. To show appreciation to his guests and to make the party more exciting, the birthday celebrant raffled off 25 envelopes with P5,000 cash each.

To sweeten the pot and to highlight his 64th year, Chester raffled off three envelopes, each with P64,000 cash. What a generous host! And yes, it was a birthday bash like no other!.