Zonta Metro Iloilo celebrates fiesta-style fellowship

The home of Anilao Mayor Maria Teresa “Matet” Debuque opened like a polished provincial fiesta, with bright banderitas, native art pieces, festive lights, and the lively pulse of a drum and bugle corps setting the mood for the Zonta Club of Metro Iloilo’s second-quarter birthday celebration.

It was an intimate gathering with a generous spirit, honoring Debuque and fellow celebrants Annie Sartorio, Melinda Tinsay, Dr. Teresa Martinez Hallegado, Grace Blair, Prima Buckley, Teresa Dulalia, Dr. Sandra Gomez, Happy Abenir, Dr. Cherry Lynn Divinagracia Nuñez, Cecile Gison, and Sarah G. Salcedo.

The afternoon carried the easy warmth of a hometown fiesta, with Zontians and their spouses arriving in baro’t saya and stylish Filipiniana, their ensembles adding texture and color to the sprawling Anilao residence.

Debuque, long regarded within the group for her community work and warm hospitality, received guests alongside her daughter, Iloilo Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann Debuque, and Zonta Club of Metro Iloilo President Happy Abenir.

Rather than a formal reception, the celebration leaned into play, with guests trying their luck and laughter at perya-inspired games before moving into cocktails of native fruit juices and light bites.

The Anilao Rondalla ensemble softened the festivities with familiar strains of Filipino music, giving the gathering a graceful rhythm between bursts of cheering, conversation, and friendly competition.

Inside the dining hall, the fiesta theme deepened through colorful tablescapes, Ilonggo artware, native accessories, and a spread of local dishes that paid tribute to the flavors of the province.

The evening’s pageantry arrived with the coronation of Fiesta Queen Prima Buckley, who was crowned by past district governor Dr. Sandra Gomez and past president Grace Blair.

In her honor, folk dances filled the stage, turning the program into a celebration not only of birthdays but also of Filipino heritage, friendship, and the joy of shared service.

“It was the perfect way to enjoy our memorable birthdays with our Zontian family, superb food and relaxed but real fun atmosphere, may more of the best in life come our way to serve empowering women,” Debuque said.

The gathering also drew familiar faces from Iloilo’s civic and social circles, including Iloilo City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia, Grace and Les Blair, Chona Layson-Bondoc, Lynnie Denila, Marissa Hortillas, Dr. Teresa Sarabia, Jennifer Palmares-Fong, past president Vedette Ong, Ale Hallegado, Ivy Gurrea, Dianne Javelosa, RoseMarie Arias-Candaza, Sheila Draper, Nierra Totengco, former Mayor Carina Flores, Vice Mayor Rema Somo, Kris Liao-Treñas, President Doniluz Darroca, Cristy Mondragon, Arlene Sisin, Gina Deiz, Dr. Ray Gomez, and Mayor Suzette Alquisada.

As a final Anilao touch, guests went home with fresh vegetables, fruits, and farm products from the municipality, a fitting gesture for a celebration rooted in abundance and care.

For Zonta Club of Metro Iloilo, the fiesta-themed birthday bash was more than a social call; it was a reminder that fellowship, when anchored in service, can turn even a private celebration into a shared act of community.