Lani and I met Hermi and Letty Tesoro some years back when we did a dance show with 23 other couples for the University of Hawaii 25th Anniversary of the Performing Arts Department under the direction of then Dance Director Judy Allen. The dance showcase went for five nights at the Kennedy Theater and the 25 couples who were dance performers became close since we had to work together during the rehearsals and stage performance. It was the year 1989 when gasoline prices were very low and the countless times for rehearsal and practices were not so much a hardship. I think Hermi and Letty were the only Filipino couple in the program. (And me being Filipino was able to spark them easily). They were a handsome and cute couple but very quiet and at times we only acknowledged each other with a cordial "Hi or Hello". After the 25th Anniversary at the UH, we lost contact until last August at the Candonian of Hawaii Scholarship Fund Dance at the Pacific Beach Hotel where I saw Hermi and Letty. Lani and I felt very honored that Hermi and Letty remembered us when we received the invitation to their 50th Anniversary Celebration.
It's Saturday, October 6 and Lani and I are heading to the Hale Koa Hotel where the celebration is to take place. Weekend traffic on Kuhio Avenue wasn't too bad and the parking for the Hale Koa wasn't bad either.
Hermi and Letty greeted us and other guests at the Ft. DeRussey Banquet Room. The room was already filled with early guests and the fabulous music from the DeeJays from Starpoint Productions echoed throughout the room. Letty whispered to me that there will be dancing. Sure enough, there was a dance floor all ready to accept the first couple to get on it. Now you all know how many times Lani has made me "dance my A** off" and I know that I'm not in the same league as her when it comes to burning the dance floor. The sweet sound of the Waltz music was sugar to her dancing feet that we were already warming up the floor for other couples to get on it. After dancing the Waltz, Rumba, Cha Cha, and the Swing, it was time to vacate the dance floor for other dancers and head for a cool glass of refreshing red wine.
EmCees were Roland and Edith Pascua who officiated splendidly that kept the moments upbeat. Incidentally, thank you Roland and Edith for sharing your notes for this blog. Hermi and Letty have two sons and two daughters. Roland and Edith are good dancers and joined us on the dance floor before others joined in.
There were many picture and video taking throughout the evening, especially when Hermi and Letty entered the Banquet room. As more guests arrived, the dance floor became filled with dancers. As I mentioned earlier, the dance music was fabulous covering a variety of Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Line Dancing, and Boogie.
The buffet was fabulous and ono too, along with the line up of dessert. Lani and I were sitting at a table near the dance floor. It gave us to be-line to the dance floor at every opportune time and have a clear view of the dancers when the floor got too crowded.
The program started immediately after dinner with a Hula performed by Shirley (Hermi and Letty's youngest daughter) with hula sisters of 30 plus years, Maelia and Gerilyn to the song Ke Aloha.
Another Hula followed with granddaughters Phoebe and Hi'ilei along with Maelia, Gerilyn, and Shirley.to the tune Papalina Lahilahi.
Granddaughter Hi'ilei also showed that she had a talent for singing. She sang two songs and accompanied by Hermi and Letty's son-in-law Mark on the guitar.
All though out the evening, the EmCees encouraged the guests to keep an open eye on the photos that was flashed on a large screen because a prize will be given to the person that answers correctly a question referring to the photos. As the video of photos rolled on covering Hermi and Letty's early life together, their children, grandchildren, and their trips as world travelers to Paris, Germany, Italy, the Caribbean, the Philippines, and Alaska, one would wonder what the question would be.
Hermi Jr. and Ben (Hermi and Letty's two sons) came to the podium explaining how their parents met. There were several versions but each one was amusing and hilarious the way they explained them. They were like stand up comedians and going by the laughter, and the hand clapping everyone appreciated their humor and the way they delivered their message. Lani and I certainly enjoyed every bit of it. Upon leaving the podium, Hermi Jr. and Ben led everyone to a special toast to Hermi and Letty.
The cutting of the wedding cake soon followed with the traditional feeding each other with a piece of the cake.....and of course with a kiss.
There were 13 out-of-town family and guests who were given leis and recognition. The leis were of ohai and ali'i and composed of nearly 500 flowers each. They were made by Letty and her brother Bernie as a warm mahalo for travelling the distance to celebrate this occasion with Hermi and Letty.
Each table was groomed with a beautiful centerpiece of a bouquet of red roses in a vase. EmCee Edith announced that the centerpiece goes to the married couple that have been together the longest. Everyone was told to stand up and as she called out each status, those fitting the level would have to sit down. The singles were first to go, then those married for ten years followed. As the years climbed to 30 years, Lani and I were still standing. I think we were fortunate since our table had 3 singles, 2 ladies with out partners, and a young couple.
Now it was time for the big question on the photos. "Who was the government official in the photo with Hermi and Letty?" Quick like a flash, a gal rushed to the microphone and named, "Ben Cayatano" and she was right. Lucky gal!
Concluding the program, Hermi and Letty dance the Waltz, and then the Swing with vigor. They hadn't lost their touch for dancing. Fifty years together is an astonishing long time but their energy and their youthful attitude is one to be admired and copied.
Lani and I had a great and enjoyable time at Hermi and Letty's 50th Anniversary Celebration. As we had bid them "good night" and "thank you" for thinking of us and inviting us, they in turn thanked us for being there. That is so humble!
General dancing continued as Lani and I left the Hale Koa banquet room.
(Left click on photo to zoom in)
