FILIPINO-CANADIAN COMMUNITY LEADER AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVE MARKS A MILESTONE
By Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired
Photos by Jean Pardo
Toronto-Canada
October 11, 2021
Ms. AGNES P. MIRANDA
Ms. Agnes Pasaporte Miranda, one of the grand ladies of the Filipino Canadian community, Senior Executive Vice-Chair of World Financial Group (WFG), and PIDC Executive Vice-President celebrated her 76th "maligayang kaarawan" on October 8, 2021, with a simple "salu-salo" at Casa Manila, North York, Toronto.
L-R--- PIDC EVP Agnes Miranda( seated centre) with L-R Joy & Tony San Juan, Al Tupe, Ofelia Santiago, Melinda Manlapaz, Bea Santiago, Rory Elefano, Jean Pardo, Norma Carpio & Suzy Llanera.
Agnes has been joined by some of her close friends, members of her PIDC "pamilya", and fellow financial advisers and associates of the World Financial Group. Among the greeters and well-wishers were her sister, Norma Carpio, PIDC chair emerita, and other officers and members of PIDC such as Aris & Rory Elefano, Ramon and Donna Estaris, Suzy Llanera, Melinda Manlapaz, Jean Pardo, Ofelia Santiago, Al Tupe, and Tony & Joy San Juan. Those who sent earlier their online greetings "for more birthdays to come" were Danny Almodal Orbillo (who wrote a poem to commemorate Agnes' special day), Ben Corpuz, Minda Neri, Chyrell & Rodney Ronquillo, Tom Tan, Nene & Nanding Ticzon, and Tess & Mon Torralba.
WFG Senior Executive Vice-Chair Agnes Miranda & Bea Santiago(standing) with Aton Simms and WFG financial advisers
Special guest Aton Simms, Agnes' business associate and the first Black Canadian Basketball Olympian(1984), former New York Knicks player, radio and TV commentator, life skills coach, and persuasive marketing expert, was prominently present too. A mother and daughter WFG financial advisors from Alberta, Marie & Kim Gamban flew all the way from Alberta to personally congratulate Agnes on her natal day.
Standing-- Celebrant Agnes Miranda with business associate Aton Simms( in white scarf) and WFG colleagues
Albeit the short invitation notice was sent to the PIDC Board and friends, the attendees came and brought flowers and gifts for the celebrant. Likewise, Miss International 2013 Bea Santiago with her mother Ofelia, as well as, Rory Elefano handed Agnes bouquets of flowers and a bunch of hugs. Suzy Llanera gifted Agnes her favourite bottle of red wine. Ramon & Donna harvested some veggies from their garden for Agnes. The celebrant wishfully blew her glowing candle on top of an ube-flavoured cake while the happy birthday songs were being rendered by her guests including the service staff of Casa Manila.
WFG SEVC AGNES P. MIRANDA AT HER EXECUTIVE OFFICE IN THORNHILL, ON.
The sumptuous supper servings include chicken adobo, calamari rings, caldereta, lechon kawale, grilled liempo, lumpia shanghai, deep-fried squid, tinolang manok, crispy pata, pinakbet, pritong bangus, garlic fried rice, and favourite desserts like halo-halo, buko pandan, mais con yelo, leche flan, kalamansi mojito chiller, and native kakanins. In the joyful gathering, the happy and proud celebrant along with her busog-na-busog guests went into the usual mood of "selfies and groupie kodakan." Agnes feeling elated said: "I am really honoured and thankful for your well-wishes. I am truly grateful for the many blessings God bestowed upon me, my family and friends." It was certainly a memorable evening of celebration and congratulations with the ever-charming, kind, respectable, and magnanimous Agnes Pasaporte Miranda. God bless always!( Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired)