Olivia V. Yanson (OVY), the matriarch of the Yanson Group of Bus Companies, marked her 90th birthday by giving away P15.8 million in prizes, including two Toyota Innova vehicles, to about 1,100 guests at Villa Olivia in Bubog, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, January 23.
Among the hundreds of winners at the celebration dubbed “Love Gives@ 90” was former President Rodrigo Duterte who won P45,000 in a bingo game.
Antonio Señoron and Lucette Lim Garaygay each won a Toyota Innova worth P1.7 million, while Analyn Esquilla Bellezar, staff of Bacolod Councilor Em Ang, won the P900,000 Bingo grand prize.
Prizes were also given to winners of the OVY Cup held at the Marapara Golf and Country Club on Tuesday.
Hosting the event were OVY’s children Leo Rey Yanson, Vallacar Transit Inc. president and CEO, and Ginnette Yanson Dumancas.
Dumancas said her mother was unable to attend the party because she was hospitalized at St. Luke’s Medical Center for an upset stomach after eating clams. She is just under observation, her daughter said.
Her mother wanted to gather relatives, friends and employees at her 90th birthday “to give back more, especially to people who helped her during the times that my parents were struggling”.
“Because she is financially blessed she felt that it’s about time to give back to all walks of life, especially to the people who helped her build Ceres,” Dumancas said.
Former President Dutere lauded the Yanson family who have been blessed with a lot for passing on their blessings to others.
He also thanked the Yanson family for their support during his presidency, especially during the elections, and wished OVY a happy birthday.
The party that began at 2 p.m. with Bingo games was capped with the raffle of the two vehicles and a grand fireworks display Tuesday.*