Venue
The Harbour House
Pier 1, Cebu Port area, Cebu City. Look for the white building with the terrace over the water. Ten minutes from Ayala Center on a Sunday night.
The man himself
Sixty years, in six lines.
- 1966
Born in Cebu on a Sunday, which explains a lot. Loudest baby on the ward, according to Lola.
- 1976
Learned to swim off the Mactan pier by being thrown in. Has not been out of the water since.
- 1986
Met Marisol at a fiesta in Carcar. Asked her to dance four times. She said yes on the fourth.
- 1996
Opened the shop on Colon Street with two employees and one delivery bike. It now has forty and a fleet.
- 2006
Coached the barangay basketball team to a championship. Still brings it up. Will bring it up tonight.
- 2016
Became Lolo Ben. Now has five grandchildren, a boat, and a strong opinion about how to grill.
Tonight is for the people who were there for all of it. Come and toast him.
The plan
How the night runs.
-
Doors open
Drinks on the terrace. The bar knows Ben's usual; tell them yours.
-
Dinner
Lechon, obviously. Plus everything else Marisol has been planning since June.
-
The toast, nine sharp
Three speakers, two minutes each. Ben has been told he does not get a rebuttal.
-
The band
Ben's own picks, from the seventies onward. Requests go to the drummer.
-
Last call
Or whenever Ben leaves the dance floor. History suggests later.
Getting there
The Harbour House, Cebu City.
Parking
Plenty, and free
The port lot beside the venue is ours for the night. Rideshare drop-off at the gate. If you are flying in, the airport is forty minutes; ask us about the hotel block.
Dress code
Cocktail attire, in gold, teal, or black.
Dresses, jackets, barongs. It is on the water and it will be warm, so linen is welcome. Dancing shoes are not optional; the band has been briefed.
- Teal
- Brass
- Black
- Sand
- Sea
No white. That is Ben's shirt, and he has already ironed it.
Instead of gifts
Your presence is the present.
Ben has everything he needs and most things he does not. If you insist, two things he would love:
A bottle of something old
Whisky, rum, or a story to go with it. He will open it on the boat and tell everyone who gave it.
A gift to the barangay court
The basketball court he coached on needs a new roof. A contribution in Ben's name, and he gets a plaque he will pretend not to like.
Questions
Things people have already asked.
Is this a surprise party?
No. Ben knows, Ben requested the band himself, and Ben has opinions about the lechon. Feel free to talk to him about it.
Are kids invited?
This one is an adults' night. The grandchildren get their own party the week after, with a bouncy castle Ben has also been told about.
Can I bring a plus one?
If your invitation was addressed to you and a guest, yes. Add the seat when you confirm.
I am flying in from Manila. Where should I stay?
We have a room block at a hotel ten minutes from the venue for Saturday and Sunday. Mention it in your confirmation note and Marisol will send the code.
Will there be speeches?
Three, at nine sharp, two minutes each. If you would like to say something, tell us when you confirm. We will fit you in before the band.
Confirm
Are you coming?
We set the final table count on 10 September 2026. Two minutes, no login.
Cheers, friend.
If your mail app opened, send the note and we have you down.
Change of plans? Reply again and we will update the list.
Save the date
Put it in your phone.
Sunday, 27 September 2026. Doors at 7:00 PM, toast at 9:00 PM sharp, The Harbour House, Cebu City.