A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO EDNA ANTON

September 20, 2024 Metro BLISTT

The late Edna Anton is a former columnist of the defunct Gold Ore and with husband Miguel used to manage Sizzling Plate, which is Baguio’s best known steakhouse. She is also the mother of Carlos, who made a name for himself as a car racing champion which his son, Inigo, 20, “inherited” as he is now the most dominant car racer in the country. The writer-restaurateur died last March and she would have turned 82 on September 23.

Karen Navarette-Anton, wife of Carlos who is also a writer-restaurateur like her late mother in law, said on said date, all Sizzling Plate restaurants will be giving free sans rival to all customers. She told this writer: “In celebration of mom’s birthday day, we will be giving free slices of sans rival to all our customers in all our restaurants.” To honor the late Edna Reynoso-Anton, here is a piece written by Marcia Anton – Anonsen, older sibling of Carlos.

As with so many special moms, our mom had a long list of wonderful attributes. She was beautiful, kind, generous, charitable, funny, witty, compassionate, loving, an incredibly strong fighter and I could go on and on and on! But the one trait we ALWAYS admired about our mom was that she was inclusive! She was inclusive before being inclusive was a thing. When we were young, she allowed us to invite classmates after school while they worked late at Sizzling Plate. There weren’t a lot of after school programs and she wanted everyone to be safe.

As we got older, we were allowed to invite one classmate each to sleepover who was a boarder from Brent School. She didn’t want them to be alone on the weekends. Our family of four siblings instantly doubled to eight children! We would take up an entire pew at Pacdal Church and our dad was always so shocked with the food bill at the end of the month. Mom never needed a reason to celebrate. The weather was hot, buy ice cream. The weather was cold, order soup. You got good grades, celebrate. You got bad grades; celebrate – as at least you passed your class. It’s Sunday, let’s celebrate! There’s a new restaurant in town, celebrate. You won your race, celebrate!

In fact she bought my brother Carlos his first trophy!! You get the idea. But what was special about her celebrations was that she INCLUDED EVERYONE! She got this from our Lola Afric who never missed a moment to celebrate lives many occasions – legit or otherwise. Mom loved to celebrate her birthday over a one week period with friends and loved ones. She had so many different groups, venues and menus; it was hard to keep up. When Sizzling Plate Session first opened 46 years ago, she gave a slice of Sans Rival for every entree ordered. She did this for 2 full years. By that time my Dad was pulling his hair out, but she convinced him it was a good thing.

Now over 4 decades later, the Sizzling Plate Sans Rival is iconic in Baguio. It is a favorite for so many parties and celebrations. We are so grateful to our wonderful costumers!!! In honor of Mom’s inclusive spirit, we would like to call September 23rd the “Edna Anton Sans Rival Day”. We would like to share a little token of gratitude with all of our very loyal customers. On this day, every entree ordered will come with a slice of our famous Sans Rival to remember our loving mother on her birthday. This will be available at all Sizzling Plate Baguio outlets. Mom left us a legacy of inclusivity that strengthens our deep sense of community.

She has inspired us to continue this legacy of inclusion and to never leave anyone out. Hopefully she has inspired you to do the same for this beloved city of Baguio she called home. September 23 is a time for remembering and celebrating a life well lived. This is a day to celebrate inclusion. On this day we say we love you, we miss you and Happy Birthday Mom!!! EDNA REYNOSO-ANTON is surrounded by his children with their spouses and her grandchildren during her 80th birthday celebration in 2020. Left are Carlos and Karen with their son Alonso, partly hidden.