December Affair At Club Filipino
It was LSQC62/66's December get2gether. The last for this year's periodic meetings which have succeeded in drawing out long lost classmates and providing personal details about almost every class member. And for those still unheard of until this time, the search continues.
The venue was at the exclusive Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan. For some who have been experiencing memory lapses, it was at Club Filipino where a plain housewife, Corazon Aquino, by a twist of fate, was sworn into office as the Philippine Republic's 11th President. It was an aftermath of the 1986 People Power uprising. It was also the same venue where Chavit Singson, in a historical press conference, spilled the beans on President Erap that ignited the impeachment proceedings at the Senate and,eventually, Edsa People Power 2.
The exact location was the Jasmin Room. This function room is wide and spacious that can accommodate a big number of guests with its airconditioners really blowing cold. There was a long, long table draped in immaculate white clothing with shasta daisy flowers enhancing the beauty of the place. It was reserved for us by classmate Albert Castro, who is a Board Director of the club.
Those who drove patiently through heavy traffic around the Greenhills area and perseveringly looked for a parking space amidst a thousand cars weaving in a maze in and around the commercial center, were Ted Aquino, Capt. Ronnie Cunanan, Ed dela Rosa, Francis Pacheco, Andy Jimenez, Greg Calixto, Ted Gener and, of course, Albert Castro. Almost everybody came on time, notwithstanding the traffic situation.
With shots of either Black Label whiskey or San Mig Lite, the usual exchanges took place. Beer and hard liquor, from the unfounded observation of social drinkers, appear to enhance their recall ability when telling stories. That is, when drinking moderately. Albert talked about the early days when, at a young age and still inexperienced, he started a business of his own armed only with sheer guts and determination.
Ronnie recalled the days when he played friendly table tennis matches with Tony Tuason who is now in Toronto, Canada. I informed the group that Bishop Tuason sent me, through his wife who is now on vacation here for the holidays, a Toronto baseball cap, a souvenir Canadian car plate, some chocolates and magazines. Francis talked about Manny Del Mundo, who became a lawyer but had gone ahead to the far beyond.
Ed dela Rosa mentioned that while their old Plaza Theater in Baguio City is no longer operational, the Dela Rosas still have a house at Quezon Hill and he visits Baguio City from time to time. Andy talked about Perry Santos and Vic Fadrilan who both used to stay in New Manila. The following names kept cropping up during the exchanges: Raymond Tayag, Sonny and Mario Fadul, Vic Olizon, Ding Ortiz, Johnny Mangalindan, Allan and Edgar Alcobendas, tough guy Mike Velasco, Bombo Joven, Mamerto Montemayor, Jonathan Garcia, Romy Infante and Nong Umali who are expected to be here either February or March, Tony Jocson, Vic Calaycay, Joseph Manapat, Dodie Puno, Oswald Geli, Arlen Manalang, Bobby dela Rosa, Jonathan Garcia, Jones Castro, Joel dela Cruz, Ben Jacinto, Oscar Keesee, Ben Songco, Dr. Martin, Romeo Sulit, etc.
With our curiosity satisfied, it was now time to satisfy our appetite for food. With good and prompt service being provided, we were served with Tinolang Manok, crispy Lechon Kawali, Kalderetang Baka, spicy Gambas Fritas and fresh fruit salad. The Lechon Kawali was done to perfection and I kept on getting even if my BP was 190/110 a few days ago. I took a beta blocker after eating.
Now, the last part, which was keenly awaited, was the exchanging of Christmas gifts. Just like what we did in our grade school days. Ed numbered each of the gifts and prepared the corresponding stubs. There was a drawing of lots. I drew number 4 and box #4 came from our host Albert Castro. And do you want to know what it was? It was a Ben Sherman shirt. Grey with yellow and green stripes. It really made my day !!!
- Konted
" On this day, as Tiny Tim said,
God bless us everyone !! "
--Excerpt from class valedictorian Edilberto Yao's editorial
almost 47 years ago.
--From Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol
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| Front view of the exclusive Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan |
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| Historical marker |
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| Historic room where Cory Aquino took her oath of office as President |
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| The actual oath-taking of Cory Aquino |
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| Club Filipino and the Nacionalista Party |
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| A long, long table at Jasmin Room. You hardly notice Ted Aquino at the far end of the table. |
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| Director Albert Castro & Andy Jimenez |
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| Ed dela Rosa |
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| Jetstar Asia's Capt. Ronnie Cunanan & Albert Castro |
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| San Francisco's Ted Aquino |
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| From left, Ted A., Francis Pacheco & Ted Gener |
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| Ed, Greg, Ted A. & Francis |
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| They came on time notwithstanding traffic |
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| Souvenir group photo |
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| Food being served |
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| Waiting for Andy Jimenez |
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| Kalderetang Baka with Mashed Potato & Stringbeans |
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| Crispy Lechon Kawali (My #1 choice) |
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| Tinolang Manok better than your grandmother's cooking because you don't have grandmothers anymore |
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| Spicy Gambas Fritas |
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| Special eggplant good for hypertension and lowering cholesterol level |
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| Fresh fruit salad |
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| Good and prompt service |
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| Johnny Walker Black Label |
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| San Mig Light |
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| Being readied for the exchanging of gifts |
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| Ed dela Rosa holds the stubs |
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| Capt. Ronnie Cunanan checking the items he got |
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Seated from left, Ed, Greg, Ted A, Francis
Standing, Andy, Capt. Ronnie, Director Albert & Ted G. |
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| Another group shot |
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| Ed dela Rosa says goodbye to classmates |
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| Andy Jimenez poses at the historic site as Andy is a die-hard Cory Aquino follower. His father was Napocor director during the time of President Cory Aquino. |
