Konted's Make My Day: Oh When Martin Goes Marching In

Hello Chickie Boy!

Oh When Martin Goes Marching In

He is the same Carlos Martin from LSQC days. He still puts a little weight on either foot when he walks. Dr. Martin is best remembered for his long toms from the left or right side of the court A dead shot. A starting five of our varsity team. Perhaps the most prolific scorer during our high school days.

And last Saturday, Dr. Martin was wiggling his way out of the traffic jam. On his regular balikbayan trip to P.I., he flew in from Palawan where he spent a few days marveling at the sparkling waters and white-sand beaches of the Philippines' "last frontier". He made it at 6:30 pm when dinner was being served. It was time for him to savor Max's classic Spring Chicken, Sisig, which is actually chicken cut to bits and pieces, Cream Velveteen Soup, steaming rice and caramel bar. And it was time for him also to reconnect with classmates of long ago.

Movement for Hope's Ricky Xavier made a suggestion. And it was a very good suggestion. Each one would take his turn to speak and tell the group what transpired in his personal life in the years after graduation. And professional life as well. It was some sort of a Johari -Window -sharing where one reveals some hitherto hidden details. And it was to be done clockwise.

Dr. Martin was the ice breaker as he was at the 12 o'clock position, occupying the cabisera. Everyone was all ears. He took the course of Medicine at the University of Sto Tomas, passed the board and practiced for sometime at the Veterans Memorial Hospital before deciding to work in Saudi Arabia for 14 years. He migrated to Los Angeles in 1992 and moved to Las Vegas in 1997.

Boy Siwa took up Engineering at the Mapua Institute of Technology and was in the construction and heavy equipment business for quite a number of years before retiring in Butuan City. He has three children who are all in Manila. For his part, Dennis Araneta, the Amboy of the 60's, disclosed that he is presently teaching Photography at the College of St. Benilde.

Then came the turn of Tony Olizon. He studied at Dela Salle Taft and San Sebastian. While still a student, he was already working. He worked in the daytime and attended night classes. Injecting some humor, Tony narrated how his wife, then working with Banco Filipino, bought a lot for the family and where Tony later on built a family home. Whenever they quarrel, the wife would remind him about the lot while Tony, in return, would assert boastfully as to who spent for the house. Ha, Ha. And in 1982, he put up a plywood factory which, in a few years, expanded. He is still the President of the Philippine Plywood Manufacturers Association.

Then it was Ricky's turn. The champion orator studied at Ateneo de Manila and San Beda College. With a smile, he narrated how he was smitten by a girl from the nearby Maryknoll College. Later on, Ricky continued, he realized he was concentrating more on the girl than on his studies. This girl would become his wife and they would be blessed with six children. He is now busy with his Movement for Hope activities.

Drinking ice cold San Miguel Beer, Andy Jimenez recounted the years he spent in Switzerland for his training, being a novice since he had just graduated. While there, he learned to speak German and Swiss. Back in Manila, he helped run the family business. And from time to time, he still jogs, plays competitive basketball, and joins his friends for some group cycling. And Andy does these activities, according to Tony, during office hours. Why not, Tony, if you are a co-owner and the company is breaking even during hard times? Ha, ha.

Then I had the floor. I just repeated what I said before. With me at the Dela Salle University(Taft) were Manny King, Ben Songco, Bobbit Panglilinan, Allan Alcobendas, Romy Infante, Nong Umali, Joel Dela Cruz, Bombo Joven, Tony Olizon, Albert Castro, Ding Ortiz, Arlen Manalang, Ronnie Cunanan, Greg Calixto, Mon Hilario, etc. Either we were taking Liberal Arts, Commerce or Engineering.

And I mentioned that if not for Nong Umali, who right after his graduation became my Mathematical Analysis teacher, I would not have graduated. Mathana was a dreaded subject and the casualty rate was always more than a half. It was good I had Nong for my professor. I learned a lot by pretending we didn't know each other. i learned a lot by pretending I was listening. And I learned a lot by pretending I had full answers to all the questions in the final exams when, in truth, my test paper was blank. Thanks a mucho, Prof Umali for the passing mark. Naawa na si Nong sa akin. After reading this, classmates, delete, please, delete.

Then Greg Calixto was on the spot. After finishing Chemical Engineering at DLSU, Greg worked with San Miguel Corporation at its Glass Plant in Farola. Then transferred to Carnation, Philippines. He also had a stint with Bayer, Phils. Greg is a physical fitness buff who still participates in 5km marathon runs. On Sundays, he joins a hundred seniors doing Taichi near the Luneta grandstand. And he likes talking about stocks trading. As a preventive measure against Alzheimer's, Greg keeps his mind active by teaching part time at the Philippine Women's University along Taft Ave.

Ted Aquino's turn came. He talked about his college years at the University of the Philippines. And a few years after graduation, the family migrated to the United States of America, specifically San Francisco. He narrated his aborted run for a seat in the Philippine Senate. Disqualification charges were filed against him at the Comelec. The opposition came from the camp of now President Noynoy Aquino who considered Ted A as a nuisance candidate who would take away a sizable number of votes from Noynoy. Ted Aquino's father and Ninoy Aquino were first cousins.

Finally, we came to the last man. And we intentionally saved the best for last. Isn't it a truism that you save the best for last? Francis Pacheco, after finishing a glass of San Miguel Beer, started opening up. He finished college at the University of Sto. Tomas with a degree in Marketing..His work employment included stints with Western Marketing as HR Head, with SGV and later on with a known realty firm as HR Manager.

There were other things he was telling the group. But I don't recall it anymore. What is very, very clear up to now was the startling revelation he made. It was an explosive one , so explosive it rocked everyone. It was about high school days. In the time of Father Benito and Father Patricio. Francis was at first hesitant to talk about it but after some prodding from Ricky, Tony and Dennis, he obliged. We were blown away with the story.

So now you want to know the whole story? Sorry, guys, I cannot divulge it even if the prescription period had lapsed. I want you to hear it straight from the horse's mouth. Complete with details. Suffice it to say, for now, that Francis's account would make Osama Bin Laden and the Al Qaeddah look amateurish. It was well planned and executed with precision. No traces, no tracks. No lead, no nothing. It still remains unsolved.

Next time, join the group, sit next to Francis, get him a bottle of San Miguel Beer and hear the true and complete account. And make sure you don't squeal. Till then........

- Konted