Konted's Make My Day: That Sunday Meeting in New Manila

That Sunday Meeting in New Manila

The special guest from Houston, Prof Nong Umali, begged off at the last minute. He had laryngitis, had no voice and was not feeling well. So did the Man from San Francisco, Ted Aquino, who was complaining of body malaise. Ever the optimistic one, Francis Pacheco, hoping against hope, decided to push through with the scheduled event. And he proved himself right, as always.

For despite the odds, we managed to have a quorum at Andy''s place in New Manila last Sunday. Mediatrix West, who hails from Illinois and had lived for 35 years in San Francisco with brother Louie, came as she did in our get2gether at Club Filipino about a month ago. There was a motion to adopt her as honorary member of Class 62/66, representing her late brother Louie. This was seconded and there was no objection. Dennis Araneta was also there. He came rushing after a Hands-On photography session at Fort Santiago.

Captain Ronnie Cunanan flew all the way from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where he is on an intensive on -the- job training for Air Asia while Boy Siwa took the plane from Butuan City so as to be able to attend this special event. These circumstances were major factors taken into consideration by Francis not to postpone last Sunday's meeting. The addition of the four reliables, namely, Greg C, Francis P. Ted G. and Andy J constituted a quorum. Plus, Mrs. Letty Jimenez, of course.

Now, while on my second barbecue on a stick, which was perfectly marinated, the conversation veered towards the ongoing impeachment trial of CJ Corona. Captain Ronnie, who I thought was interested only in aircraft and other things that fly, was repeatedly saying, to the point of being redundant, that he was not convinced that Demetrio Vicente really owns the Marikina property which is still in Mrs. Corona's name. He was implying that it was a "simulated sale".

Sensing that Ronnie must have caught the "ÿellow fever" strain, I countered by saying that there are still many who, after acquiring a piece of real estate property, do not bother to have the TCT transferred to their names. Some simply hold on to the deed of sale with the intention of doing it some other time. Some rely on the strength of the deed of sale plus actual possession of the property. And some really do not have the money for the expenses to be incurred. And I drew out from my back pocket a photocopy of an actual deed of sale, showing the seller offering a residential lot, the title of which has not been transferred to her name for the past 10 years. And here is a buyer willing to buy said property. My point was that such cases happen. As in the case of Demetrio Vicente.

Now, when we were discussing the dollar account of CJ Corona, Andy Jimenez positioned himself next to Ronnie. Andy, as we all know, is a rabid member of the Yellow Army. So I moved a little to the right, closer this time to Francis, for fear of being bitten by a rabid dog. Over a cupful of ice cream, I was listening to Andy as he began expressing his arguments. "Full of technicalities yang Defense Panel mo, Ted. Let them rest their case and let us see what the verdict would be." He was extremely confident that the Chief Magistrate would be convicted !!

I was now assessing the situation. I was facing two members of the Yellow Army. One a diehard, and the other showing some symptoms of the dreaded Yellow rabies. To cut short the discussion as it seemed heading to nowhere as both sides would not give an inch, I posed a challenge which Andy readily accepted. Which actually was a bet. If Corona is convicted, Andy wins. If the Chief Justice is acquitted, then I win. And the stake? Two big buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken. With lots of gravy and sidings.

On my way home, I was listening to a Creedence Clearwater song: "Someone told me long ago, there's a calm before the storm...I know, and it's been coming for sometime...When it's over, so they say, it''ll rain on a sunny day...I know, shining down like water...Have you ever seen the rain, comin' down on a sunny day? " I was enjoying the rhythm, the melody and the harmony. And I was imagining things, imagining the outcome. CJ Corona is finally acquitted. Greg and Francis are dipping chicken in a bowl of gravy. And Andy is sitting in an armchair bewailing the outcome. And I approach Andy and console him:" That's the way the cookie crumbles, my dear friend."

- Konted