Konted's Make My Day: September 2012

He's In Town

             Romy Infante, after more than 20 years with the World Bank in Washington, D.C. has finally retired. He blew into town several weeks ago and hooked up with the group last Saturday night at Max's Q.C. Romy, who lives in Fairfax, Virginia and has another house in Maryland which he rents out, was more than happy to see former classmates Boy Siwa, Capt. Ronnie Cunanan, Ed dela Rosa, Andy Jimenez, Francis Pacheco, Greg Calixto and Ted Gener.

            To those who have been showing signs of Alzheimer's, Romy's family used to own, in the 60s and 70s, a large fleet of taxis operating in Metro Manila. Remember Relet Taxi ? Which you could not flag down on a rainy day? Between drinks of San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen, the conversation veered, as usual, towards the whereabouts of classmates who are now mostly based in different parts of the world. Thousands of miles away. Oceans apart.

             Tony Tuason, Chito Villarroya and Edilberto Yao are permanent residents of Canada. Prof Nong Umali, Joel Dela Cruz and Robert Placino are in Texas. Ding Ortiz, Ed Damasco, Anthony Rollison and Ted Aquino are based in San Francisco, California. Tony Crame, Johnny Mangalindan, Bombo Joven and the Fadul brothers are in Los Angeles.

             Tony Jocson and Dr.Carlos Martin are now staying in Las Vegas, Nevada. Allan Alcobendas and Romy Sulit are in New Jersey. Eric Cammayo has been sighted in New York. Honorary class member Medy West is in Illinois. And, oh yes, Vic Olizon is Sydney-based.

              These are the same men, who in their prime, would stand in front of the Philippine flag every school day and, with palm of right hand placed over the chest nearest the heart, would sing with fervor: " Sa dagat at bundok, sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw....ang kislap ng watawat moý tagumpay na nagniningning....lupa ng araw ng luwalhati't pagsinta, buhay ay langit sa piling mo....aming ligaya na pag may mangaapi, ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo. "

             Now it is entirely different. Their 'bundok' is not the Sierra Madre anymore. It could be Mount Whitney or San Benito Mountain. Mount Elbert or the Bear Mountain. Mount Marcy or Mount Mckinley or Blue Mountain. And they now sing the Star Spangled Banner. Or America The Beautiful. Or O Canada. Or Advance Australia Fair. Their flag now is the Stars and Stripes. Or the Maple Leaf. Or the Blue Ensign.

             And would these men, if invaders really land on Philippine soil, still fight for Inang Bayan? Don't get me wrong. I am just kidding. I know how much you love the Philippines. I know that the Philippines is forever in the heart.

Back to the ballgame. Conversation diverted to current affairs, particularly the Enrile-Trillanes feud, the Robredo plane crash, the appointment of CJ Sereno with Capt Ronnie, Andy, Boy and Francis giving their two cents worth.

           Time passed so quickly. Everybody momentarily forgot the time. Chairs and tables were now being re-arranged. Table cloths were being replaced with new ones. And most of the lights were being switched off.  Time to pay the remaining bill. Time to call it a day.

- Konted

Romy Infante and Andy Jimenez

Romy with Ted G. Prof Nong Umali used to call Romy "the King of Jolens".

Romy with Ed Dela Rosa. Ed is extending an invitation to classmates to a one-day trip to his hometown of Taal, Batangas. The Dela Rosas used to own the Plaza Theater in Baguio City..

Romy, Francis Pacheco, Boy Siwa

From left, Boy S, Francis P. Ed DLR, Capt Ronnie & special guest Romy

Ted G, Boy, Francis, Ed, Capt Ronnie and Romy

First to arrive

Coming in second

San Miguel Beer - Iba Ang May Pinagsamahan

Potato Salad

Max's special Sisig

Max's Pancit Canton

With Max's Fried Chicken

Next December Affair is tentatively set on Dec. 9. Pls. coordinate with Francis P.

Boy S stresses a point while Capt Ronnie listens.

World Bank Logo

World Bank in Washington, D.C. where Romy worked for 20 yrs.

Fairfax, Virginia where Romy stays.

Bonus Pic:

Mini Coopers on display along Imelda Ave. in Cainta

St Kilda: Such A Lovely, Lively Place

          St Kilda here does not refer to a saint. It refers to a suburb of Greater Melbourne. It is only 6 kilometers away from Melbourne's Central Business District. If one takes the Tram at Swanston Street near Flinders Train Station, in 15 minutes he is at St Kilda. It is near the shores of Port Philip Bay.

          In the early days when life was not as complicated as it is today, St Kilda's early settlers belonged to the upper class, having built big, beautiful houses with balconies that overlooked the bay. But with the onset of the Great Depression in the late 1890s, owners of these palatial residences converted their properties into several units of apartment-style dwellings and rented them to people from the lower class. This I learned by reading brochures handed out to tourists.

          Today, St Kilda is populated mostly by migrants from different countries as they look at St Kilda as an ideal place to settle down. From these dwellers, there are notable musicians, poets and writers, painters and entertainment figures. One outstanding writer who grew up in St Kilda and considered it as his base was Morris West who wrote the best selling novel The Shoes Of The Fisherman.

          St Kilda is home to the famous Luna Park where one can spend the day riding the Ferris Wheel or the thrilling Ghost Train. Luna Park is a favorite weekend destination of families from other townships. Very near Luna Park is the historic Palais Theater which has become the most preferred venue of stage plays and concerts.

          A few meters away from Palais Theater is the renowned St Kilda Beach where hundreds frolic in its blue refreshing waters and take advantage of the sun. Kite surfing is a preferred activity at St Kilda Beach. Along the stretch of the bayside, there are restaurants, cafes and watering holes. No doubt, St Kilda is a lovely and lively place. And if you are in St Kilda, why not visit Port Melbourne which is only a few minutes away?Then you can truly tell yourself that it is, indeed, a well-spent day.

- Konted

Luna Park is an amusement park in St Kilda that has been operating since 1912.

The world famous Luna Park is at par with Coney Island in the U.S.

Ticket booth for the Spider ride

Spider ride is one of the thrilling rides at Luna Park.

4 teens trying a ride at Luna Park

Most machines and structures used at Luna Park are made by the famed Moserides.

See the ocean view and the rest of St Kilda upside down.

There are many entertainment booths at Luna Park.

The durable, dependable heritage Carousel built in 1913

Sky Rider Ferris Wheel

A fantastic view of St Kilda and Port Philip Bay

Ghost Train is not for the faint of heart.

Ghost Train is perhaps one of the most popular thrilling rides

The Pharaoh's Curse

Boy dips into his pocket for another ride.

Maximus is contented with the kiddie rides.

The Scenic Railway is the oldest continuously operating wooden roller coaster in the world.

A view of the whole of St Kilda and the beach

Lady Mascot of Luna Park

Beautiful Mascot

Main Street of St Kilda

Nice bikes

Another nice Harley Davidson bike

Harley Davidson is popular in Australia

St. Kilda is a favorite tourist destination

More bikes

The popular Palais Theater built in 1927 is now used as venue for musical concerts.

The overpass that takes you to St Kilda Beach

Ocean view from the overpass

Preferred by strollers and fishing enthusiasts

Kite surfing at St Kilda

The ramp at the Pier

A yellow marker indicating rocky portion of the beach

Waves pounding the big rocks

Adjusting his fishing rod

Patiently waiting

A kite surfer displaying superb skills

St Kilda's coastline

Three teens watching kite surfers in St.Kilda Beach

A lady cyclist takes a rest near St Kilda's pier.

Bathers like the sun.

St Kilda is one of the most popular beach resorts in the state of Victoria

Family outing

The Light house of St Kilda

Taking a walk at the jetty

Clean beach of St Kilda

Sun bathing for a beautiful tan

Alex with friend Macky from Sydney

There are many fine bars and restos at St Kilda Beach

The famous Stokehouse Restaurant at St Kilda Beach

Having a nice time

On a leisure walk near the bay

The once popular St Kilda Sea Baths. Sea Baths became popular in St Kilda in the late 1890s when swimming at the beach at daytime was considered as illegal. Sea Baths offers an alternative to sea swimming.

Providing better facilities and offering other services

Beautiful bike parked in front of St Kilda Sea Baths

Unique bike in front of St Kilda Sea Baths

Porsche Carrera

Providing a good view of Port Philip Bay

King Alfred's Park

Condominium near Esplanade St.

With balconies for clear ocean view

The historic Esplanade Hotel built in 1878

Yacht Club at St Kilda Beach founded in 1876

Good ocean view at Bayside Apartments

Hotel with good facilities near the main road

Marli Place built in the 1850s

Tram service to the city proper

Classic Mustang

Bazaar at St Kilda

Mother and child being painted on canvass

Souvenir items

There are many painters residing at St Kilda

Made of Australian leather

Small framed paintings

Australian hats for sale at St Kilda bazaar

Made from good Australian timber

VW Kombi

More hats

Fine wood carvings

Painted vases

Nice paintings of famous Australian landmarks

Made from high quality timber

Beautiful paintings of Nature

This is now Port Melbourne and this is the tram station. Port Melbourne is only about 4 kms away from St Kilda

High rise condos at Port Melbourne

Black Harley parked at Port Melbourne

A fine resto by the bay

The Station Pier at Port Melbourne

You ride the ship here bound for Tasmania

The side portion of the Station Pier

Spirit of Tasmania ship takes passengers to the island of Tasmania.

Clean and peaceful surroundings at the pier

Souvenir shot

Near the main road of Port Melbourne

Beautiful park of Port Melbourne

Park situated between the main road and the foreshore

The board walk at Port Melbourne beach

Board walk extending farther to the sea

A good view of the coastline

Good for family outing

Sharing a box of pizza

Feeling the cool sea breeze

Lady biker near the station pier

Mobile ice cream vendor

Positioned near the main road

Dogs are pampered animals in Australia

The Holden Kingswood

Ferrari sighted at Port Melbourne

Big Bikers waiting for green light

Classic cars near Port Melbourne beach

Chevrolet Camaro 350

Another Chevrolet Camaro 350

Classic Dodge Challenger Muscle Car

Taking advantage of the sun

Kite surfing at Port Melbourne

Kite surfing near the wharf

With a good view of the City Proper

Additional pics:

The Altona Beach Promenade. Altona Beach is only 13 kms away from Melbourne City Proper. In the late 1800s, it was called "The Miami Beach"of Victoria.