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

Andy's house

Andy's office

Chief organizer Francis Pacheco stands near old Mango tree

Marinated BBQ

Special fresh Lumpia

Banana Cake

Premium Ice Cream

Beer & crispy chicharon go together

Greg & Francis, Ted G. & Boy S.

Capt. Ronnie Cunanan with Ted. G.

Mrs. Jimenez always ready to assist the group

Counter clockwise - Mr. & Mrs. Jimenez, Capt. Ronnie, Ted G., Boy S., Francis & Greg

Exchanging views about the impeachment trial

Louie's sister Medy West is an honorary member of class 62/66

Dennis Araneta & Boy S.

Ms. West is from Illinois. .... Dennis Araneta joins the group after a photo session at Fort Santiago.

Capt. Ronnie stresses a point

Andy's Kite

Capt. Ronnie is now with Air Asia

Air Asia is based in Kuala Lumpur 

2 buckets of KFC for the winner

Everyone is invited

December Affair At Club Filipino

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

Front view of the exclusive Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan

Historical marker

Historic room where Cory Aquino took her oath of office as President

The actual oath-taking of Cory Aquino

Club Filipino and the Nacionalista Party

A long, long table at Jasmin Room.  You hardly notice Ted Aquino at the far end of the table.

Director Albert Castro & Andy Jimenez

Ed dela Rosa

Jetstar Asia's Capt. Ronnie Cunanan & Albert Castro

San Francisco's Ted Aquino

From left, Ted A., Francis Pacheco & Ted Gener

Ed, Greg, Ted A. & Francis

They came on time notwithstanding traffic

Souvenir group photo

Food being served

Waiting for Andy Jimenez

Kalderetang Baka with Mashed Potato & Stringbeans

Crispy Lechon Kawali (My #1 choice)

Tinolang Manok better than your grandmother's cooking because you don't have grandmothers anymore

Spicy Gambas Fritas

Special eggplant good for hypertension and lowering cholesterol level

Fresh fruit salad

Good and prompt service

Johnny Walker Black Label

San Mig Light

Being readied for the exchanging of gifts

Ed dela Rosa holds the stubs

Capt. Ronnie Cunanan checking the items he got

Seated from left, Ed, Greg, Ted A, Francis
Standing, Andy, Capt. Ronnie, Director Albert & Ted G.

Another group shot

Ed dela Rosa says goodbye to classmates

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.