It was an impromptu reunion in Manila but if only because of Volts' drawing power, a total of 25 people came! The following made it: Egbert, Ete, Dinky, Jerry, Efren, JimmyB, TedM, Sheila, Carmen, Og & Jean, Percy & Perla, Joy & Vads, Pearl & Vic, Nina & Ronnie, EddieC & Reggie, Beth & Bong, Volts & Rhodie of course. Atoy was supposed to come too but got exhausted daw from a provincial sortie. I hope I did not forget anybody who was there! Mabs (out-of-town trip?), Simon (in Cebu), and Delsie (in Quezon and also out-of-town trip) sent regrets. No replies from Egay (could have been abroad or too involved in his pastoral work?), Cora (abroad too?), and BobbyM (mysterious as ever).
The reunion turned out to be an early celebration of the 50th anniversary of the graduation of our class on April 11, 1961. Somebody (Vads?) noted it was also some sort of babang-luksa for Pic. Mabini also reminded me it was the birthday of now-Canadian immigrant Chito Garcia. (Chito: you can Fedex us some smoked Canadian salmon for our next gathering here.)
We were going to hold the reunion on April 11 itself at some restaurant but we also wanted to ensure the attendance of Volts and so we made him chose the date and venue. With his busy schedule Volts said he could only be free for Thursday April 7 dinner and added it should be at his official quarters at Camp Aguinaldo (yes, same place we went to on Feb 15). Kung gusto ninyong siguradong nandoon ako, dito na lang tayo sa Aguinaldo. To relieve the pressure on Rhodie, we made it a pizza-and-pot luck party but of course it was an imposition anyway.
Notable contributions were: Ted (pizza), Jerry(pizza),Joy/Vads (pizza), Bong /Beth (KFC and Indian mangoes), Nina/ Ronnie (KFC, fresh salad and fruits), Sheila (empanaditas, just like the ones we used to get from the Student Union in the 1960s), Carmen (ice cream), Eddie/Reggie( two yummy oreo cheesecakes), Pearl/Vic (authentic guinatan with purple ube tinge), and of course from Rhodie/Volts (nilagang mani, pasta, soft drinks, beer, music, and a hundred other things). Since I ate a lot, I hope I didn't forget anybody's contribution. Just like a family gathering too, Rhodie sent us off with most of the leftovers complete with containers and take-home bags!
It was wonderful putting our stories together, some of which we cannot broadcast to everybody! Let me just say that some themes generated many funny anecdotes: sino-sino ang mga nalasing? what story can you share us about your reunion roommate? how did we all have such a nice time? how can we do it again? And to Volts, we aksed what is the most annoying thing about your current job: "People who approach me with the question Hindi mo na ako kilala ano?"
For the class, the spirit and camaraderie was still there and so, just like family, we laughed at both the old and new kwentos, kantiyawan, tuksuhan, and jokes (even the barrage of corny ones by Teddy M) as if we were hearing them all for the first time. We (classmates and/or spouses) laughed not out of duty or courtesy but just out of the pure joy in being together, healthy, and in good spirits.
We missed you all who were not able to make it -- including you, Pic. Till we all meet again!
Bong/Beth
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