Despedida Para Alfredo

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Batch63 swashbuckler Freddie Muniz is heading back to Florida. Apart from having this opportunity to now see his family again after 4 years, Freddie plans to have medical consultations in the USA. We were surprised to hear that Freddie has had a couple of minor health setbacks recently. With the topic of health on the table, the talk drifted to the possibility of angioplasty. it's good to know that angioplasty procedure is quite routine nowadays (in case Freddie needs it). Among Batch63 guys, those who had their heart arteries already fortified with stent include Ed Oleta, Mari Vargas and recently, Steve Hontiveros.

When Fred's buddy Bert Saenz heard about his plans to leave the country, he would not settle for a simple goodbye and said that there should be a grand, wet( libation?) despedida. So Bert sent out his tickler text to the group and the Treehouse Bar at Dian St. (Makati) came alive with Batch63 guys once more yesterday (Monday). For the information of teetotalers in the Batch, the Treehouse is one of the hangouts of Batch63 (that was introduced by Polding Arnaiz). Polding is so popular there that his name is now immortalized in the resto's pulutan menu: Polding's Kilawin.

Apart from Batch63's Dirty Dozen that include Ed Oleta, Tony Estonina, Vince Misa and Oni Mayo, unusual faces graced the occasion. Elusive artist Melo Prats was there. Batch64's Bobong Velez (Chair of the DLS Homecoming event next year) heard about the affair from Vince and he showed up if only to invite the gang to the Homecoming Cocktails in Mezze (Bobong's resto) on Thursday. Apart from Bert and Polding, naturally, Batch63's conio boys Raffy Villareal, Doug Marcaida and friend Frank Casal were present. As the liquor flowed, we remembered Tonichi Grey and Nilo Villanueva who would surely participate in this affair had they been in town.

One character who was absent was Jack Arellano. Freddie said that Jack is now sending him good decent Email. Hearing that, Bert and I did a double take. Apparently, Jack was forewarned by Freddie to desist from sending him X-mail so Jack merely delisted him from his Dirty Dozen roster. Bert actually cited Jack's improving Spanish in Jack's recent Kapihan text to the group. Jack's arch-enemy Polding Arnaiz wasn't impressed. He said there were horrible lapses in basic tense, gender and plural forms. But then I can almost hear Jack saying: "The problem with you, Polding is that you do not speak Royal Court Spanish! You are hoi polloi!" Oh well, bien viaje a nuestro amigo Alfredo, y regresar a Filipinas pronto.

November Birthdays Celebration

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For yet another day this year, Batch63 filled up its long table at Willow Root once again. The guys came in force in the Kapihan today. And why not, it's the combined birthday bash by five of the Batch's bona fide members. The five celebrants are Gabby Valdez, Steve Hontiveros, Bambi Goco, Doug Marcaida and surprise, surprise . . Jimmy Estrella. Jim Estrella is a rural boy by weekday and a city boy by weekend - he tends to his business in Pangasinan (that's why he doesn't join the Wednesday Kapihan) and comes to Manila only on weekends (for R&R?). But today was a special day for him and he couldn't say no to the urgings of his friends. So once anew in behalf of the Batch, feliz compleanos esta mes , amigos y muchas gracias para la desayuno.

The celebrants must have been close friends to some rare birds who now found the time to come to the Kapihan again. Taking their place in the Kapihan again are the not-so-usual faces of Manolo Cristobal, Vic Corpuz, Tony Estonina, Aderito Yuhuico and Babes Alvarez. And because both of them do not come to the Kapihan all that often themselves, Babes Alvarez did not immediately recognize Manolo Cristobal. When forced to give a guess, Babes hesitatingly said: You are Manolo Carrillo Cristobal! Vince Misa had to pipe in: Wrong, he's Manolo Carrillo Relova Cristobal! The large party ultimately morphed into small huddles where the guys joined that group which conversation interests them. Joey Estagle was all agog as he took some tips from Bert Saenz on ways to handle a suspecting Missus. Steve Hontiveros talked about his recent angioplasty and recalled how he almost fainted when the surgeon insisted that he looked at the extracted whatever. And as usual, Joey Ingles had a pink concoction on the dining table that he downed along with his dozen eggs! Coming from a recent Mallorca tour with wife Cang and daughter Cristine, Bambi Goco brought along a souvenir. It's a calendar he acquired there and wishes to share with the guys. See scanned image below.

With Jimmy Estrella and Dendi Abdon in an eventual huddle, the two former band mates got excited and there is now a move to put a Batch63 band together for the Grand Reunion affair in February 2009. For those interested, the band practices are being planned for weekends when Jim is in town. In the meanwhile, Vince Misa and Oni Mayo took advantage of the presence of the many guys there to distribute the Grand Reunion agenda and the solicitation letter. The Grand Reunion preparation activity is off to a good start and it promises grand entertainment for Batch63 and their spouses come February next year. More news on this later but in the meanwhile, we advise our US friends to already consider coming home for the Alumni Homecoming next year otherwise they will miss the fun chance of a lifetime!

Ambassador Carlos Valdez, 88

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After a brave stand in St. Lukes Hospital ICU, the ailing Dad of Gabby Valdez succumbed last Sunday. Up to the end, this family patriarch was in a way, still in charge. According to Gabby, Ambassador Valdez was cognizant of his situation although he could not speak or open his eyes. He responded by hand pressure to signify that he appreciated those near him in the ICU.

The flag-draped remains of the Ambassador was interred at the La Salle Greenhills chapel. The chapel was filled with relatives, colleagues and friends of the large Valdez clan. Mostly, the wake that night was like a DLS alumni homecoming. Ambassador Valdez was a past President of the DLSAA and subsequently, so were three of his boys namely Gabby, Butch and Johnny. Batch63's Bambi Goco, Jack Arellano, Arthur Alvendia (with Angel), Joey Ingles and Oni Mayo came Monday evening to condole with the Valdez clan.

I was informed that on the first day of the wake, the country's first couple paid their respects to the fallen Ambassador. The Macapagals are provincemates and friends of the Valdez family from way back. I learned that Gabby's great grandfather and grandfather were active in Pampanga politics (Governor and Senator respectively) and who were supportive role models of the young Cong Dado then.

From Batch63, we wish to offer our sincere condolences to Gabby and his better half Pam. So too to all the Valdez brothers that many of us also know. Below are photos of Gabby and Pam, some of Butch's children (around the photo display table at the wake) and Pam's classmates from STC.