Batch 63 Christmas 09

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The third Wednesday (or Kapihan day) of December happens to be two days before Christmas. The Batch decided that it would be a great opportunity to make this Wednesday Kapihan as the Batch's Christmas party. For good measure, the wives were invited to the morning gig - a precedent setting action. There were five guys who came with their better halves. The couples were Art & Angel Alvendia, Jack & Marilou Arellano, Joey & Tess Estagle, Boy & Norma Palanca and Vince & Jane Misa.

The other guys came stag. These were Dendi Abdon, Ben Ang, George Cunanan, Joey Ingles, Lito Quiogue, Gabby Valdes and Oni Mayo. Probably due to the presence of the ladies, a more healthy and elegant fare (consisting of bibingka, ensaimada and hot chocolate drink) were observed arrayed for sharing on the table instead of the usual Batch63 lamon favorites (crispy bacon, angus beef tapa and salty danggit).

After the breakfast and the unusually polite conversation (for Batch63), the kodakan activity was implemented upon the urging of Joey Estagle. Joey showed off on how to take dramatic photo shots. He grouped everyone together and then fired away with his camera from different angles. First he had a standing position, then he jerked to a half-squat position until he finally settled on a tight kneeling position (for an artistic upshot?). Since Joey's wife Tess was seated in the front row of the posed group, someone quipped that the kneeling Joey is just showing how he asked forgiveness from Tess for his errant ways. Personally, I think he just needed to go to the toilet after the heavy breakfast.

Feliz navidad, amigos. Thank you to the Batch for their sense of humor and tolerance of the Menagerie quips this whole year.
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Christmas Season Birthday Celebration

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It’s Kapihan Grand Breakfast time again featuring the December celebrants. Despite living in faraway Laguna, Manolo Cristobal was the first celebrant to arrive. He was becoming nervous until Jim Gonzalez eventually came. Organizer Vince Misa was seen frantically trying to call the other celebrants (who had committed to the blowout). He finally succeeded with Babes Alvarez who came to Polo Club half-awake - he had forgotten the affair! Eboy Cosme couldn’t make it since he was stuck in Makati City Hall allegedly trying to get a building permit for his building project which is almost finished.

The wild Batch63 was their usual boisterous selves. For the information of people, Linggoy Araneta is henceforth known as “Oy!”. He comes to the Kapihan sporadically so if you forget his name, he promises to respond to “Oy!” He said anyone who forgets a name can actually now call anyone “Oy!”. Steve Hontiveros finds this term as too hoi polloi for his taste. He will respond if it’s “Oye” for him. Jack Arellano has his own version of endearing terms. Upon spotting Poldy Arnaiz whom he hasn’t seen for some time, he shouts “Hoy Pangit!”. Everyone else, he calls “Tambien Conio!”.

Getting on with the more serious conversation, Babes was overheard suggesting summer plans to Linggoy. He said that they should meet each other in Boracay come April next year with their respective yachts. Joey Estagle was overheard wincing, “Paano naman kami?”. I guess Joey will now be looking for a yacht to buy before April. Towards the end of the party, the enterprising Joey Ingles was seen promoting his herbal products to Jim Gonzalez. From his usual one page product technical description, Joey has now improved his marketing pamphlets. He put photos of bikini-clad girls with the technical write-up even if they have no bearing on the product. Now Jim is asking if the girl in the photo comes with the sale. Hmm, it may not be a bad idea at all, Joey.

For the others who attended this celebration please see the attached photos. One day, I’ll have to stop describing all this profound activities by the batch. The readers may find it too high-brow for their taste and accuse us of being elitists and intellectuals. But for now, here a Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas to the December celebrants from Batch63! Hasta la vista, muchachos! Gracias para el desayuno.

November Grand Breakfast

by Lito Quiogue

This month's Birthday Boys are from left to right : Douglas Marcaida, 65; Steve Hontiveros, 64; Bambi Goco, 64; Jimmy Estrella,64; Gabby Valdex, 64. (like it or not guys, you are no longer spring chickens, di na puedeng i-deny!)

The rest of the 18 attendees were the ff: Vince Misa, Joey Ingles, Boy Carlos, Joey Estagle, George Cunanan, Boy Palanca, Jackie Arellano, Ed Lim, Francis Horn, Gary Salcedo, Quito Moras,, Bert Saenz and Lito Quiogue.

Vince announced that next month's Grand Breakfast will be on the 16th. On the folowing Wednesday, 23th, is the regular Kapihan and everyone is enjoined to bring their respective wives. This suggestion of Joey Estagle raised a furor among some of the boys who are not used to be accompanied by their wives. Jackie was quick to react saying, "ano? si Joey pa?" or somethng like that. But Douglas boldly announced that he may bring both of his live-in patners.. Lucky for Bert, Oying has arrived from the U.S. after a long absence. I overheard that he gave her an ultimatum lest she'd find him gone with another woman. Pa-macho talaga!

The morning wore on with the usual discussions on a variety of subjects. One interesting thought voiced out was the fact that if we were otherwise progressive as some of our Asian neighbors, like Singapore, HK or Malaysia, Filipinos generally would not have the luxury of maids, yayas, drivers, ala-lays, etc. For most of us (HS63) it would only be wishful to be able to meet every week at the plush Manila Polo Club and spend the rest of the day saundering in the malls.

(Photos courtesy of Bert Saenz)
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Rejoicing in Pacland

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Yesterday Sunday, people came to 7th Note to view the Pacman-Cotto fight on PPV. From Batch63, Joey Estagle, Gary Salcedo, Vince Misa, Lito Quiogue, Oni Mayo and of course Lito Domantay came to enjoy the show. It is much more fun to cheer for the Pacman together with La Salle friends. Including Butch Valdes (DLSHS64) who shared our table, the guys swapped interesting theories regarding the odds and the risks for Pacman before the start of the fight.

By the time you read this, everyone knows the amazing result of the fight. Pacman has become an immortal of the boxing world with his unique record of 7 world titles. Pinoys went crazy! From the time the national anthem was sung (in a surprised trio rendition), to each punch during the fight, to the stoppage in the final round, Pinoys old and young, rich and poor, man or woman or child shamelessly applauded and cheered the Pacman. Fr. Sionnott, the kidnapped priest in Mindanao was released on Saturday. In his interview after the release he said that the kidnappers really wanted to watch the fight. To do that, they needed to leave the jungle and go to town.

Pacquiao and Batch63 have parallels, you know. Pacquiao was once asked by CNN if the report that he likes to fool around is true. With a grin, he answered on air, “I’m just a man!” Now, that sounded like something a Batch63 guy would say.
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Dance All Birthday Night Long

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The much awaited 64th birthday bash of Gabby Valdes finally happened . . and Batch63 was more than alive again! On the evening of November 7, the various Batch63 characters (the dirty dozen / the fanatics, golfers / tennisters, motorists / bikers, etc.) made their way to Gabby’s digs in Forbes to share his special day with him.

Thirty three of the guys came that night. For the record, these were: Dendi Abdon, Babes Alvarez (with Ellen) , Art Alvendia (with Angel), Ben Ang (with Lilia), Joey Angeles, Jack Arellano (with Marilou), Polding Arnaiz, Mon Arnaiz (with Maribel), Joe Assad (with Pati), Boy Carlos, George Cunanan (with Maricel), Bobit Damian, Lito Domantay, Joey Estagle (with Tess), Jim Estrella, Bambi Goco (with Kang), Jim Gonzalez, Francis Horn, Mandi Ilustre, Joey Ingles, Tito Lucero, Doug Marcaida, Oni Mayo (with Bili), Vince Misa (with Jane), Quito Moras (with Karen), Boy Palanca (with Norma), Lito Quiogue (with Nene), Bert Saenz, Gari Salcedo, Richard Tilman (with partner), Chito de Vera, Rafi Villareal, and Aderito Yujuico.

Gabby and his wife Pam really made the night worthwhile for everyone. The eats included a whole calf a-roasting on the lawn and free-flowing drinks for all persuasions. The main event kicked in after the dinner and which was the DJ with his music that was carefully selected for the hot Seniors that night. After a while, most everyone was rockin’ and a-rollin’ and twistin’ and struttin’ on the terrace floor. Aside from the uninhibited Batch63, other hot guests were Valdes and Panlilio children, relations and family friends. In particular, Pam’s high school friends (from St. Theresa’s) showed that they were a match for the Batch63 showboats.

As usual for this Blog, I would like to cite the rare birds of the Batch who showed up for the party. These are elusive guys Mandi Ilustre, Dendi Abdon, Bobit Damian, Jim Estrella, and Tito Lucero. And then there’s Richard Tilman. After living in the US, Richard has decided to come home. It was also good to see Doug Marcaida hale and hearty despite the loss of a few pounds. As we know Doug got sick during the Ondoy floods and had to be administered some serious medical procedure (dialysis) these past weeks. I’m sharing some photos of the event for the group in this Blog. There is however a lot more party photos thanks to Joey Estagle who showed up my simple Canon automatic with his monster professional camera that he used indiscriminately and with abandon. I believe the pictures are in his Facebook album.

At the Kapihan today, I heard from Gabby that some of the guys stayed on up to 3AM that night! The DJ had already left but some Batch63 clearly continued to enjoy each other even if they had to do it sprawled on the various sofa sets in Gabby’s living room. Frankly, I conjecture that all the lounging around was the inability to stand up probably due to the effects of being over-familiar with Mr. Johnny Walker and his ilk. Definitely it was an enjoyable evening and so in behalf of the Batch63, here’s a toast for a long life for the birthday boy. Happy Birthday, Gabs at sa mau-ulit!

Empty Nester Bambi Goco

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Last Saturday October 24, Batch63's Bambi & Kang Goco gave away in marriage their last remaining child. Kitten Goco married Jim Pabalan Jr. in Tagaytay Midland' resort's scenic setting. The wedding event was a stylish affair for the young couple with their limited number of guests. The guests were mostly young people, some coming from Boston where Kitten took up a graduate course. Jackie & Marilou Arellano and Oni & Bili Mayo did the long ride to Tagaytay and attended for Batch63. Other La Sallites including business tycoon Ramon del Rosario (ninong) were present at the event. The groom's father, Jim Sr., is also a DLS alumni.(HS62?)

During the ceremonies, tears supposedly welled in Bambi's eyes. For good reason - aside from the fact that his two older boys are married already, Kitten is Bambi's unica hija. Especially after the boys left the family abode, she was all Bambi and Kang had at home and who would usually join them in their social engagements and tours. Kang invited her close friends from St. Theresa's to the wedding and which happy group Jackie and Oni joined in the reception table. The wedding /reception decor was classy, the food and music was good and the guests enjoyed themselves in Tagaytay's cool evening weather.

It is time for the passing of the torch and Bambi and Kang are now empty nesters in their large house in QC. If it's any consolation to Bambi, this is a state that our contemporaries get to be in sooner or later. I philosophize that soon after graduation, the impact of parents on children to be the guiding standard cease to be so. Children of age experiment and think they are wiser. They are never home too especially when they have their own income. So, best wishes to the newly weds on their new life, and Bambi, maybe now you'll have more time for our 7th Note affairs.
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