August Hosts

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Four celebrants hosted Batch63’s Grand Kapihan (months of July-August 2009) at Polo Club. These celebrants were Lito Quiogue, Paqui Campos, Raffy Villareal and the Grand Kapihan originator, Vince Misa. Eight tables fitted together were required to accommodate 22 Batch63 stalwarts who came for the event. Per Vince’s list of attendees, those who came for the free breakfast were: Jackie Arellano, Polding Arnaiz, Boy Carlos, Joe Assad, Vic Corpus, Joey Estagle, Tony Estonina, Bambi Goco, Steve Hontiveros, Joey Ingles, Ed Lim, Doug Marcaida, Oni Mayo, Quito Moras, Boy Palanca, Bert Saenz, Gary Salcedo and Gabby Valdes.

At the breakfast, General Vic is seen signing copies of his Dim Mak book for those who were unable to get one during his book launch. For those who don’t know it yet, Vic was recently appointed by the Government as Philippine Veterans Representative to Washington. Vic said he was as surprised as everyone else at this development. Vic will be leaving for the USA at the end of this month to start his post. Quick to find a reason for a get together, Joey Estagle declared that a despedida party for Vic will be held at 7th Note on August 27. For sure, we will have another Menagerie report on this party when it happens.

The seating arrangement at Willow Root went true to form. Batch63 Conyo boys, talking in smatterings of Spanish, mainly sat towards one end of the long table. The other half of the table saw Batch63 Indios talking in Taglish about typical Batch63 disrespectful topics. Indio Lito Quiogue mentioned that after 20 years of being a member of Couples for Christ, he finally quit. Conyo Bert Saenz admitted that for himself, he is more suited for Triples for Christ . . . if this movement is ever started. Towards the end of the party, Oni noticed that only two Conyos in the persons of Doug Marcaida and Steve Hontiveros remained after breakfast versus about eight Indios who were hanging on. When told that it was only him and Steve left to discuss in Spanish, Doug peered at the converted mestizo Steve from behind his new growth of beard and declared: I think I best go home too if that’s all the support I have! Like a true balimbing, Jackie Arellano volunteered to beef up the Conyo group by joining it. He was promptly rejected by Steve who said that Jackie’s Spanish is a merely a hodge-podge of Bah-ding, Italian and Mexican words and too funny-sounding to be acceptable, conyo!

Earlier, Vince formally launched his new religion based on an afterlife theory. He is serious and has issued his list of preambles about free will and how God in his goodness will grant you what you want. Hence, if you are an agnostic and believe that there is no afterlife, then it will be so for you. If you are Muslim and believe that you will go to heaven and have 47 virgins, then it will be so. If you are Roman Catholic and believe that you will go to hell because you committed a mortal sin then it will be so. If Vince is the Pope for this religion, Jackie Arellano appointed himself Bishop for the cause. Jackie is contemplating a tithe system for those who would join.

On a serious note, our Balikbayan friend Nilo Villanueva is bravely battling his illness at the ICU. After the Kapihan, five of the guys proceeded to Makati Med to visit Nilo. Doc Loy de la Fuente was already there. Boy Fernandez, Nilo’s childhood buddy was also there. Nilo’s condition continues to be hot and cold. Last night he was fine sans most of the treatment tubes and was visibly enjoying his meal. Just this morning however, his scheduled andiogram procedure was canceled when his respiratory attacks came again just moments before the angio procedure.

While Nilo had indicated that he would prefer to receive continuing treatment in the States, his metabolic stability is a requirement before clearance for air travel can be forthcoming from the local Doctors. Seeing him straining, the guys really felt for Nilo. In my visit to the hospital the other day when he was more lucid, I relayed to him the well wishes of his many friends from the States (as they had asked the local guys to do). He said he knew it and my offer to print out the Emails for him was not necessary.
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Nilo's Friends

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Some years ago when the Batch63 Wednesday Kapihan was in its early stages, Nilo Villanueva was one of the first balikbayans to support the system. In one of his visits, I told him: “Nilo, I understand you go to Batch63 reunions no matter how far and minor an event they are. These trips require time and resources. You are lucky to have these. ” Nilo answered not in so many words: “It’s about friends. How many more reunions do you think I have in me?” Today, Nilo came to Manila mainly to inter the remains of his wife (in Pangasinan) but he is also happy for the opportunity to see his Manila friends again. As a matter of fact, several of the Batch63 guys were to join Nilo and his wife’s family in Pangasinan when they permanently inter Roxanne’s ashes this weekend.

Last Sunday, Nilo was in his apartment feeling bad so he called up Vince Misa (who lives nearby) to help him go to the hospital. It was a good thing for that since he was in the care of professionals when he experienced cardiac related problems on Monday morning. It was a close call according to the Doctors. At this moment, Nilo is confined in Makati Medical’s ICU where his bio signs are being stabilized. He looked real weak that first night but when the rest of the gang came to visit the next day, he was completely awake. Batch63 heard about his situation from the texts of Bert Saenz and Vince. Having no immediate family that can be notified immediately, Nilo had mainly his Batch63 friends (one childhood friend also came) who were listing up on the visitors record books – at least in the first days of his confinement. The Doctors and nurses were amazed at seeing all these old men coming and going to visit in the ICU.

We are praying for Nilo’s recovery. Batch63's Dr. Loi de la Fuente is conveniently based in the hospital which gives us the assurance that Nilo is in good hands. Feisty as ever Nilo had insisted to the Doctors that he needs to go to his wife’s burial this weekend. Despite all the tubes on him and his need to rest, he was alert even that first night in the ICU when the Batch63 guys were there. He even tries to participate in the conversation but hindered by the contraptions on his face and arms. But what else is new for stubborn Nilo? The assigned doctor specialist for diabetes commented: “I thought I’ve seen him before in this situation”. She is right, she was Nilo’s doctor the last time around.

DIM MAK Book Launch

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The launching of the long awaited book of Vic Corpuz was finally implemented last Thursday evening. The title on the paperback is America’s Dim Mak Points – a political treatise on unrestricted warfare in the 21st Century. The affair was held at the Powerbooks Store in Greenbelt 4 Makati. I have attended book launch affairs before but this one had a comparatively large reception area with a lot of sitting. That turned out to be a good thing since there were a lot of people who came.

After the publisher officially opened the affair, guest speakers were called to the podium. The first speaker was environmentalist and writer Odette Alcantara. The other speakers were the controversial Romulo Neri of the ZTE case and Batch63’s Jimmy Gonzalez who was introduced as a brother of Victor (effectively). Batch 63 came out in force and lined up on one side of the hall like all the others to get Vic’s autograph on their book page.

The guys that joined in the photo session at the back of the hall were Jaime Ortigas, Aderito Yujuico, Vince Misa, Boy Palanca, Mon Zaragoza, Joey Angeles, Bert Saenz, George Cunanan, Lito Quiogue, Art Alvendia, Nilo Villanueva, Joey Estagle and Oni Mayo. I understand that Jack Arellano, Doug Marcaida, Lito Domantay and Ramon Arnaiz also came and went. Meanwhile, Poldy Arnaiz, Babes Alvarez and Gabby Valdez couldn’t make it but did place their order for the DIM MAK book.

Due to the many people who bought books and who queued up for the signing, the crowd had not dispersed even after the official speeches had long ended. Instead they partook of the nice cocktails and milled about. This turned out to be an opportune thing since the would-be fourth speaker came late. The delayed speaker, former president Fidel Ramos, came true to form as he enjoined the audience to buy more books. He did not resist a political dig at GMA as he talked about her State visit to the USA. He ended his civil commentary about it with: “Yes, she’s meeting with Obama in the US . . our traveling president . . . what’s her name?” Shifting from English to Tagalog, the former president showed his sense of humor by also taking digs at China and USA, subject of the book. After each ‘dig’ done in Tagalog, he would end with the question: "Are there Chinese here?" Translation: China, you’re OK! And then he would do the same routine for Americans and America.

The book launch affair was not enough entertainment for the restless Batch63. Most of the group decided to go have dinner at the accommodating Greenbelt mall. The Good Earth restaurant was not too crowded and so that’s where the gang had their Chinese dinner and amusing conversation. And then, that was still not enough. Soon after, the Dirty Dozen among the gang ended up at Sly’s bar in Quezon City. At Sly’s, it was odd to see the DD partaking of the fares offered there but imbibing coffee and tea instead of the usual alcoholic beverages. Alas, diabetes, broncho pneumonia, high-blood pressure, cardiac conditions, etc have toned down the former machos. They now have to ration their intake of abusive substances.

But then I rationalized that Vic Corpuz - the military strategist - would have been proud of this tactic. If that’s the way to live to fight another day, then it’s fine. Batch63, you’re OK!