DLS 2010 Homecoming

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As always, Batch63 supported the school homecoming event with gusto. The first batch to arrive at the Taft homecoming site were Vince Misa, Joe Assad, Raffy Villareal, Tonichi Grey, Manolo Relova, Joey Estagle and Oni Mayo. The second batch who joined the first batch around the reserved table consisted of Patrick Go (accompanied by Ramon Mojica DLS College 67), Joey Ingles, Tony Estonina, Bert Saenz and Boy Carlos. Noteworthy to mention is Bro. Ray Suplido who left the brothers’ table to join his Batch63 classmates. It was entertaining to see La Salle old campus personalities milling about the hall. What perked up the affair was the sight of promo girls going from table to table and offering free taste (of their products, gago!). Batch63 bachelors Boy Carlos and Joey Ingles (plus the batch's bachelor wannabes) clearly took advantage of the situation by having photo ops with the pretty young things.

The eats (including the now traditional roasted calf) were good. Vodka and wine were for sampling and sodas were a plenty. Manila school head honcho Bro. Armin Luistro was hard pressed to greet the many guests who all had something to say to him. The celebrating batch (50 years DLS Grade School) came in force and were looking distinguished with their white hair (for those who still had hair) and uniform DLS polo shirts. The personalities seen walking around the hall included Gibo Teodoro (and wife Niki) who took the opportunity to make his political appeal to the La Salle body.

A lot of school mates from other years dropped by the table to say hello to Batch63 friends. You can see the years on Domeng Sevillano’s face but I would say he retained his aplomb as La Salle’s NCAA basketball star in the 60s. Dong “Elvis” Guinto brought his 7th Note Elvis show to the homecoming to the delight of the Seniors. As expected Tonichi ably represented Batch63 in the dancing. With a young pretty as dance partner, Tonichi responded with typical wiggling hips, flailing arms, shaking legs and bobbing shoulders once the electric ‘hound dog’ and ‘jailhouse rock’ numbers kicked in.

Following tradition, Batch63 extended the night event with a foray into Justine’s later. As everyone knows, Justine’s is Ed Oleta’s watering hole in Vito Cruz. At Justine's the group continued to take in more drinks and even engaged in karaoke singing onstage. When the group arrived at Justine’s after the homecoming, Polding Arnaiz was already there. He was wearing his La Salle shirt but everyone knows that he didn’t make the homecoming at the campus . . so what gives?

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March Celebrants Atbp

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A lot of Batch63 guys are celebrating their birthdays in March, (and thereabouts.) These March-born Batch63 guys (assembled by birthday coordinator Vince Misa shown in photo holding on to the cash contributions of the celebrants) who participated in the grand blowout today are Joe Assad, Ed Lim, Alex Ledesma, Arthur Antonino and Joey Ingles. Those who couldn’t make it to the party (due to important reasons) but nevertheless are pleased to participate in the blowout for the Batch are Jimmy Ortigas and Victor Sy. In behalf of the Batch then, happy birthday March celebrants, and here’s wishing you’al a meaningful and exciting year ahead.

Because of the excitement of seeing each other again (with free breakfast), this Grand Birthday event truly attracted a menagerie of all sorts of characters. The motley group of guys who came to grace the occasion consisted of Batch63 infamous personalities. The Dirty Dozen (including Ed Oleta and Tony Estonina) was there in force. Some of the Retarded (and semi-retarded) Old Guard (‘retired’ old guard?) seldom seen at the Kapihan came this time (Ned Bulatao, Boy Charles, Quito Moras, George Cunanan, etc). The Mad Scientists are also nice to see (Joey England for herbal and Bambi Goco for culinary). And then, there were the Eclectic Execs (notably Rafi Villareal, Polding Arnaiz, Boy Palanca, etc. on this day) in their crisp business attire (who managed to attend the Kapihan before trudging back to their respective salt mines).

And let's not forget the American Balikbayans. An unusually large group came this first quarter (for post Christmas holidays and DLS Homecoming). The locals were pleased to again see Tonichi Grey and Manolo Relova (Elvis and Frank Sinatra wannabes respectively) at the Kapihan. Victor Sy and Joey Zamora (still Section A nerds?) came in February, but stretching their stay up to the homecoming was too much to ask from them. In fairness, Victor Sy made at least a couple of Kapihans on this visit. Joey was escort to his wife and he needed to juggle his time between the Kapihan gang and his college buddies (DLS college 67 Ramon Mojica and Ben Umali) who treated him out at Shangrila Mall before he left for home.
























The Willow Root conversation was so animated and clearly coming from all quarters. Hence, this Blog is hard-pressed to present the amusing shenanigans of the guys over the breakfast table. If it's any indication of the zest of the group, it was past Kapihan (breakfast) time but many were still seen enjoying their coffee and conversation. Since the Willow Root had to be prepared by the waiters for the lunch crowd, the group finally had to say goodbye to each other. But I spoke too early - with the incorrigible Tonichi in town, good time is never over. You guess it, from Willow Root the DD in the Batch headed for the Manila Polo Bar (at the top of the stairs) even after the others had left. Poor Ned B got himself trapped in the company of this DD group and where in true form, Tonichi gave him a hard time in the bar about being part of Section A. Ned whined that it's unfair to pressure Section A guys especially about possibly being 'underperforming assets' of the economy. To this Tonichi stammered: " Under . . what . . assets?" - clearly struggling with the five syllable word blurted out by the erstwhile La Sallian editor.

On a serious note here’s somber news. It was mentioned earlier that Jimmy O did not make the Grand Kapihan where he is a celebrant. We all know that Jimmy is a reliable supporter of Batch63 who can be counted on. Thus, it was unusual for him not to show up. Later, the reason for his default became clear when we received text news from Bert Saenz just this morning: Jimmy’s Dad, Don Arturo Ortigas passed away just recently. Don Arturo was an original exec of the Ortigas Company and was himself a La Salle prewar alum and sportsman. Jimmy was busy with the final day ritual preparation for the funeral of his father. Batch63 sincerely wish to condole with Jimmy and his family in his hour of grief.

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