A Day in LA
Today, the Menagerie is going international. On Tuesday September 20, Batch63 guys visiting LA met up with LA-based La Sallians (three of which are Batch63 guys). The day started with a buffet lunch followed by an all-afternoon shindig at the house of gracious hosts Nestie Teoxon and wife Jefin. Nestie is the Green Coordinator Supremo in LA and his house is dubbed as the 'Clubhouse' of La Sallians. The Batch63 visitors to LA were Gary Salcedo (from NY and Manila), Joey Zamora (from Sacramento) and Oni Mayo (from Manila). The Batch63 guys based in LA are Art Sicat, Manolo Carrillo and Celso Lontoc.
The seafood lunch buffet at the Osaka Resto in Hacienda Heights was both delicious and filling. Apart from the Nestie, Jefin and the Batch63 fellows, the other DLS stalwarts at the buffet lunch were: Dan and Lorelei Balais; Bobby and Imelda Razon (from West Covina); Bert and Cely Sebastian; Bernie Berkenkotter (HS64); and Babes Reynado. Completing the cast were Boy (HS64) and Juliet Avecilla who are Pinoys and just visiting like Oni.
The party at Nestie’s house was a let-your-hair-down gig (for those who still had hair). The highlight of the party was a sort of musical intoxication (meaning JWB flowed freely while the guests took to singing rowdy 60s songs). In the absence of the usual Karaoke music, they made do by accompanying themselves on acoustic guitars provided by Manolo Carrillo. (The guy owns 2 Twelve String guitars and 1 accoustic.) Joey and Oni took on the guitar accompaniment while Manolo, Gary and Celso sang with feeling if not gusto. Warmed up after a while, Art grabbed a guitar and started to sing but he had to be prompted as he forgot the lyrics.
At past 10PM, the fun group finally broke up. The party goers apparently needed to get their rest since many were scheduled to hit the golf links early the next day. And mind you, this is a Tuesday weekday (what a life for our LA guys!) The guys here take their golf seriously. I was told that Gary had left his golf set in Manila but he bought a new Lynx set just for the occasion. I wonder if his game got any better. For Oni and Bili it was goodbye to the La Sallians since they had a plane to catch at the airport.
The Pre-LA Activity
This Batch63 American episode would not be complete without mentioning Batch63's pre-LA activity. Actually, the Batch63 guys met up prior to the LA party. The meeting place was in Fallbrook (about an hour’s drive away from San Diego) where Oni was attending his UP college reunion event. Art Sicat (with wife Nanette), Joey Zamora, Mike Yang, Manolo Carrillo (with wife May) joined Oni Mayo (with wife Bili) at Pala Mesa Resort (PMR) in Fallbrook. PMR is known for its golf course and scenery where many social events are held.
Art and Joey actually booked in PMR where Oni and Bili were staying. They gamely participated in the golf and buffet- musical show set up by Oni's UP group. (Apparently Art and Joey are honing up their golf game for the DLS Vegas tournament later in the year). For this they got to fall in the company of the organizers who appreciated their participation and made them honorary UP members. Manolo and Mike came later to Fallbrook to join up. From Pala Mesa resort, this Batch 63 group - some with their wives - tried out their luck at the nearby Pechanga Casino resort. I understand that the gambling gods smiled on Art Sicat that day while Joey and Oni just had to grin and bear it.
The get together at Nestie's house closes the chapter for this memorable California event. Meeting the LA guys, I can’t help but fondly recall another Batch63 stalwart who had always been in DLS thick of things until he couldn’t anymore. This is the late Nilo Villanueva who always found time to meet up with visiting Batch63 (including me in my other visit to the LA area just a few years ago).
Until the next time, buenas suerte a todo y hasta la vista amigos.
See slide show for more photos.
