Pacquiao and the BBB

Last Sunday, Eboy Cosme invited Batch63 guys to his pad to watch the Pacquio-Rios fight on live PayTV. Eboy's pad is located at Cosell building, Gloria St., Makati which is in the general location of Makati’s Burgos district (also known as Korean town). Vince Misa, Manolo Relova, Ed Oleta, and Oni Mayo who are more or less based in that part of Makati went to Eboy's pad that Sunday. 

Apart from the Batch63 guys, friends of Eboy (from AIM and others) also came to watch the fight. All day breakfast that culminated in merienda after the fight was provided by gracious host Eboy. Pacquio’s victory added to the elated atmosphere and so the Batch was not ready to call it a day after watching the fight. From Eboy’s pad, the group had coffee talk at a Coffee Bean store and then decided to trek around on foot in the immediate neighborhood.  In Burgos, the group discovered varied eating places as well as other “interesting”establishments that are worth inspecting. 

Reaching Makati Avenue, the group found out that Eboy had other condominium building investments in the area and which this usyoso group visited. After that, Manolo invited the group to see his pad-with-a-view located in AVenue condominium. Manolo's nifty modern pad was tastefully decorated with interesting original art works including a 17 century cartography (valued at hundreds of thousands of Pesos) and other mementos from his past postings abroad. Afterwards, the group came down from Manolo’s pad in the 12th floor and realized that it was early evening.  So why not have dinner? And that's how the group found themselves in a Japanese tepanyaki place nearby. 

The day was quite fulfilling for the Batch63 guys.  A repeat of the experience was on everybody’s mind and talk of the next one was eventually made.  Why not have regular meet ups in Burgos district? Why not have an official name for the core group?  Hence, BBB was informally launch where BBB stands for Batch63 Burgos Boys. Considering its mix of members however, it can also be called the Burgos Bad Boys! We call on all Batch63 bad boys (of course even good ones) to join the next one and make this group a real fun one.

The next experience for the BBB would not be soon enough. There should be no need to wait for Eboy's next invite to Pacquio’s next fight on PayTV. The suggestions for the repeat BBB activity then ranged from knowledge-sharing sessions; to music sessions; to gourmet sessions; to other sessions promoting activities not necessarily good for one’s physical health and immortal soul. 

See slide show for more photos.

An Angel in Heaven

Steady as a rock she was, to her family and friends. We love Angel and will miss her greatly. From DLS Batch63 friends, our heartfelt sympathy to Arthur and his family.

See slide show for more photos.

Tagaytay Happening

It was Pam’s birthday celebration with her STC schoolmates. Gabby’s friends who knew Pam well enough also came for the luncheon event. Everyone enjoyed Gabby’s Tagaytay haven (lush greenery all around) and Pam’s culinary delight (pasta, callos, meat loaf, canapé stuff, etc.). Lito D and Oni M brought out their guitars and found themselves singing for whoever would listen. Some of the STC girls joined in the singing of 70s tunes. Joey E and Lito D with their Everly tunes did justice to their idols, Phil and Don.  Later, Bert S and Manolo R waxed romantic with their versions of Tagalog (Gaano kita kamahal) and Italian (Volare) songs. Through all this, Gary S and Jackie A were observed entertaining the other guests. 

 The other guests who were not part of the STC group there were Mr. and Mrs. Serge Naguiat, Oying Saenz with her youngest daughter, Coco Relova, and Ms. D. Tess Estagle is also an STC alum but was a few years ahead of Pam and her batch (that included Bili). At some point, the conversation around the guest table veered towards old school rivalries, more especially La Salle and that other school. Manolo R was a riot with his snide comments. Manolo recalled the old days when music was good and dancing partners made conversation on the dance floor. According to him, parties were OK unless it's with guys from that other school.  He draws up a typical scenario where the students of this other school would throw an opening line like: Hi there, which sodality are you a member of? What new books have you read lately? Manolo’s censored reaction to these pickup lines: Sodality? Books? What the f_ _ _! What kind of unimaginative hogwash is that!

With Manolo cussing all over the place, the assumption girls around the table couldn't help but be amused at everything (even if one of them is married to an Atenean)!  In short, it was another entertaining day for some Batch63 guys and their wives who were there.

See slide show for more photos.

The Golden Summary

The Batch63 Golden Homecoming preparation is unique in many ways. Foremost is that it was a highly inclusive activity as Alumni activities go. The year long various events culminating in the Festival Week of the homecoming was due to the special effort of many people. 

The impetus to Batch63’s mobilization for the Homecoming started In March 2012 when they witnessed the successful Golden Homecoming program of Batch62 (at Greenhills). If Batch63 was to emulate the same kind of success come their turn to be the Golden boys, a vital element was the early formation of the appropriate organization for the job. The overall coordinator position was tasked to Oni Mayo. Ultimately the basic operating committees came about to be as follows: 

 - Gabby Valdes, Fund raising 

- Art Sicat, Overseas representative 

- Gary Salcedo, Treasurer 

- Baby Angeles, Rostermaster 

- Vic Romero, Venues 

- Joey Estagle, Rep to DLSAA 

My congratulations and thanks to all the committee members above who did a great job. 

The committee agreed that a year long preparation would be a necessary timeframe. Activities that will be Jubilee projects were lined up for 2012 through January 2013. The week leading to the Homecoming at Taft on March 2 would be the Festival Week project events. These projects would be key to the build up of Homecoming enthusiasm for the Batch. Each project was headed by point persons who volunteered and generously personally put out for the projects as follows: 

The Taal Heritage Tour and the Tagaytay Jaunt 

Thanks to Oni Mayo and Gabby Valdes. 

The Taguig Sportsfest
Thanks to Joey Estagle. 

The Stars of YesterYears Karaokefest 

Thanks to Vince Misa.with the help of Bambi Goco 

The Taft Boys AVP Giveaways 

Thanks to Bambi Goco with the help of Ned Bulatao. 

The Shirts and Chaleco Giveaways 

Thanks to Steve Hontiveros, Oni Mayo and Baby Angeles. 

The Bienvenida Party 

Thanks to Vic Romero with the help of Gary Salcedo, Joey Angeles, Bambi Goco and Lito Quiogue 

The Jubilee Grand Kapihan 

Thanks to Vince Misa.

The Jubilee Golf 
Thanks to Gary Salcedo and Gabby Valdes. 

The Jubilee Recollection 

Thanks to Francis Horn and Lito Canillas and the special performers 

The Jubilee Homecoming Show 

Thanks to Oni Mayo, Bambi Goco and the special performers 

The Despedida party 

Thanks to Vic Romero, Vince Misa, Gary Salcedo ahd Joey Angeles. 

And then for the ever important logistics without which the planning would go for naught, kudos are in order to the following: 

 - Everyone who paid their P4K due early to ensure a critical mass for the projects

- The special contributors (Ernie Cuyegkeng, Steve Hontiveros, Gabby Valdes, Lito Domantay, Linggoy Araneta and Jimmie Gonzalez)

- The turned-over balance of the Story of Us Fun Fund from the Editorial Board initiated by Bert Saenz .& Oni Mayo

- The sponsors (Art Sicat, Manny Relova, Gary Salcedo) 

 If you read the names cited above, there are no professional organizers there – just your classmates. This is the essence of inclusive participation. 

The Menagerie 

At this point, it is announced that this will be the last issue of the Menagerie reports. It is deemed that this is the right time to put this long-running Blog to rest.  The Menagerie started reporting about Batch63 events in 2007. The Golden Homecoming of the batch is the ultimate event for Batch63 and mission accomplished! .

Perhaps another Blog that can provide a platform for something more meaningful regarding the group can take its place sometime in the future. 

In the meanwhile, Cheer Cheer and Animo to a great bunch of guys!

Jubilee Despedida

The end of Batch63’s Festival week is marked by the Despedida party at Pergola Place in Roxas Boulevard last Monday. Having just finished their successful Homecoming Day at La Salle Taft, the Batch was in high spirits. People started arriving at Pergola by 6PM where they were greeted by the project host, Vic Romero. As usual, the family of Vince and Jane Misa manned the registration table for the visitors. 

The special performers were Jimmy Estrella and Ben Umali who regaled the crowd with their live - digital rendition of Ventures and Shadows instrumental hits. Ben has special Minus 1 facilities that allowed two guitars to play along with the other “missing” band instruments that night (drums, rhythm, second lead, etc.). This started off the dancing where the fun-loving members of Batch63 and their partners excel. 

Between dance numbers especially when the dancers need to get a breather, the singers took over. Yes, it’s also Karaoke time for the Batch63 pop Idols. Lito D, Joey E, Joey Z, Lito C, Doug, Tonichi and others sang their hearts out. Not to be outdone, the wives took center stage at one point and as a group, sang the iconic tune of the 60s, Obladi Oblada. A special event for the night was the awarding of trophies to the winners of the Jubilee Golf Tournament held last Feb. 28 at Canlubang. Congratulations to the winners for their Tigerish accomplishments. 

The surprise attendees of the night were Jon Arcenas; Art and Angel Alvendia; and Ramon Arnaiz. These guys did not make the earlier get togethers but now they are present to be counted. Other guests who attended this time were Batch62 friends of Batch63. At this point, the last few books of the “Story of Us” was delivered by Oni Mayo to those who ordered a copy. The book has now gained iconic status especially after it was cited in the Homecoming event. Again, the party overshot its time limit as the people continue to enjoy themselves. All in all, it was another successful party and a fitting closure of the Jubilee Festival Week for Batch63. 

Hasta la vista, amigos!

See slide show for more photos.

Jubilee Day of Recollection

On Friday, Batch63 held its Day of Recollection at the Bro. AGonzalez Hall in Agno Street. It is an activity that would have schoolmates reflecting on their lives 50 years after High School. I was told that an activity like this a likely a first in the annals of DLS Golden Jubilee activities. Those who came to the Recollection were: Francis Horn, Lito and Fenita Canillas; Jimmy Ortigas; Victor and Eileen Sy; Bobbit Damian; Bambi Goco; Gary Salcedo; Baby Angeles; Bobby Dee; Oni Mayo; Tony Estonina; Boy Nazareno; Steve Hontiveros, Joey Ingles, Bro. Ray Suplido; and Father Fernan Cruz. 

Starting off with the national anthem and a prayer, the forum opened with a song led by Lito Canillas on the guitar. This Tagalog song was actually suggested by Lito.  It's a song that they do in Lito's Queens parish in NYC. (no one among the locals knew any suitable Tagalog song, heh heh). The song is fitting for memory -challenged Seniors since apart from its poignant reflection theme, it was entitled “Sino Ako?”. 

The forum followed Francis Horn’s prepared agenda for the day. Lito talked about “Religio”, Bro. Ray talked about “Mores” and Fr. Fernan talked about “Cultura”. While Lito was sentimental and Bro. Ray was technical in their deliveries, Fr. Fernan was amusing and hilarious.  His emphatic Southern Tagalog expressions was a hit with the crowd. The interaction time after each talk was both entertaining and refreshing. Several guys shared their experiences and eloquently discussed why they are the La Salle boys they are now. This was really a revelation.  For those who are interested, I understand that Lito and Fenita caught the whole thing on tape and may be sharing this soon.

Lunch was served at the Faculty canteen after which the boys had a tour of the new campus which allowed for a lot of photo ops. A visit to the DLSAA office was an opportunity to renew Alumni Association cards which can be prepared in minutes. In case you are wondering, the pretty girl in the photo slideshow (that Gary and Steve posed with) is Ms. Wenz Tiu.  She is one La Salle’s volleyball stars that made it to the UAAP finals and who happened to be visiting the office at that time.

Thanks to Francis Horn and Lito Canillas for organizing this unique event that really articulated what a La Sallite is. We hope it sets the standard as an activity for future Homecomings.

See slide show for more photos.

The Golden Day

It was a night to remember. Fifty years after high school, Batch63 re-assembled in force.  The venue was the open ground floor of the Centennial building at Taft.  Fifty nine ever-green souls  (approximately 50% of the graduating batch) came to be counted for their Golden Jubilee Homecoming celebration at La Salle Taft. 

The day started with rehearsals starting at 2PM. Being the “Golden” batch, Batch63 had a stage presentation to make for the expected Green and White Alumni crowd. At 4PM, there was a Homecoming mass at the old chapel;  And then the Homecoming event at the new Centennial building started.

A new approach to the Homecoming event was introduced when the organizers decided to feature live the UAAP women’s volleyball finals on the center stage screen. The finals was the women's finals  between La Salle and Ateneo's pretty athletes. The exciting match was the visual fare during the dinner and which La Salle won despite coming from two sets down.. Most everybody excitedly got into the act as they cheered every comeback point of the battling Green volleybelles. This feat was made more memorable when the organizers announced that for the first time in more than a decade, La Salle is today’s UAAP overall champ! 

And then it was SHOWTIME. The Homecoming motto was “38 Special”. This meant that graduating batches ending in 3 or 8 were celebrants. The Batch63 show was the finale show for the evening which the Batch played to the hilt. By way of opening their show, the bikers came roaring in to usher in the icons of the 60s - Elvis and the Everly Brothers.  Eye-catching in their gold and green attire, the Batch then mounted the stage to show everyone exactly what Batch63 is all about.

So what is Batch63 about? For those who watched the show, they came to know that Batch63 is adventurous (bikers); unique (Kapihan and Story of Us); musical (singers and composers); supportive of La Salle the institution (notables); and solidly together after all these years! The Batch turnout was so numerous that they occupied at least 5 tables along the center aisle.

Apart from the 59 guys, wives and friends of the Batch came to support them. Boy Cantada, Mon Mojica (from College 67) and  Ed Reyes (HS 60 - 61?) were observed chatting with the guys.  A poignant scene was the family of Melo Prats (wife and pretty daughters) who shared the Batch63 table of Tonichi, Bert, Douglas and Mari Duarte.   Compliments of Vince Misa, the list of attendees to this eventful Homecoming is shown below. 

Alumni Homecoming March 2, 2013 (Saturday) 

De La Salle Taft 

 1. Ang, Benny                                                                   31. Lim, Eddie 

 2. Angeles, Joey                                                                32. Lontok, Celso 

 3. Arellano, Jackie                                                             33. Lucero, Tito 

 4. Arnaiz, Polding                                                              34. Madamba, Lou 

 5. Arnaiz, Ramon                                                               35. Marcaida, Douglas 

 6. Assad, Joe                                                                     36. Mayo, Oni 

 7. Campos, Paqui                                                              37. Misa, Vince 

 8. Canillas, Lito                                                                 38. Moras, Quito

 9. Carlos, Boy                                                                   39. Novenario, Adie 

10. Corpus, Vic                                                                  40. Oleta, Ed 

11. Cosme, Eboy                                                                41. Palanca, Boy 

12. Cuyegkeng, Ernest                                                        42. Quiogue, Lito 

13. Damian, Bobbit                                                             43. Relova, Manolo 

14. Dee, Robert                                                                  44. Romero, Vic 

15. Domantay, Lito                                                             45. Saenz, Bert 

16. Duarte, Mari                                                                 46. Salcedo, Gary 

17. Estagle, Joey                                                                47. Salcedo, Ramy 

18. Estonina, Tony                                                             48. Sicat, Art 

19. Estrella, Jimmy                                                             49. Sun, Mike 

20. Go, Patrick                                                                  50. Suplido, Ray 

 21. Goco, Bambi                                                              51. Sy, Victor 

 22. Gonzalez, Jimmie                                                        52. Tillman, Richard 

 23. Grey, Tonichi                                                             53. Tumpalan, Boy 

24. Hontiveros, Steve                                                        54. Valdes, Gabby 

25. Horn, Francis                                                              55. Vargas, Mari 

26. Ilustre, Mandy                                                             56. Vera, Chito de 

27. Ingles, Joey                                                                 57. Villarreal, Raffy 

28. Laureola, Rikko                                                          58. Yujuico, Aderito 

29. Ledesma, Alex                                                            59. Zamora, Joey 

30. Leon, Wally de


See slide show for more Homecoming photos.

February-March Boys

The Februrary Grand Kapihan is the second of six official events of the Jubilee Festival Week. This Wednesday’s Grand Kapihan featured ten February-March birthday celebrants - which is a good thing.  (There would be more of them to share the cost of hosting the Grand Kapihan).  As we know, a bunch of Batch63 guys are in town for the DLS Homecoming (that's a lot of buffet coupons). All in all, 45 guys attended the February Kapihan per Vince Misa’s kapihan list. 

The birthday guys who hosted the Polo Club breakfast are: Alex Ledesma; Joe Assad; Boy Nazareno; Ed Lim; Art Sicat (balikbayan); Joey Ingles; and Victor Sy (Balikbayan). The other birthday guys who couldn’t come but who sent in their share of the blow-out are: Arthur Antonino; Jaime Ortigas; and Linggoy Araneta.

Aside from two balikbayan celebrants above, the Balikbayans guys present were: Celso Lontoc; Lou Madamba, Adrian Novnario, Manolo Relova; Ramy Salcedo; Mike Sun; Joey Zamora; Tonichi Grey; and Patrick Go. The local guys who came were: Vic Corpus; Vic Romero; Gem Yabut; Mandy Ilustre; Francis Horn; Joey Angeles; Bambi Goco; Quito Moras; Chito de Vera; Oni Mayo; Gary Salcedo; Ernie Cuyegkeng; Bert Saenz; Benny Ang; Tony Estonina; Joey Estagle; Ed Oleta; Patrick Go; Mari Duarte; Gabby Valdes; Boy Palanca; Eboy Cosme; Steve Hontiveros; Lito Quiogue; Polding Arnaiz; Douglas Marcaida; Aderito Yujuico; Jackie Arellano; Raffy Villarreal; Boy Carlos; Vince Misa; and Paqui Campos.

While more or less the same guys are meeting up again after the Bienvenida party last Sunday, the conglomeration of the lot - on a morning, in a smaller hall - had a different kind of dynamics. At Cameron Forbes resto, it was now possible to be more intimate.  More than intimacy however, maybe it is more about talking up  absurd matters as Batch63 is prone to do! For instance, the irrepressible Tonichi is sore at Joey Estagle for dethroning him as the Elvis Presley of Batch63.  In his mind, Tonichi thinks he is the reincarnation of Elvis!  Overall, the Kapihan was an opportunity to  relive the fun during the Bienvenida party three days ago.

There are also those who made "pahabol".  While they missed the Bienvenida event, Paqui Campos and Paqui Ortigas still managed to make good on their P4K dues payment. ( I only hope there’s extra Jubilee shirts for them. The shirts had been mostly allocated already as far as I know.) Anyway, the breakfast Kapihan ended just because it was lunch time already. Prior to parting ways, the subsequent Festival Week events were discussed and those concerned took notes so that they can attend again. Next on the agenda is the Day of Reflection on Friday. See you there!

See slide show for more photos.

Bienvenida Jubilee Event

The Homecoming Bienvenida of Batch63 was scheduled for 6:30 PM at Pergola Place in Roxas Blvd. As early as the morning of the event however, Vince Misa and Bambi Goco were already at the venue to oversee the equipment and accessory installations for the event.  By 1:30PM, the participants of the Stars of Yesteryears show trickled in for rehearsals. More than an hour before the event at 5:00PM,  guests started arriving and where Batch63 wives took their place in the seats fronting the stage. 

By 6:30PM, most of the guests had arrived.  They milled about the cocktail tables at the entrance enjoying the drinks. Vince Misa’s family took it upon themselves to man the registration desk. Just before the dinner at around 7PM, the venue was a cacophony of sounds as can only be expected when old friends meet. From time to time, shrieks and friendly curses can be heard above the din as rare birds like Adi Novenario, Celso Lontoc, Bobit Damian, Aderito Yujuico, Joey Zamora and Victor Sy came into the hall. This list of balikbayans does not include yet the other set of balikbayan guys who arrived from the US earlier (Mike Sun, Manny Relova and Bobby Dee). 

The noise and action in the hall was such that Emcees Gary Salcedo and Manny Relova can only look at each other in helplessness.  They found it hard to get the attention of the crowd to settle down so that at least the National Anthem and the Grace before Meals prayer can be started to officially open the event. Finally it was dinner time and a video treat was presented on the large screen.  This video is the “Batch63’s Old La Salle” video show specially prepared by Bambi Goco for the Homecoming.  A copy of this special CD shall be provided to all those who paid their P4K dues.

Right after dinner, the Stars of Yesteryears show (created by Vince Misa) opened with fanfare. Climax music pervaded the hall when Joey “Elvis” Estagle  mounted the stage to kick off the Stars show with his rendition of “Don’t Be Cruel”. Vince “Marty Robins” Misa followed with “The Ballad of El Paso”, Joey “Cliff Richard” Zamora sang “The Young Ones”, Oni “Jack Jones” Mayo crooned the melodious ballad “She” and Mari “Frank Sinatra” Vargas sexily sang “the Way You Look Tonight”. Baby “Mat Monroe” Angeles sang “Walk Away”, Bert “Johnny Cash” Saenz rendered his cowboy version of  “I Walk the Line” and Manny “Dean Martin” Relova sang the Italian “Volare”. A hit was Doug Marcaida’s “Phantom of the Opera” which he sang with a young female partner (the photogenic Douglas came complete with half-mask and cape). The finale number was of course by the professional singer of the Batch, Lito “Rod Stewart” Domantay, who cooly sang “Smile”. The show was a spectacle due in part to the theatric costumes of the participants. Mostly, the song renditions were of acceptable good quality (if you ask me). Some of the ladies in the crowd indicated how they were impressed with the large number of comparatively good singers in the Batch (and no, these ladies were not necessarily the wives of the performers, heh heh). 

And then there was the dancing and the Karaoke time. Seven DIs were there to ensure participation and gracefulness on the dance floor. During the respite between dance sets, the open-mic karaoke facility was availed by singers in the batch who felt that the Stars singing show was not enough. Even the wives got into the act as Mely Corpus and Bili Mayo sang a duet at the insistence of some in the audience. A surprise number on the stage was the performance of Anna Tirol, Alex Ledesma’s friend. Anna is not only a pretty face but she is also a classical singer who brought the house down - initially with a cantata number and finally with “The Prayer”, an encore she did with a game Joey Zamora. 

Finally the event was over especially for the guys who were beginning to feel their Senior limitations. As the guys filed out, Joey Angeles distributed the Polo shirts to be worn during the Taft Homecoming on March 2. Under the contract with Pergola, the venue was available only up to 11PM. It was a good thing that Vic Romero was there throughout to appease his sister-in-law (the proprietor of Pergola) since some of the guys certainly enjoyed too much and took their time going home.

For the record, the guys who came to the bienvenida were:

Batchmates			Guests
1.	Ang, Benny		1.	Lilia Ang
2.	Angeles, Joey		2.	Nesie Angeles
3.	Arellano, Jackie		3.	Marilou Arellano
4.	Arnaiz, Polding		4.	Anton Arnaiz
5.	Assad, Joe		5.	Mely Corpus
6.	Carlos, Boy		6.	Michaela
7.	Corpus, Vic		7.	Randy Estomago
8.	Cosme, Eboy		8.	Boy Cantada
9.	Damian, Bobbit		9.	Tessi Estagle
10.	Domantay, Lito		10.	Kang Goco
11.	Estagle, Joey		11.	Anna
12.	Estonina, Tony		12.	Gina Lontok
13.	Estrella, Jimmy		13.	Myra Clemeno
14.	Go, Patrict		14.	Bili Mayo
15.	Goco, Bambi		15.	Jane Misa
16.	Grey, Tonichi		16.	Cely Novenario
17.	Ilustre, Mandy		17.	Nene Quiogue
18.	Ingles, Joey		18.	Baby Salcedo
19.	Laureola, Rikko		19.	Lucy Sun
20.	Ledesma, Alex		20.	Eileen Sy
21.	Lim, Eddie		21.	Amy Zamora
22.	Lontok, Celso		22.	Vixei Misa - Reception
23.	Marcaida, Douglas		23.	Nympha Lucero - Reception
24.	Mayo, Oni		24.	Che Figueroa - DI
25.	Misa, Vince		25.	Louie Jacinto - DI
26.	Moras, Quito		26.	Janeth Dalida - DI
27.	Novenario, Adie		27.	Rommel Menguito - DI
28.	Oleta, Ed		28.	Azineth Goña - DI
29.	Quiogue, Lito		29.	Rone Lemuel - DI
30.	Relova, Manolo		30.	CJ Ramos - DI
31.	Romero, Vic
32.	Saenz, Bert
33.	Salcedo, Gary
34.	Salcedo, Ramy
35.	Sicat, Art
36.	Sun, Mike
37.	Sy, Victor
38.	Valdes, Gabby
39.	Vargas. Mari
40.	Vera, Chito de
41.	Yujuico, Aderito
42.	Zamora, Joey

Note: Thanks to Joey Estagle for the many photos herein. He really put his XLR to work this time.

Slide show photos from Joey Estagle.

Slide show photos from Leon Mayo.