Grand Kapihan December 2015 Birthday Boys

Vince Misa's Grand Kapihan extravaganza lives on. Last Wednesday, the Grand K was for the December birthday celebrants. Of several celebrants identified by Vince, only Jimmy Gonzales and Eboy Cosme made it to the event. Despite the typhoon notification by Government that day, a good number of Batch63 guys attended the festivity. These were: [Kneeling] Tony, Joey Estagle, Gary, Vic Corpus, Jackie, Mandy; [stranding center] Bro. Ray, Eboy, Ed Lim,  Flor, Jimmie; [standing left], Gabby, George, Quito, Joey Ingles, Manolo Relova.; [standing right] Francis, Ed Oleta, Onie, Vince. Joey Angeles was present too but had to leave early.  

A special feature of the party at Polo Club was the presence of Flor, Wally de Leon's widow. About two weeks before Wally passed away (from heart failure), the Batch had taken up a collection for Wally's prospective medical expenses. When Wally died, Flor felt that she needed to address the group on two matters: 1) she wanted to thank the Batch for the generous financial support; and 2) she wanted to explain where the funds were used (for the wake and crypt expenses). Flor's impassioned declaration was received well by the usually stoic Batch63. To Flor thus, and in behalf of the Batch, we wish to say you are welcome and thank you for taking care of our Wally. 

Effectively, the event was also the Batch's 2015 Christmas party. It was filled with light moments, fond memories and updating on DLS stuff. The light moments involved the censor-prone banter and conspicuous behavior of the Batch. This is why this Blog is called Menagerie (i.e. a grouping of wild animals!). The fond memories on the other hand mainly recalled Wally who was a childhood classmate. 

During the proceedings, DLSU's new President, Batch63's Bro. Ray, was placed on the hot seat. The Batch pestered him no end about La Salle's new sports program. Like all La Sallites, the school's elimination in this past UAAP season does not sit well with Batch63. Considering its new coach, Bro. Ray painted a hopeful picture for this next basketball season. But basketball was not the only sport in the minds of the Batch.. Bro. Ray had to respond as well on the activities and prospects of the De La Salle women's volleyball. For us to compete with the likes of Ateneo with its formidable volleyball team, it is clear that we will require a line up that is "pretty good". But then again if we must lose, a team that is just plain "pretty" - period - will suffice! 

Meanwhile, thanks to Joey Estagle for the clear photos in this edition. His SLR is certainly showing pics way better than anything my cellphone camera can provide.  Merry Christmas everyone! 

Onimayo

See slide show for more photos.

Baguio Trip

The Kapihan guys finally embarked for their Baguio City jaunt on the second weekend of December. It was a 2-night/ 3-day weekend excursion planned out at Italiani's (Makati Greenbelt). The pairs were: Jackie Arellano & Marilou, Manolo Relova & Coco, Lito Quiogue & Nene, Raffy Yupangco & Jovy, Onie Mayo & Billie and the father-son tandem of Polding Arnaiz & Anton. The singles were: Gabby Valdes, Gary Salcedo and Jimmy Estrella. 

The group stayed at Baguio Country Club where they met other DLS guys by chance. Butch Valdez (HS 64) was there with his family for the wedding of a son; Humpty Golamco (HS 61) was on vacation with his wife. This made the group even larger especially during meal times at the Veranda. The traffic in Baguio's city proper areas made the group opt to spend most of their time in the Club. The club had enough amenities to satisfy this option.

So what did the group do, you may ask?  Well,  Well for one, what they did NOT do was to play golf. This sporting activity that would have mitigated the calories from all that food intake, was ingloriously shelved.  Meeting at the restaurant for the tee-off early the next morning, the golfers found all kinds of reasons not to take to the fairway.  After their heavy breakfast, the thought of walking the fairways was not too appealing to the Seniors.  The golfers thus sheepishly agreed to instead just stay put (some with beer in hand). Some did go out shopping (to the Good Shepherd store at the insistence of the wives).  Most settled down to enjoy the nearby places, the fine food if not their comfortable rooms.

Onie wanted some exercise, but his planned tennis activity came to naught.  In Baguio, he found out that the tennis court at the club had been converted into a function room. Club members Gabby and Jackie (who should know that there was no more tennis court facility) were the ones who urged him to lug bulky tennis equipment to Baguio. They were the first one to laugh at his plight too.  Ang babait talaga!  Good thing, there was another option. Onie joined Manolo instead at the Club swimming pool for at least an hour of exercise. Ah, that clean pool and warm water was good! 

The car rides for the event were memorable as well. The group went up caravan style in Jackie's Carnival, Raffy's M150, Lito's Toyota and Polding's SUV. Off course, there was the usual pit stop and eats in Pampanga. I understand that it is standard service for Raffy to have a driver, a valet and all kinds of supplies when he and Jovy goes on trips.  Probably because of all the weight in his van, Raffy's large M150 blew a tire at the entrance to the SCTEX. The car buffs (Gabby,Jackie, Polding, Lito) in the group made their technical analysis and posed theories why that happened. And what did Raffy who was the van owner think? He was unperturbed.  He was actually surprised to know that tires do have expiry dates and can actually blow up. Why,  his tires were just changed in 2007!  It's the fault of his driver!

In ending, thanks to Jovy Yupangco for the artistic photo collage above.  It was a fun trip and now the group is looking forward to their proposed Dumaguete-Bacolod excursion in January. 

Onimayo

See slide show for more photos.

Wally de Leon, RIP

At 3 PM on a Wednesday, the middle of the working week, Batch 63 guys gathered at Loyola Memorial Chapels in Guadalupe Makati. Jackie Arellano sent out a text about the demise of a Wally de Leon. He said that we can pay our last respects there for a fallen comrade. 

Those who came were: Quito Moras, Ed Lim, Bambi Goco, Ned Bulatao, Art Alvendia, Joey Estagle, Vic Corpus and Onie Mayo. Mon Mojica (DLS College 68) is Wally's relative and was also there. The group offered their condolence to Flor.  Flor is Wally's partner who was in touch with Batch63 all through Wally's ordeal, Of course there was Wally's family (the de Leon- Tobias family of Sta. Cruz, Laguna) including a son who came all the way from Paris where he is staying. 

The mass was slated at 5PM (just before cremation). This is the height of Metro Manila traffic and so the priest was very late in coming. And Jackie who sent out his text blaster and who promised to meet the guys at the wake? We are guessing that he was probably caught in traffic too.  He wasn't there still when the Batch guys had to leave already.

For the 40th day ritual, Joey Estagle offered Flor the support of Batch63. Expect a message from Joey soon about this. By the way, the photos herein are Joey's photos.

See slide show for more photos.