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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