Vic Corpus is slated to leave for Washington in Sept so Batch63 held an impromptu despedida party for him at 7th Note in Makati. Vic came to the party with his wife Mely Corpus, hence some of the guys brought their better halves along as well. The wives took their places around a table close to the stage while the men milled around the bar area where the liquor and stag talk flowed.
Those who came from afar were Chito de Vera (from Sorsogon then Bulacan) and Babes Alvarez (from Bacolod). Those who are rare birds as far as Batch63 get-togethers are concerned (but managed to come that night) were Manolo Cristobal, Vic Romero and Benny Ang. The rest were no strangers to 7th Note as can be seen from their familiarity with the protocol there if not with the waitresses.
Those who came from afar were Chito de Vera (from Sorsogon then Bulacan) and Babes Alvarez (from Bacolod). Those who are rare birds as far as Batch63 get-togethers are concerned (but managed to come that night) were Manolo Cristobal, Vic Romero and Benny Ang. The rest were no strangers to 7th Note as can be seen from their familiarity with the protocol there if not with the waitresses.
It was ‘go easy’ night for the Batch without any restricting program to follow. The bar guys took to the drinks and pulutans and traded corny jokes. The wives politely listened to the music of the lady crooner who did her lounge act even while the rowdy Batch63 men caroused in the bar area. Eventually, 7th Note honcho Lito Domantay got on stage and sang jazz standards. The new repertoire was a refreshing change from Lito’s familiar Everly routine.
On another note, many of the guys who came for the despedida visited the recuperating Nilo Villanueva beforehand in nearby Makati Medical. Nilo is now strong enough to sit down on a chair and looking much better. He manages to trade jokes with visitors although his speaking voice is hampered by the open tube in his throat. Vic has visited Nilo several times in the hospital and Nilo expressed regrets that he cannot reciprocate and join the despedida for General Vic.
Vic will be facing a new life again. We all know that Vic was a quiet boy who lived in Fort McKinley and studied in La Salle. Then he was a PMA cadet who lived in Baguio. Then he lived in the mountains and jungles of Isabella. Then he was in a Manila jail with other political prisoners (Pres. Ramos was overheard asking him at the book launch: Vic, are you in jail again?). Then he lived in military outposts in the South from where he propagated environmental and community development projects. Then he was quartered and isolated for security purposes in Camp Aguinaldo (while heading ISAEP). Now coming from their house in Manila, Vic and Mely will be living in Washington DC. It’s really quite an exciting life for someone who didn’t ask for it.
Vic played an important role in Batch63 unity. The birthday celebrations in the 90s (complete with rock band) that initiated Batch63 group activities today actually started in Camp Aguinaldo when Vic was the main man in the ISAEP compound there. Through it all, his childhood friends remained with him and who today raised their glasses in salute to Vic, seeing him off. Even Vince Misa who has given up his beloved San Miguel beer (due to health concerns) took exception from his ‘dry’ regimen. At 7th Note, Vince was observed clutching that famous brown beer bottle again as he celebrated with the rest of the boys. From Batch63 then, here’s a sincere message: Bon voyage, Vic and Mely!
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Vic will be facing a new life again. We all know that Vic was a quiet boy who lived in Fort McKinley and studied in La Salle. Then he was a PMA cadet who lived in Baguio. Then he lived in the mountains and jungles of Isabella. Then he was in a Manila jail with other political prisoners (Pres. Ramos was overheard asking him at the book launch: Vic, are you in jail again?). Then he lived in military outposts in the South from where he propagated environmental and community development projects. Then he was quartered and isolated for security purposes in Camp Aguinaldo (while heading ISAEP). Now coming from their house in Manila, Vic and Mely will be living in Washington DC. It’s really quite an exciting life for someone who didn’t ask for it.
Vic played an important role in Batch63 unity. The birthday celebrations in the 90s (complete with rock band) that initiated Batch63 group activities today actually started in Camp Aguinaldo when Vic was the main man in the ISAEP compound there. Through it all, his childhood friends remained with him and who today raised their glasses in salute to Vic, seeing him off. Even Vince Misa who has given up his beloved San Miguel beer (due to health concerns) took exception from his ‘dry’ regimen. At 7th Note, Vince was observed clutching that famous brown beer bottle again as he celebrated with the rest of the boys. From Batch63 then, here’s a sincere message: Bon voyage, Vic and Mely!
1 comment:
Thanks for the posting Oni. We have not heard any update on Nilo lately. With this posting we found out here that he is OK and to recovery. Thank God! Our prayers were answered! Let him know we'll continue praying for his full recovery so that he'll be able to come back here in the US soon! Thank you, Oni and best regards to all!
To Vic Corpus: Congratulations Vic! Kung may panahon ka pa Vic, ibigay mo na lang yung LIbro (Aklat sa tunay na Tagalog) kay Nilo para dala na niya paguwi rito. Call me (1-714-422-4292) when you and Mely get here in the US (sa East Coast ka if I remember right) so I can send you a check. Best regards & welcome back to the US!
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