Northern California Batch63 Guys

Manny Relova 

In San Francisco, this Batch63 roving representative met up with Manny Relova. As everyone knows, Manny has established his career (during and after PAL) in San Francisco. He knows the city like the back of his hand. Earlier this year, Manny was on his usual vacation in the Philippines. He hooked up greatly with Batch63. Pursuant to that, It was nice to have still another chat with Manny but this time in his home base. 

As many know, Manny is a veteran marketing man in the travel industry. He knew the dining places and he recommended a Japanese resto for dinner. Manny’s savvy in and about the city was reflected in the way the resto proprietor familiarly greeted him. Over dinner, Manny accommodated my questions about his career and his family. 

It was a thrill to learn that a Filipina and Manny’s eldest – Monique – has something to do with the success of Apple’s IPhone product. Monique was a photography major in college. Per Manny, the Apple company hires a lot of non-IT people so Monique got to work with Apple. Monique’s case is a lesson in the benefits of specialization (multi tasking is passé?). Manny proudly displayed on his IPhone the patent certificate that Monique holds (together with another) for the development the IPhone’s camera system. Meaning to say – all IPhones bear the touch of Monique on it. His two other children are productive as well doing IT and marketing work.

Manny hopes to retire soon in Manila by next year. He is excited about the Batch63 Golden Jubilee celebrations and is actively participating in the GJ Committee's programs.  At the dinner, Manny entrusted $200 to Oni - $100 for his Homecoming fee and the other hundred for his friend Boy Tumpalan.  (See foto).  Manny said that he ate too many free hamburgers in the past at Roadside Cafe (owned by Boy's dad)  and this is his way of giving back.

Lou Madamba

After staying in San Francisco for several days, I transferred base to Foster City. There I met up with Lou Madamba. Lou drove all the way from San Jose for our meeting. (I told him that was the only way since I’m scared stiff to drive in the USA.) After his Engineering course in La Salle, Lou immediately immigrated to America. Unknown to many in Batch63, Lou eventually worked his way to success as an entrepreneur in the USA. 

Lou said that having no track record in the US when he arrived, he couldn’t find work as an Engineer, Thus he got sidetracked and started working in the electronics industry. Gaining experience in both the software and hardware side of the industry, Lou and a couple of partners eventually established and operated a firm that produces motherboards and the like. For a long time, this company supplied some of the current big players (Apple, HP, etc.) when they were all young and still on their way up. 

Today, Lou is on easy street and claims he is semi-retired. His experience continues to be in demand so he is an active business consultant for both local and international companies (HK, China, US, even one company in the Philippines). If I understand it correctly, Lou acts as the link between IT companies that may have a need for each others’ products. 

Lou and I ended up in a specialty resto in San Carlos which Lou claims was part of his work territory. We were so engrossed talking that we ended up closing the resto. Lou complained why they have to close so early. To this the chef-owner exclaimed: “Give me a break, guys - It’s 10PM. This is San Mateo, not NY!”

Lou remains in the pink of health. He attributes this to his Japanese wife who steered him away from fried foods. I was tempted to refute him using Vince Misa and Jack Arellano as examples of fried food eaters. Recalling Vince’s one dozen pills that he had to take a day and Jackie’s expanding waistline, I decided to hold my piece. 

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It was interesting interacting with these two guys in their home turf. I’m now preparing for the Vegas DLS reunion next week where I expect to meet up with the South Cal Batch63 guys. Watch for my report on that one. Hasta la vista, hombres!

See slide show for more photos.