DLSAA Meeting

Joey Estagle is Batch63’s perennial representative to the DLSAA. Last week he invited Batch63 GJC coordinator, Oni Mayo to attend the DLSAA meeting with him. The DLSAA directors (headed by the incumbent President, Mr. Johnny Sy) conducted the breakfast meeting.  In brief, the major activities for the 2013 Homecoming are proposed by the DLSAA as follows: 

1.    Jubilee Fellowship Night (around Jan 2013; dinner and dancing). 

2.    Bro. Ben Memorial Golf tournament (Feb. 26, 2013 at Valley Golf) 

3.    2013 DLS Homecoming (Once again at La Salle Taft grounds on March 2, 2013) 

The prospective theme (not yet final) of the homecoming is “Back to 1”. It’s a play on the ‘One La Salle” theme. It’s a statement to highlight the fact that despite the expansion and diversification that the school has embarked on in the past decades, everything is now consolidated to signify unity still. In other words it’s an effort to capture the singular spirit that was natural to the school when it used to be alone in Taft once upon a time. 

The meeting was also an opportunity to understand the plans for the various presentations on Homecoming night. There will be several batches making presentations but Batch63’s presentation is the highlight show of the night since Batch63 is the Golden Jubilarian. The DLSAA advised that all presentations be streamlined and fun since the audience will be hard-to-please mixed generations. The idea that comes across is that the organizers prefer a musical show of sorts. 

Long haired Tony Atayde is the DLSAA program director for the homecoming presentations. Batch63 shall coordinate with him regarding the content and duration of its presentation. Props, video screen and sounds on stage will be provided by DLSAA. The groups preparing their presentation will need to provide their own show material. There will be a rehearsal the evening before the Homecoming and as everyone now knows, the Homecoming show will again be in the Taft campus (where it used to be before the construction of the Centennial building).  The new Centennial building is called the Henry Sy building.  It is in the finishing stage and its vast ground floor open lobby shall be the venue for the show. 

Batch63 guys are enjoined to attend the coming Kapihan on October 24 so that we can brainstorm the prospective stage presentation of the Batch among other things. Thanks to Joey Estagle for the photos herein covering the said DLSAA meeting. Animo La Salle!

See slide show for more photos.

The Boys of the Fall

Happy Birthday to the September - October Batch63 celebrants! These guys are: Boy Carlos; Francis Horn; Vic Corpus, Lito Domantay and Joey Estagle. While Jon Arcenas and Mari Vargas were not present, they are also celebrants.  According to Kapihan organizer Vince, Jon and Mari are expected to wire in their due ‘contribution’ to the blow out. This time, the Cameron Forbes Room of the Polo Club came up with a delicious buffet menu for the occasion. (I’m wondering whether this pleasant accommodation by the Club was due to Polding Arnaiz. In last week's Kapihan, the voluble Polding demanded in no uncertain terms that food service in Cameron Forbe needs to improve). 

The Batch63 guys who shared their time with the Birthday boys were: Joey Ingles, Vic Romero, George Cunanan; Gabby Valdes, Ed Lim, Oni Mayo, Tony Estonina; Ed Oleta; Boy Palanca; Joey Angeles; Jackie Arellano; Gary Salcedo; Quito Moras; Steve Hontiveros; Douglas Marcaida; Vince Misa and latecomer, Chito de Vera. As usual, the large group fell into clusters and discussed myriad topics.  Chito de Vera dramatically came in very late.  He had on hand a sapling Ipil tree plant from his nursery. Chito is expressing his appreciation of the work of the GJ Committee and so he was gifting some of them with the sapling trees. 

On another Batch member's related activity, Vic Corpus explained to the boys what he is doing lately. The ever-optimistic Vic is now working on an idea that could revolutionize the power industry. He has established an experimental plant in Canlubang where he is in the process of producing a prototype power generation machine. From my layman’s understanding of Vic’s description, the machine would ‘feed’ itself with electrical power (pumped-prime by the wind). With the use of a maglev turbine system he has invented, the machine would then produce eternal air power than can be made to drive specific mechanical elements. Vic Romero who came from the power sector (Meralco VP) expressed special interest in the project. More power, Vic Corpus. We can’t wait to see you in commercial production. 

Overall, the Batch is still high with its GJ Homecoming activities so it was a recurring topic during the noisy celebration. The suggestions came far and wide for the handling of the original and new activities proposed for the year long event. The details of the GJ proposals shall be presented in the GJ Committee Bulletins which the group will be receiving shortly. In the meanwhile, we are placing a call to all Batch63 to already send in your pledges (P4000) so that you can be counted to join in the Homecoming activities.  As explained earlier, the P4000 will be for the bienvenida, despedida, Stars of Yesteryears show, shirts and vests (to be worn during the stage presentation), and the "Friends" Batch63 CD.  The amount also covers the participation of spouses to the events for those who will bring them along.  

We are also trying to raise a fund to subsidize some classmates who may not have treated the Jubilee Homecoming as a priority investment area for them today. In this effort, some guys have already come through.  (Thanks to Manny Relova and Art Sicat for sponsoring two classmates). The money pledges can be sent to Gary Salcedo (for guys in the Philippines) and to Art Sicat (for guys in the USA).  Hasta la vista companeros. Animo La Salle!

See slide show more photos.

Lito Canillas

Having met up with Manny Relova and Lou Madamba in San Francisco and the guys at Las Vegas (Art Sicat, Victor Sy, Gary Salcedo, Joey Zamora and Manolo Carrillo), it was fulfilling to cap my US trip with a get together with Batch63's  Lito Canillas. A few days ago, Lito emailed that he is just in nearby Queens and so we linked up on a balmy Friday morning in NY. 

Since he came over to the US in 2001, Lito, his wife Jo and a young daughter stayed in Queens. Jo had an opportunity to work in America and Lito gave up a career in Manila (insurance industry) to be with his family. Today, Lito likes to say that he is a ‘servant of the lord’ who is quite active in his parish – St. Nicolas of Tolentine in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, NY. 

Over the years, Lito had involved himself with sound system applications where today he is an expert in the trade. Much of his work is in the service of his parish and friends who require his expertise. I told him that his skill may be needed by Vince Misa who is putting together our ‘Stars of YesterYears’ show. When I also mentioned that our Manila Batch63 group have personalities who can 'rock', Lito got excited and said he has friends who are also into Band music. 

Lito and I started the morning by going to Sam Ash music store in NYC to browse some acoustic gadgets. Proceeding to Queens, we had a hefty lunch in a steak grill house after which we went to Lito’s house where I met his family. Shortly after, Lito got his car and we drove over to the house of Joey Martinez (DLSC 66 LA) and his wife Tere. At Joey’s large house I was shown Joey’s basement that had been converted into a band studio. There were guitars galore and other musical instruments. 

Needless to say, they thrust an acoustic-electric Ovation (that curved-back guitar) in my arms and we proceeded with some jamming. Joey of course played twangy lead on his Stratocaster. But the surprise for me was when Lito took on the Fender Base guitar and provided the rocking base undertone to the music. It was all impromptu of retro tunes and was a real fun time. After a guinatan merienda prepared by Tere, it was time to call it a day. 

Lito is definitely coming for the Jubillee Homecoming event in Manila next year. While Jo has limited vacation time, they will try to make it to the Batch63 Bienvenida Event one week before. Regarding the Homecoming activities, Lito asked if a day for reflection and recollection is included. Lito said that it would be nice to share ideas on the benefits of DLS Christian education particularly on its impact on our Batch63 group. Paging Francis Horn, Jimmy Ortigas and Boy Nazareno – Lito is willing to start the activity by preparing an agenda. He will however need back up for the organizational requirement at the Manila end of the project. 

Another day, another great experience. Hasta la vista to all and Animo La Salle!

See slide show for more photos.