Billy Manotoc

The Wednesday Kapihan was exceptionally well attended today. The day's agenda had two things in mind. One is the meeting of the Golden Jubilee core group to finalize details for the Homecoming. The other is the rare visit of a Batch63 fellow who is now a permanent resident of Switzerland. Yes, Billy Manotoc is in town and his friends came to welcome him home again. 

The regular Batch63 guys and the GJ Core Group members who came were: Oni Mayo, Bambi Goco, Joey Estagle, Polding Arnaiz, Gabby Valdes, Joey Angeles, Joey Ingles, Gary Salcedo, Vic Romero, Vince Misa, Francis Horn, and Chito de Vera.  The rare birds who especially came to say hello to Billy were:  Ed Oleta, Tony Estonina, Linggoy Araneta, Mari Vargas, Vic Corpus, Wally de Leon, Steve Hontiveros, Douglas Marcaida, Mandy Ilustre, Eboy Cosme and Ed Lim.  

The experience of meeting his childhood friends anew was a happy, if not an initially confusing one for Billy. It was clear that he couldn't immediately make out the likes of Polding Arnaiz, Mandy Ilustre and Ed Oleta. The first names of the people were however enough clue to make his face lighten up in recognition. According to Billy, some guys who managed to mainly look the same after all these years are Gabby Valdes and Baby Angeles. Billy is looking fit as ever and he is amused when he sees a former team mate like Vince Misa. During those years in the La Salle NCAA basketball team, Billy remembers Vince as reed thin and sinewy but who is now showing the effects of too much San Miguel beer in his system. 

Unfortunately Billy cannot stay longer to attend the Batch's Homecoming events since he still works in the bank. He is however due to retire this year where he may have more time for travel (although his wife who is younger than him is still working). He kids that his working wife is his pension plan.  He has two boys – age 17 and 15 – who are sportsmen (golf) like their Dad. Billy is just home for two weeks (with planned forays to Boracay and other places) hence his schedule is very hectic. He made it to the Kapihan though where we hope he enjoyed the Polo food and the presence of the Batch63 bandidos.

See slide show for more photos.