One Grand Reunion Show

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For DLS Batch59/63 it was one more successful project! Of course, I’m talking about the Show of Shows – the Stars of Yesteryears extravaganza. As early as 3PM on that Saturday show date, Baby Angeles, Joey Zamora, Oni Mayo, Vince Misa and Manolo Relova were in the 7^th Note Music Bar to run through their numbers with the live band. By 8PM, the 7^th Note was filled with Batch63 stalwarts and their wives and friends.

First up in the show was the Homecoming Video premiere. The Homecoming Video was prepared as Batch59/63’s contribution to the forthcoming DLS Alumni Homecoming event on March 7 in La Salle Taft. The Video showcases The Story of Us – the book project of the Batch done several years ago that chronicled the journey of La Salle Taft boys (essentially Batch63) through life. The video ended with a presentation of the logos of the many La Salle branches in the Philippines accompanied by the Hail One La Salle song. The Hail song is an original composition initiated by the Batch for the Homecoming event.

Right after the video premier presentation, it was Showtime at 7^th Note! The performers were: Jack Jones (Vince); Matt Monroe (Oni; a replacement of Boy Lumba who cancelled his trip home hopefully not due to stage fright); Cliff Richard (Joey Zamora); and Frank Sinatra (Manny Relova; a replacement of Mari Vargas who backed out when he lost his voice probably trying to rehearse his song); and the Everly Brothers (Lito Domantay and Baby Angeles). That was not the end of the show as Bert Saenz’s turn came. He sang a hot Tagalog R&B duet with Suzie (a young crooner) to the delight of the crowd. The piece de resistance was reserved for last and that was Elvis (Joey Estagle). Elvis came prancing on stage clad in cape and rhinestone encrusted white body suit that brought the house down! Through all these, Batch63 enjoyed the fare for the night consisting of Wagyu Steak (that suspiciously looked like pork chop) and Peking Duck (that looked like chicken!).

Baby Alvarez and Tonichi Grey (substituting for Bert Saenz who came in very late) did a yeoman’s job of emceeing. The Dolphy and Panchito -like tandem played to the crowd. Baby was all aplomb with his witty Spanish and Pilipino quips while Tonichi was a wild man bursting into uninhibited exclamations and moves when he gets excited. After the entertaining show, the promised all-night dancing became a reality. Despite the tight dance floor space, Batch63 and their friends showed how it was to enjoy! The shortage of female partners did not deter the shameless Batch as they convinced guests and including 7^th Note waitresses to rock with them on the dance floor.

For this memorable chapter in Batch63’s existence, let us once again acknowledge the role of the sponsors who made the milestone show possible. Despite the economic downturn, these guys – all acknowledged top class businessmen in their own right - financially supported the project without hesitation. Together with the imagination, persistence and patience of the organizers (the handful who actively pushed for the project), it just goes to show that with faith in our abilities and a positive outlook, Batch63 can do anything it wants to do. In the words of Babes Alvarez, let's do this every year! Until the next project then mi companeros, Animo La Salle

Birthday Blow-out & Reunion Debates

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Established as a trend by Vince Misa, the series of combined birthday bash for Batch63 continue on. For the January celebration, the birthday boys are Ed Oleta, Tony Estonina, Tito Lucero and Oni Mayo. The breakfast saw a comparatively big group once again including two balikbayans: Tonichi Grey and Gary Salcedo.

Due to the proximity of the Grand Reunion and the Homecoming, the conversation in Willow Root turned into a business meeting of sorts (for the Reunion project) after breakfast. As usual the rowdy bunch was well, rowdy. Project Chair Vince had to strain as he tried to explain his detailed plans to the group. As gathered (despite the simultaneous din on irrelevant matters provided by Jackie Arellano and Gabby Valdez on the other end of the table) Vince explained the travails he and Art Alvendia went through trying to get the DLS Homecoming committee to accept Batch63's obra maestra of a presentation. The problem arose when the Homecoming committee suddenly opted to introduce a Mardi Gras theme to the event. Since Batch63's presentation seemed off (the theme), we had to convince the committee that it wasn't. In the end even the strict Homecoming events director, Fritz I, was convinced especially after Art turned on his charm.

Emotions run high especially when the business of accountability, plan review and prospective project funding shortfall was brought to the table by Bert Saenz and Oni Mayo. It was a case of marketing optimism versus financial surety, open budget-for-quality considerations versus budget caps-for-realism. Tonichi was his usual take-charge personality as he orated on what he sees is moot and regular solutions to problems. Called to walk the talk, he bragged that if funds are the problem, he would make the collections for the 7th Note gig even then with those present. Predictably, he collected nothing (at least that day).

Joking aside, the Grand Reunion project is now in full gear. The Story of Us video is being finalized by Art Alvendia and I understand that Vince and Gary Salcedo are now negotiating with 7th Note and the Elvis Band for the Grand Reunion party. Oni Mayo started the fund raising letters to Batch63 tycoons, whereby Steve Hontiveros was tapped to handle the collections. For the Batch63 sponsors, please GIVE, GIVE, GIVE and submit your preferred corporate logos to Oni Mayo that they may be acknowledged in the promotional ads being prepared for the Party.

Guys, Batch63 is enjoined to support Vince and his associates in this effort. Watch out for forthcoming balita and instructions from Vince in the coming weeks. See you all at the Grand Reunion Bash at the 7th Note on February 28!

Despedida Para Alfredo

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Batch63 swashbuckler Freddie Muniz is heading back to Florida. Apart from having this opportunity to now see his family again after 4 years, Freddie plans to have medical consultations in the USA. We were surprised to hear that Freddie has had a couple of minor health setbacks recently. With the topic of health on the table, the talk drifted to the possibility of angioplasty. it's good to know that angioplasty procedure is quite routine nowadays (in case Freddie needs it). Among Batch63 guys, those who had their heart arteries already fortified with stent include Ed Oleta, Mari Vargas and recently, Steve Hontiveros.

When Fred's buddy Bert Saenz heard about his plans to leave the country, he would not settle for a simple goodbye and said that there should be a grand, wet( libation?) despedida. So Bert sent out his tickler text to the group and the Treehouse Bar at Dian St. (Makati) came alive with Batch63 guys once more yesterday (Monday). For the information of teetotalers in the Batch, the Treehouse is one of the hangouts of Batch63 (that was introduced by Polding Arnaiz). Polding is so popular there that his name is now immortalized in the resto's pulutan menu: Polding's Kilawin.

Apart from Batch63's Dirty Dozen that include Ed Oleta, Tony Estonina, Vince Misa and Oni Mayo, unusual faces graced the occasion. Elusive artist Melo Prats was there. Batch64's Bobong Velez (Chair of the DLS Homecoming event next year) heard about the affair from Vince and he showed up if only to invite the gang to the Homecoming Cocktails in Mezze (Bobong's resto) on Thursday. Apart from Bert and Polding, naturally, Batch63's conio boys Raffy Villareal, Doug Marcaida and friend Frank Casal were present. As the liquor flowed, we remembered Tonichi Grey and Nilo Villanueva who would surely participate in this affair had they been in town.

One character who was absent was Jack Arellano. Freddie said that Jack is now sending him good decent Email. Hearing that, Bert and I did a double take. Apparently, Jack was forewarned by Freddie to desist from sending him X-mail so Jack merely delisted him from his Dirty Dozen roster. Bert actually cited Jack's improving Spanish in Jack's recent Kapihan text to the group. Jack's arch-enemy Polding Arnaiz wasn't impressed. He said there were horrible lapses in basic tense, gender and plural forms. But then I can almost hear Jack saying: "The problem with you, Polding is that you do not speak Royal Court Spanish! You are hoi polloi!" Oh well, bien viaje a nuestro amigo Alfredo, y regresar a Filipinas pronto.

November Birthdays Celebration

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For yet another day this year, Batch63 filled up its long table at Willow Root once again. The guys came in force in the Kapihan today. And why not, it's the combined birthday bash by five of the Batch's bona fide members. The five celebrants are Gabby Valdez, Steve Hontiveros, Bambi Goco, Doug Marcaida and surprise, surprise . . Jimmy Estrella. Jim Estrella is a rural boy by weekday and a city boy by weekend - he tends to his business in Pangasinan (that's why he doesn't join the Wednesday Kapihan) and comes to Manila only on weekends (for R&R?). But today was a special day for him and he couldn't say no to the urgings of his friends. So once anew in behalf of the Batch, feliz compleanos esta mes , amigos y muchas gracias para la desayuno.

The celebrants must have been close friends to some rare birds who now found the time to come to the Kapihan again. Taking their place in the Kapihan again are the not-so-usual faces of Manolo Cristobal, Vic Corpuz, Tony Estonina, Aderito Yuhuico and Babes Alvarez. And because both of them do not come to the Kapihan all that often themselves, Babes Alvarez did not immediately recognize Manolo Cristobal. When forced to give a guess, Babes hesitatingly said: You are Manolo Carrillo Cristobal! Vince Misa had to pipe in: Wrong, he's Manolo Carrillo Relova Cristobal! The large party ultimately morphed into small huddles where the guys joined that group which conversation interests them. Joey Estagle was all agog as he took some tips from Bert Saenz on ways to handle a suspecting Missus. Steve Hontiveros talked about his recent angioplasty and recalled how he almost fainted when the surgeon insisted that he looked at the extracted whatever. And as usual, Joey Ingles had a pink concoction on the dining table that he downed along with his dozen eggs! Coming from a recent Mallorca tour with wife Cang and daughter Cristine, Bambi Goco brought along a souvenir. It's a calendar he acquired there and wishes to share with the guys. See scanned image below.

With Jimmy Estrella and Dendi Abdon in an eventual huddle, the two former band mates got excited and there is now a move to put a Batch63 band together for the Grand Reunion affair in February 2009. For those interested, the band practices are being planned for weekends when Jim is in town. In the meanwhile, Vince Misa and Oni Mayo took advantage of the presence of the many guys there to distribute the Grand Reunion agenda and the solicitation letter. The Grand Reunion preparation activity is off to a good start and it promises grand entertainment for Batch63 and their spouses come February next year. More news on this later but in the meanwhile, we advise our US friends to already consider coming home for the Alumni Homecoming next year otherwise they will miss the fun chance of a lifetime!

Ambassador Carlos Valdez, 88

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After a brave stand in St. Lukes Hospital ICU, the ailing Dad of Gabby Valdez succumbed last Sunday. Up to the end, this family patriarch was in a way, still in charge. According to Gabby, Ambassador Valdez was cognizant of his situation although he could not speak or open his eyes. He responded by hand pressure to signify that he appreciated those near him in the ICU.

The flag-draped remains of the Ambassador was interred at the La Salle Greenhills chapel. The chapel was filled with relatives, colleagues and friends of the large Valdez clan. Mostly, the wake that night was like a DLS alumni homecoming. Ambassador Valdez was a past President of the DLSAA and subsequently, so were three of his boys namely Gabby, Butch and Johnny. Batch63's Bambi Goco, Jack Arellano, Arthur Alvendia (with Angel), Joey Ingles and Oni Mayo came Monday evening to condole with the Valdez clan.

I was informed that on the first day of the wake, the country's first couple paid their respects to the fallen Ambassador. The Macapagals are provincemates and friends of the Valdez family from way back. I learned that Gabby's great grandfather and grandfather were active in Pampanga politics (Governor and Senator respectively) and who were supportive role models of the young Cong Dado then.

From Batch63, we wish to offer our sincere condolences to Gabby and his better half Pam. So too to all the Valdez brothers that many of us also know. Below are photos of Gabby and Pam, some of Butch's children (around the photo display table at the wake) and Pam's classmates from STC.

October Celebration

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The October 15 Kapihan was once more a lively one. The guys came to celebrate the combined Birthday parties of the October celebrants. The participating celebrants were Lito Domantay, Mari Vargas, Jon Arcenas, Vic Corpuz and Joey Estagle. Vince Misa, Batch63's self-appointed organizer of Birthday Celebrants (by month), registered the count of those who came to Kapihan at twenty one. Apart from the regulars and the celebrants, the rare faces were Tony Estonina and Bert Saenz (from South of Manila), Baby Alvarez (from Negros), and voila - long lost good guy, George Cunanan!

Mari "Frank Sinatra" Vargas made a rare appearance at Willow Root. Mari said he made it this time since 'may kahati sya' in the birthday treat. Joey Ingles had his usual dozen eggs even as he made a pitch for his new herbal elixir (some sort of fruity lactic concoction that he claims has billions of micro-organisms that can cure any ill in the world). He was only offering samples of the elixir though to the celebrants. This selective treatment thus cause the others to claim that Joey's elixir also had melamine and that the celebrants are slated to die!

The economic problems of the world was not ignored by the intellectuals in the group. Joey Ingles said that even development-minded Dubai has started to cancel development contracts due to an expected weak market in the future. Tony Estonina said Dubai has thus changed it's country's name to: Don't Buy! Clearly it's this sort of meaningful insights that makes the reputation of Batch63.

What the heck, another day, another inanity. To the Birthday boys thus, Feliz compleanos, festejados de Octubre! Muchas gracias para el desayuno.

September Bash

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Oye, mis amigos locos! Para tu informacion, Batch63 Kapihan is alive and kicking again - thanks to the effort of Vince Misa to orchestrate shared birthday celebrations by batch month. While the idea is a practical one, not everyone was impressed. Interpreting the idea from a businessman's point of view, Linggoy Araneta said that cost sharing for birthday celebrations must be an indication of the hard times. For this, let's attribute it to our unimaginative national leaders who continue to direct the country's economic plight. (At least for many thinkers in the Batch, lame explanations on the economic impact of global trends on the country is old hat and somehow do not cut it anymore).

There are 7 celebrants sharing the September bash at Polo Club. These are: Dendi Abdon; Bobit Damian; Aderito Yuhuico; Boy Carlos; Francis Horn; Boy Lumba and

Manolo Relova. Of course, Boy L and Manolo R are absentee celebrants being based in the USA. They felt the need to bond with the locals and have tasked their Pareng Vince to cover the damage for their share of the cele b until their next visit soon. (Thanks for going out of your way, Boy and Manolo. We appreciate the breakfast treat.) Ever the devoted organizer for Batch63 events, Vince has already lined up the birthday celebrants for October. For sure, Vince will be sending out his notice on this sometime soon.

The group had much fun especially with the presence of rare birds like Mari Duarte, Manolo Cristobal, Tony Estonina, Ed Oleta, Bert Saenz, Doug Marcaida, etc. who live in the suburban south (Alabang, BF Paranaque, Binan, Las Pinas, etc.). In line with Linggoy's theorem on economic factors today, south-based guys have been complaining about the high cost of gasoline and toll fees. It takes a special event like the September bash for them to come. A Kapihan mainstay from the South but who didn't make it this time is Joey Estagle. The rumor among the Dirty Dozen is that he had a spat with his better half Tessie who withheld gasoline money to Joey for the long trip to Polo Club today.

Talking about the remote South and despite the continuing economic melt down in the country, there are actually Batch63 Manila people who have established bases in the South, particularly Tagaytay. They claim that they like the resort atmosphere there. At least three guys in the party - Jimmie Gonzalez, Gabby Valdez and Butch Cusi (DLSC Commerce 67 and good friend of Dendi) - have second home mansions in Tagaytay. It would have been four guys, but according to Gabby, Jack Arellano had disposed of his house there a long time ago. Gabby said that Jack did not like the idea that there were no Karaoke Bars and massage parlors in Tagaytay at that time. (Vince - maybe when it's their birthdays, one idea is for Batch63 to have the celebrations there in Tagaytay for a change!)

Enough BS for today! You can see those who came in the attached photos. Please watch for other pics in the subsequent sends.

Vince's August Celebration

Kapihan stalwart Vince Misa finally had his wish. Discontented with the comparatively small turnout (7-10) in the Kapihan these past few weeks, Vince decided to use his birthday as leverage to get the lazy Batch63 guys to join the Kapihan once more. Other August birthday celebrants like Raffy Villareal and Lito Quiogue liked the idea and joined Vince in his crusade. Prodded with the incessant text notices of Jackie Arellano about the affair, Benny Ang and Patrick Go came out of the woodwork and asked why they were not being invited to share the blow out since their Birthdays are also in August. The result, the Kapihan turnout more than doubled today. The vampires (the night people who could melt down when exposed to the light of Kapihan day) made an effort and the likes of Ed Oreta, Lito Domantay, Tito Lucero, Eboy Cosme and Douglas Marcaida groggily sauntered into Willow Root. This does not include yet the viajeros who, with the high cost of gasoline, now balk at driving all the way from the suburbs to regularly come to the Kapihan. Some of these guys are Ed Lim, Joey Estagle, Tony Estonina, Manolo Cristobal and Bert Saenz.

Because of Vince's Stars of Yesteryears Batch63 project that will be presented in the coming March homecoming, he became an official member of the DLSC Alumni Homecoming committee. Hence, the committee (chaired by Bobong Velez of Batch64) was invited to the bash as well if only so that they can deliver their message to the Batch. According to Bobong, DLS shall be celebrating its centenial year two years from now in 2011. This was adopted as the theme (the bigger goal) for all the preparations they are now making for the March Taft reunion. The March theme is thus TWO TO GO! Keep that in mind guys - and it has nothing to do with take out fast food! One objective of the March event is to raise P2M from sponsors for the event. Hence, given 10 active batches the 'toka' is theoretically P200K per batch. Vince was grinning impishly as he hinted this requirement to the business tycoons in Batch63 like Lito Domantay and Linggoy Araneta among others.

With the presence of all the new faces (including Baby Angeles' balikbayan kuya, Dr. Jaime Angeles) the Kapihan took longer than usual. It included robust singing by Joey Estagle, Vince Misa, Raffy Villareal, Gary Salcedo and Oni Mayo of the special DLS chant song of Batch63 (Hail One La Salle) that will be sang by the Batch at the Homecoming. It was lunch time by the time the group disbanded but not before getting into some serious discussions on motivation, definition and technology. Tito Lucero was being accused of favoritism, coming to the Kapihan only since Vince is an AQQA diehard. Since there were outside people with the group, AQQA was described by Bert Saenz to them as that Fine Dine place serving exotic fare in Quezon B. This new topic brought about again the question of Senior virility and in a roundabout way, the medical issues around it. Gary Salcedo shared his ideas on the new therapeutic theories to prevent prostate cancer and the resulting impotence. We would have believed Gary's attestations (delving on sleight-of-hand maneuvers) to pre-empt colon cancer - until we saw Jim Angeles, successful US cardiologist, hesitantly shaking his head at the audacious and unconventional thought. When Batch63 gathers, you never know what you get, but it's definitely high-plane and cutting edge (albeit mysterious and gaudy), isn't it?

By the way, this August Kapihan event was so successful that the September celebrants want to do the same. The September celebrants are Francis Horn, Dendi Abdon, Boy Carlos. It would be nice if the other September guys like Wally de Leon, Boy Lumba and Manolo Relova could find a way to make it next month. Hasta luego, pendejos - expect two more trailing Emails that will show the rest of the pics during the Kapihan.