Year Beginning Birthday Boys

Vince Misa started his joint birthday program on a good note this year. He had 100% participation from the January - February birthday celebrants that he assembled for Batch63’s enjoyment. The celebrants who hosted the Willow Root event today are: Tony Estonina, Ed Oleta, Tito Lucero, Mandy Ilustre and Oni Mayo.

The others who attended the breakfast party are: Joey Ingles, Ned Bulatao, Francis Horn, Gary Salcedo, Ed Lim, Linggoy Araneta, Gabby Valdes, Vic Corpus, Raffy Villareal, Joey Estagle, Jackie Arellano, Boy Palanca, George Cunanan, Steve Hontiveros, Lito Quiogue, Douglas Marcaida, Bert Saenz, Boy Carlos and Vince Misa of course. A surprise guest is Boy Lumba who just arrived from the States with his wife. Mrs. Lumba's mother in the province is gravely ill. Batch63 wishes Boy's mother-in-law a speedy recovery.


Celebrants’ Current Activities

Tony Estonina remains the busy contractor that he is. Today, he is in the midst of completing two apartment building projects of his located in Remedios and Vito Cruz. The two projects collectively have 25 units that are selling fast even before their construction is finished. Tony truly deserves the fruits of his continuing business success. What does he do with his money? Does he have any hobbies? Tony had to think hard though when he was asked about his hobbies. Pressed for an answer, he replied in jest: “How about adultery or sexual promiscuity?”

Tony’s friend and neighbor in the south is Ed Oleta. Ed today has slowed down a bit. He is quick to explain that he recently had a 9.5 hour operation where 600 grams of his right side liver had been excised. This followed his andioplasty procedure done 2 years ago. For that, he had 3 stents installed in his ticker. He is eagerly awaiting the arrival of his grand daughter for a vacation in Manila this summer. As we know, Ed’s daughter is married to European nobility so Ed’s granddaughter is a true, blue Dutch countess.

Tito Lucero is completely retired (so he says). He likes to engage in EBay stuff where he buys and sells expensive wristwatches. He keeps himself occupied by traveling when he gets bored. He recently arrived from a tour of China and Hong Kong. According to him he had an enjoyable time since he was accompanied by his 23 year old “caregiver”. According to Tito his caregiver is worth the investment since she provides him with everything he needs (including handling his luggage at the airport). Yes Tito, Seniors do need care.

Mandy Ilustre is a gentleman farmer. He claims he is retired but then he continues to do what he has been doing forever - tend to his sugar plantation in Batangas. I surmise that this job is not that simple since he has to supervise planting and harvesting activities, monitor crop prices and address DAR and tenant problems. He regularly travels to the USA with his wife when he is not attending socials in Manila. His birthday party celebration last Friday in Greenmeadows Subdivision was attended by Batch63 guys who danced the night away.

The advocacies of Oni Mayo include heritage conservation (he stewards an ancestral house in Batangas), music making (with his retro band from college) and writing up inane Blogs (for his friends and family). He regrets giving up his regular Tennis sessions for the moment due to a torn meniscus (knee injury). Since October last year, he switched to swimming as a form of therapy and which he hopes he can discontinue soon for Tennis.

Quip of the Day

This piece was overheard at the Kapihan. It’s not the exact words but the message is the same. For purposes of security and harmony, the name of the inquirer is discreetly disguised.

Batch63 guy: Pare, ang galing mo. Saan ba ako makahanap din ng caregiver?

Tito : Don’t ask me. Baka magalit sa akin si Mrs mo.

Batch63 guy: Pare, sige na. My wife says I’m not a gentleman anymore anyway so it’s OK.

Tito : What . . ?

Batch63 guy: She said a gentlemen rises when a lady enters the room.


See slide show for more photos.

Mandy Ilustre's 66th

Mandy Ilustre celebrated his 66th birthday in style at the Greenmeadows Subdivision clubhouse on January 14. The crowd mainly consisted of the rather large gang of Mandy’s wife and of course, the Batch63 gang. George Cunanan, Oni Mayo, Joey Estagle with Tessie, Baby Angeles, Lito Quiogue, Joey Ingles, Gabby Valdes, Vic Corpus, Jackie Arellano, Boy Carlos, Quito Moras, Vince Misa, and Joe Assad were the early Batch63 guests. Later, Boy Palanca and Doug Marcaida came as well.


The delicious dinner included roast calf and lechon over bottomless liquor. I understand that with the sumptuous buffet on the table, even Joey England did not get to miss his dozen eggs regimen. Apart from the catered food, Mandy provided for a Keyboardist and Karaoke facility. The mixed groups in the party got to dancing together as a lot of the Batch63 guys found old friends among the other guests. The female DI had her hands full dancing the night away with Vic Corpus, Boy Carlos and the other guys.

After dinner, I had to go to another appointment and was not able to stay on in the party. I understand however that the guys enjoyed the music and who danced and sang the night away.


See slide show below for more photos.

Menagerie Invitation

An Invitation to a Birthday Party
It’s a typical Wednesday Kapihan at Willow Root today but the guys have agreed that we should have a special Menagerie issue for it. The reason is because one of the guys has invited Batch63 to his forthcoming 66th birthday celebration. Mandy Ilustre rarely comes to the Kapihan but this time he came if only to advise the guys who were there today (Jackie Arellano, Lito Quiogue, Gabby Valdes, Oni Mayo, Vince Misa, Joey Ingles and Mari Duarte) to help him spread his invitation to the guys.

The details of the party are:

When: January 14, 2011 (Friday 6PM)

Place: 25 Flicker St., Greenmeadows, QC

Mandy plans to cater out the event and is requesting for an RSVP from the guys. Mandy’s mobile number is 0917 521 1625. A grand party in January – what a great way to start the year!

Miscellany
When the Kapihan numbers are smaller, that is the time that group discussions usually become more focus and introspective. One of today’s fare consisted of political talk particularly regarding the recent outrageous and controversial pronouncements of two Government institutions of justice - the Supreme Court and the Sandigan Bayan. The Supreme Court voted to quash the Truth Commission initiative and in another case shortly thereafter, it reversed the results of the Vizconde massacre case. The Sandigan Bayan in turn was accused of extorting money from the Luneta massacre hostage-taker and today, it just whitewashed the AFP money laundering case.

These in-your-face affront to public sensibilities by institutions tasked to promote justice is really disheartening and just confirms their increasingly questionable reputation. On record, it is actually the GMA appointees (who were entitled to tenure and could not be replaced by the new President) who are seemingly the bandidos. These guys appear to be traditional Government post appointees out to improve their plight by consistently voting as a biased bloc on controversial issues. In a weak republic, democracy just seems too easy to distort. The majority rule is abused where it is clearly a case of tyranny of numbers. Before leaving the topic, the discussants sarcastically posed a scenario where even the pending Maguindanao Massacre case will likely also be swept under the rug based on technicality. The impression is still that "money talks" in this society.

From serious talk, he Kapihan conversation moved on to everyday stuff. Mandy asked Jackie if he knew Joey Estagle’s mobile number and if he would share it with him. Instead of obliging, Jackie complicated the situation as usual. He told Mandy, “. . and why in the world would you, or anyone else, like to talk to a character like Joey?”

Christmas Season Birthday Celebrants

Attendance
The December 15 Grand Kapihan at Manila Polo was not only the traditional Batch63 birthday celebration of four celebrants but because of the high attendance, it seemingly also became the Christmas get-together of the Batch. The four December birthday celebrants who hosted the Grand Kapihan were Jimmy Gonzales, Eboy Cosme, Manolo Cristobal and Babes Alvarez. As the celebrants come to appear at the Willow Root venue, they received the usual warm abrazzos and greetings from friends. Celebrant Babes Alvarez (based in Bacolod) couldn’t make it that day but he gamely sent in his share of the financial requirement for the party anyway.

Apart from the four celebrants, the 24-strong other guys in the big party consisted of: Joey Angeles, Ed Oleta, Tony Estonina, Oni Mayo, Jack Arellano, Quito Moras, Ed Lim, Gary Salcedo, Polding Arnaiz, Francis Horn, Raffy Villarreal, Joey Ingles, Dendi Abdon, George Cunanan, Linggoy Araneta, Doug Marcaida, Gabby Valdez, Boy Carlos, Bert Saenz, Vince Misa, Richard Sycip, Lito Quiogue, Patrick Go and Joey Estagle. In behalf of Batch63, here’s wishing the December celebrants a very happy birthday and thanks for the usual fine breakfast! (The Willow Root buffet offered crispy tawilis, corned beef, cheeses, fruits and yogurt snacks this Wednesday)

Celebrants’ profile
Jim Gonzales has not slowed down a bit. He manages to swipe tennis balls at the Manila Polo courts between attending to his many business enterprises. (Recently, he has added swimming to his regimen and which he methodically does at least twice a week.) A major business undertaking of Jim today is the Arthaland condominium project at the Fort. On top of that, he still engages in Investment Banking activities (AO Capital Partners) that regularly take him to Hong Kong, Singapore and India. While he recently sold his commercial bank (Export Bank) to Henry Sy’s BDO, he has added three publicly-listed profitable gaming companies (IPVG Co.) where he is founder and Chairman and which his son is managing director.

Real estate developer Eboy Cosme has just completed his four storey building project in Makati. As of today, Eboy’s building enjoys a high 90% rental occupancy rate. One tenant in Eboy’s building is Sandy’s Pizza - the pizza parlor newcomer owned by Jack Arellano and his daughter Sandy. (With two other branches in San Juan and Cubao, Jack and Sandy have apparently decided to expand in Makati.) While Eboy appears physically hale, he was recently diagnosed with a tumor in his heart. He plans to have cutting edge robotic surgery for it in the US sometime soon. Typical of Eboy, he seems to be ever confronting affairs of the heart. Levity aside, we wish Eboy all the best in the future.

Manolo Cristobal is happily enjoying retirement with his family at the University of Perpetual Help compound in Binan, Laguna. As we know, the notable UPH institution that had its origins in the South of Manila, belongs to the family of Manolo. Manolo himself owns apartments in the compound that he is renting out mainly to students. (A neighbor in the compound is Ed Oleta who is married to Manolo’s cousin.) Manolo and his partner Marissa (25 years younger?) have been together for 12 years and are raising two children who are still in grade school. Manolo’s hobby includes pistol shooting that complements his being a reservist in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

I did not have the opportunity to interview Babes Alvarez, but we know that he is a dynamic rural banker from Bacolod. He is also into industrial ventures (the manufacture and supply of building materials) when he is not dabbling in local politics.

Miscellany
Congratulations to Gabby and Pam Valdez. Eldest daughter Beatrice became a TOYM awardee in ceremonies held in Malacanang. Beatrice (or Bea) designs bags and fashion accessories that she distributes in high fashion stores in the USA. She received the award recently for distinguished work in the category of fashion design and entrepreneurship.

Joey Estagle is the Batch’s controversial lover boy who retains the physical looks for living up to the reputation. Naturally, he is typically conscious about how he comes on to pretty young things. Recently he was flattered when one young girl addressed him as “Thunder”. Joey thought it had something to do with the awesome image of “thunder and lightning”. Poor Joey was deflated when he later found out that “Thunder” is street lingo for “Tanda”!

That’s all folks. For more photos of the event, klik on the link below.


http://s1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/leonmayo1/Christmas%20Season%20Birthday%20Celebrants/?albumview=slideshow

November Gentlemen

The November Grand Kapihan celebrants featured a good cross section of the Batch63 group. The celebrants were a couple of TT, one Conyo and one Lan Tai in the persons of Bambi Goco, Gabby Valdes, Doug Marcaida and Steve Hontiveros. The party at Willow Root consisted of a record crowd of 25 people insofar as Grand Kapihan goes. Apart from the celebrants, the others who came were:

• Joey Ingles
• Tony Estonina
• Ed Lim
• Raffy Villareal
• Ben Ang
• Ed Oleta
• George Cunanan
• Boy Palanca
• Joey Estagle
• Francis Horn
• Quito Moras
• Joey Angeles
• Dendi Abdon
• Lito Quiogue
• Jack Arellano
• Polding Arnaiz
• Vic Corpus
• Bert Saenz
• Boy Carlos
• Vince Misa
• Oni Mayo











Celebrants’ Profile
The November celebrants are into interesting activities. Bambi Goco still maintains his Customs Brokerage business. With all his three children settled, he has time for Batch63 affairs (when he is not touring the world with wife Kang). Today, Bambi is the group’s enthusiastic advocate for more reunions – and soon. Gabby Valdes tends to his vacation houses in Tagaytay and Baguio when he is not fiddling around with his vintage cars. Gabby is not vocal about his present businesses, but I heard it from a reliable source that he is into managing the vast resources of his family.

Steve Hontiveros was actually in China as an official of the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee). According to him, he came home just to attend the Grand Kapihan of which he is a celebrant. He will have to go out again soon (Abu Dhabbi?) since he is also a director of the OCA (Olympic Committee for Asia). Work? Steve doesn’t work – he serves God and country! For those who don’t know yet, Steve is a lay minister where he serves two churches daily in QC. Meanwhile, Douglas Marcaida continues to be chief operating officer of the cargo handling division of ISLOFF Lighterage Co. He is busy raising his young son and trying to develop his real estate project in Novaliches.

Herbal Anyone?
The big gathering revealed many noteworthy interests for group members. As it turned out, more and more of Batch63 are into alternative (if not herbal) medicine regimen. The original Batch63 herbal guy is of course Joey Ingles. Dendi Abdon is a believer today in herbal treatment. It was good to see Dendi again and who is looking fine after his recent operation. A new advocate to herbal stuff is now Douglas Marcaida, one of the November celebrants.










Douglas today swears by the Barley pill as a cure-all. Citing testimonies of Barley believers, Douglas convinced the guys who eventually asked where they could get the pills. As chance would have it, Douglas conveniently had the product with him which he could share with the guys. Joey Ingles was so impressed with the successful marketing outcome of Douglas. I understand he is now trying to recruit Douglas to do the same for his own products.











Batch Future Events
Because of the many attendees in the Kapihan, many thought it timely to talk about next projects for Batch63. Since the ‘Stars of Yesteryears’ project some years ago, Batch63 has not really had a major reunion project. Bambi Goco proposed several get-together projects that the group could do leading to the centennial homecoming (2011) and Batch63’s golden homecoming year (2013). Bambi is thinking of reactivating the Class Coordinator set up to plan out the details and promote these projects. The guys visibly supporting Bambi on this are Vince, Bert, Jackie, Oni and two Joey’s (Angeles and Estagle). Batch63 is advised to await the emerging details of the projects. Prior to that, suggestions and recommendations for fun projects are welcome.











Animo La Salle!