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MINI-REUNIONS: TAKE THREE
Just when we thought that we never had enough
of the fabulous mini-reunion of Ang Sulo Staff at Glorietta-Makati (Saisaki
and Hotel Intercon), we gathered for two more important occasions:
the last night of the wake of Helen Roque-Pandy's mother, Adoracion at
Dulce Funeral Parlor along Abad Santos - Tondo and the visit to batchmate
Philip Mangay in his Gagalangin home.
Friday, 12 October, I celebrated a funeral mass
for the mother of Helen Roque Pandy and brother, Virgilio, my Troop 85
colleague. It was a mass highlighted both by light and emotional
moments. Helen could not hold back her tears when she had to read
the prayer of commendation to the Lord for her mother. Brother Vio
tried to complete the prayer when Helen could not finish it. Soon
after, the whole family was crying while each of them aspersed holy water
to their beloved mother's coffin.
After the mass, E1 group gathered in one corner:
Helen, Olive, Merlie, Jessie, Beng, Tess (Samson), Dolly, Perlie and Arnela
(Villalon). On one corner sat quietly three E1 hunks: Elmer,
Dodie and Rolly... the mood suddenly change to festive as the former
classmates told and retold stories from high school. They were still
at the peak of enjoyment when I had to say goodbye as I headed for Quezon
City to catch up with my scheduled late Friday night program at Radyo Veritas.
From L to R - Matet Mangay, Edna
Adriano Gilera, Merlie Sugay Leocadio (partly hidden), Moises Sta. Ana,
Olive Griarte Seña, Dolly
dela Cruz Ramos, Sir Jun Narvaez (partly hidden), Fernando Celis, Erick
Santos, Philip Mangay
14, October, Merlie, Olive and Sir Jun Narvaez
(Cancer '77 and a Troop 85 veteran) attended my 6:00 p.m. mass. We
then proceeded to 2329 Tirso Cruz Street in Gagalangin where Philip Mangay
and wife Matet have their simple, yet elegant abode. When we reached
the place, Edna Adriano Gilera was already there togtehr with her eldest
son who is my "inaanak." Fernando Celis (Libra '78) was also there.
Philip, still in crutches after an opeartion on his broken leg bones, and
his wife Matet were excellent hosts. She prepared a sumtuous dinner
for the group. I would learn later that Olive, Philip, Merlie, Edna
and the elusive Moises Sta. Ana were actually classmates in Grade School
at Mechora Aquino. They enjoyed looking at their grade three class
pictures.
Later, during dinner, Moises mad a surprising
entrance. He was the wackiest student both in elementary and high
schools. In my first to third year classes, he was the undisputed
match wizard. The girls shared how happy they were in grade school
each time Moises would be absent. He had this special fondness for
picking on his girl classmates who would end up crying at his antics. Moises'
sharp memory could still recall his own mischiefs to both classmates and
teachers. And they had good laugh. But he has mellowed a lot;
but still a much of a joker.
Later, Rey Mednilla tried to catch up for dinner.
It was a week of reunions and travels to memory
lane. And it's always nice to be with friends of old. The bonding
remained through the years.
THE BOYZ - Fernando, Sir Jun, Moises,
Erick and Philip. (Not in the picture - latecomer Rey Medenilla)
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