Manila - Nov 27, 2004

What a get together!

Thank you soooooo very mucho for those who came to the get together last Saturday, Nov 27. We were expecting 20 but last minute cancellations and no shows were unavoidable.

That comment of Menchie comparing me to Sam (ahem) made my day! Unless, Menchie, you meant Sam as in sama-ng-mukha. ;-)

The bubbly bunch who made it to Renaissance Towers made this event such a blast!!

We would like to thank Grace Fojas Vinarao once again who offered to pay for the function room. Dapat nga we had solo pictures taken. Grace looks ravishing with her sleek burgundy rebonded hairstyle which would fit only Grace! I would like to share with everyone that Grace is always helpful with anything! Thanks, Grace for your time even if you’re busy renovating your mansion! Make-up tips anyone? Contact Grace for Avon products and demo at 0917-8111585.

Thanks also to Cindy Cabayan-Dizon. Grabe, sarap ng menu! We particularly went ga-ga over the tomato salsa. I wanted to drink it! Of course, the pasta and chicken were equally delicious. And I couldn’t get my hands off the pandan dessert! We-e-e-ll, not only me ha. The raves were coming from all the tables (2 tables lang pala kami). One thing- Cindy still has glossy hair! Just like in high school! For those who need catering during the holidays, Cindy is just a phone call or text message away! Cindy’s contact number 0917-529-8983.

The svelte Menchie Manalo-Gamboa, who, mind you, after having 5 (yes! f-i-v-e) children, still won’t mind having one more baby! That will be a record breaker for the batch unless someone out there has more than 6 kids? Right now, I think it’s a tie with Bing Santos Padilla. Where do you ladies get the energy??? Share your secrets naman!

She’s as funny as I remember her in high school! Everytime someone arrived, she would ask, “O sino yan?” Good thing the door had a glass window, so when we see someone coming, we would announce in advance who it was! What a riot! Grace Fojas Vinarao had an assistant (wearing a dress with large checks of black and white) helping out at the get together. When Menchie saw her enter, she whispered, “ka clase ba natin yan?” Menchie, kakatawa ka talaga!

Elaine Sarmiento is a constant early bird. She’s one of those who apologized for not making it but then, last minute... She called to say she’s going! How nice! Elaine is very supportive with the batch also and actually sent in money for the Full Monty project without knowing what the Full Monty was all about. As a project itself, I say it would have been a great one. It would have raised good money. In this fundraising, it would have raised eyebrows! And for those who are looking for meaningful Christmas cards, contact Elaine at 0916-276-7587! Php 200 for a box!

And present also was Joy Yuzon. Actually, no excuse for Joy and Finina to be absent during these meetings (ay, get togethers pala). Joy balances an ultra busy schedule working for Sen. Angara and spending precious time for the homecoming. Btw, Joy announced that since she wasn’t present for 2 consecutive meetings at St. Paul Manila, she was expelled (tama ba) from the Alumni Association (due to absences, not to conduct!). Joy mentioned that during elementary and high school, she was never expelled! Ngayon pa, after the ripe young age of 40. Oh well, Joy, we love you... and your creative souvenir gifts for each of us... A pretty-in-pink candle holder wrapped in fiery-orange tulle! Attached is a card that says, Lighting our way to 2006. Ang galing, Joy! Check out the photo!

Did you know that Finina Gatchalian de Jesus had 3 events that night? Lifestyle Network really keeps her busy! Guess which one was most important to her? Ahem... Need I say which one? She was supposed to leave us at 6:30pm but I guess the great camaraderie kept her til almost 8pm, right? And the letter written by Finina indeed was effective. Wallets came flying out of handbags! Keep ‘em coming! Keep ‘em coming!

We’ve made a good choice with letting Cecile Ventura take care of the funds. She’s got everything in order! But don’t let that responsibility scare you. Cecile has a wild side. You should have seen her opening a bottle of red wine! Di mabitawan! Apparently, we were all thinking of the homecoming, we all forgot about bringing a corkscrew. But watching Cecile and Rita Festin attempting to open a bottle of red made the wine taste better! Cheers!

Speaking of Rita Festin, let’s all congratulate her with her new promotion at ADB! Obviously, Rita doesn’t sleep on the job! Ms. Senior Media and External Relations Officer na! We can’t wait for all the free publicity our batch will be taking advantage of! Did you know that after a few glasses of wine, Rita turns red? Ganyan ba talaga ang mga mestiza? 

 

There were a lot of surprises that night. Dondi Nakar Catan finally made it to our get together! Good thing dear hubby gave in to taking care of the kids that Saturday evening! Dondi’s one of those girls who looks not a day older than when we last saw her during high school graduation. No, she didn’t look 40 back then! Dondi, you kept your youthful looks! In the next meeting, share naman your secret!

It is always a pleasure to watch Dr. Ochie Buenavista Pacifico arrive and greet everyone! Hey doc, where do we get a continuous supply of that enthusiasm? We like it, it’s contagious! Ochie brought out her hard earned USD 200 to put in the fundraising pot for the homecoming. Thanks so much! We can breathe a little easier. =))

Special thanks to Marilyn Dizon Ordoñez, for scheduling her time to meet us! Her weekends are strictly for quality time with her husband and children. Buti na lang we’re considered quality time na rin! Btw, we try to make it a point to get together during the week for badminton and bonding. Others are free to join us! Para naman we get to learn how to score in badminton! ;-) Cute namin, no? If we need a venue for Dec 21, Marilyn is offering her house!

Another surprise for the evening was the arrival of Luisa de los Santos Robinson. What a gal! Slim and sleek! If she didn’t bring her son and yaya along, she wouldn’t look like a mom! Not only that, she is now a high end furniture designer. She only goes lang naman to fairs in Paris and New York. Next time you see a write up on Movement 8, check it out! And her son 5 yr old son provided music. He sang songs of boy bands and Barry Manilow. Some girls sang along, together with hand movements. There were pictures taken! Kaya lang in the picture, it didn’t look like a concert – it looked like a prayer rally! Luisa, Thanks for coming all the way from Cebu!

And all the way from San Pedro, Laguna – Emma Samarista Benito! Wow, Menchie really had a hard time guessing Emma’s name... And Emma’s memory also had to be jogged to figure out Menchie’s name. Everyone should have seen Ochie’s interpretation of Menchie’s name a la charade. Ochie, you have to do that again at the next get together! Thank goodness Emma’s desire to help assist the batch in the homecoming made the South Team solid. Galing nga, with Emma, Menchie and Ochie together, we’re sure they will have a fun time!

Although Bel Castro was late, the ole saying holds true: better late than being absent because others are bound to talk about you... Ay – better late than never pala. She brought the cork screw but we were busy finishing off the bottles of red wine by that time. She came up with a great event for next year – a play, ofcourse. On the spot, we were watching her punch in numbers on her organizer and calling people for details. Always a thrill to watch people on the go do this. Despite her present ordeal, she put in the time for us. Thanks so much, Bel!

Did I forget anyone? Don’t hate me for being beautiful! -- I mean forgetful!!!

I took a few pictures lang, the others can supply the rest!

For those who didn’t make it, we hope to see you on the next get together! For a bunch of middle-aged Paulinians, we’re still a lot of fun to be with! We missed Sharon Reyes, Carmela Pajarillo, Thelma Marabante Salalima, Marilou Garcia Alunan, Gigi Ermita Alvarez, Mary Ann Cruz Ragaza, Ana Caluag, Suebee Santiago Prejula, Bing Concepcion Padilla, Malu Molina Salud, Chelo Borromeo Gemina, Vianne Lizardo Perdigon, Marivic Lugo, Joy Leveriza Libunao, Elaine Parlan del Rosario, Estela Jorge... I’m just saying names off my head. We’d love to see you guys next time!


Mica Calica Kerkdijk

P.S. More photos to follow!