The Waiting

She has never attended a school or class reunion before so she really did not know what to expect. She came mainly because she thought she had to as my wife. She was prepared to play the role of a photographer and someone who would have to smile all the time and laugh politely at every joke. She looked at every old picture in our albums and tried to remember the names with the faces. She would ask questions like "who is Ted's wife again, have I met Ellen before, the people we are staying with, Geny and Ester Toribio are they nice people", etc. She hoped that Noel, Cesar, Myrna, Lolita, Nanding, Zeny, Nina and Jane would go because these are people that she knows and is comfortable with. She did not get any allergies or sores of any kind like Lolita did, but I knew that she was nervous and full of apprehension. She wanted so much to "perform well" for my sake. She must have felt like a
wife meeting her husband's ex-wife for the first time.

First Encounter

The Fellowship Night started slowly for her because our group (Eric, Nickie and us) was the first one to arrive at the hotel. It did not take long, though, before the room got filled with bodies and faces she had never seen before. There must have been a strange force that pulled her and the Torres graduates' spouses to sit in one corner of the room and let their "other half" do their thing. They started introducing themselves and chatted as if it was not the first time. In a matter of minutes, Purita knew who Beth de Castro, Ely Infante, Myrna Macaraig, Nickie Santos, Eppie Santos, Del Masangkay, etc. were, better than I did. "Kabit ng '64 graduates", they jokingly called themselves. As the night went on, she knew everyone and everyone knew her. After the Fellowship and while driving back to Yolly's place, I could feel her hands getting warmer, as if to say "that wasn't bad at all". As we were gathered in Yolly's basement to hear Lolita tell her life story as a "pet killer" and as Lito narrated how he manipulated the Los Angeles airport personnel so he and Jane could sit together on the plane, I could hear Purita laugh freely and loudly .. more loudly each time.

More Reception

What could be better than a sumptuous lunch at Ted and Eppie's mansion-like place to loosen up the '64 and '65 graduates? For a while, Purita and I thought we were at Goldilock's. There must have been enough food to serve the ''54 graduates, too. Over lunch, she got to meet and mingle more with Becky David, Letty Ros-Smith, Lydia Andrade, Josie Noriega, etc.

And finally, the Big Night

We (Lolita, Geny, Ester, Purita and I) arrived at the Wyndham Hotel earlier than most people. We had to because Geny was the great emcee for the night. We proceeded to our assigned table where a smiling young-looking lady in blue greeted us. Purita whispered "She cannot be your classmate. She looks young enough to be our daughter". The lady stood up and said "Kilala mo ba ako?". And I did not. "Ako si Emelita Soller!", she said. I was so delighted to see her that I hugged her so tightly. Purita said "hoy, tama na iyan" and it was only then that I slowly let go.

Most people like dancing. I only like to watch so I am not much use to Purita when it comes to dance parties. She thanks Ellen, who despite her arthritic hips and legs, patiently danced and taught her some cha-cha and swing moves. I managed to slow-dance with her 5 times. That was 4 times more than my usual quota. Purita said that for the first time in her married life, she was able to dance like nobody was watching.

Niagara Falls Excursion

The mist coming from the falls was a welcome relief for all of us. It was hot and humid and it reminded us of Manila during Holy Week. Jane bought us some ice cream and we walked, some of us holding hands, like those teen-agers in the movie "Grease" on their last day at Rydell High. We all took pictures ... lots of them. By this time, Purita was not just a photographer. She was just like everybody else.

The Parting

More food and Karaoke singing in Geny and Ester's place... then it was time to say goodbye as most people are leaving the next day. Lolita played the piano as we all sang "Auld Lang Syne". There were tears in the eyes of some people'... sadness in everybody's. We hugged and kissed ... it was April 17, 1964 all over again.

Trip to Chinatown, Toronto Downtown, Etc.

It was our last day. In less than 8 hours, we will be heading back to California. Geny gave us, Lolita, Ellen and the 3 Kangaritas (term for young Kangarootas) for a tour of Chinatown and main downtown. We found some "lanzones", but the "atis" are all gone. We had a taste of the famous Toronto hotdog. Purita said they seemed longer and bigger compared to California's. I said that may be true but California hotdogs are still tastier and more filling.

Purita said ....

She is so glad that she attended the reunion. Not only did she gain more friends, she is also happy to have experienced that part of my life that has made me smile in the last few years. Torres High School is not just a school name for her. Not anymore. Now, she understands what it truly means to me..

She said we are all so lucky to still be connected after all these years and that we should treasure whatever it is that binds all of us together. She envies our friendship. She feels blessed that she is now a part of it.

Regards,

Butch Santos