Meet You Down Under

I breezed in to Australia while everyone was sleeping.  
Nice to renew bonds with Tony Ocampo and wife, Virginia. -Paring Erick

-----Original Message-----
From: Rev. Fr. Erick Y. Santos [mailto:henrique@info.com.ph]
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2002 11:12 AM
To: Buzon, Valentino 
Subject: Australia
>Cc: "Tony Ocampo" <Ynot11561@aol.com>
>
>Paring Val,
>
>Peace and every blessing!
>
>I could not get red of my jet log since I came from Europe.  So, I decided
to breeze in to Australia while all of you were sleeping.  It was all
unplanned.  Suddenly, just so suddenly, a group of Pinoy adventurers (the
idle rich ones of Manila) tagged me along to join them and say daily masses
for them as they tour Down Under. Raring to go there since Sir Nestor
Fuertes (remember him?) taught me to sing Waltzing Matilda and told me of
his memorable stint at Brisbane in 1977 to train for Surf Life Saving, I
decided to take a short leave and enjoy the great outdoors which I used to
see only at Discovery Channel and National Geographics.
>
>I arrived in Melbourne early morning of November 16.  Straight to the city
tour.  We checked in at the hotel before lunch.  At around 4:30 p.m., I had
to take off from my siesta as Virginia was already at the lobby of Mercure
Welcome Hotel to fetch me.  She was with her two kids.  We proceeded to
their place, some twenty-five minutes by car from Melbourne.  Virginia's
mom was already waiting for us at the spacious Ocampo home sitting on a 700
sq. meters lot.  In no time, Tony came from work.  Then, their pastor came
together with Tony's brother Gabby and wife, Tess who is a cousin of Nelson
Ceña.  We could have sung Torres March for old time's sake.  We were all
proud products of old Tondo school!
>
>In a jiffy, we partook of the special kare-kare prepared by Nanay.  And
some good wine and shrimp. Even Pearlie was surprised to receive a call
from me.  She talked to Tony on the phone and we learned that she was
preparing to attend Sir Rudy's birthday bash that afternoon.  Then, we
hurriedly went back to the city to catch up with the dinner with my tour
group at a chinese restaurant.  Tony and Virginia easily blended with my
group.  After dinner, my group decided to call it a night while the Ocampos
together with a couple from my tour group walked with me lazily as we
enjoyed Melbourne after dark.  It was only then that Tony and I were able
to really go down memory lane.  He talked about his friends Fenchie, Olive,
Dodie, Elmer, etc.  We could only laugh at the petty crimes they committed
in high school.  Virgina was like a long lost friend.  There was this
instant bonding between us.  Indeed, Tony found a jewel of a wife in her!
>
>We settled in dark corner of a local bar and ordered the best white wine.
Toasts here and there. It was no mistake that I felt instantly at home in
Melbourne the moment I went out of the airport.  The atmosphere was very
relaxed and a little laid back.  Coming from Manila, it's heaven . . .
>
>We wanted to bond once more the following day but my tour schedule got in
the way.  So, Tony just decided to visit me again before my group left for
Albury and Canberra the on November 18.  Our tour ended in Sydney and I
went home on November 23 leaving my group behind as I had to preside on the
Christ the King Festivities in my parish.  Funny that all the while, my
people knew I was just in Batanes unwinding.
>
>Australia was a real respite for me.  I love the farms; the homesteads,
the wildlife, the kangaroos, the koalas and the gardens.  I love the gothic
churches and cathedrals (never mind if there were just a few people praying
and attending masses). 
>
>Thanks to the Ocampos for a fleeting yet memorable night out.  I admire
their hard work and determination to live in the concrete jungles of
Australia. People like them make me feel proud to be a Pinoy. 
>
>*********************************************
> 
>
>Pictures:
>
>1.  Torresians All!  With Gabby,  Tony's brother and Tess, Helson's cousin.
>
>2.  With Tony and coach driver, Don before Paring Erick's departure for
Albury.
>
>3.  Tony with wife, Virginia and their two kids at inner court of the
spacious Ocampo mansion in Melbourne.
>
>4.  The whole  clan together with Tess' mother and their church's pastor.
>
>5.  Cheers!  A toast for renewed bonding:  Paring Erick, Tony, Virginia
and a friend, Lolit during a night out at Downtown Melbourne.