My Bestfriend's Wedding

It’s been almost ten years ago when it all started. Through the Days with the Lord I met this nice young woman who was always smiling and laughing at my jokes. Our friendship started through marathon phone calls and eventually I got to know his then suitor and eventual boyfriend who also became a good friend of mine. What made our friendship better was my inclusion to their barkada. By the time they were Juniors at the UST College of Fine Arts I was like their big brother who provided the laughs and happy moments to their barkada. For me it was like having a new barkada all together but this time everything dwelled on clean fun. Meeting and going out with young friends was something new that broke the monotony of the pressures of selling Toyota Vehicles then. Denise together with Louise, Joy, Xavier, Paul, Gelo, AK and a bunch of their other friends brightened my weekends and more importantly added another perspective to my life. Denise and I shared lots of fun times, many happy moments and countless stories that strengthened our friendship. I would frequent their house and also enjoy being with her equally fun loving sisters Joline & Tamille. The fun in their compound never really stops since her cousins Angelica & Chesca who are also Dazers frequently join us and as they say the more the merrier. The experience was like being a college student again. Tito Tom and Tita Jing suddenly had another son since I was practically at their house every time there is a get together. It was also at that time that they became happy that they did not have a son when they saw me eat. When I moved to work at STI suddenly we had less time together. The fact is I devoted almost 80% of my time to my work and was less visible to ALL my friends. Occasionally we would see each other just to update on what’s going on in our lives. Last night I scolded her, “Why did you get married ahead of me?” Well I believe she is ready and I know that she is in good hands with her husband Justinn. By January Engineer Justinn will be going to New Zealand to lay down the foundations of their family. Like what Denise said, I hope that by her 28^th birthday she will be able to follow there so that they can start their family rightaway. To my best friend and her husband – Best Wishes and Good luck and I hope the Lord will continue to bless both of you.

Coming home for the Ateneo Homecoming

The Ateneo de Manila High School was a place were young minds were developed and nurtured into what it is now. The opening song of Dulaang SIbol’s “Sinta” puts it in a better perspective “Ating sariwain ang panahon ng puso nati’y wala pang galos, pangarap nati’y wala pang gapos..Alalahanin, Gunitain!” It was the battlecry of all the Jubilarians this year.

The Ateneo Alumni Homecoming that was held at the Ateneo HS Covered Courts was indeed a homecoming for me. I was so overwhelmed by the number of friends coming from different batches that I saw last night. The High School class of 1982, this year’s hosts, had a lot of happy and sad memories written on my mind. 1982 was the High School batch of my big brother and most of the Jubilarians were his classmates. Let me just give a rundown of the people I remembered from this batch:
Onnie Martin, Iggy Sison, Mike Gayoso ,Dennis Ancheta, Dennis Pantig, Jojo Mapa, Alvin de Vera, Mon Santana

I wasn’t able to talk to: Jocot de Dios,

Okay let me refresh my memory this time, let me just put the names of friends I got to chat with last night.
HS 1983 – Gerry Sison, Sio Marquez, Choco Protomartir, Teody Alcantara, Cesar Santana
HS 1984 – Glenn Pantig, Ronald Ventura, Joey Berenguer, Nilo Mapa
HS 1985 – Crippy Baizas, Cyril Soriano, Rookie Garcia, Sato Ridad, Franz Bonoan, Anton Bengzon, Eric Roa, Rick Olivares,
GS 1982, HS 1986 – Randy Sevilla, Tonito Sun, Quito Quema, Dennis Manalo, Saint Mendoza, Henry Abes, Chuck Baizas, Gene Tamesis, Lito German, Reggie Nolido, Joel Aguada, Dino Lising, Jay Santos, Alex Panlilio, AA Aguirre, Bob Aquino, Benjie Custodio, Leo Laraya, Bebop Sanchez, Jing Cosca, Ed Battala, Chito Bello
GS 1983, HS 1987 and my batch!
Phoo-Phoo Francisco, Rufi Parpan, Nikos Ong, JC Mercado,Eric Capinpin, Eric Bello, JJ Barcelona, Chichos Bautista, AA Legarda, Natus Rodriguez, Heaven Torres, Teng Vitug 4D- Miguel Aguiluz, Lloyd Anastacio, Jong Castaneda, Dong Feliciano Jojo Habana, Buzzie Ona, Naresh Ramnani, Jay Amatong, Red Atendido, Bong Berbano, Neil Bernardo, Deo Deomano, Peter Macam, Mike Montero, Olsen Racela, John Tanjangco, Dino Tanjuatco, AA Aquino, Dennis Aquino, Marvin Tiburcio, Tanch Tanchoco
Other people I got to talk to or said Hi
The Lady Eagles - Che, Kariz, Treena, Kathy,Anne, Mariana, Jessa,Hila, Ronagie, & Sarah
The Blue Eagles – Jai, Rabah, Ken, Yuri, Eric, Eman, Mike B.
Mommy Michi Mother Goose, Jackie Marquez, Chot Reyes, Joey Gomez, Dave Dualan,
Hope I didn’t miss out on anybody I got to talk to.
The Homecoming provided a venue to revisit so many friendships that was started in the very halls of the Ateneo. So many memories filled my mind that I got to sleep at 3am. Next year will be the start of something special for my batch for we will celebrate the 25th year of Grade School 1983. Being at the homecoming and renewing ties with friends from the Ateneo community made me say “Ang Sarap Maging Atenista.”