HAPPENINGS

Here we go again …. “reviewing” the contents of this terabyte-size memory card of this head (hmmm, eyebrows raisin’? just look at the forehead if you know what i mean). Right click, select refresh …. ok! … Data needed just popped out and………………………. here’s what was shown by the thumbnails.

December 29, 2008

What is significant about this day is that it is the patronal feast of Brgy. Catabayungan. And so, it is but expected to anticipate for our isulab agents’ invites for that matter. Mmmmmmm! I could just vividly see the images of the menus I saw from one of the houses in the vicinity. Delicious!

Here’s the chitchat between me and cheng during the afternoon of that day.

Cheng: Sony, fiesta mi. Ume kamu. Agalam mu si Jeff.

Sony: Mabbalo Cheng! Innak ku makkaturug ana mi tu mabi. Kitattungi garay na abbing. Sikami la na atawa nabattang ta balay. Awang si yena … Awang tu kaduffun mi.

The response from the latter showed the obvious. If you were in Cheng’s shoes, you will sure assume a NO answer. I just kind of made it a bit polite by paraphrasing it.

December 30, 2008

A few hours passed and the next day came without making it to the feast. This time, I received a text message from Aronne informing me about another meet up at Cheng’s (which later turned out to be at Opal’s) by 6 p.m. I asked permission from my commander-in-chief and, fortunately, I got a free 5 hour ticket ride.

I was getting ready after the prearranged time when Mr. T dropped by our house to fetch me while I was still busy pacifying my crybaby baby with a pacifier. Babies really know when to cry! Sigh…………. Because of this, Jeff decided to catch a glimpse of the ongoing basketball game in the Hall of Casibarag Sur for the meantime that I need to do my thing first.

7:30 p.m. was the time when Mr. T and I set “feet” at Opal’s. From afar, I could recognize the faces of Cheng, Nath, Edward and Aronne from their seats under the tree in front (or make that at the back-whichever) of the Laggui’s house. So there, I was busy “tagging” faces as we were approaching the crowd hoping for a surprise - I mean if there is/are any new face/s ” reactivating through my senses. And there were two that I can hardly recognize. Who were they?

The cold weather during this season compels the majority to put on their shields - jackets, sweaters, boots, etc. What’s the point? It is because the people I was trying to recognize were wearing two of those items mentioned thereby making it harder for me to do the task. Anyway, I was only able to figure out who these people were when I was upclose with them … I was taken aback to see Maricon Talaue and Jay Bulan.

Jay Bulan was once a close friend wayback our first year in highschool when we were still in the Santol Section until our second year, when we were transfered to Kalamagi, Atis, or Mangga (Whatever?) Section. Until, he found greater pranks in the lairs of the “more maton group” of the other section in our third year.

On the other hand, Maricon was this classmate who, eventhough did not really leave a mark on me, caused the same level of, I may say, sugar rush. It’s been 10 years since we last met. See classmates, you’re presence is most welcome and needed because you can always expect that everybody would be happy to see you no matter who and what you are. I understand if some would feel hesitant for some reason but the thing here is, your presence. Never mind the looks, the changes that may have occurred physically in you - its inevitable (we all have our fair share on that matter), or what you now do for a living. Just give an eyes wide shot to the bold letters there - PRESENCE. That’s all that matters! Going back, our presence, especially Mr. T, ignited the fun of course - the more the merrier. That’s the way it is.

So what do you expect to take place in a gathering like this?

1. Almost Endless Chatting (AEC);

2. Reminiscing Highschool Life (RHL);

3. Talking About The Absentees (TATA);

4. Picture Taking (which I missed);

5. Love Matching (pls. give me a better term. I know that’s not it);

and my favorite,

6. Abs Exercise (AE) which practically means Almost Endless Laughing - something that money can’t buy. Remember, the best things in life are freebies (by me).

A few minutes past and another Mr. T arrived - Jesse. For those who are not familiar of the name, better attend the next meet up to know who he is. Just take extra effort to reach out.

Another Mr. T came when we were about to recover from the stomachaches given by the first two Ts. This time, it was Leslie who, for some reason, did not have the power to match the “CLOWNing” prowess of his contemporaries. Let’s leave the story on the leaves of that tree to give respect to Leslie who hosted another reunion at Greenbelt last December 19, 2008 - FYI. I failed to attend! How unlucky me….F***!

As much as I want to prolong this blog, I can’t anymore. I gotta catch the busy train in Ayala. Instead, allow me to just enumerate the other highlights of the last year’s meet up”s?” where  I was a part of.

January 1, 2009 2-7pm - On My Baby’s Christening Day

Cheng, Jay, Nath, Jesse, and Aronne came over for another chitchat. Then we went to Aling Kikay’s for a Bowl of Pancit which is supposed to be at Gay Chavez’ place.

January 1, 2009, 7-9pm - At Jayne Cureg’s

There were the same attendees except for Gay Chavez, Rosemarie “Ichi” Gatan and the host. Served on the table were red wine, chocolate cake, ube jam and photo albums which gave us the opportunity to see other pictures from our younger years like the outings we had at Boguey, Callao Cave, Port San Vicente etc.

GUYS, THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR TIME WITH US. HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN SOON!