THE 15TH REUNION
This year is quite remarkable for me as far the frequency of our clique’s meet-ups is concerned. I’m used to this belief that organizing or realizing a reunion is like mining a diamond in the piedmonts of Africa. Then year 2009 came and it made all the difference. We had like 5 or 6 of that this year and the most recent of which was held last October 10-11, 2009 at Karyl’s - ALFA Resort, in Pansol.
I never got tired of tagging the same faces each time we do this because the guffaws dripping from these people are more than enough to disregard this chance to give in to the drama. But, somehow, this longing to see a new face or new faces is always knocking on my door too. So I am always like this kid who would not let his new toy (car) left on the floor without his hands on it. That’s what happened when I saw Ms. Carol Malsi. Find out why as I go on with this narration…
It was already dusking when I arrived at the meeting place. I came first, I came alone, and I was seeing no signs of possible participation from a new face. Except for Cheng, Jeff and Aronne, I was wondering who will crop up that night while counting the myriad of strangers, cars, jeepneys and buses passing by in front of me while waiting for the crew. Then the pendulum swang reminding the time at 7:30. At last, Jeff and Aronne appeared on the door of Manong Pedro’s and it was only by 8:02 that all the expected faces showed up.
I am always anticipating for a new face in an outing like this. And this anticipation seemed to have attended when I saw Carol Malsi in the house. She’s one of those batchmates WE haven’t seen for quite a while so the fun and thrill of catching up with her is ten times higher. I could see how delighted the gang were because of two things: Carol’s presence and the ADVENTURE that awaits us.
Traffic was something we had to endure the very first time the batch had an outing that was featured here. If I were to remember, I described the traffic during that moment this way: ‘the vehicles are moving like a rushing turtle.’ This time, we only had an hour to reach Laguna from Cubao. Unbelievable I may say - at least for me. It was my first time to experience a smooth trip downsouth for just an hour.
The crew was unloaded at Balot sa Dahon restaurant where Karyl picked us up with her M-Estrada. I could just imagine how relieved the passengers are in that bus the moment we took off because we were the noisiest of them all. Anyway, if there’s one person who will be more delighted than any of us that night, it would be Karyl who confessed that her mom and other relatives can’t make it to one of her life’s most important events - the Christening of Baby Erika. The aftermaths of Ondoy and Pepeng speak why. So I perfectly understood how glad she was that we were able to come over to represent the family instead.
There were plenty of activities, stories, pranks - among other things that ensued out of this trip - I would have wanted to narrate right away but what really became indelible on my “forehead” are only the following: Carol Malsi’s “kakikayan”, the videoki extravaganza, and the Pinoy Henyo Challenge. I had enough of the rest of the crew that’s why I can’t help but give Carol a special portion on and in this post.
…So what are things she did to make herself noticeable (I may say.)? Actually the answer is one big f***** NOTHING. I just kinda love to talk about her because she’s the most anticipatable among the gang. Carol is a natural joker too just like Jeff, I must say. She could get me laughing hard just by her facial expressions and more so when she strikes the bat. One unforgettable scene of her is that when we tried to plunge her in the pool because she was the only one left standing. So I asked her why is the hesitation and she explained that she did not bring any shorts nor a piece up there covering the mountains while the others were already busy frolicking. We did want to unleash that burden of her by getting her wet so KJ will not get in the way. We hit her with the H2Os wrapping our almost naked bodies. She avoided some of the few strikes which made her almost wet but all she did was pull her “ipit” from her already wet hair. The efforts did not cause any effect to our objective so, the crew, feeling unsatisfied, hit her hard again with the blades of the water until she felt the need to just come down instead. At last, the mission was accomplished.
After the swimming, we proceeded to the lobby where the videoke is positioned. The crew is bound to perform for the first time! So this is the reason why I don’t wanna miss to include this in the story. Can no longer recall what’s the first song sung but I can recall who grabbed the mike most often. There were three of them: Jeff, Nath, and Cheng! I bet you already have an idea who to deal with in case you will be faced with the same scene in the future. Hehe! I was just joking. Our theme song, Salamat by the The Dawn, was not able to escape from the claws of your resident singers so it was again justified (not by the technical aspect of singing but because by living the message of the song) despite several pleas from the neighbors.
The last activity that night was the Pinoy Henyo Challege which everyone undoubtedly enjoyed. Jeff was the first to try the challenge and …………….anybody who can guess the word Cheng put on his forehead? Ummmmmmmmmm! This was the word Jeff is to decipher that night: BOAR. So imagine how invoking that is to our guffawing hormones. As much as I wanted to calm myself with the laughing I couldn’t. We were giving clues that are supposed to be decipherable enough but the term is just agricultural (or technical? Edj, help me out from trouble if ever) that he kept on insisting PIG. So it ended up to our favor. The words given to the succeeding participants were already mawkish to deserve the lick of my tongue. So I’ll end this portion there instead.
We all went to bed after a few acts of catching up with each other and that was I think, three in the morning already.
Mr. Sunshine hit the houses’ roofs at last and the big day is on its feet. All of us got a bit exhausted that night thereby making the gang render an O.T. sleep. So the consequence was, we all woke up late that morning making the bell flicking our feet when we were preparing to go to church for Baby Erika’s Christening. The good thing is, despite the lack of sleep, dizziness from the sun’s, empty stomach, and other consequences we needed to meet, we were able to maintain the “smile” on our faces that has been driving the crowd’s presence all along. What I am trying to say is, WE ENJOYED EVERY BIT OF OUR STAY IN THAT PLACE.
So to Karyl, I want to thank you once again for paving the way to realize another reunion for the batch. Your efforts shall remain visible in this very corner of our friendster account and shall as well remain pasted in our memory cards.
P.S.
The next outing would be on the 14th of November. I hope that whoever (from the batch) sees it, will respond because we are all invited according to the host.
GTG!
Another P.S.?
At this point, I think the first P.S. looks like it’s fading on this very post. Tsk Tsk Tsk! I wish Leslie T. will rescue this craving….!
