Naughty or Nice, Martinians Unite for the 2nd Time!

Back in the 70s, there was this school that stood proud among the other schools in Pasig. It was a school where public transportation was scarce and at the same time, it sits right on top of a plateau. It overviews the entire valley or as we call it, the industrial city of Pasig. It was St. Martin Technical Institute.  The school where the term discrimination was never heard of.
It was a tough school. There was a time when a Martinian is in a mall or shopping complex, everyone will know about it. Schools like Lourdes, PCC, Ateneo, La Salle would unite against a Martinian, but won't dare touch one if they know there are several scattered all over the place. They know that the students of St. Martin are united by brand, that the brotherhood and sisterhood that each one has. They're protective of each other. So in cases where something goes wrong and you're up against one Martinian look again. They're everywhere!

The same is true in the professional world.When you know you're dealing with a person from St. Martin, they'll listen only to a fellow Martinian. They're born stubborn and with a strong disposition in life.You have to be tough in school because that's the atmosphere we have. The bathrooms explode with locally timed firecrackers that everyone in school knows how to make. Water bombs and pranks are very common, and everyone is proud to say that we survived them all. The school accepted any student in need of education. The students that other schools won't give a chance will have a second home in St. Martin and they are welcomed well as a brother. All this changed when the government bought the school and improved the grounds. They converted the place as a government institution for higher education and kept the facade of the buildings and how each room looks like. The big trees that grew there survided, I'm not quite sure about the berry tree that we love climbing. When the school closed, everyone was taken by surprise. In just one click the old school is gone...
After several years, the Martinians got together again. This time, one by one, we regrouped ourselves in Facebook and became one big organization again. Thanks to Willie Robles and all the efforts of our fellow brothers who are not living abroad. Then later, they organized a reunion and it was attended properly and because of time constraints, there were familiar faces that didn't make it. As a result, a 2nd Grand reunion was organized. This time in the old home. In the same grounds that we all grew up in. At first we thought it was impossible. But Martinians will make things happen. Months and months of planning paid off. Everything was set for a grand assembly.

Wow! you should see the place. The familiar faces all started coming between 2 to 4. Early dinner was set and a program was all arranged. Every year level was represented. Everyone talked about their personal adventures and misadventures as a student of this great school. The plus factor was having some pioneer teachers around like Miss Empe and Mr. Calacal. They brighten up the evening. Each student had their chance to thank the old teachers for their efforts to teach us. We didn't understand it at first but eventually we later found out that their efforts on us was worthwhile. Each Martinian in that party became somebody. No matter how big or how small each one's accomplishment was, it doesn't matter. A Martinian's virtue is being resourceful. We produce when there's nothing and we survive the changing times. To all my brothers and sisters in St. Martin Technical Institute, I love you all and may the spirit of St. Martin be with you always and forever!

A Nice Way To Earn $500!

Well, here is something interesting that I'd like to share to everyone. Right now, I'm working as a writer and one of my assignments is to look for stories related to gold. The fun part is that the only gold I know about are the ones we see in Ongpin. So what I did, I made some surfing along the web and guess what I found? Here it is. A set of antique golden false teeth that's in a fine estate liquidation site.
The fun part is this. The people who have them don't even know the story behind this false teeth. Probably the last one who turn it over never noted down the story behind it. As a result, they held a contest for anyone who will give to them an idea regarding who owns this teeth. If you can present proof and accurate details about it, then you win $500! It's that simple. They're pretty sure that someone will have a story to tell about the.
Well the site also anticipated some funny stories that will come their way. As a result, they held another contest. You can go for the consolation prizes of $300, $200 and $100 by giving to them a funny possible story about the golden false teeth. Well, I tried to give them one, and they replied by saying that they enjoyed the Cinderella angle I gave them. He-he-he. It was really fun writing about it. If you're interested, just follow the link and do your own share. The prestige of winning is always there. At the same time, I hope they pay through PayPal...

Thanks for the Visit!

It's been more than a month now when we were visited by two lovely women. My aunt Bing and Menchu. They are the sisters of my mother who currently live in the US. They announced their arrival way ahead and everyone was very excited to have them around again.
My cousin Joel was in charge of their pick up. They arrived from the airport and was brought to another cousin's home in Marikina. The home of my cousin Ramon Buenavista. They stayed there during their entire stay in Manila. Too bad, when they initially planned for the trip, they were thinking of being around for my  aunt Pat's birthday. Unfortunately, my aunt passed away last December. But they still pushed through with their trip, rain or shine.
We greeted them with warm embraces. I was so surprised to see my Aunt Bing! I almost cried when I saw her. She looks exactly like my Aunt Baby who passed away a year before. She gained a few pounds last time I saw her and to my surprise, they're exact replicas! Well, they came form the same mother...
We had some local dishes that they've haven't had for a long time, the famous "Pinakbet" was served by my cousins courtesy of Randy, who was in-charge of the cooking. We also had the time to bond. We haven't seen each other for quite some time, so it was a chance for us to have a few chit-chat with each other.
A few weeks after their arrival, they visited my father and had a look at his condition. The entire gang was together again and we had a chance to drink with uncle Joe, the only living brother of my mom. We talked about the good old days and how simple life was then.

Their bon voyage party was held at my cousin Bubut Nadal's place. Earlier that last week, we had a christening party then the big feast was celebrated. The party coincided with my aunt Pat's 40 days. So we gathered again for a feast and munched our way to artery bursting goodies.
It's been a few weeks now since they've left. They earlier announced that this will probably be their last trip to the Philippines because they're too old to travel in the future. We will always remember that wonderful moment they spent with us and we hope that another gathering like this will come our way to strengthen the bond that we all have as a family. Aunt Bing and Aunt Menchu, thank you for spending time with all of us here in Manila. We love you very much!

Another Year, Another Challenge, Same Old Friends...

From left, me, Arnel, Gina P, Thess S, Gina L and Joy S in front of Banapple

Happy New Year to everyone! That's the very first 3 words that everyone said when the clock struck twelve lat January 1st. It's another year and so far we're thankful that everyone of us didn't get any injuries while playing with local fire crackers. It's tradition in the Philippines to spend time with loved ones during new year and pop some fire crackers over a bottle of beer. As a result, those that were less careful are rushed to hospitals with missing fingers, while others have to bear the scars of a boomer gone wild.

My college friends in the University of the East have been planning to see each other as early as first week of December. There were a lot of activities that each of us has to accomplish so some of us has to beg-off. As a result, we finally fixed a date last January 2nd at the Ayala Triangle in Makati. What? I don't know where that place is. I'm familiar with Glorieta as our common meeting place in the past but the Ayala Triangle, I've never been there! I was sending words to my friends that I'm not familiar with the place but will definitely show up no matter what happens. We're going to Banapple, one of the hang outs at the park.

To make sure I'm refreshed, I took a very long nap immediately after lunch and made sure I'm awake just in time to get to the meeting place. The nights are a little cold so I have to make sure someone's at my back to keep the cold out. That means I have to bring along my wife who is also dying to see my friends which she became fond of conversing with. So off we go to Makati and let's just make sure we can ask someone where that place is.

The only landmark that was mentioned to us was that the place we're looking for is close to Manila Peninsula. So what I did, was position my motorcycle as the car park that is just behind Manila Pen. We asked the taxi drivers and other chauffeurs that were around, but they seem to don't know where Banapple is.Finally, one of the security guards told us that it's just across the street, which is known as the Ayala Triangle. So! Finally, we hit the jackpot! We're in the right place and has a wonderful space to park our Honda motorcycle. All we need to do is bring our helmets with us, cross the street and look for Banapple. The Ayala Triangle is the big open space between Manila Peninsula Hotel and Paseo de Roxas. It's the big open space where the Makati Stock Exchange is situated. The city government finally converted the place into a park for everyone to enjoy. That's the very first park I've encountered that has trashcans for pet droppings. It's more like the Luneta park in Manila. The only difference is that Ayala was able to preserve some of the old trees that used to grow there. In addition to that, there's a lot of space and place now where anyone can jog and have a cozy shade to rest when needed. There are children running around in the blue grass that covers most of the park and some of them would try out the remote controlled toys they got for Christmas. In one stretch, you'll find a row of eateries that has been serving people. One of them has to be Banapple.

Finally we found the place and immediately noticed the gang. They're all there, just in time to order our dinner. We have to queue up at the cashier to order and then the waiters will serve our orders when done. I had pork with hickory sauce and so did my wife, Gina. The others has the same except for Thess Silva who wanted Tuna on Rye.

It was a wonderful time to catch up from the last time we met. The last time I was with the group was way back February of last year. That was the time when Fr. Joandre Beltran was around with Dong Mayo. We had a bonding trip in Tagaytay and boy! That's one memorable trip. This time, the gang had to start telling stories about what happened to each one of us in the past 6 months. It was nice to know that Thess and her husband Ely celebrated their wedding anniversary in Japan, and Arnel "Pebbles" Poblete, shows off his newly acquired Nikon camera which he got in their US trip last summer with wife Gina Gonzales Poblete. Most of the stories that circulated in that small table were related to our friends that they met in the US, like Fr. Jojo and Lefie. Gina makes sure that every time a group gathering happens, she brings with her some token gifts that Lefie gave for the group. This time she had the chance to distribute it to everyone.

It's not an invisible nightgown, it's Lefie's gift!

Gina pointed out how Lefie didn't change over the years and that their meeting was very short, because Lefie's children were looking forward to a side trip to an amusement park. Gina then described how different life is in the Philippines and how lucky we are here, considering the fact that our relatives are all within reach. The case is very different for Filipinos who are working or living in the US of A. They spend most of their time in work and their closest relatives is in another state. We're talking about hours of air travel before they'll finally meet. In our case your immediate cousin may live in the next street or in the next city. But it's something that we all take for granted. That's also the reason why Filipinos abroad are very happy to have a relative around to talk to. Joy Sanchez told us that he left his job in the call center and will dispute some procedures that were implemented to her. She talked about the treatment that she got which made me open up my sad fate as well last December. Eventually we compared notes and talked about the next steps we'll do in our own careers. I remember the wish I always have when I was working in the PLDT call center. I always wish that I'm free on new year and Christmas day. We really have to be careful what we wish for because we'll never know how we'll get them.

Lefie with Fr. Joandre Beltran

After dinner, we decided to part ways again and call it a night. But the night was still too young and so are we! So as a result, after the long walk to the parking lot, the group decided to look for a place to have a cup of coffee. We ended up walking back to Banapple and tried out the next store, Bfast. It's a place that serve breakfast meals anytime of the day. We wanted to try out the other stores but all are filled up with people. When we arrived in the Triangle, there weren't much people in the cafes. But as dinner time approaches, you'll have to literally wait outside to be accommodated in any of the eateries. Bfast wasn't filled up with guests so we finally found a spot to have a cup of coffee.  We started discussing plans regarding what we'll do when Fr. Jojo comes back early this year, and what are the plans for the Baguio trip this February. We can't polish things up because there are still certain details that we have to clear out with Jojo to make sure that all is smooth sailing for all of us when that day comes. We decided to focus on that topic by the end of this month when we meet each other again. By that time, we'll have the answers we wanted.

A text message came in, and that's our cue to end the night for good. Ely and the other kids are just around and will soon be in the side street to pick up Thess. Gina and Pebbles' car is not very far. Joy will hitch a ride and be dropped off somewhere close to Marikina, where she lives. My wife and I also got a text message from my sister in law, saying that we have to meet a grumpy woman before 8 p.m. So that ended our short get-together that was not only fun but also filled with love for each other.

A Funeral In Another Christmas...

My Aunt Pat Lira

Christmas is that time of year when everyone goes frenzy over shopping, gifts, food and boozes. It's something that my kids look forward to every year and so does every Filipino family that I know. Well-wishers text each other just to say merry Christmas as early as December 20th of each year. Doorbells ring with neighbors bearing sweets for the holidays. As a child, I remember spending Christmas dinner at my Aunt Pat Lira's place where everyone is present. We share family recipes and specialties and exchange gifts with the entire clan. Each one for sure bears a token gift at the end of the night. This is how I remember my Christmas way back when I was a kid. This Christmas season was a little different from the others. After a long while that type of text message on your phone which anyone don't want to read comes and tells you that there's another death in the clan.

My Aunt Pat Lira just passed away on December 20th, 2011. She was rushed to Veterans Hospital because of her prevailing heart ailment. My mom had a chance to talk to her the day before and she was still very strong. They talked about things that the family would do once their sisters Aunt Menchu and Bing comes this January. They ended their phone conversation and gave each other their usual "I love yous." It never occurred to my mom that it was the last time they'll talk to each other.

Aunt Pat with Macky Saavendre, my nephew

Veterans Hospital caters to enlisted men in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. They also serve their immediate family members. Widows are also entertained by the hospital and in some rare cases, even referrals of people in power. What's sad to note is that they don't allow family members to hang around at night to cater to a sick family member's needs. Visiting hours are strictly observed. They only allow a 5 minute glimpse of the patient if a visitor insists in seeing a loved on in their care. That day she died, my cousin Mary Ann noticed that her respirator was disconnected at the start of visiting hours. She called the attention of the nurses and asked how long it has been disconnected. No one would give her a straight answer. A patient in a nearby bed said that it must've been disconnected when Aunt Pat had her sponge bath from a nurse. They probably failed to reconnect it that time. It was around 6 am when she got her sponge bath. It was already mid morning when they allowed my cousin to come in and check her out. So she's been  struggling with her breath since then. This probably triggered her heart attack. Mary Ann remembers going out for a while. When she came back, my cousin noticed doctors pumping her chest. In a little while they declared that she's gone. The effort to revive her wasn't exerted to the fullest. That's how government health service is to immediate family members of soldiers who served and even died for the Republic.

My Aunt Baby with Dale Ramos, her grand daughter

After a long period of time, the clan gets together again for a reunion. This time, it's not in the big Lira house in Project 8 Quezon city but in a funeral parlor along Katipunan road. Almost everyone with a Buenavista last or middle name was there to say their farewell to one great aunt. The last time we did a get together was when my aunt Baby Aurora died of a heart ailment as well. I remember the calls I got on that busy day. Each one of us has to go to Medical City Hospital in Ortigas to say our goodbyes. Her life support was shut off and will go anytime. I was the last one who gave her a goodbye kiss in her hospital bed. I whispered how much I love her and said goodbye. After I left the hospital, a text message came in announcing to every member of the family that my aunt Baby is in God's arms... This aunt of mine never misses my birthday every year. She'll make it a point to call me up and greet me and ask me what I'm serving on my birthday. Honestly, I miss those calls she makes. Last June was the first time I didn't get a call from her. Deep inside me, I'm still foolishly waiting for a call. My mind can't accept the fact that she's gone even to this day.

Uncle Tony and cousin Ramon

Fifteen years ago, I lost a special uncle in my life. Uncle Tony was my hero and friend. I make it a point to drop by his home and taste his scrumptious cooking. He would introduce me to his drinking friends and we'd share a shot of local brandies and beer together. Our most unforgettable adventure was a trip in Singapore where we literally painted Orchard road red! We'd go window shopping, Fast food taste fest and queue up for designer store's giveaways. That's one Christmas season we had together in Singapore. He's the typical eat, drink and be merry type of guy. He stopped smoking only when the big C was on stage 3. I remember shaking off that thought every time I see him and make sure that everything was still normal when we talk about the good ol' days. He would always tell everyone about his Singapore adventure with me. When he was rushed to the hospital for the last time, I didn't want to see him suffer in his deathbed. Everyone prayed that he just gets a painless death with less suffering. God was good enough to answer our prayers.

Aunt Pat's death completes the "Tupak Gang," a small group of relatives and friends who frequent Tupak, Ilocos at least once a year. Aunt Pat will initiate a trip call in Aunt Baby and Uncle Tony and off they go to Tupak Ilocos. Everyone of that small group are now in heaven and we were talking about them being complete now. In one of their adventures, my cousin Erwin Lira would tell about stories of that enjoyable and memorable trip. We lay her peacefully beside my Aunt Baby and Uncle Tony in Himlayan Filipino in Tandang Sora. We have to keep the wake short for it was Christmas season. We buried her on the 23rd of December. The funeral van played Apo Hiking Society songs as her coffin was gradually slid down the ground. I never realized that APO Hiking Society music is now used by funeral services.

I can't help myself from crying on that day. The losses that we've had in our clan was so much to bear. My mom spearheaded the short speeches portion and I was invited to say a few words which I failed to finish. I saw myself in tears and can't speak out what I have in my heart. I've been holding out on my feelings for every death we have in our clan in the Buenavista side. I reminded everyone that aunt Pat led the family in every major event that we all have to go through. She organized every special moment that the family had and made sure that every spawn of Prospero, my grandfather, were at arm's reach. Loosing her was like loosing the clan's Godmother. I wanted to tell every member of the Buenavista clan that we've all changed in the past years. We lost the bonding moments that we have during Christmas season when everyone gets drunk with nephews and uncles, where girl stories and gossips are shared with aunts and nieces. The only time we get together now is during funerals. I wanted a stop to this practice and revive the traditions we've been accustomed to. Kuya Erwin said that he'll work one out in the coming future and revive what moms, dads, aunts and uncles have shared to all of us.

Christmas is still that best time in the year. I still see the Christmas glow in my children's eyes when they open up their gifts. This coming January, my Aunt Menchu and Bing will be here for a short vacation, and I'm sure their presence will reunite the family and strengthen the Buenavista bond. We'll have that chance to get-together and talk about the love we all have for each other...

When 3 Hours of Fun and Talk Ain't Enough... UESLS Batch 89's Party-Party!

It was Saturday, a week before Christmas. We have to be at Kamayan Restaurant in Quezon city by 7:00 pm. The place only serves dinner from that time till 10:00. Saturday was a peak day so we had an earlier booking. It was a table for 20. Someone beat us in reserving a conference room by just 5 minutes. We weren't really hoping that a large crowd will show up because only that number of people confirmed. Mervin Pobre's invitation. He was the batch's Student Government President  and arrived town early December from the US of A. He announced that he will be staying in Manila for good. He wanted a get together and so we organized one on that day, At first, we didn't have a day and venue. I suggested a day. Then, the group decided on the venue later. Kiddingly we entitled the event as 'Mervin's' treat.

There was a banner in a long table that anyone can easily see from afar. That will tell the group where we are. Mavic Ilagan and Christine Reyes were talking about life and what has changed over the years. Some of the questions were thrown on Mervin asking him what happened after graduation and what he's been doing. Then the conversation shifted to odd topics from love life to gossips about what-happened to who and where-the-hell is he or she? A lot of what-I-heard about... stories floated in the air as each one was eager to see each other.

I was there slightly past 7:00. I really don't want to come too early and the Saturday traffic is really unbearable. Using my Honda Beat with my wife Gina, we went pass the killer highway in Commonwealth to cut our trip short. Boy! It was really a nerve shaking trip on a motorcycle to the well known killer highway. A lot of road mishaps have occured in that long highway which stretches from Quezon city Circle to Fairview. We got there just in time to start the casual chats. My wife was attending another Christmas party with her highschool friends so she didn't stay with me that evening. We can't text each other so I promised her that I'll be there when she comes back after her party.

We want a picture with Victor from UK so here it is!

Mervin, Christine and Mavic were a little worried. Who won't be, it's already past 7:30 and you can still count the crowd in one hand. They're hoping that we'll have all those that confirmed present. I assured them that the batch's corpse commander, Uldarico Morales and his high school sweetheart turned wife Jackie Siva will be around. We met a week earlier and they said that they intentionally didn't confirm to surprise the group. Mervin laughed and then they tried to get in touch with another colleage, Victor Lafuente in UK. Victor gave me directions to get to Kamayan for I wasn't really that familiar with the place. I asked him if it's near Kanto Tinio and he just said he didn't know. It's actually a joke which Antonio Baradi easily understood. We had a video chat whth him while we're waiting for the others. Thanks to Smartbro, we got in touch with him and had a very, very long video chat. The wifi of the restaurant wasn't working well.

Everyone was looking at their watches. One by one, the small group became bigger, and bigger. The more new faces arrive, the noisier it becomes. In a short while, Victor Coria, Fatema Abdullah Royo, Haidee Remo-Magno, Emma Ruth Cuyugan, Madrideo Leony, Joyce Pellas Jurado, Rommel Eric Carpio, Cherry Mauricio Jolly Inocencio and Antonio Barradi came. This is becoming a big crowd now. We waited for the others to arrive and decided to have dinner at 8:00 pm. Daisy Aboy and Deny Buan will arrive later. Daisy's caught in traffic and Deny will come all the way from Cavite. She knows she can't make it, but assured everyone that she'll be in a second venue, if ever we decide on going to another place.  Cristina Bote also arrived minus her husband. She really alloted this day to bond with the gang. Vivian Calalang-Reyes also arrived and shared her time and stories. Rocel Robles who works with the NBI are on red alert so she can't make it.

Fresh from the US of A, Carlo Roberto arrives. He's here only for the holidays for his children and heard about the get together. So he made sure that he'll make it. Then as promised, Uldarico and Jackie arrive with their celebrity son, Makisig. He's a wonderful boy and really made heads turn to our table. Even the waiters and waitresses wanted a glimpse of the young singer/actor. We tried to control ourselves and pretended to be ordinary folks with Makisig, however, the girls in the group can't help having a celebrity around. They have to get a shot of him and make sure that they'll have a remembrance shot. Uldarico introduced me to his son and said that the craziness he taught his son came from me! I refuted and told Makisig that only the  bad lessons in life  came from me, and the good ones that he leared are from his father and mother.

Mervin and Daisy: How sweet!

Daisy Aboy arrived and talked about her being single and what she and her brother Zeus were doing. We told her that she's lucky, Mervin isn't married yet. So all through out that time we were pairing the two ex-classmates. James Lester Allado arrives just when it was closing time. He ate out and just dropped by to say hi to the group. Unfortunately, his head was counted as part of the buffet table. So to avoid any misunderstandings and confusion, he took some bite from the place and joined the group.

Three hours wasn't enough. The place was closing when we left. That gave the waiters and waitresses enough time to pose beside Makisig and get some souvenir shots. The serenaders came into the picture and sang a few songs to the group, and even did a duet with Makisig which impressed not only the batch but also the staff of the restaurant. Some of the people in the other tables even stoped munching just to hear the young boy sing. Mervin wanted a night cap. The group agreed to leave the place and continue the party-party at Music 21 which isn't very far from the place. Uldarico and Jackie begged off because they'll have some scheduled appointments with their children. The girls in the group don't want the day to end. So in a convoy, they drove to the music joint. I called home using Rommel's cellphone to relay a message to my wife.  I told the group that my wife Gina will arrive a little later so I have to stay behind and make sure that she'll see me. I promised them that I'll follow them to Music 21. The only problem is, I don't know where it is. Rommel Carpio told me earlier that it's just along Quezon boulevard so when Gina arrived more than an hour later, we tried looking for the place but can't find it. I told her to text and tell the group that we'll be going home instead because it was also very late.

The pictures you'll see in this blog are evidence how strong high school bond is. Like the batch before them, they've all grown up to become wonderful people. I remember the conflicts and worries that they had when I was still they're teacher. I'm glad that they didn't count out or isolated any of their batch mates regardless of what sections they came from. I felt sorry not to see the others whom I've been dying to see for a long time. I also regret not following the group to Music 21 as I promised. I checked out their pictures and deep inside, I wanted to turn back the hands of time and join the group. I'm pretty sure, the group had a wonderful time there as well. At least, they'll have time as a batch so that they can talk about other matters which will concern them. Until next time, I hope to see a bigger crowd. This will be the start of something good for the batch. Again, Mervin, congratulations for a job well done!

Any Given Friday or Even Any Given Day!

Weeks before the book launch event of Any Given Friday, The Jerks, my friend Glenn Marcelo and Renz Tuzon have been sending me invitations  in Facebook just to make sure I'll be around. I was the kind of friend who would rarely show up specially if a gathering  is on a weekday instead of a weekend. All I said was, "Maybe, I'lll see, I'm not sure." Glenn sent a private reaction and said that I should not focus so much with work, I should find time for my self and for my friends. It looks like the situation I"m in is in favor of attending this event.

I remember the feeling of loosing my job. When I was talking to the heads of the company, and while they were explaining to me the reason behind the company policy, deep inside me was a feeling of excitement becasue all of a sudden, my eyes were fixed on Glenn's friday night event. I was very eager to end my day and submit my clearance and get ready for what fate has prepared for me. Glenn was not just a boss to me. He was like an older brother I never had. He taught me some tricks of the trade and made sure that all the work I make was perfect. Seeing him again and finding out how he survived 4 women in his life will be a wonderful "over beer" topic (Glenn has 3 daughters with his lovely wife, Dudee. Please don't get me wrong).

Glenn Marcelo and Me!

Another person I always wanted to see is Renz Tuzon. He's the youngest among us and the last time we worked together was  when we were doing radio shows for the Filipino oversea workers in Taiwan. The last news I heard about him was that he was working in an internet radio station. Unfortunately, I never got the stadion I.D. or URL. When I was checking him out in Facebook, he was in Dubai. The good news is that he's in town and was one of the key persons of the organized event in Bistro 70s.

Bistro 70s is a wonderful place for people my age. They play music the way it should be and not just poor poetry from million dollar artists who complain about their skin color or the society where they live. The Jerks, Chikoy Pura's group for 30 years are celebrating their anniversary there. They're not really very popular with the young generation because all their followers have grown up to become top executives  and leaders in today's society. The fans and friend are all there to support their book launching. The likes of Cookie Chua of the Red band, Bing Gomez Austria and Maria Cafra were around to do a number or two for Chikoy.

Cookie Chua

I arrived past 9:45 though the call time was 8:30. Glenn was at the entrance gate to greet incoming friends. He pointed me to Renz' direction near the bar so I went there to see my other buddy. He was so surprised to see me and never expected that I'll be round with them. Another one of the gang said that he'll be coming but it looks like he got tied up with some "chicken chores." Renz and Glenn don't really know where each others were that night because of the humonguous crowd that's in Bistro 70s. "No one is going out, they're expecting a rockfest to happen before the night ends," was Renz' parting words before he walked around the place to take pictures again. I asked his permission to use some of the shots for this blog which he agreed. I told him that Glenn is outside the place. He just laughed and said that our good friend is an ageing rocker, he's suffocating due to the large crowd so he decided to hang outside rather than inside. I got the chance to jokingly tell this to Glenn and he refuted by saying that the airconditioning system is close to the entrance and he's not suffocating due to the large crowd.

Maria Cafra

Chikoy Pura, The Jerks

"Any Given Friday" is a 30th anniversary book of The Jerks. It was written by Glenn Marcelo which I only found out that night. Renz Tuzon contributed to the book by taking the wonderful shots found inside it. I didn't get the chance to read my friend's work but the crowd there loved it. Almost every copy was sold and a lot more were looking for a copy of the book. I wasn't prepared to get a copy of the book that night. I didn't expect that it costs 1200 pesos. There's no ATM around to withdraw money to purchase one.

All of Glenn's family was there to support him. His wife and all three daughters were there to give him moral support. His daughters have all grown up to become wonderful girls. The last time I met them was when they were toddlers. Now, the eldest is in the college level while the other one is in her 4th year of high school. The youngest I failed to meet because she's sitted beside her mother who is somewhere in the crowd. I got the chance to be by myself and just enjoyed the place, the music, the roasted pig  and the beer. To my surprise, I didn't notice that time flew so fast.

Maria Cafra and Bing Gomez Austria

It was already 2:00 in the morning when I decided to leave the place. The place was still over flowing with people and the beer and roasted pig just kept on coming. The pile of books that were in the bar can now be counted by your fingers. I have to say goodnight to  my friends but promised them another time around with them when we'll have the chance. To Glenn, Chikoy, Renz and all the others responsible for the woderful book my personal congratulations. May you have more wonderful music years in the coming years.