I had to go out to breathe fresh air as it was terribly hot inside the covered court. (Parang pugong!). Thanks to Vrod Verong for bringing in a pair ot electric fans which somewhat cooled the lower rafters. Outside, I got acquainted with Vrod Nanding Antolin (Batch ‘69) who brought a case of soft drinks which was very timely for the already thirsty basketball players and fans. Later, Cyril Coliflores (Zealots ‘85) arrived, followed by Art Castillo (Dirty Dozen ‘67), Manny Bonita (Magnificent 7 ’67), Pabs Ofrecia (The Queen and the Jesters), Alexis Lapiz (Dreamers ‘88) and Cesar Odi (Admirable Sixers ‘88). Then Tonton Contreras (Survivors ‘78) and his wife Jenny Bandong-Contreras (D’ Authentic Twelve) arrived bringing with them part of the cookies contributed by Ryan Jaranilla (Batch ’84) who is now a chef based in Los Angeles, California, USA. The cookies were just in time for late snack and early lunch combined. Later Peck Mapusao (Original ’62) and his wife arrived with Aymeeh Mendoza-Diaz (Thorn Among The Roses ‘84) and Emma Castillo (Zealots ’85). (Vrod Peck has an open invitation to all Varrons for a visit and get-together in his farm in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan. I hope Sis Aymeeh, Vrod Peck’s neighbor can arrange the gimmick.)
While the basketball game was going on, many were doing the Varrons handshake and the usual beso-beso. Cameras kept on clicking to record the memorable scenes. The heat inside the covered court was exacerbated by the excitement among Varrons who have not seen each other for years.
An hour before noontime, some fund-raising was done to buy something for lunch. In less than an hour, the group of Vrod Deo arrived with three big plates (or bilao) of pansit guisado and canton, loaves of bread, bags of ice cubes and several containers of purified water. (I miss the days when we used to drink water direct from the faucets inside UPLB campus).
It was decided that if the final basketball game will end at about 2 pm, the business meeting will be held immediately inside the basketball court. The game ended past 2 pm. However, many Varrons especially the older ones had to leave and take a rest in preparation for the anniversary dinner and party. Several Siss were insistent in leaving for them to be able to make themselves prettier during the night affair. Hence, the business meeting was cancelled and re-scheduled before the opening of the anniversary program. It was during this time when the Varrons were about to leave Splash Mountain when Olah Romero-Aldemita (DST ’77) arrived, looking so fresh and ready for any party. (She missed the delicious pansit.)
It was too bad that only basketball was played because of time constraint and the uncooperative temperature inside the covered court. Nevetheless, some Vrods and Siss played chess for fun in the sidelines. Much of the time though was spent on greeting and hugging each other and reminiscing memories of the past.
The 'Three Tenors' in the making: Nestor Manalo, Alexis Lapiz and Joey Austria.
Since there were still three more hours before the dinner party, some Vrods decided to do some bonding and re-bonding (read: sip and later gulp SMB). Nestor, Cyril, Vic, Cesar, Alexis, Pabs and I decided to drop by Sally’s videoke bar, near the road leading to La Vista Pansol Resort. Vrods Cyril, Cesar and me hitched a ride with Vrod Vic in his brand new Toyota Vios. We were later joined by Vrods Wilbur and Jimson Solatre (Youth of Liberty ‘89). Vrod Nestor started belting out songs of the heart especially for our inaanak (Pablito). With beer freely flowing and steeling our nerves, it was not long in coming when each of us competed for the possession of the only microphone around to sing songs of our time. (AIM graduates—Ayaw Iwanan ang Microphone!). Although Wilbur did not have a single sip of beer, he nevertheless sang. It was my first time (since 1974) to hear him sing seriously.
In singing The Impossible Dream, the Varrons’ rendition was full of passion and seriousness. Without any cue, we all stood up to give justice to the song. Never mind the different gesticulations brought about by the early afternoon stupor, the song remained the same. The videoke winner? It was all hands down to no other than Vrod Nestor, ang dating kampeon! (You can view the pictures at the photo section of our yahoo egroup. Too bad, Wilbur’s face is not included in the pictures posted so far. Paging Alexis. Kailan mo i-post ang mga kinuha mong pictures with your camera?)
At half hour before six, we decided to break up the pre-party and proceeded to La Vista Pansol Resort. Wilbur had to leave for Manila for an urgent matter. By 6 pm, registration has already started. In an hour, the hall was already filled up with Varrons. Aside from the usual Varrons that I meet for the past four years, were old and many new faces.
At the start of the registration, Mr. John Ching set his photo equipment in one corner of the hall to take pictures for the UPVAA ID card. There were 97 Varrons who had their pictures taken. In addition, a registry book was passed around for Varrons to sign in their names and addresses. The red hardbound book is one of the requirements in the full registration of the UPVAA with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There were 116 Varrons who were able to register that night.
A little past 7 pm, dinner was served as the crowd was already hungry. The food was good. There were two lechons. One was courtesy of Vrod Peck despite the short lead time of my request through Sis Aymeeh; the other one was provided by Vrod Ted Jimenez (First Quarter Storm ’78), who is now based in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Last Updated on October 12, 2016 by Tudla_Admin
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