> Boys are
us
The following is a thank you note from a high school classmate,
Veo Prado, then our PMT corps commander at the Ateneo de Naga. He
has since raised his family in Manila after finishing college at
the more glamorous Ateneo de Manila. Veo’s fond chronicles of his
latest Naga visit come like a psychedelic ballet in which some of
the things he treasures as a youthful dreamer and adventurer
suddenly bring back the intensity and rhythm of those high school
years when everything was fun and free.
I can’t thank you enough for the totally great time I had during
my brief visit last weekend. It was the definition of camaraderie
and fun.
For one like me who is so used to just slipping in and out of Naga
quietly or even other places I visit, this one was an overwhelming
overdosing treat with a distinct Naga flavor.
The afternoon Mendotte and I arrived and met with Bess at Crown
Hotel for lunch was already touching. In less than 10 minutes
Kitch Raquitico and Danny Francisco arrived. Kitch, the Capo,
dropped work while Danny came all the way from Tigaon. Joe Perez
appeared awhile later and beer started coming. The Hong Ma bread
which Mendotte has been telling me about was really good and all
the while I thought it was similar to chacoy.
The first night at Cocoleaf was just a warm up of things to come.
Joe Perez was there cool as ever, so was Louie General still
fiddling and slinging his hankie the same way he did in hi school.
Danny Francisco, whose mild demeanor still is his best trait,
so too was Rolly Onoda who I think had a manicure for the
occasion, dapper Boyet Sanchez, and Bobby Limjoco still searching
for his maiden.
Bess, Mendotte (both of CSI HS ‘72) were present also. The
revelation for me was Marie Contreras. This lady is really a live
wire, she is like the Energizer Bunny.
After CocoLeaf the group proceeded to Roberto’s for the night cap
and a shot at the dance floor.
The second night was a milder, quieter yet more adventurous one.
It was only Mendotte, Bobby and me. We started dinner and drinks
at Bob Marlin where Bobby showed signs of the sniffles which
promptly disappeared after a few rounds. Then it’s off to Molino
for more drinks and heart and-life-threatening pulutan which our
beautiful health/diet conscious date eagerly devoured. She showed
signs of sleepiness, yet kept drinking her potion of vodka.
Then Bobby hustled us to his domain. The rocking, pounding world
of the city’s young urbanites ClubM8. Swinging, writhing, grinding
banging, stupor, frenzy of the normal and the exotic. Somehow our
bachelor just fit in. His rendesvouz with his younglings was
imminent. At this point Mendotte got her second wind and drank
again. She proved to be a worthy apprentice of the Force, a vary
apt student of the night. A couple more drinks and it’s the night
for me and M. We left Prince Bobby in the company of his...
The third night was the party hosted by the generous and gorgeous
Sonia. I had only expected to have perhaps a small get together in
one of the many places in Naga with the joint group, but she
wouldn’t have it that way. I learned that she insisted on a party
at her mansion.
This was where I finally met Ageless Aging, mild mannered Febes,
poised Joy and the maiden in distress Sue who needs to be rescued
by Bobby. I now could match the faces to the names of our ladies.
The sumptuous dinner prepared by Donia Sonia was no different from
the ones Francis Felipe would serve at Intercon. Chuck the diet I
had to tell myself, this one has to be experienced.
Drinks, drinks drinks. The gentlemen present were James Jacob, Joe
Perez, Joey Natividad, Rolly Azurin, Cesar Federizon, Kitch
Raquitico and the Boyet Sanchez whose wit and humor complemented
the irreverence of the lady Marie. And more drinks. The ladies
swamped the tequila together with Kitch who served as the
bartender. The boys stuck to the beer, Joe to his Scotch and James
for I don’t know what reason to his soda. All through these,
Marie and Boyet would blast away with heir adlibs that kept us
gasping for air. Bombardment from these two is inevitable and
hazardous to one’s health that one should not forget his
maintenance medicine. Myself thought I would burst a vein in my
head.
Then the alcohol kicked in. Dancing to our generation’s music was
really fun. I realized that I can do more than Maskipaps thanks to
my sexy DI, Sonia. She taught me the Reggae. Cesar, Kitch and
James showed their twinkle toes on the floor. Aging let go and
burned the floor, so did Febes, Sonia and Mendotte. Their grace
showed the magic of being 50 without DI’s. Everyone danced like
the high school kids we were. It was great.
The party ended at 1a.m. and we had to part so we can party again.
The guys in Manila and the US should experience this. One can not
miss such a treat with the joint group. The rediscovery of each
other is a blessing given us.
