Yesterday again . . . @35

IT never ceases to amaze me . . . 35 years after high school and seeing classmates and batchmates having a stronger bond even with the wrinkles, the pot bellies and for some (like me), the hair gone. The physical is immaterial. What matters is how the friendship grows, building the bridges further and throwing the "trash" and "excess baggage" where they rightfully belong. Club 7882 Saint Louis Boys' High, the Class of 1982, to me is a Class on its own (syempre 82 ako eh! haha). Good job my Brothers and thank you for the privilege of being blessed by and thru you.

A good 30 members of Club 7882 gathered once more on December 1 at the Baguio Pines City Lions Club (big thanks to my Brother Lions) and, as the theme states, walked down memory lane together - "Yesterday again." On bat were the following: (4A) Itong Tan, Ewad Posadas, Jun Lacanilao, Edgar Ogay, Jimmy Estillore, Raoul Amoroso; (4B) Lavie Cusie, George Julian, Freddie Mendoza, Noli Tandoc; (4C) Junn Dizon, Jojo Gojo, Ray Abuan, Jing Peredo, Ver Orca; (4D) Leo Ramirez, Ariel Ingalla, Art Peralta; (4E) Terry Obillo, Ed Mangonon; (4F) Reden De Leon, VJ Budhrani; (4Sci) Rene Pamuspusan, Rigo Gallardo, Roel Collado, Arnold Aromin, Zards Gacad; and Ernie Gomez, Joel Luyun and Fred Gopeng. And the raffle winners were . . . haha.

First time attendees were Lavie Cusi from Sydney and Freddie Mendoza from Canberra, both down under (parang 'yung loca- tion ng toilet at gymnastics room noon, dba?), Ed Mangonon from Makati and now back to them hills of pine (and brownies ba? haha) and Reden De Leon, now back in Baguio from Cainta. Thanks Reden for your honesty (of being only 50% of your old self) and, even after suffering that unfortunate stroke, you are back on your feet and on the way to 100% recovery. God is good and your batchmates are completely behind you. Prayers for you and your family, Bro!

Speeches? Well, not much but a few words from Club7882's latest pride - General Pamus! (Ewad ingat daw at isusulong ang Double Barrel Part 3!); them blokes from Oz, Lavie and Freddie, who extended the invitation from Clubb7882Oz for the 2018 Batch reunion to be held in Sydney Australia come October next year, and of course Reden's inspiring thoughts.

But wait, Lavie revealed the secret why the Bulwarkers (tama ba?) became the basketball champions. May sinabi siyang plus 5 minus 3 something 'ngay . . . rebuttal . . . Leo Ramirez, candidly said it was because of scheduling. He claimed the championship game was scheduled on a Saturday, where Pusit, Bong G and himself, were unavailable. All games were played on weekdays, accordingly, and for this single game, it was scheduled on a weekend. Despite this, they still almost won. What say you, Master Chief? (let the platinum and blue label games begin . . .).

It was all good! No worries mates, our 35th year was another petmalu repapeps! Cheers and see y'all in Oz in 2018! “It’s the oldest story in the world. One day you’re seventeen and planning for someday. And then quietly, without you ever really noticing, someday is today, and that someday is yesterday and this is your life.” ~ Nathan Scott