A MINI-REUNION WITH GOOD FOOD, GOOD DRINK AND GOOD CONVERSATION
Let me introduce you to the graduates from the University of San Carlos Boys High School of 1967 – a batch whom your favorite food writer belongs to. This batch of baby boomers was able to celebrate its golden jubilee in 2017. Some of my batchmates now reside in the USA, and when they return home during Christmas or some event, we usually plan a mini reunion. Last December 2022, Raul Laurente, Melchor Bimboy Tormis and I met at a hotel in Mandaue City to plan a small gathering for a reunion in February 2023. A month later, I was shocked when I received a message from Raul saying that Bimboy was admitted to the hospital, and hours later, he died. Oh my God, life can be so fleeting!
Much later, a group of classmates led by Joseph Quijano, Earl Kokseng, and Carlos Hermosisima decided to hold the USC-BHS Alumni Reunion Class’65-’68 at Raul’s – which is a Filipino Restaurant and Bar on A. Climaco St., Capitol Site, on Feb 22.
The restaurant’s resident Chef Ramon Alcoseba said the restaurant is a rebranding of Yayoy’s Grill and Resto Bar which was owned by his father and our departed classmate, Cebu City Councilor Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba.
To keep expenses minimal, participants were instructed to order their own food and drinks and pay for them. I ordered Chicharon Bulaklak,
Pancit Canton Guisado, and a one-liter bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label. Some ordered Raul’s Fried Chicken, Grilled Tuna Panga, and Raul’s BBQ. Choy Torralba brought two bottles of Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon. Everyone shared all the food and drinks.
The Tuna Panga had an umami taste compared to the usual sweet taste in other outlets. Fresh fish taste “sweet” because of the glycogen which is found in the muscles and fats of fish. And acids in the marinade convert this glycogen into glucose.
Sugar is added to the marinade, and this makes the taste of other grilled tuna sickening and too sweet!
Joseph Quijano ordered Kapal Muks, a platter of “maskara” or deboned pig’s head, prepared and cooked like Crispy Pata. It has more meat and is fatter hence it has a better taste compared to Crispy Pata.
The nostalgic night brought back memories of my high school and early college days when boys were really boys, and the focus of the conversation then was girls, parties, combos, clubs, alcohol, fistfights, and future occupations.
In this reunion, the chat centered on geriatric diseases, maintenance medicines, prohibitions (food, alcohol, smoking), and info on classmates’ whereabouts.
All were happy that they have beaten the math (mortality rate, 25%, class of ‘67) and wished for everyone to stay healthy for the next reunion.