A Tale of Two Reunions-Part 1-Finding the Lost Shepherd

You have all heard of the parable of the lost sheep, right? How about the lost shepherd? Its not in the Bible, but in the lores of the class of '83. The class " pambawi" ( sa mga kabuangan natun) Fr. Imbo Barrozo surfaced and happily we had an excuse to have the first of the get-togethers last August 13 at the Eastwood City. Fr. Imbo is about to leave for a three year assignment with Sorsogon's "sister" diocese Kansas. Aside from Jayhawks, Kansas is known for their excellent beef - basi lamang yadto si Baka-King, Cula, matuparan man ni Fr. Imbo.

Captured and not about to let go! Gerrox shows Fr. Imbo how much he has been missed by the class of '83

Aside from the usual how do you-do's and other gentlemanly conversation...

and the ubiquitous posing for pictures as most showbiz personalities are wont to do...

Meo as usual dominated all the conversation, lain kami makasingit! Katabil ni Meo!

Of course, Fr. Imbo also wanted to know how many wives and children Balag and Haile already have. The usual answer is five wives and no acknowledged children and they happily told Fr. Imbo that is the new limit allowed by the Vatican announced daw a couple of hours ago that is why only a select few know about it. Palusot pa gihapon...

Ako lang tabi naka uniform pa san class t-shirt

Reunions are opportunities for Balo and Fr. Imbo to ruminate on why their intrams teams were consistently in the last place during all four intramurals of OLPS from '79-'82. ( A world record I am sure, hehe)

Vice lost in his thoughts on how he can raise the GDP growth of Makalaya to 25% annually. Irinuman nalang nagtatrabaho pa si Vice Mayor!

Gerrox showing the world how long Haile's hair has become since his infamous haircut in 1980. In contrast, Fr. Imbo and Balo show hairdo headed in the opposite direction

Pero happy Boy si Haile! There might soon be a Haile III, for the sake of the world and the female population, we pray he takes up after Haile Sr. , and not Jr.! Let's drink to that!

Napansin si Atty Haile, simple lang sige an pag pahid pahid sa bado ni Fr. Imbo

A closer look for stronger evidence...

...duwang kamot pa this time while everyone was looking somewhere else hehe...

and another one bites the dust! The Vice mayor's turn to be literally made a "trapo"-pahidan and not what you think hehe

pirmi biktima si Fr. Imbo, bagan baga an santo sa simbahan na in pupunasan sin panyo, Meo trying to be part of the latest craze!

Pati ako nadale, kaya pahid man ako kan Meo hehe lain nakahalata

Urit pa san nadakop! Sino ngaya gwapo, aber? ako o ina na nasa background?!

masiramun baga na piricturan... tapos pahid ulit kan Balo, lain lang halata...

Pero happy Boy ini talaga niyan! Showing his wild side and then simpleng pahid kan Balag taas nan baba

An Hubog...

an maaaluhun ( naks!)...

An feeling pogi...

An gutom...

an pilaw...

an nakatindog pa!

an kakatapaos lang...magkaon

from all those present and those who were absent...

as Balo has said for and in our behalf...

... from all of us to you, Fr, Imbo-(last hirit na pahid ni Haile)!

a toast to your good health, to a new set of great friends ( like "ehem" us) at Kansas, god-speed on your journey...

May you be free from all the pasimpleng pahid of Haile...

while you are away we will keep the "83 bonds tight and happy...

until we meet again!

Fr. Imbo, the great pang bawi of the Class of '83!

In the Eye ( Mouth ?) of Ondoy

The real story behind Ondoy Started in Sorsogon City. Lain gud totoo ina na mga intra tropical convergence zone sa sabi san Pag-Asa. Tropical depression daw? Lain talaga. Nagbatog ina kay nagkrarantahan an mga Batch'83 sa Casa Dominga, before going to Manila. lain man sa nagsusupon kita tabi, constructive cristicism baga an tawag sadi. Kama raot daw ( daw ha?, Please do not quote me) san bosses, nakabilog sin bagyo.

Sorsogon-based OLPS "83 superstars Dennis Donor, Ferdz Marbella and Raul Jeresano, plan trip to manila at Casa Dominga

San turn na ngani ni Ah-oh, The Rey Valera of Batch'83, pati ritratista nagtarakig. Kitaa kay lain malinaw an picture.

Poor picture has more to do with Camera Shake than the quality of the voice of the Singer. Ah oh with his most loyal fan, AA Apostol.

Ay sus, pag abot sa Manila Karantahan ulit. naurit na baga an Mahal na Diyos...

Toasting to the good times past, present and future, Ferdz, Donnie Boy and Ronel Magdamit

Warning daw, pinauranan sin grabe hopefully madara. Wara lamang kamatian san grupo. Nothing short of a flood of Noah's proportion would have deterred these future singing superstars from practicing their craft.

The initial salvo of rains had the cars outside the hotel doing their best imitation of mini submarines

Lain pa man baga gihapon. may second set pa daw. pa toast toast pa baga an mga Kulokoy, inupod pa si Ngipoy ( may Rhyme pa) na minsan lang ngani makauli.

"A toast to the brotherhood, we may just be three but together we are awful, este awesome palan, we speak for the entire class!"

Lain man daw sinda hadlok san mga baha baha. Nag pa pedicure pa ngani si Ferdie

"I canno be bothered by such weather disturbances, said One Komiks character to another , Tams to Ngips. I'll have a pedicure. Pls. call Ricky Reyes"

So rain kept pouring and the waters kept going up...Did I forget to mention that this get-together was at that hotel in Marikina near the Riverbank?

"Tubig lang mahadlok kita?, Kaya ngani may height baga kita"

Nawaraan pa ngani kuryente....amo na idto medyo nagkaharadlok na....

Let not the darkness of night cloak our enthusiasm!

Urulian na ngaya kay sobra na ini sabi ni Ronel. Everyone else had evacuated from the hotel, inlcuding the hotel staff, after all, the water had all but covered all of the first floor of the establishment. No electricity, lunch, merienda or dinner. Just plain old Johnny Black and a city full of water as chaser.

"May exit strategy kami pirmi, that is one of our key learnings at OLPS"

Sabi ngani ni Ronel, kaya ngani nag udong na ako mag seaman kay habo ko primi napapalibutan san tubig. An deposito baga sadto sa OLPS siya nan si Perry and para linis!

This must be what Noah saw, more than 3,000 year ago!

Unitl the next time, "glug-glug-glug". We will live to fight another day! Until the next reunion!! an Lain nag butwa, P_y_s!

A Tale of Two Reunions-Part Two

It was difficult to gather the class in one venue at one time. Schedules were tough, commitments had been made, duty called more than one batchmate even during weekends. And so Balo advised the class that we should have two consecutive reunions ( and despedida) for our beloved beloved Classmate Fr. Imbo Barrozo who will leave the Philippines for a three year assignment in Kansas.

The first get-together was a Thursday, August 13 at Eastwood City ( More about that in another post). The second one, was two days later Aug 15, still at Eastwood . Imagine our pleasant surprise when long-lost Classmate Glenn Empleo emails a few minutes before the meeting to tell us he can join us! It was a happy day for the Class of '83

Without funfare, the long missing and super Hunky Glenn duck-walks his way into the restaurant...Bagan artista an dating...Dili lang daw basta boylet ini...

Glenn is now married with two teen aged children. He works for the Arab American oil company (ARAMCO) and is based in Saudi Arabia. He finished Computer Engineering at the Mapua Insitute of Technology. Many of the members of the batch, including myself have not seen Glenn since 1983.

Nagkariribok an Class of '83...Si Glenn ini?, hapot ni SS83 kay Larry M? Lord, ayaw tabi pagpara ti-aw sabi ni Fr. Imbo. Dili man irog sadi ka macho si Glenn sadto...

He is the same humble and gentle soul, with nary an air of success that he is. Glenn has migrated to Canada with his family in the early 1990's but has been livng in Saudi Arabia the last few years.

Sabi san Bida, lain ina si Glenn, harayuon na mas gwapo ako didto...Fake impersonator yan! irisip isip baga an Batch!


Kitaon ta daw kun attractive sa chicks...rani tulos an mga waitress. Kiri-kiri si Choi. Si Fr. Imbo naghagad baga ki sign from God kun an missing ka klase talaga ini



Diyut daw na porosing...gutom na ako sadto so pa- simple kita sin hungit, kay basi ubusan ako ni Perry sin dinuguan. makaskasun mag hungit, kaya silensyohunun sa iristuryahan!




Roll-call kita, Advincula...absent, Arnedo, present, Baloloy, present, Banaga, present, Barrozo, present. Kun yadi si Cula straight flush kunta. From left to right, an Bida Perry, SS83, Choy Banaga, Balo, Gerrox, Glenn Empleo, Larry Manda and Fr Imbo. Si Glenn ada talaga ini mga boys!! I-test natun





Pinakita baga ni Balag an video ni Haile. Sabi Glenn, kilala ko an maitum na lubot na ina, amo ina an pinaha ni Msgr Douglas for impersonating him! Nag conclude an klase si Glenn ini! Welcome and good to see you again!



Glenn ikaw tabi an magbayad para lain gulay nan kan-un orderon namun, nagpa simple na suggestion si Gerrox! Aprub sabi ni Glenn






Order kita sin mahal, sabi ni Balag,, maski lain masiram basta mahal!


Pi-ricture baga gihapaun para official na talaga and tiripon na ini

An Bida, simple lang baga...painum-inom, bati bati san irestorya..., dili ngaya ako makatuod na nasala ako kan Glenn...last time ako nasala 1982 pa...awat awat na...

Bigla bumanat na an Bida, di ula-ula nanaman kami sin tarawa. Pinakamaribok kami na table sa buong Eastwood city

Lain makahangos sin katawa si SS83. Sabi Ni Balo, tuukun ta ikaw!

Pati si Fr. Imbo, halos magluwas sa ilong an kinaon

Si Glenn man, nag-uli lang para mag tawa. Buong gab-i sin kakatawa

Picture ngaya ulit, habang nagkakasilyas an mga taga-Gubat

Reunion of Community Beadle and Sub-Beadle of SY 1982-1983

"You made me look good!" sabi ni Larryboy kan Fr. Imbo

L-R Perry, Gerry, Choy, Balo, Gerrox, Glenn, Larry and Fr. Imbo

Official Class picture of the Night's reunion

8 of 25 isn't bad ( 30% of the class made it!)

Siwo Part II

Rodrigo Javier Asuncion Arnedo

Future Star Point guard of the OLPS Minor Seminary and the Ateneo Blue Eagles

My wife gave birth to our second child a son, last September 4, at 10:08am at the Makati Med. Leo Baloloy the great Vascular and Transplant Surgeon was with me at the delivery room when my wife delivered. He was there to supposedly to provide back up support to the leading Ob Gyn who performed the Caesarian. Luckily everything went well, so he spent more time taking wielding a camera, than a scalpel

With Ate Trisa at room 909 at Makati Medical Center

New baby, Old room


With Kulit Cousins
L-R, Jake Asuncion, Ate Trisa, Joshua Asuncion and Diego Son
Trisa is the only girl on the Asuncion side, Gio is the only 3rd generation male Arnedo



Home finally, with Ate Trisa and future playmates Elmo and Pooh Bear

B83 Golden Memories,Silver Jubilee MTV Ver 2

B83 Golden Memories,Silver Jubilee MTV Ver 1

Eye Witness, The Yellow Fever

It all started on that fateful night when the people were awakened from a deep slumber...streets were filled with burnt tires, as if there was an offering.

The Phil's Hueys hovered at Camp Crame to defect to the people side.

For posterity's sake.

Inside the Huey.

I 'shot' this picture of an airforce pilot holding my Super-8mm film camera.

Throngs of 'Yellow Army' braving the stretch of Hi-way 54.

In those days the word 'snap' is found everywhere.

Snap toilet,anyone?

I took these pictures when I was just starting to learn filmmaking..A Russian filmmaker once said, when you make a film you must do it to prepare a person to death, to plough and harrow his soul, rendering it capable of turning to good.

When the news broke out urging the people to go out and be united, our mentor in our film institute gave us rolls of film to document this historic event.

Look at the lady's reaction to the unknown soldier..what is she thinking ?

The Palace,now empty.

What if the revolution become bloody?

What if somebody throws a firecracker to these battle tested soldiers?..

..the horror.

An old lady still deep in her prayer.

Crowd expressing their joy.

Marines gamely posing with children.

Soldiers vacating Malacanang Palace.

The Palace is now a home.

The faithful with their Mother.

Do not be afraid.For I'm with you all the while.

Outside POEA Bldg.,waiting for the Lady in Yellow.

Tita Cory outside the POEA Bldg. Ready for her greatest sacrifice.. May we continue her legacy to be humble, sincere,and faithful to our Divine Maker.

Effective Ways to Organize a Reunion

Point a .45 caliber pistol in someone's throat. See, when GerryA threatened to back out to head the staging, well because Mr. Blue can't "carry" his weight, he was eventually led back because of JAC's warm prodding.

Get a willing accomplice. Make sure to bring a camera, you know for blackmailing purposes..Gerrox is above par when it comes to heart conspiracy theories. You may reach him for an adulterated copy of "Bacon Scandal" for a.. cup of coffee maybe..

Get a lawyer. Our very own Atty. Haile stating his facts in detail to Mons Pax how he managed to elude Fr. Douglas'...leather belt.

A reunion is not a reunion without Mr. Blue. Just look closely at that swagger look, man even Atty. Haile is caught in awe.So try to bring your own Mr. Blue,even paying up for his airfare.

Mr. Blue in action. An anecdote even told a thousand times can be as refreshing and engaging when Mr. Blue delivers them. Look at how Atty. Talde flinches in pain.

Lastly, make sure the lower batch takes an oath for everybody to see to continue the tradition. So that we continue to reminisce the halcyon days and listen to that whispers again in our ears, ora, stude et labora..See you at the gates of...(g)OLPS.

More boylets for sale.Take your pick.Take note an naka blue, sa highest bidder lang yan maupod.

New Updated Pictures from Bomick

Good 'ole Papa Bomick and Miko and Kitchie. Miko is now taller than him. The sunrise indicates more New Beginnings, Prosperity, Second chances, Hope, better tomorrows..etc. it also means lain ka nakalamaw si Captain Bomick!

Keeping the Babies warm and toasty

Bomick with his kids. These months ( May-July) are the winter months in Australia! A great opportunity for group hugs!!

Bag in hand...dressed for the occassion, Bomick raises the proverbial OLPS question,

"Hinog na an Langka?"

The Great One has Left Us

EDITORIAL - Corazon Aquino (The Philippine Star) Updated August 02, 2009 12:00 AM

A long-entrenched dictator dismissed her as “just a woman” and a housewife. “What on earth do I know about being president?” Corazon Aquino conceded as she launched her challenge to the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos in December 1985. “The only thing I can really offer the Filipino people is my sincerity.”
Yet in a few months, the woman who knew nothing about being president helped bring down a dictator, took over Malacañang and repulsed at least two coup attempts. Within less than two years after assuming power, Corazon Aquino crafted a “Freedom Constitution” that was ratified by 80 percent of the people in a national plebiscite, re-established a freely elected Congress and restored independence to the legislature and judiciary.
After nurturing democracy through seven coup attempts, she peacefully handed over power to a freely elected successor — the first such peaceful transition in 27 years. “This is the glory of democracy, that its most solemn moment should be the peaceful transfer of power,” she said in her final State of the Nation Address. In the light of recent events, the nation now realizes how precious that gracious exit was.
After seeing the depths by which power could be abused, Cory Aquino wielded it with reluctance. But she never needed the presidency to lead; all she needed was the example of her life. Her power and influence emanated not from any position in government, but from her convictions, her abiding faith in the goodness of the Filipino and, yes, her sincerity. That is a virtue that has been in short supply in public service for many years.
Once, explaining to an interviewer why she decided to run for president, the woman the nation called Tita Cory said she had asked herself, “What if I could make a difference?”
She did, and the nation, grateful for her legacy of freedom, now mourns its loss.

Reaping the Whirlwind-MR Pussyfoot

It looks like my "idol", the most arrogant of the presidentiables is getting a lot of flak. Lain pa nanga-gana huna mo na kun-sin-o. Pag amo ini makaluwas, daog sadi intero na dating presidente ...


'Mr. Pussyfoot' CTALK By Cito Beltran Updated July 29, 2009 12:00 AM

Believe it or not, some people did not understand what President Arroyo meant, literally or figuratively, when she told a Presidentiable not to “pussy foot”. In fact, another Presidentiable mistook the word as a “cuss word” referring to the female genitalia since his generation has a different use for the word “pussy”.
Similarly, a number of people have gone into debates regarding the Tagalog translation or application of the word. The traditionalists claim that “pussy footing” in Tagalog is “Patumpik-tumpik”. The modernist and the pedestrians state that “pussy footing” in Tagalog is being “bakla” but not necessarily gay. Rather, it refers to being weak or limp wristed.
As a point of clarification, the term “pussy foot” is about being too careful, tentative, or downright scared. Other definitions state that it is to move stealthily about or to refrain from committing one’s self or making commitments.
The term is drawn from the observation of cats/kittens that are beginning to discover new things or unfamiliar things in their environment. If you watch kittens you will notice that they always use their front foot or paw to touch things several times to determine how something will react.
Half of the time, the term “pussy footing” is a criticism because it refers to someone who is not serious, or playing with an idea or something that should otherwise be done with directness or decisiveness.
Either way, the addressee or “MR. Pussyfoot” himself was not too happy about being singled out, especially in the most watched and listened to speech of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
In the case of “MR. Pussyfoot”, his problem was more about being inconsistent with his public pronouncements and ignorant of their consequences. To make matters worse, when he realized that he might lose control of the situation he tried to get everybody’s attention by insinuating that President Arroyo was involved in some form of bribery from the pharmaceutical companies. This more than anything was the reason why “MR. Pussyfoot” earned this major public embarrassment.
Unfortunately for “MR. Pussyfoot” it would seem that his continually changing and diminishing crew of lawyers or advisers were not on the ball regarding scenarios and repercussions as they worked on “Pussyfoots’” most favorite project. They were so focused at milking the project for every drop of political publicity that they never “looked around the corner” which regularly turned out to be dead-ends.
Even before the ink dried on the State Of the Nation Address, I am told that “MR. Pussyfoot” has just recruited the services of a former Malacañang lawyer who has an axe to grind with Malacañang.
“MR. Pussyfoot” might find himself blindsided once again once the word gets out that the firm he is reportedly partnering with has direct or indirect relations with a top executive of a local drug company in direct competition with multinational pharmaceutical companies.
A congressional source has also expressed distaste at merely being “used” by MR. Pussyfoot to further his political agenda and not legislation or genuine social programs.
In fairness to “MR. Pussyfoot” he started out on the right path but ended up being a one-track/one-way railroad that focused too much on the destination and ignored the necessary stops. He is undoubtedly idealistic, his heart is in the right place, and his goals are generally benevolent to all.
Unfortunately, he tends to have a one-track mind and tends to go deaf relative to his speed at rushing towards his goals. As a result those who often try to give him the best advise or those who have his interests at heart are left with a paralyzing whiplash as he zooms through with passionate impatience and ignorance.
As a Presidentiable, “MR. Pussyfoot” should pay more attention to the practice of other Presidentiables in the United States who made the mandatory train stops for “Town hall meetings”, otherwise known as consultations with all parties concerned about many concerns and not just one.
During lunch yesterday, a few veteran political observers pointed out that “MR. Pussyfoot” tried to mimic what Senator Juan Ponce Enrile did with the telecoms industry. JPE studied the situation like a lawyer, set up the “court” of legislation where he was the prosecutor as well as the judge and ultimately cashed in his dividends in admissions and legislation.
JPE succeeded because he asked questions that he knew the answers to. He succeeded because he grilled but he did not skewer, fry and hang the telecoms. He gave everybody room to work with and resolve issues. He wanted results, not body counts. Most importantly he went after the industry and not a particular company or brand. By doing so, JPE was not “personal” and as a result he “forced” the entire industry to cooperate with each other.
“MR. Pussyfoot foot” should realize that once you get personal and ugly, you automatically cast off the mantle of decency from the table. Those you attack and single out will then have no second thoughts “doing unto you, what you have done unto others”.
As a result, “MR. Pussyfoot” got a taste of his own medicine from no less than the President and in the most public of events, the same way he has subjected others to very public accusation and public humiliation.
Perhaps it is time for “MR. Pussyfoot” to step on the brakes and step down from the train. We don’t have to agree on everything but we can all agree not to be disagreeable. Putting one’s foot on the ground in humility will make you a better foe, if not a better man.