29 ATTENDEES: Sam Yap, JA Patag, Boy Tiukinhoy, Val Perez, Gary Isleta,

Peter Binamira, Jun Aristorenas, Mario Padilla, Alex Patricio, Tony Buenviaje,Bobby Lavina, Olie Lucas, Vicki Arches, Zeny Bautista, Rene Gamboa, RudyBesinga, Sonny Paez, Butch Travino, Mon dela Fuente, Nelson Cruz, CandiDizon, Alex Bangcola, Desmond and wife Angelina Montemayor, Benjie PalmaGil, Edmund Medrano, Tony Yap, Beth Peralta, and Charlie Tanega (the latterstayed up late to join via Facetime)

TALE OF AN AIM MBM 76’ers REUNION by Elizabeth G. PeraltaAt Nipa Hut Motoyori, Capt. Henry Javier St. Oranbo, Pasig City, Philippines

January 6, 2015

The affair was off to a good start with the early birds gamely posing for a picture forposterity, when Boy’s phone suddenly rang.

(Left to right, seated: Angelina , Beth, Alex, Desmond. Standing: Mon, Vicki , Sonny, Val , Olie, Tony B, and ducking, Boy. Peter at the camera while perched on two chairs.)

The group chimed: “C’mon Peter, press that button.“ While Boy’s voice is heard in thebackground: “Yes, I’ll do it. But much later, okay?”

(Left to right, seated: Angelina , Beth, Alex, Desmond . Standing: Mon, Vicki, Sonny, Val, Olie , Tony B, and on the phone, Boy. Cameraman Peter is now wobbling precariously.)

Night soon fell and the first order of food came, sizzling boneless bangus (milkfish).Everyone seemed primed to have an evening of fun.

(Left to right: Angelina , Desmond, Alex, Nelson, Sam’s head illumined by a falling star, Tony B, Rudy and Val)

Perhaps this group will be the merrier as they have nothing before them but beer.

(Left to right: Sonny, Jun, Beth, Mon and Vicki)

Jun: “This dear roommate of mine, Benjie, gave me the creeps back then. He’s thehighlighting king and I’d see his case materials glistening with yellow highlights while mineremained generally pristine and virginal.”

(Left to right: Benjie, Jun, Beth, Rene)

Jun: “It’s true, by the end of the first month at AIM, my highlighter was still this long. Icould hardly find anything important to highlight.” (Was anyone really listening?)

(Left to right: Candi’s glistening nose after two shots of Decolgen, Jun, Mon, Edmund, Nelson standing, Gary, and Bobby)

Jun: “It was totally unnerving. I’d often go to bed worried sick that I had missed all theimportant case points”. Benjie to himself: “Hmmm, psy war Jun, plain psy war.” Beth toherself: “And I thought highlighters were just for hair and makeup. I better make suremine are safe. Jun seems pretty hung up on them.”

(Left to right: Benjie, Jun, Beth on a twist)

JA: “It’s a good thing I wasn’t in that dorm room. But come to think of it, I can’tremember who my roommates were.” Rene: “Don’t look at me JA, I too can’tremember my can group mates.” Alex: “You two better look elsewhere. I was inSection A.”

(Left to right: Beth still on a twist, Rene, JA, Alex)

All: “Forget Section A and B, we’re all 76’ers now. Let’s get into more fun.”

(Left to right: Jun recovering from his highlighter woes, Beth , Rene, and JA)

There is something chromatically right with this group. Their aura is convivial and cool.The pink, red and midnight blue back-dropped by white and grey blended nicely. Theseguys look like they were fresh out of the shower.

(Left to right: Tony Y, Rene, Val, Tony B, and Edmund)

Now, this one didn’t gel quite well. Mon: “Gary, you’ve gone heavy-handed.” Gary: “Ssh!,I don’t want them to know I’ve had a hefty start on beer.” Or was Gary collaring Mon forpoker IOUs?

(Left to right: Sam, Mon, Gary, Nelson, and Edmund)

Mon: “See what you did? Now, I have to make an appointment with mychiropractor.” Gary: “Be a sport, man.” Nelson: “Yes, Mhon, smile is the thing.”

(Left to right: Mon, Gary, Nelson)

In contrast, Mon here is dapper and standing like the big man that he is. Must be Nelson’slighter touch or perhaps the macho pose of Candi that challenged him. That’s my boy!Mon: “Listen here, you all, anytime you’re in Samal, Bataan, I’m your man.”

(Left to right: Candi, Gary, Nelson, Mon)

A bit more grey in this one. No wonder Val is leaning towards the blacker mane of Mario.Come to think of it, it’s Val’s red that shows up well in pictures. But please not all rednext time.

(Left to right: Rudy, Peter, Val, and Mario)

But then, Mario leans towards a clean-shaven head. Zeny: “I don’t know about you guys,my stylist says that I have the bestest of hair.” Sam to himself: “Wonder when the prayerswill start?”

(Left to right: Mario, Sonny and Zeny. Sam faintly in the background)

Vicki: “Okay guys, I overheard Boy is coming up with a Cebu trip proposal. I intend tocounter that with an invitation for the group to visit me in Roxas City. Stop posingplease, and listen. Here are the details ……….:

(Left to right: Mon, Edmund, Gary, and Vicki)

Vicki: “Three have already committed to support me, are you two with us?” Bobby:“Sounds like a good plan.” Butch: “Don’t worry Vicki, I won’t let you down.”

(Left to right: Butch, Bobby, and Vicki)

With the onset of cooler night air, Mario started missing his bonnet and decided to bidgoodbye. But we were all in for a treat when he just went up and signed for the whole tab.A belated birthday celebration!! Thank you Mario. All of 60 (?) and not a crease on yourforehead.

(Left to right: Mario, of course, in the foreground. Behind him are appreciative Benjie, Beth, and JA)

Boy: “Not goodnight yet Birthday boy, there’s something important I’d like to bring up.”Zeny: “But wait, Boy, you’re barking at the wrong tree. Mario is behind us!”

(Left to right: Mario behind, Sonny, Zeny, and Boy)

Boy: “One of the highlights of our first year in school was that trip to Cebu. It was a greatlearning and bonding experience for all 76’ers and I propose that we do it again at thistime in our lives. Let us not talk of the end times but rather enjoy the present moments”Sonny: “Cebu?, Oh yeah, I remember dancing to “Rock Baby Rock” on board William Lines-- and the visit to the brewery and the poultry after that.”

(Left to right: Jun, Candi, Edmund, Sonny, Boy, and Rene at the far right)

Boy: “Exactly, Sonny. But let me finish. Why don’t we all go back to Cebu and relive thosemoments instead of just talking about them. There’s no more William Lines but we can stillget a good resort/spa package and have more than fun in the sun.” Tony B: “I’m liking theidea.” Mon to Butch: “Be steadfast Butch, this is exactly what Vicki was referring to.”

(Left to right: Tony B, Val, Nelson, Jun, Candi, Sonny’s turned head, Boy, Edmund, Zeny , Mon, and Butch)

Boy: “Don’t worry guys, I can even put in some girlie shows, if you want.” Sonny: “Are weeven up to those at this time?” Val, Nelson, Jun, and Edmund: “Girlie shows? Mmmm…perhaps not.” Candi: “And why ever not?”

(Left to right: Val, Nelson, Jun, Sonny, Candi, Edmund, and Boy)

Boy: “If you are up to it, I Boy Tiukinhoy, can make it happen.” Edmund: “Easy, Boy”.Candi and Sonny: “Oh boy, he’s getting hot.” Zeny: “Excuse me, excuse me! That’s notright!” Mon: “I agree Zeny, I think I am going with Vicki on this.”

(Left to right: Sonny, Candi, Boy, Edmund, Zeny, and Mon)

Benjie: “This is fun.” Jun: “Well, a trip sounds like a good idea. But it’s getting chilly, canwe talk about the girlies later? JA: “No Jun, we should settle it NOW! Sam to himself:“Wonder where I should stand on this.”

(Left to right: Benjie, JA, Jun, Beth and Sam)

Boy: “To sweeten the pot, a hefty room discount is on the table provided we go beforethe Holy Week or after June 15. Two can share a room and that pares down the perperson charge.” Benjie: “You’re sure about that, two to a room?” Mon: “Wow!” Zeny:“Now you’re talking!” Edmund and Rene: “Not sure about sharing.” Butch: “Sorry guys,I’m still with Vicki on this.”

(Left to right: Boy, Edmund, Zeny, Mon, Butch, Rene, Gary, and Benjie)

Vicki: “Thank you Butch. I can really count on you. Everyone, there is also the standinginvitation to come visit me in Roxas City. The beach and gracious Arches hospitality awaityou. There may be no poultry but our seafood can put any and all Cebu chickens toshame.” Most in the group: “Oh-oh, this puts us in a bit of a fish-bird bind.”

(Left to right: Rene, Butch, Vicki, Gary, Benjie, Beth, and JA)

Tony B: “But we always have the option to do both.” Group: “Now, we really need tothink about that.”

(Left to right: Peter, Bobby, Tony B, Val, Nelson, Jun, Sonny, and Candi)

Tony B: “But I’m still thrilled by the thought of two to a room.” Peter: “Let me crunchsome numbers here.”

(Left to right: Tony B and Peter)

Tony B and Peter: “Yes, we will be the first enrolees to a room.”

(Left to right: Tony B and Peter again)

Tony Y: “And perhaps Alex can join me in one?” Boy: “That’s the spirit guys.” Sam: “I stilldon’t know about this.”

(Left to right: Alex, Tony Y, Boy, Sam)

Tony Y: “Well, that pairing with Alex didn’t work out, though, this one with Val might. Bythe way guys, you are always welcome to a Kapampangan food trip.”

(Left to right: Tony Y and Val)

Zeny: “Sorry, but I’d have to wait for Nini.” Sonny to an unseen someone:“You want to room with me?”

(Left to right: Zeny, Sonny, and the back of birthday boy Mario)

(Cell phones ringing and beeping) Peter: “Wives a-calling guys, can we wrap up? Boy willcome up with the details of a Cebu proposal so that we can have a better understandingof budgets and time. Not to forget Vicki’s invitation, of course, and Mon’s and Tony Y’sexpressed interest to also host our group.” Candi and Rene to Zeny: “We should notforget those who did not make it this evening, especially those abroad. Some mayactually come and join us in any of those trips.” Jun: “This is like an unresolved casestudy. Wish I had my highlighter now.” Tony B to himself: “Yes, I am in a good place.”

(Left to right: Tony B, Nelson, Peter, Gary, Mario’s back, Val, JA, Jun, Candi, Rene, Zeny)

And on that note, the evening closed. All that’s left are the full moon on thehorizon and the blinking lights in the valley below.....

Plus the dregs we all left behind. Thank you again Mario. It was a thoroughlyenjoyable evening and we missed all of you who could not come.

Happy New Year Everyone!

N.B. : This is a tale. Although the trip invitations are true, most of the snippets are made up. No malice intended and all in good fun. Dedicated to the spirit of MBM 1976.

Photo credits: Peter Binamira, JA Patag