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" Houston, We Have A Problem "
While still in Houston, Texas where he has been staying for many years, Prof Nong Umali sent notice that he would be arriving on February 1 and was eager to meet classmates even on the next day Feb 2. I understood the reason behind that eagerness. Prof Nong missed the class gathering in March of last year as he had laryngitis. He begged off at the last minute. This time, he did not want such opportunity to slip away.
The schedule kept on changing as Francis Pacheco was encountering difficulty finding a date acceptable to the group. Francis was doing some sort of a balancing act, trying to acommodate the requests of almost everyone. From Feb 8, it was moved to Feb 7. Then it was changed to Feb 6. Still there were some hitches, prompting me to text: "Houston, we have a problem." Francis, this time, acted decisively by coming out with a final date: Feb 4.
Next was the selection of venue. As Capt. Ronnie Cunanan wanted a change, the task was given to him. And The Captain acted swiftly. Finally realizing that he had been traveling from South to North during class gatherings the past three years, he deemed it right to reverse the situation. Those from the North would have to travel to the South. Captain Ronnie picked Chef Laudico's Bistro Filipino at The Fort. Nice pick.
Monday, Feb 4 came and I was with Francis and Prof Greg Calixto on board my bantam traversing the Libis/ C-5 Road. Contrary to our expectations, there was no traffic. In 20 minutes we were at The Fort. We wanted to be there first but classmate Ed David beat us. Ed was comfortably seated in a wicker chair and had made reservations with the restaurant's staff. He beat us by 30 minutes.
At the agreed time of 6pm, one by one the remaining guests trickled in. Albert Castro, while having to drive twice around the block looking for Bistro Filipino, managed to park his BMW car at the parking lot across the place. Captain Ronnie arrived a few minutes later, followed by the principal guest, Prof Nong, who came from Fraser Place where he is staying. Movement for Hope's Ricky Xavier completed the cast for the night.
Bistro Filipino is a cozy place with ambiance good for conversation. For appetizers, we had the cone-shaped Ubod na Lumpia and Kinilaw. With food actually being served to each diner, we had Kaldereta, Roast Pork, Roast Chicken and Tilapia Coco. Food was good. Service was excellent.
In a class gathering, even though small, it is about the food. More than that, it is about the exchanges. It is about catching up, about seeing each other again. And below I have listed statements I heard that night. They are in no particular order.
" Na open mo ba yung mga pinadala ni Ed Damasco about Johnny Mangalindan? Yung mga pics?"
" Oh yes, I was able to open the slides. Naiyak ako. "
" Capt Ronnie's youngest son is now a pilot. Father & Son tandem of pilots. Record yon. "
"Do not re-elect senators who are corrupt. I know 2 Senators who are corrupt. Do not vote for them. "
"There are candidates who appear to have good credentials. But their chances of winning are not that high. Siguradong talo. Why waste my vote? I'll vote for the lesser evil."
"Bossing, pahingi nga ng ice cold water. San nga pala C.R.? "
" Ano sauce nitong appetizer? "
"Malakas pa daw si Mrs. Mendoza. Nangungurot pa rin. "
"Buhay pa ba si Mr. Novera? Bumalaka, bumalaka, bow wow wow !!!! "
"Öo nga pala, Mr. Paras is reminding everyone of our homecoming on Feb 23 at the school grounds."
" Don't be late, pls. Lagot kayo kay Mr. Navarro. Duck walk kayo."
" Si Jones Castro, si Justino Torrado, saan na sila? "
" CPA si Embuscado. Me hardware store sya. "
" Si Vic Fadrilan, san na kaya? Pamangkin ni Mr. Fallarme yon."
" Vic Fadrilan was with us last December. Alcobendas din. Di mo ba nakita mga pics nila?
" I am inviting all to drop by Club Filipino every Wednesday. 60's ang tinutugtog ng banda."
" Kelan uwi ni Romy I. ? "
" March uwi na dito si Romy from Virginia. Dadalin din nya mga aso nya. Inaayos na nya mga papers. "
"Sayang wala si Andy Jimenez. Madaming alam na kwento yon. "
"I had advance studies in Michigan. An actuary calculates insurance risks and premiums. Halimbawa, ini estimate ko ang chances mo na magkasakit at may mangyari sa iyo. Trabaho ko yan."
"Nag load ako kanina lang ng P300. Nauubos ng hindi ko ginagamit. "
"Eh nakabukas ang Internet sa Samsung mobile mo. "
" My father was appointed as Judge of the Court of Tax Appeals by President Ramon Magsaysay. One of three judges. CTA is equal in rank to the Court of Appeals."
"Joel Dela Cruz is in Dallas. Pero Dallas is miles and miles away from Houston. Doon din si Placino."
"Tuason and Villarroya are in Canada. Si Yao din. Magaling si Yao."
" Tony Olizon wala eh. Nagkaubusan kasi ng plywood. Si Vic Olizon is now in Sydney. Fadul brothers nasa California.
"Si Ted A sigurado wala sa Manila. Nasa South. Consultant siya. "
"Albert, tandaan ko pa yung pagkalawit mo sa bola pag rebound. "
"Sasabay si Nonong ke Ricky. Taga Makati na si Ricky."
"Feb 8 me flight na ako. Hindi na ako sasama doon. Kayo na lang. "
" Oh Greg, saan tayo dadaan? Sabihin mo kung saan mas malapit. "
" Sarap nung 3 appetizers. Sarap."
"Greg, anong 3? Dalawa lang yon. Lumpia Rolls at Kinilaw. Dalawa lang. Baka nakain mo pati yung air freshener nakapatong sa table? "
- Konted
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| At The Fort |
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| Guarded parking lot across the place |
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| Chef Laudico's Bistro Filipino is along 28th Avenue. |
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| Near the main door of Bistro Filipino |
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| Fine wooden tables at Bistro Filipino |
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| Kinilaw as appetizer |
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| Spring rolls |
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| Kaldereta |
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| Roast Pork |
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| Roast Chicken |
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| Tilapia Coco |
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| White rice |
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| Iced tea |
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| First get2gether for the year 2013. From left, clockwise, Albert Castro, Ricky Xavier, Prof Nong Umali, Ted Gener, Ed David, Prof Greg Calixto, Capt Ronnie Cunanan and Francis Pacheco. |
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| The two men taking up the cudgels during the preparation stage: Air Asia's Capt Ronnie C. and Francis P. |
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| Albert C was an outstanding ball player, Ricky X was a champion orator and Prof Nong was a math wizard. |
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| All smiles for Ed David. He is the President of Bonafide Energeia Technology (Singapore) Ltd. |
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| Albert Castro is a Board Director of Club Filipino. |
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| Prof Nong Umali is a brilliant conversationalist. He listens well to the speaker. Prof Nong is an Actuary based in Houston, Texas. |
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| Albert C., Prof Nong U. and Ted G. All three are basketball enthusiasts. |
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| One more shot |
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| Prof Nong stresses a point while Ed David listens. |
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| Prof Nong gestures as he expounds on the merits and demerits of the issue at hand. That's my prof !! |
