Here's a brief "blow-by-blow" account of Saturday's happening:
Joshua was first to arrive with his bags of large "tambok" female crabs and fresh "pinamunitan nga tuloy". He was greeted by the delicious aroma of Tim's Decos Lapaz batchoy. I arrived about an hour later and had several servings of batchoy. Day Jane was preparing her specialty "binakol nga manok". Eileen and hubby Panoy got in next and immediately started working on the crabs' "aligi". At the same time, grilling of "tuloy" and pork barbecue on stick commenced to the tune of refreshing and hydrating beer. Eileen helped herself to the batchoy. Eva Lynn and John (our jet setters - flying in and out of Burbank Bob Hope Airport on same day) got in, kag maghigop sang maiinit nga kaldo sang batchoy.
Lunch was served with binakol, pansit, valenciana, lumpia, chopsuey, steamed crabs, sinugba nga tuloy, skewered pork barbecue, topped with several sweet concoctions and Santa Ynez strawberry (from Michael Jackson Neverland plantation). It lasted for quite sometime as everybody had a bite of each dish. Making chit chat all the time helped in digesting the sumptous food. And, of course, several cups of coffee kept us eating.
Wendeline came in after lunch as she had to make sure a "million" is collected from her business. Jokingly, we told her, pwede naman $999,990.00 ang kaita-on niya para makaabot siya temprano pa. Then, on to the fun part of reminiscing the carefree HS days kag mga katontohan/mischiefs. Telephone calls from classmates kept the fun at high level. All wish they were there to share the kata kata and Ilonggo delicacies.
Eva Lynn and John had to leave early to catch their 4 PM flight to Bay Area kay may "Entertainment Tonight" nga show pa kadto-an si Val. Everybody were sent home after the "maiinit nga sabaw sang binakol" about 7 PM and plenty of "baon".
There were suggestions next mini reunion be held in Bay Area. Say mo Rutsie? Dira naman sa inyo ni Val. Hambal ni Val wala naman problema ang accomodation kay kadako sang Holiday Inn. Everyone is looking forward to it.
Kudos to Prez Tim for being a very gracious and accomodating host (sa bagay, the 1st US reunion was held there in 1994 or, was it 1993? - Irms, maybe am "losing it", dugay pa man ta maging 70 ah). Lots of thanks also to Starlene, Tim's wife, for putting up with us and doing the bulk of food preparation and cleaning up after we left.
Classmates, till the next "kinit-anay"........