October 14, 2018 Sunday
Last July, Edmund hosted a dinner for his Sta. Maria Catholic School classmates in Summer House. Before going home to Manila we scouted for a better Chinese resto and found a newly opened one closer to Marriott Hotel called Spring Garden. But when he went back last Friday night to reserve a function room for 30 people, lo and behold, they would be closed on Sunday because they have a big catering event off site for 60 tables. In panic, my husband started calling some of his friends for an alternative. Some suggested hosting it at a big hotel called Grand Xing.
Since we were checked in at the Richmonde Hotel last Friday, we thought it would be a good alternative location. More convenient, quieter and food at the buffet looked good. Price was P1,000 per person. Their sales staff suggested that we could also hold the dinner in one of their function rooms on the same floor as Zabana bar by the swimming pool.
Edmund had breakfast with Aubrey, the sales officer assigned to his account to discuss the details of his party. Edmund finalized his reservation. I didn’t participate in the details and in the negotiation. It’s his party and he knows his classmates better. What set-up, what food they would most likely to enjoy, etc. So Richmonde it was. Aubrey was teasing my husband para daw pang wedding yung party.
Although we cut short our stay at the Richmonde Hotel due to their less than desirable internet speed, Marriot is just a short distance away and is on the same street. Nevertheless, a ride is necessary to go back and forth.
Edmund was busy preparing so he was not able to rest and take a short nap. I did, I went to sleep for a full one and a half hours. I didn’t want to be at the venue too early. It was my husband’s show. He was there by 5 pm and I followed suit at 6:15 pm. Perfect timing lang.
I dared to wear two inches heels anyway there wouldn’t be any walking. It’s a small venue and the walking required would be from the dinner table to the buffet.
My bag was bulky because I packed in a pair of flat sandals just in case my feet started hurting.
They were still waiting for 6 people to arrive. Meron konting speeches, group photos, then kainan. The venue was perfect for the night’s purpose. They were able to chat and also re-introduced themselves. Some haven’t seen each other for 40 years and it was the perfect occasion to rekindle their childhood friendships. Some of them haven’t come home for 10 years. My husband was relentless in contacting all of them to make sure they drop their lives abroad for a few days to be here in Iloilo to meet their classmates of 12 years, from kinder to high school.
Me, I stayed in the background, taking some photos, saying hello occasionally.
Sammy, William Tan, Dr. Chester Jardiolin
I have memorized all the names of everyone I had met in July. But the few ones who came this October for the first time, I haven’t.
Wood, _____, and the gracious host.
Pastor Zoe, Avelina, and Helen. Helen has 10 other siblings named from A to K.
Helen is the 8th child. I think she’s based in the USA.
___, Zoe, Avelina, Edmund, Helen, Uay, Jenny, Wood (partly hidden)
The food was not extensive but fairly decent.
The ladies thought I ate so little because my plate was empty compared to theirs. But what they didn’t know was that I went back to the buffet several more times and changed plate three times. Hindi lang halata ang katakawan ko. Ayaw ko yung naka tambak ang pagkain sa pinggan ko. Yung nagkakahalu-halo ang sauce. Ayaw ko nyan.
The host welcomes his classmates. Then he started his life story from the day he left for Manila, immediately after their high school graduation. He first applied at UST’s College of Fine Arts but later changed his mind and took up Commerce instead kasi daw mas madali makapasa sa Commerce. His priority was to be able to play basketball and the course was only secondary. My husband has a natural talent in fine arts. Magaling syang magdrawing pero hindi sya mahilig magdrawing. Big difference.
Every single one of them shared a bit of their life story. One guy said he is happily married and yet towards the end of his speech, he mentioned about his plan of traveling to the US to see his high school love. First love nya. Edmund yelled at the guy “you have a different definition of being happily married”.
Susan vented out decades of unhappiness.
Because of our Catholic teachings, many people believe that our life suffering is given to us by God. We like to say everything happens for a reason. Not all the time. It’s true that there are many things that happen in our lives that we have completely no control of. But there are many things also that we could participate in the decision making process and in charting our own courses. We like to say this is our fate. Maybe. But like what I’ve said, we can change or influence many things that can make our lives a little bit or a lot better. I know it’s not that easy.
Because of the religious teachings ingrained in our brains, many think that we should just bear the pains and forgive those who have wronged us. I personally think this is not so. I don’t think God wants us to suffer all our lives. We all encounter problems, sometimes small, sometimes incessant like a storm surge. But we have to take action if we can.
In the case of Susan, she is hurting so bad and has suffered tremendously. She has accepted her fate. Forgive na lang daw sabi daw nung pastor nya. Naku hindi pwede yan. I strongly disagree with that.
What is there to forgive? Forgive someone who doesn’t ask for forgiveness and do not repent? Who continues to ruthlessly trample down on a woman’s dignity? Someone who finds satisfaction in inflicting serious emotional, physical and psychological injury to the person he vowed to love and behold? That’s unforgivable.
The night lasted up to 11 pm because of the individual sharing about their respective careers, family, love life. Most of them are successful in their own endeavours. Some are extremely successful.
Sandra (Edmund’s point person in Iloilo doing the leg work), Milagros (their class valedictorian and is currently based in Michigan), Nonoy, ____, Dr. Chester (Iloilo’s top neuro-surgeon), Inocencia (the 9th child in a brood of 11, sister of Helen), Vic Angles (fine arts graduate from UST and after retiring from corporate practice, now teaches at DLSU), Susan (wanted to be a nun but ended up marrying an inventor), ___.
William Tan had a successful financial career in Texas. He closed his business and retired to just take it easy and enjoy life.
Even if it was a warm day, I decided to wear a camisole underneath. And not only that, I stuffed my bag with a shawl even if there was a remote chance I would be needing it. Ang lakas nung aircon sa hotel, ramdam na ramdam ko yung lamig sa likod ko. Baka mapulmonya na naman ako. But na lang I had a shawl.
It was a joy watching them interact with each other, laugh, joke around, and reminisce their childhood experiences together. No inhibitions, no pretensions. Para silang mga elementary pa rin. Nakakatuwa.
One of the things that struck me during their individual introductions and speeches was most of them gave credit to their Jesuit training for the spiritual and moral values that guided them thru life and which they have imparted with their children. They still carry with them the moral and spiritual grounds they acquired while studying at the Santa Maria Catholic School. I wish I could say the same about my education.
They were all genuinely happy to see each other after 4 decades. Credit was given to Edmund for successfully organizing their first ever class reunion.
