October 22, 2017 Sunday
The traditional BASC ‘s after-party brunch was held at Dina Membrebe”s house instead of at a nearby restaurant. Her house is a short 10 minutes drive from Holiday Inn Buenapark. It’s in an old neighborhood with giant pine trees.
This is me Annie C. Tan-Yee (For the benefit of my future descendants).
This black Mercedes Benz was parked in front of Aleth’s house.
I was trying to strike a nice pose beside its plate number but I ended up looking like I was urinating.
There’s a cat peeing on your Benz.
There was so much food. I was expecting to have a light meal but their definition of brunch is rice, pinalos na kanduli, okoy, chicken joy, caldereta, pork adobo, lumpiang sariwa, etc. The food was ready for anyone who would like to stay till dinner time.
As soon as we arrived, the gracious host led us to the pinalos na kanduli, a Tan family favorite and our whole town’s favorite.
Pinalos na kanduli
Marianito Ynares, Joy Membrebe, Len. Ka Tito Ynares is our neighbor in Poblacion. The pink mansion at the corner of Rizal Street and P. Gomez Street is where he grew up. Our house could fit in their garage. My ninang Dra. Nenita Ynares- Pedraza is his sister. He is the first cousin of Governor Ito Ynares. Joy is from Pila-pila and syempre, kamag-anak namin sya. She built a 4-story house in Pila-pila and I can’t wait to climb the steep stairs to marvel at the sweeping view of the barrio and the Laguna Lake.
Dra. Pons (seated) is a cousin of my sister in law, Ate Linda. They have a house in San Francisco and in Chicago. Their house in Binangonan couldn’t be seen from the street because there’s a long drive way and another building in front. If I am not mistaken, they owned an ice plant in Calumpang.
When Sarry, Olan and Riroy arrived, and so did a tumbler of hot and crispy chicken joy. I got a drumstick. Sarap! Actually I was already full but I couldn’t resist the chicken joy.
Riroy was ready for battle. Meron pa syang arroz caldo, chicken joy, corned beef sandwich, sinigang na salmon, halo-halo, caldereta, rice, etc. My sister asked him if he would finish all those food. Oo daw. Naubos nga nya.
Someone brought crispy ukoy, kain na naman. I got half. It’s not an original recipe. Iba yung ukoy sa amin, merong togue, hipon, iba ang lasa.
Someone told my sister that her ninang sa binyag, Dra. Paelmo is in the formal dining area. Huli, where is my pamasko? Aileen offered her a compromise of $5 per year. No check came, only a smile.
Len, Dra. Paelmo, and Ate Mariet Paran.
Mariet’s mother is one of the prettiest cousins of my mom. Their imposing house was the first one would see upon entering the barrio. It was a beautiful and big Spanish style house, unfortunately it was destroyed by fire. I think Mariet is a retired nurse. She worked and lived in New York / New Jersey. I have yet to see the big house and resort she built in Binangonan several years ago after she retired.
Aleth, Sarry, Edith Buenaobra. The girl standing behind Aleth flew in from London just to attend the town fiesta. How nice of her.
Aleth’s patron is in the center of her formal living room. Parang hawig yung face ni Aleth dun sa face nitong santo.
We left at 2:15 pm. Those living in LA and Orange county stayed behind for their fun Bingo games.
Chona Aralar Paralejas, Len, Nestor Maycacayan, Olan Celestial and his apo (daughter of his son Ron).
Chona is my close relative from both sides— Aralar and Paralejas.
Time to leave.
x x x Olan Celestial and his apo (son of his son Ron) x x x
I wonder why that Olan Celestial is dressing his apo like a girl.