Edmund and Rudy played for competing UAAP teams, Edmund for UST, Rudy for UE. They became good friends when they both played for the Crispa Redmanizers (MICAA) and lived in the old building owned by the family of Danny Floro, located along M.H. Del Pilar in Malate near Roxas Blvd., Manila. This building was called by the players as “quarters”. Edmund stayed there for a few years together with several players including Tito Varela, who also became his Kumpare. Edmund’s the ninong of Tito’s son.
Edmund is the ninong sa binyag of Sweet Anne Distrito, the eldest daughter of Jo and Rudy.
Their four children now live in LA while Jo has a nice job in SFO.
Edmund and I were so excited to see Jo. We haven’t seen her for over twenty years.
Jo reads Oh My Buhay regularly. That’s how she found out that we’re in the Bay Area. Dito rin pala sya.
I spoke to her on the phone. We agreed to meet in Olive Garden. I told her to text me the address, but I didn’t get any text. Or I just didn’t know how to use the Blackberry. But when we were on the phone, I verified with her if Olive Garden is inside the Serramonte Mall. She said yes.
Edmund and I drove for an hour to Serramonte Mall in Daly City.
We couldn’t find any Olive Garden there so we asked some kababayans who were at the mall. Wala daw dung Olive Garden. Serramonte is a favorite hang-out place of Filipinos.
There’s a Filipino restaurant in the fast food area. Baka kaya maraming Pilipino dito, na mi miss ang mga lutong Pinoy.
Manila Bay has pinakbet, dinuguan, guinataang sitaw at kalabasa, etc.
I phoned Jo, mali, nasa Stonestown Mall pala, about 10 minutes drive away.
We went out of Serramonte and drove back to the freeway, then to 19th Avenue. Finally, we found Olive Garden.
Jo was already there, we were 30 minutes late.
While waiting for us, Jo ordered this appetizer plate: $12.79 + tax
Sampler Italiano—toasted beef and pork ravioli stuffed mushrooms, calamari
Edmund’s drink– Strawberry Passion Fruit Limonata $3.79 + tax
Minestrone $6.49 + tax
Edmund and I each ordered Fettucine Alfredo
Jo hasn’t aged a bit. She still has that bubbly personality.
The last time we’ve seen her was at the blessing of their house in BF Homes, some 20+ years ago.
When we saw each other last Wednesday, it felt like no time was ever lost. Kulang ang oras sa pag kwento ng buhay. Recounting some of her depressing times, Jo exclaimed “Oh My Buhay!”
We all started laughing.
When the bill came, agawan sila ni Edmund pagkuha, pati yung next table eh mga napatingin sa amin. Siguro sabi, “oh eto na lang food namin ang bayaran nyo”.
Edmund won. We promised Jo that she would be the “taya” next time we see each other, maybe on our visit to the Bay Area next year.
