AFTER A LONG LONG TIME

Yes, more than 5 years since the last blog post. The class egroup and Facebook have kept us abreast of each other's activities that the blog must have become redundant, hence the "hibernate" status.

But today, Nico Bacani posted a comment on the blog post about his mother on her birthday. This made me check out this blog and read back entries.

It was worth it to read about us. And we'll definitely have enough material for that coffee table book on time for our Golden Jubilee in 2020. Watch out for it.

HELLO!!!!!

I wonder how many of you regularly visit this blog and will notice that at last, after months of being inactive, I'm here again.

So many things have happened since my last post. The last one was on Lelette Monasterio-Cabrera's Silver Wedding Anniversary last January. Since then, so many things have happened - Rea Galang was here and has left. Ofie Angeles-Marino took a month long trip to the US and met up with classmates. Belinda Basa-Nishball has moved to India and keeps her own blog entitled COME TELL ME IN DELHI. Lelette has retired from work and is poised on setting up her own business, and what do you know, Louie has been here more than a week and we had a small reunion to welcome her at Ampy's condo in Mandaluyong.

For this post, I'll end here. There's still lots to tell, and you'll certainly here about it soon.

Butch and Lelette's Silver Wedding Anniversary

by: Dada Javier

On December 5, my classmate, Lelette Monasterio & Butch celebrated their 25th Anniversary at the Rockwell Tent. It's a permanent tent but with real classy interiors. The ceilings were draped with white material that you feel like you're in one of those Arabian tents. The tent was air-conditioned, of course.

Lelette wore a beautiful silver spaghetti strapped long gown while Butch was in his dark suit. There were about 300 guests who attended. We were told it would be formal attire so luckily I had brought a long black skirt & had a cranberry colored lace top (from the Old Navy lang iyon, but it worked out OK naman). I just put my multi-colored pearl choker necklace & voila! Our classmates & some husbands had 2 tables. In lieu of gifts, guests were told to just make donations to their church. What a great gift idea for the church instead!

The ceremony started with Mass in the tent. The UP Singing Ambassadors sang several songs during Mass. The singers wore formal black and white native attire. It was more in the baro't saya for the ladies while the men wore the traditional Barong Tagalog. After Mass, a catered buffet style dinner followed. While we were having dinner, the UP singers serenaded us with beautiful Tagalog songs.

After dinner, it was time to dance with a live band that was flown in all the way from Cebu. The band's name was One in Him and the band members all wore white. They look so pure & actually play a lot of religious music in Cebu but at the Rockwell Tent they were a jazzy band. They played a lot of Brazilian & Bossa Nova music & lots of contemporary music, too.

Lelette & Butch also hired about a dozen DI's to dance with the ladies. Heto na naman ako dancing with 5 different young men in their twenties. Masaya na naman ako!!! The first one who danced with me was the DI that I hired for my birthday party. We just danced the night away!

My good friends, Primie & Leo Tan were there, too. Primie is the cousin of Lelette. Primie introduced me to her other cousin, a Kulasa awardee, too, who happens to be the wife of Senator Drillon. He was there, too.

We left at midnight but I heard the party went on until 2:30 am! Way to go!!!!

Seated from left: Les Osmena-Aguado, Guia del Rosario-Casas, Dess Allanigue-Madsen, Offie Angeles-Marino
Standing from left: Raffy Aguado, Ampy Lim, Vinchu Mantaring-Lapid, Dan Lapid, Butch Cabrera, Lelette Monasterio-Cabrera, Gigi Prats, Liz Monponbanua-Gomez, Dada Javier-Tan, Emi Villanueva-Padla, Temi Padla, and Lucas (Dess' son) Madsen

Evangeline's Story

"I remember an incident taking place about five years ago. I was on my way home along Dominga Street and I happened to see the sign AGAPE which was Eva's (Evangeline Mainit-Agustin) Church. I was wondering how she was doing cause the last time I saw her was at her wedding. About four hours after I got home, the phone rang and it was HER.! Got the surprise of my life and after a short chat with her, she said a very deeply moving prayer for me. . . . . . . . . When I hear Eva pray, I can feel God's presence" Louella Pena-Rosete

We do serve a loving, faithful & amazing God! It is only fitting & proper to give Him all glory, honor & thanksgiving.

After a long standing back pain radiating to my left leg that progressed to intolerable levels that I could barely walk, stand, seat even sleep w/out excruciating pain (even w/ strong analgesics), I had an MRI taken and was diagnosed with spinal disc extrusion at L5-S1. The Lord had involved me in a traveling ministry (nationally & internationally to Asia and Israel) that it was vital that I be restored functionally ASAP. After much prayers of the saints, though various counsels were given, my husband Rolly and I had peace and finally opted for surgical intervention.

On Sunday, Oct 22 I was admitted to METROPOLITAN MEDICAL CENTER under the care of five EXCELLENT doctors. Dr. Tiong Sam Lim (surgeon), Dr. Welson Yap (anesthesiologist), Dr. Willy Que (cardiologist), Dr. Tommy Ty Willing and Dr. Susan Gan (endocrinologists). My operation had been postponed a day, till my sugar levels were stabilized. Prayer requests were sent through text through KOL ADONAI FOUNDATION (Marisa Albert in Jerusalem & Gigi Sarmenta), my ever-faithful and loving assistant, Amy Usaraga; MORRIS CERULLO GVA-MTAW (Det Sayson); JESUS HEART of the MISSION TEAM (Dr. Ruthie Marasigan); GRAIN, WINE & OIL (Ptr. Francis & Ching Nicholas); WORD for the WORLD, Makati (Sonny Alarcon & Ptr. Louie Baretto); AGAPE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Ptr. Sol Munoz) and many more dear, dear relatives, friends & brethren, space limits to mention now.

A day before my OR, I told my husband of a lingering light pressure at a specific site on my back that now I know was the finger of God at the surgical site. It remained there no matter what position I took. Unlike previous nights, I had good sleep in the hospital despite the many necessary interruptions by nurses and attendants.

Tuesday, Oct. 24: At 7:45am with so much peace, from my room at 531, I was brought to an adjacent new building OPERATING ROOM at the 13th floor. I could sense angels ushering me all the way. As I entered the OR, I could also sense the Holy Spirit hovering upon the entire place. There was so much SHALOM! After observing the new OR and small chats and greetings with the anesthesiologist & my surgeon, I closed my eyes & immediately I had an awesome vision of the throne room of God the Father. It was so AWESOME, majestic, filled with splendor & so very richly colorful.

There at His right hand was seated, Yeshua Hamashiach (JESUS)! After a short moment, I was awake & there I saw two precious faces peering down at me, my husband Rolly & my youngest daughter Kathy at the recovery room. Again I was completely conscious, peaceful even joyful! Wheeled back to my room, my daughter Christine in Canada called and how good to be greeted and to hear her voice I missed so much! My husband commented that I had a good anesthesiologist cause I was fully awake, so unusual for similar cases he handled (he is also an ortho-surgeon as well). He also noted how short my OR was, barely an hour (often it would take 3-4hrs as a major surgical operation). That day I could easily turn from side to side. My visitors commented that it seemed I was not operated on at all.

Wednesday, Oct. 25: 1st Post-Op day On this day I stood up and walked to my wheel chair. Then we realized I still had no orders to ambulate yet! If it were not for the dizziness I felt which was a side-effect of the Tramadol (pain-killers) I took before the OR, I knew I could walk around already. After the OR, I refused the pain-killers given cause there was really no pain.

Thursday, Oct. 26: 2nd Post-Op day Now I was itching to go home. Dr. Sam said it seemed I could but he wanted my sugar well controlled first. So instead, I went around the 5th floor on a wheelchair. In the evening, they took off my IV fluids.

Friday, Oct 27: 3rd Post-Op day This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice & be glad in it! Walking all the way, I visited another patient pastor we prayed for at 6th floor. He has terminal cancer of the colon, (Pastor Thomas Chua, please pray for him). But we believe and declare, He will be healed in JESUS name! Again going down the hospital walking & after taking lunch at the Chinese Restaurant that served good food at ground floor, we all went home!

Saturday, Oct 28: 4th Post-Op day Today here I am on my computer writing to all of you precious people of God sharing the wonderful things God has done in my life this week, which He continues to do daily. He does it for me so I'm sure He'll do it for you! Ask & it shall be given unto you; Seek & you shall find; Knock & it shall be opened! In a few hours, my household will be going to Baguio to stay for the semestral break. There we will continue to give thanks to God! SHABBAT SHALOM.

In all these, God tells me to note and tell all of you, the tremendous POWER of the PRAYERS of the SAINTS! Never doubt it and you can bank on it! Also that God can heal directly or through people like doctors and still give you a MIRACLE and a TESTIMONY! Revelations 12:11 "And they overcame him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."

Again thank you, thank you for all your prayers & acts of kindness but most of all, all glory, honor & thanksgiving to our Almighty & Living God, Abba Father in Jesus name. There is none like Him!!! Shalom to all. Keep blessed by Yeshua to be a blessing to many.

In Christ's AGAPE,

Eva M Agustin

Myrna's Creative Center

I AM YLANG YLANG
Welcome to my creative Center

DICKIE
Dick Doing His Favorite Thing

SILVER SPUR RANCH
Vignettes Around the Ranch

BORACAY
Boracay Without the Grotto

YLANG YLANG STUDY

Ten Things Overseas Filipinos Can Do To Help Their Country

A very good friend of mine, Alex Lacson, author of Twelve Little Things Every Filipino Can do To Help Our Country, has come out with another set of suggestions, this time addressed to the overseas Pinoy. No doubt most of our overseas classmates do these things already, nevertheless, it's nice to be affirmed. And who knows, you might pick up new ideas.

1. Spend your vacation, your dollars and other foreign currencies, in our Philippines.
It is understandable for our OFW’s, balikbayans and Pinoy expats to vacation in other countries. The world is truly beautiful and majestic. But please spend some of your vacation time and some of your dollars in our Philippines. Every dollar that you bring into our country will help build our Philippines. It will help our tourism industry. It will mean more sales and more jobs for our local industries. It will mean an increase in our country’s international dollar reserves. It will help stabilize the peso. And ultimately, it will help stabilize our economy.

2. Encourage and teach your relatives back home to be good citizens & good Filipinos.
Whether or not you are sending money to your relatives in the Philippines, you are one of their heroes. They look up to you as a role model. They listen to every word you say. Please teach them to become good Filipinos, to become good citizens. They can start with my book, 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country. Please ask them to help me spread the message of the book. In particular, please ask them to “Buy local. Buy Pilipino.” A recent article in TIME Magazine said that the most crucial factor for economic progress is not foreign investments, but economic nationalism – i.e., when people learn to support their own country’s products.

3. All OFW’s, Balikbayans and Pinoy Expats should do more during elections in RP.
In the next and all future elections, OFW’s, Balikbayans and Pinoy expats should do more by helping your relatives back home in choosing the right leaders – the national ones especially – for our country. Your relatives at home will listen to you. This means that as OFWs and expats, you need to surf the Internet and read the news so you’ll know which candidates should be elected to offices. There are organizations and websites which can help you decide.

If it is true that there are at least 8 million OFW’s all over the world now, and if it is also true that every Filipino has at least 4 relatives, then the 8 million OFW’s have at least 32 million relatives back home in the Philippines. This means that the OFW’s and their families alone can determine the political leadership in the Philippines, our government, and eventually our nation as a whole.

4. Buy Pilipino, wherever you are in the world.
If you look at the Japanese and the (South) Koreans, wherever they are in the world, they buy and patrionize their own products. They are like that too in the Philippines. That’s why there are so many Korean stores sprouting all over the country now. The Chinese, Thais and Malaysians are almost like them too, but in a less passionate manner.

We Filipinos have a preference for imported products – the so-called “colonial mentality” - believing that Spanish and American products, ideas and ways were better and superior and that ours were inferior. But that’s history. Our Philippines is different now. There are many good Filipino companies with equally good Filipino products or brands. Look at Bayo, Kamiseta, Bench, Penshoppe, Jollibee, among others. In fact, some of the best branded products you see in New York, London and Italy are made in our Philippines.

Please be an ambassador of the Filipino, by wearing Pilipino. Show to your foreign spouses and officemates and to the world, the elegance of our culture and beauty of our people. All these things begin with each one of us.

5. Adopt a poor child as a scholar back home.
According to government sources, around 40% of our people are poor. But according to our bishops from CBCP, the figure is much higher than that, possibly at 53%. Since we have a population of almost 86 million now, imagine how many of that is 53%. Most of the poor are children, a great many of whom are out there in the streets, because their parents cannot afford to send them to school.

My proposal is this – let’s adopt scholars among our poor street children.

World Vision is an international foundation which offers scholarship for poor children. It has been operating in the Philippines for years. It looks for 2 groups of persons – the first are those poor children who really want to study hard, and the second are those who have extra funds and are willing to sponsor 1 scholar for only P450 per month. Yes, for only P450 a month, you can sponsor 1 scholar under World Vision. World Vision can give you the name, age, address and personal profile of your scholar so you can even mentor, visit, talk, or write to your scholar.

If there are 5 million Filipinos and OFW’s today who are all wiling to sponsor 1 child each under World Vision, that would mean 5 million poor children can be adopted as scholars. These scholars will have a better future and will someday become our partners in building our nation.

This could be one of the fastest paths to progress and social transformation in our country. And this is a very Christian way. Even Jesus Christ, who was born very poor in a manger, had to be adopted by Joseph.

6. Support a charitable organization.
There are many good charitable organizations that truly help build our Philippines to become a better place for all of us. Gawad Kalinga, Pondo ng Pinoy, Caritas Manila and World Vision, among others. These groups are beyond the dirt and mirth of politics.

Like most of us, you too are busy. Often, you will have not the time to help others. Charitable organizations are there to allow us to help others while we are busy. Every little help that you send will help one poor Filipino, often one poor child, in our country.

7. Teach your children about the Philippines, and to love it and its people.
Teach your children and your foreign spouses, wherever you are in the world, about our Philippines – the home of the Filipino people, and the birthplace of our race.

Let your children and your foreign spouses hear it from you – that you appreciate and love our Philippines. Because if they hear and see it from you, their beloved, they too will appreciate and love our Philippines. Or they will find a way, sooner or later, to appreciate and love it, because of you. I see that all the time, everywhere, in practically all the fathers and mothers in this world. Their sons and daughters often carry and continue their parents’ loves, causes and advocacies.

If you make your children see and hear that you love our Philippines, believe me, someday your children will grow up with love and admiration for the Philippines in their hearts and minds.

8. Speak positively about our Philippines and our people.
Sure, there are things that will disappoint and dishearten you in the Philippines, especially if you look at our government and the politicians who run it and those businessmen whose companies earn so much but who pay very little to their employees.

But there are also many good things in our Philippines. We are a race capable of greatness and excellence, and you see this in the likes of Lea Salonga, Dr Josette Biyo, Diosdado Banatao, Efren Reyes, Ninoy Aquino, Jose Rizal, among many others. We are essentially a breed of honest people, and you see this in the likes of Nestor Sulpico, the Filipino driver in New York who, on 17 July 2004, drove 43 miles from New York to Connecticut, USA to return the US$80,000 worth of rare black pearls to his passenger who forgot it at the rear back seat of his taxi. We are a people of truly good hospitality even to strangers. We are a very caring and forgiving people. There is so much humanity and Christianity in us as a people. I really believe that, someday, we can be one of the most beautiful peoples on earth.

Let us focus on our beauty and strengths, and build from there. You and all the Pinoy expats and OFW’s should be, and could be, the best ambassadors for our home country and people. Rafael Salas, the founder of the United Nations’ Population Fund, said that every Filipino is an ambassador of our country.

9. If you are remitting funds to your relatives in the Philippines, teach them to save 15% or 20% of the funds.
If you are remitting funds to your relatives in the Philippines, please teach them to save at least 15% or 20% of the funds. Please teach your relatives the importance of savings. These savings seem small at the start, but even only after 2 years of savings, they will see the growth of their savings and how fast these are growing.

Also teach them to take their savings away from reach and put them in high-yielding investments like mutual funds or treasury bonds. There are many good financial advisers in this area. Teach your relatives to consult one on a regular basis. The book Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki is good start. The book Pera Mo, Palaguin Mo by Filipino author Francisco Colayco is also very good.

These savings, if handled and invested wisely, could mean the financial independence of your relatives from you in the future, or even from themselves.

Teach your relatives to live simply and not to spend so much on unnecessary consumer items. There is so much beauty in simplicity. There is so much elegance in modesty.

10. Invest in the Philippines.
Finally, if you have extra funds and are looking for ways to invest them, please invest in our Philippines. There are good investment advisers who can help. The Philippines is a growing market – an emerging market, in the language of international banks and financial institutions. If you have investment ideas that can cater to the basic needs and desires of these 86 million Filipinos, you will make it big in our Philippines.

But more than that, every cent or dime that you invest in the Philippines will help our people and our country. And when you do it, you become our partner in building our nation. You become a good Filipino. You become a hero of our country.

Liliput's Son, James

I'm back. I've a list of things to post on this blog and will, as promised update you all in time, meanwhile, let me start with Liliput's goodlooking son. Read on . . .

JAMES AMOROS

Finally get to show y'all a picture of my son James (he's the one in the blue shirt ;-)). That painting in the background is something he did that was selected for the end-of-term foundation painting show. He finalleeeee got out of community college and is currently sending himself to the School of Visual Arts for a degree in some yet unchosen field of design. The show's opening coincided with his birthday so his friends gave him a power toolset, that thing he's holding. His current passion is picking up metal(s) from the streets and making stuff. G save me, there is a motorcycle (what's left of it) in my backyard. He works part-time with a metal fabricator who happens to have a Masters in Fine Arts.... Liliput David

Our children, though often a source of our pain, are also our greatest source of blessing, aren't they?

Three In Tubac

February 17 - 20, 2006

I have been wondering how I can share with you what the Tubac weekend was all about, because I wasn't there. But I saw Tet's pictures (click here to see them too) and saw Dory's video, and thank the Lord for the friendship and support that our classmates have for each other in time of need.

Myrna, Tet and Dory in Tubac, Arizona

How Chemo Helps Set the Latest Hairstyle Trend

"This is Ol Baldy! Taken Feb 14, 2006. This may be viewed as a big loss by some, but I actually have cut back 30 mins of grooming time in my routine. I just found out that insurance will cover my wigs up to $500. Yahoo, I'm going for 3 pieces with varying lengths. Big savings on shampoo and conditioner too. Down side is its chilly at night and drafty without any head covering. I wear a

knitted cap around the house. My dog still loves me."

Myrna Alinsod-York

February 2006 Reunion of the L.A. Girls

February 10th is the Feast of St. Scholastica. And as Manila was preparing for the Annual Alumnae Homecoming, the L.A. Girls have a reunion, doing it their way. No one had brought a digital camera , but reading Louie's account is enough to make us all wish we were in L.A. for the occasion.

FUN, FUN, FUN, THE L.A. WAY

by Louie Abad Santos Davis

Dancing the Night Away in Sariling Atin

friday night, we all met at "grand inihaw". in attendance were maripol, carmel, kathy, louella, sylvia, wilma, marilyn, and suki. kathy picked up louella, then, carmel picked up both of them from kathy's house.

maripol was driven by her husband, who, the whole time watched movies in the car while waiting for her to get done, imagine!!! the karaoke at this place was really deafening, plus it was taking soooo long for the food to come, so we moved to another venue called "sariling atin" where we stayed for the rest of the night. this is an all-you-can-eat buffet place ($9 cover charge), that also happens to have its own karaoke and dance floor. the place was not really
crowded, i would say about a dozen people were scattered about including 3 dancing couples who, we found out later, usually frequents dance clubs on the weekends.

at one point, the male partners probably felt sorry for us that they actually asked us to dance with them, teaching us the right steps and tempo. carmela guiltily declared that we should probably pay/tip these men, akala niya D.I.

it was such an enjoyable night, para kaming nakawala sa hawla. the dancing and singing were spearheaded by maripol, (imagine a combined persona of madonna and cindy lauper) who practically was in the dance floor ALL THE TIME, except for the tango numbers. we did not have a care in the world whether we were dancing out of step or singing out of tune, basta, hindi na kami nahiyang magwala sa dance floor. the music numbers were just so hard to pass up, maski nga si louella, who the whole time we were dancing complained that she does not know how to dance, couldn't resist to not join us wild animals in the dance floor. we must have done about 5 line dances - syempre, hindi kami yong leader. it was fun, fun, fun.

after a while, mairpol's husband came inside the restaurant to use the restroom , then their son phoned to tell them that he was home (visiting from college). so, they had to go home. we did some more singing, with wilma belting out a finale of "crazy". then, we headed out the door, to the disappointment of the remaining patrons (we were the entertainment).

What do We Do Next

outside the restaurant, we mulled over the list of places we could go to ---- back to the hotel, what will we do there?.....the hop dance club, the music will be blasting and the crowd overwhelming, plus uuwi na si marilyn if we go there bec she does not dance. then, a brainstorm....why don't we just go back to the restaurant (which closes at 2am). pero, nakakahiya daw, after executing a grand exit. then, we saw the other patrons trickling out.
they must have been wondering what we were still doing outside, but bade goodbye nevertheless. then, finally, the dancing pairs were leaving too. they partially scolded us for being so tentative and told us that we should just go back inside if we wanted to. implication: ang tanda na ninyo, wala ba kayong self-confidence? they even offered to go back inside with us. well, the DJ must have gotten so excited at the prospect of leaving early that night that he immediately disconnected the wires from the sound system. the owner also told us to come back again and stay later next time.

Neighbors Complain

so we went back to the hotel, winded down, and left for our homes. four people spent the night there - carmel, louella, sylvia, and kathy. the next morning, wilma and marilyn rejoined the girls around 7:30am. ang ingay ingay nila that the adjoining room neighbor banged against the wall for quiet, plus reported the raucus to the front desk. the call was answered by kathy, buti na lang hindi si atty. carmela, who wanted to register her complaint and inform them of her hotel bill of rights.

Invitation to a Gala. Wow!

before going to chow king for breakfast, the girls went back to last night's restaurant bec carmel forgot her sweater. sylvia and carmel went inside to inquire. it took them 30 minutes to get out of there. yon pala, nakipag-kilala na sa owner. the owner was explaining the renovation of the place and issued a personal invitation to its grand opening - a sit-down gala. syempre, sabi ni sylvia, huwag daw nilang gawin sa march 23 because she'll be going home to the philippines---- as if, she really mattered in the decision process. so the plan is, we will attend the opening, plus we will invite the ssc '69ers, who are also without shame and care in the world when it comes to dancing and singing.

Breakfast Together

at chow king, the girls feasted on many filipino breakfast treats, complete with taho and pancit. sylvia and louella proceeded to go to the casino to donate their earnings to the
Indian reservation owners (i hope they won some), while the rest of the
girls proceeded to shop at the mall where i later met up with them. after about 3
hours, we split up to go home. carmel was supposed to be home sometime in
the morning, but i think she finally reached home by 6 or 7, depending on
the traffic.

Activities in the planning:

- march 3 weekend in las vegas to include massage, manicure-pedicure, hair
treatment ( sure to go are wilma, sylvia, and louella as they have
already purchased their tickets; carmel and kathy might go if betty is able)

- dancing and singing reprise at "sariling atin" grand opening (they will
also change the name of the restaurant to english - something like "our
very own") are we being corny or baduy, we don't care!!

- summer get-together ( another cruise?? or as myrna suggested, perhaps,
meeting in las vegas where sylvia and wilma have free rooms -- tet, along
with her portable hair salon, already said she's in, hindi na niya
pinag-isipan)

Interesting trivia:

- maripol wears a size zero, or size 2, at her heaviest

- louella cannot go anywhere sans her luggage-full of make up and hair
accessories, plus, her attire has to be all color coordinated, down to the
shoes, purse, and hair coloring

- all sylvia needs is a place to sit and she can transport herself to lala
land

- wilma has in-born zoom lens for targeting clothes that are on sale

- marilyn has a remarkable memory plus is a human calculator, pero hindi
marunong mag mahjong

- suki never leaves home without a supermarket bag of chichi-ri-a (assorted
snacks)

- carmel is changing her conservative-with-sleeves wardrobe inspired by
wilma's audacious, flesh-baring fashion style

- did you know that kathy is endowed with ballroom dancing grace so much so
that when it came to line dancing disco, her feet could not keep up

this is all folks and we hope to hear about your alumni celebration as well.

wishing you the best of health and rest assured that we are keeping you
and your families in our prayers.

love, louie

Beautiphil Health Holidays Corporation

January 11, 2006

Let me tell you where Emi Villanueva Padla, Liz Monponbanua Gomez, Dess Allanigue Madsen, Temi Padla (Emi's husband), and I (Vinchu Mantaring Lapid) were yesterday, January 10th. Yes, Beautiphil was at the media launch of the Philippine Medical Tourism Program at the Manila Diamond Hotel on Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

First, let me tell you a little about what Beautiphil is. About a year ago, Emi Villanueva-Padla and her husband Temi, Dess Allanigue-Madsen, Liz Monponbanua-Gomez and myself (Vinchu Mantaring-Lapid) incorporated a company that would promote Medical Tourism in the Philippines. Our name, BEAUTIPHIL HEALTH HOLIDAYS CORPORATION. Our objectives were multi-pronged. We were worried about the exodus of Filipino medical practioners to other countries (doctors, nurses, caregivers, even x-ray technicians were leaving the country to seek greener pastures elsewhere), we wanted to do something together for the country, and we wanted to earn money for ourselves.

We didn't realize the so many details we had to deal with to set up our operations. We had to establish relationships with hospitals, clinics and doctors, seek recognition by the Department of Tourism, foster alliances with tourist and travel agencies, acquire more than just a working knowledge about the different medical procedures that we would be marketing. Then there are caregiver agencies, spas, medical laboratories, car hire services, interpreters to network with. And very important was the development of the website that would have to be updated each time we started working with a new "partner".

We allied ourselves with RxPinoy - doing the same thing, in fact a competitor of sorts, who had already done these past several years the legwork that we're trying to do. RxPinoy was invited to participate in the media launch of the government's Medical Tourism Program. In turn, RxPinoy invited us to share his booth with them in exchange for providing manpower.

In the span of one week, we were able to have brochures printed, tarpaulin posters made, and even shopped for little souvenirs as give-aways (little mirror and comb sets that Emi bought in Divisoria for P4.00 each on which we put little Beautiphil stickers).

The event itself was a huge success considering the media coverage it got. However, it got quite a mileage for Beautiphil too - we met representatives from all the major hospitals, clinics, and even spas. Now all we have to do is market our services. Don't be surprised if you see any of us in your part of the world making a sales pitch.

The Lapid Family

I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite pictures from my daughter Ina's wedding last year to Mike Juan. My, how fast time goes. Her baby girl is due next month and I can hardly wait for the first apo. Thelma Aranzaso Soriano has been telling me what a joy it is to have a grandchild. And Carivic's participation in class activities really diminished when she started "lola" duties. I wonder if that will happen to me too.


This is my family. From left to right: Norman, Ia, me, Ina, Mike, Dan, Carlo and Ayo. Norman and Carlo are twins. Both work at the University of the Philippines while taking their Master's degrees. Ia (short for Maria Angela) and Ayo (short for Antonio) are still both in High School.

Myrna's Story - THE BOOBOO IN MY BOOB

(Last December 3rd, 2005, Myrna Alinsod York, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, underwent a radical mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, all in one blow. The picture on the right was taken in Boracay, one of the homecoming activities we had in February last year. She's holding a watercolor she did of the beach. That's Emi with her. Below is Myrna's story. )

The Booboo in My Boob
by Myrna York

September twenty eight, two years too late
On a day the air was crisp the grass dewy white
I made a quick dash to see Dr. Green, a mindless routine
At fifty two though it seemed like I was only thirty two
“You have a lump” I was told, “Go to the center at Sally Jobe”

The soonest mammo test was seven days hence
Best to return when the radiologist can interpret
I drove home oblivious to the fiery sunset
My eyes welled up while I yelled, “Fuck, this can’t be, I’m so healthy”
Only women with breasts are subject to this catastrophe

For hours I asked what if
For most nights I wondered how bad
Each thought was daimon disguised
I blew it off for God was on my side

No time for myths as I blindly believed
Courage was strength’s sister
I will put up a fight against cancer

More mammograms and MRI’s and ultrasound biopsys
The days were filled with anxieties
Chiaroscuro hovered like a dead skunk in a rose bush
Every way I turned I lumbered back and forth
On a ship in search for the rock of sensibility

I rode along with a huge cargo
Next thing you know I was scheduled with a team of medico
Can I just wait for someone else to get this straight
Its too much weight for a five foot flat chest woman to be in limbo

As a dreamer I spent most days finding ways
To humor life’s challenging situation
I’ve surrendered my fears to the One who hears
And patiently listened to people’s tears
For they bear stories of their sisters and mothers
Oh please, why not laugh at my own tribulation

With a keen eye I watched the caretakers
Like a spy I peered into their lives
Their smiles were loaded with grace
This ain’t so bad I felt their embrace

I joined the e-mail group after much invitation
Wow, you really want me to join the jubilation
Little did I know that it would be my mental salvation
For it became an outlet for my sick boobie imagination

I pushed out the worries by laughing at my boobies
Mastectomy sounds massive for the little hills and valleys
Imagining wearing a brassiere can now be fulfilling
Why grieve when there’s much more to altering

On December third two thousand five, I survived
Six and a half hours unrevived
Bid good-bye to my sweet mammillas
In its place seemed like protruding godzillas
No regrets doing all at once, no loss to fret so easy to forget

No pain? This is insane! My fears were all in vain
Laud to medical science there were tubes placed in all sorts of contraptions
Arranged like I-25 and several highway junctions
All these to make you rest but there’s only one way to lay I detest!

I came home after a few hours in a ward
Best to be in my own room with familiar germs to guard
There were food and flowers delivered, lots of phone calls answered
Oh Lord, thanks to all those who came and cared
This day can be remembered as the day that froze in hell

For the most part the recovery was a breeze
One or two meltdowns came in a flying trapeze
Thanks to Tet, and Dory, and Louie, they caught me by my feet
Instead of by my boobeez, they listened and heard how frustrating
To not be able to do things nor move around with ease

Almost six weeks into full gear, I returned to work thinking
This is it, my dear, I can now get my life back and move on from here
Until last week I heard a big thump, the next step has got me stumped

Oh well, so I’ll lose my hair and I’ll look like death has taken over
What can I say we all have to wait and see if I can still find a way
To laugh this time through chemotherapy…

I now dance to the music, Tah tah tah, tah tah tah…

My friends: Many thanks to all those who encouraged me to hang on and keep my spirits high. Your thoughts and prayers have worked miracles already and I believe there is much much more in store for us. I urge you to do a self-check and have regular breast exams because a cure is available to those who catch it in time. I will start chemo the last week of January 2006 and will continue to write as time permits.

MYRNA ALINSOD-YORK

Epilogue of LA Reunion - Loily's Pahabol

Chapter 11

Next year's annual gathering will be at Sylvia's place.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Carmel for hosting all of us. She went out of her way to make us feel so comfortable and at home that she even asked Bruce to disappear. The man gladly obliged cause the sight and sound of us in his quiet abode must have terrified him.

And Carmel, twelve girls sharing a bathroom was no problem. If two of us had to go pee at the same time one could always do it in the shower stall. Comfort is not all about big houses with five bathrooms, it's all about having the freedom to use the bathroom without worrying about leaving it sparkingly clean and immaculate and NOT having the fear of being ridiculed or reprimanded for it
.

I'm sorry about your Pancit Bihon. I had no way of bringing any cooked food all the way from Virginia. But I'm scheduling a vacation in May, and I'm offering to give you cooking lessons again and will really cook for you...empanaditas et galore.

I hope that next year's get together will be LONGER AS PLANNED, and that more girls will attend especially those from the Bay area. We understand that traveling in December is not feasible for most but what if we trade venues every year. Like, spending Xmas in LA and the summer break in the Bay area., then vice versa.

This reunion was planned SIX MONTHS (kuno) ago, but was changed drastically as the day drew closer. Change of venue wasn't the problem. It was people and their priorities. I'm suggesting that we plan better next time, charge for expenses beforehand with a NO RETURN POLICY so that the girls will think twice before changing their minds. It's just like getting cheap plane fare. Or better yet, like a cruise so that no one can jump ship while we're still partying.

See you all...anytime....as planned.
Be happy and stay healthy.

Loily

Final Chapters of LA Hullaballoo and Goodbye to the Bergers

CHAPTER 8

Yangtze River Golden Moon Lucky Peach Red Apple Restaurant and Tea House, here we come!!!

It's quite a ride to Chinatown cause it's in LA downtown. I didn't see the logic in this part of the plan for the day's activites till I realized that the place was closer to home or in the middle for all of us. It's halfway point for both the LA lovelies and the Burbank beauties. Not only that, Carmel wanted to go cause for her....Chinatown isn't great if Marilyn wasn't around so ladies......take advantage of the Dragon Lady's plum blossom presence.

All vehicles headed for the place except for one. I didn't even notice her absence, NOT during lunch, NOT during shopping NOR even while walking cause we divided into several groups. Just look at the Chinatown pictures and you'll figure out who it was.....missing. That was really sneaky......must be the greatest vanishing act ever accomplished by her!! She outdid the great David Copperfield himself!! So we had lunch at the ABC restaurant. Sampu na lang kami.



When it comes to ordering food in a Chinese restaurant, we live that task to Marilyn.
I've been to all sorts of Chinese restaurants with these LA girls and the standard order should always have fried spicy porkchop for Louie and Suki and lo mein/pancit for Sylvia and Carmel. Carmel was frustrated twice that day over her pancit cause she never got the Pancit Bihon she asked us for the party, and the lo mein in the restaurant tasted like 'laway' according to her. She was wrong there cause it didn't taste like laway. It tasted like sipon. Snort! Naubos din!
We had calamari, duck, a vegetable dish, fish, steamed rice, fried rice and the two previously mentioned dishes. Wiped out lahat cause I wasn't on a diet that day.

After that hearty meal, we went shopping. The girls went crazy buying all these 'money trees'. They're real plants that are supposed to bring good luck to the receipient of the plant so they bought plants for each other. Then, we stopped by a liquor store cause they started to feel lucky and we got a lotto ticket for all twelve of us. Too bad, it didn't win (jackpot that time was $230M) cause I was the one who bought it and unfortunately, no one gave me a 'money' tree. Oh, I forgot to inform the ladies that we didn't win. We only got one number (30). BTW, I'm writing this nobela from Nice. I just acquired several homes in the Mediterranean, the Pacific and the Americas. My new email address is la2vegas230@yoohoo.com.

You know how all Chinatowns are. They seem to sell the same wares. Lahat galing China. Mura and knock-offs galore. I had no plans of buying anything (I swear), but the ladies just spent so much time so I indulged in a few items. A pair of chandelier earrings with red stones, two wooden carved bead bracelets, one tiger's eye bracelet and a checkered scarf/muffler all for the unbelievable sum of $6.50!!!! All of us got good deals.

Then, the inevitable happened. The gathering had finally come to a close. We said our goodbyes and I really felt so bitin not only for me but particularly for Tet. She flew all the way from Sacramento thinking that the event would be for two nights and three days AS PLANNED SIX MONTHS AGO. BUT like all long range plans .....as the days go....closer to D day....interests vary and priorities change. While some are willing to leave husband and family for a few days of camaraderie, others are just resolutely bound to undying filial duty.

When it was clear, that the party for all seasons would last less than twenty four hours, it was too late for Tet and I to change our plans. Tet had nowhere to go and I couldn't go back to the Bergers cause I was still on leave and they had another reliever working in my place.
Who else could save the day for us? No other than....SYLVIA...the gracious MOTHER OF ALL HOMELESS PARTYGOERS.

For her, everything has a solution.

From Chinatown, she brought us to Pechanga, our favorite Indian reservation ca...s..i...n...o. We won in the beginning, making $500.00 in 15 minutes. But we gave it all back to them Pechangores in 5 minutes flat. It was that way for the next two hours, winning, losing, winning....dinner in between....then...we proceeded to Harrah's cause that was the only place were she could get a room for us.

The girls went to sleep immediately while I went down to scout the place (kuno).

The casino floor was almost empty and I tried some machines. What boring one armed bandits!! They just kept on giving me back my money....I was never ahead or behind till I got sleepy and decided to go back to our luxuriously furnished (ahem) room at six in the morning. At nine we were awake and had breakfast at the hotel (courtesy of Mother Sylvia again).

At 11:00, which was check-out time, after I stuffed all those comp toiletries in my make-up kit, Sylvia, brought us to Allergan (makers of Botox) in Irvine. Nope!!! We were not there to get our bi-annual shots. Sylvie works there as VP (take note)..VP for Quality Control. The place was having their Holiday Winterland Extravaganza for all the employees and their families. Salamat na lang na nanay namin si Ibyang.

Iba talaga mag-celebrate ang isang multi-billion dolyar (take note again) DOLYAR!!!
corporation in ',merica. They had artificial snow blowing from the building's roof the whole day, real ice on the ground, sleds, snowmen, a real Santa Claus for picture taking, a lifesize Christmas village, a petting zoo, a ferris wheel, giant slides and tables and tables of food and beverages, free carnival games (is that the proper term?) with prices, a magic show....etc.etc.etcetera.

We stayed on till one in the afternoon. Then it was time to bring Tet to the Burbank airport. I've never enjoyed trips to the airport specially when I or someone has to leave. It was good-bye again to a classmate who's so much fun, my ubiquitous phonepal. From the airport, we had to go get my luggage from Betchay's house and..since the sun was still up....Sylvie and I decided to go back to Pechanga.

BUT no, the Indians refused to give us back our money. In fact they asked for more.
By nine in the evening we were finally on the way back to reality. From Friday evening
till Sunday, Sylvia must have driven already about 500 miles. She was sooooo exhausted and by the time she dropped me at the Berger's house, she looked like she was ready to fall asleep. Thank God, she got home safe at past 12 midnight. Thank you Sylvia for a wonderful winterland weekender.

CHAPTER 9

Home sweet home. I was finally back with the Bergers. How comforting it is to be on familiar ground. Ahhhhhh.... such is life!. So sweet and secure. Work so light and.....Ross in sight. Oh heaven! The gods have been kind to me. No worries...no cares......until......... Damocles made the Bergers drop the sword on my head.

CHAPTER 10

Two days after I came back, I got the pink slip at the breakfast table from Mrs. Berger.
The plan was actually mentioned to me three months before and when I started to dispose of some of my stuff, she got upset and asked me if I was itching to leave. She said, it was just an idea she was toying with and when Jackie, their daughter, heard about it, she thought that letting me go wasn't a smart move.

Maybe, my leaving the couple for two weeks with just their son and daughter to assist them gave them a sense of confidence, independence and most of all, they enjoyed seven days of exclusivity and bonding.

I guess, everyone is hankering for some space and privacy, especially Mr. Berger.
After all, I've been around him like a close-in bodyguard for the past 18 months. The man feels that he's lost all dignity ever since he had me. Humiliating!! That's the word he used. I can understand him but really...maybe he belongs to a rare breed of men, the kind who don't want to be touched by other women except their wife.

I'm saying this cause when we go out and their male friends see that I'm his caregiver
they give me this 'funny' kind of look....that stare or leer that spells out the word..malice. Not only his male friends but also my female relatives. When some of my aunts found out that I was taking care of a man they would say incredulously,

"Ano!!??? Pinapaliguan mo rin siya?"

"Opo."

"Nakahubad?"

"Hindi po. Naka rubber suit."

"Ano yon?"

"Condom po."

"Ano...tumatayo pa rin yung kuwan niya?"

"Siempre."

"Dios ko, Loily, hindi ka ba natatakot o nahiiya man lamang?

"Hindi po. Kinakapa ko na lang dahil nakapikit naman ako. Kasi, mortal sin po kung nakita ko. Ngayon, kung matigas pa rin tinatawag ko na lang si Mrs."

"Bakit?"

"Para lumambot."

"Eh, hindi ba nagseselos yung Mrs. niya?"

"Hindi naman po, kasi, laging pantay ang turing ko sa kanila."

"Kapag hinagkan ni Mrs. si Mr., ganun din ako. Kapag hubo't hubad si Mrs. habang naliligo, ganun din ako kapag pinapaliguan ko si Mister."

Of course, everyone starts laughing hysterically..but I'm sure, they still have dirty thoughts.

I know that I only have two days left with the Bergers. I try not to be emotional about it. Mr. Berger asked me not to move too far away just in case they'll be needing me. And also to visit them once in awhile. Their friends and relatives all know that I'm leaving and some would like to throw a party for me. Their neighbors are even dropping by before I go. I wonder if Steve knows that I'm leaving. His fruitcake is still in the fridge. I'll really miss the kind of life I had with the Bergers. I'm not saying that it was smooth sailing or fun all the time but staying with these people and meeting their friends was really a very enriching experience for me. Just eating in all those popular and fancy restaurants exposed me to a lot of culinary delights and techniques but in all humilty, it made me feel more confident about my own culinary skills that I feel that I can be as good as any of their chefs or even better.

We've been to so many theaters, plays, movies and performances..I've just lost count. Oh, and all our arguments and tampuhans. Most of them just made me grow up. Yesterday, I told Mrs. Berger that I learned a lot from her and she said that she also learned a lot from me. Today, she just blurted out that she'll really miss me.

If there's one thing I admire about this woman, when she knows that she's offended or upset me, she'll waste no time in apologizing and the same goes for Mr. Berger.

Ahhhhh. The life of a caregiver.

Sometimes, during one of my rare reflective moments, I ask myself if I was better of NOT being a caregiver. What if I was employed as a waitress in a topless bar or a receptionist at a spa for senior citizens? Could life be more interesting?

Maybe.

But then, being a caregiver is more challenging because the job demands a little of every profession in this world.

To date, I've been a doctor, nurse, psychiatrist, electrician, hair stylist, wardrobe consultant/mistress, cook, cleaning lady, computer technician, seamstress, editor,
gardener/holticulturist, entertainer, caterer, banquet manager, weatherman, physical/occupational therapist, PR man, zoo keeper, laundrymat, baker, sanitation engineer, etc. etc. and all I need is just a license for all the above.

I'm moving on to my new job this Saturday. I've already tried working for this woman, a former VP of a big movie production outfit, for two days and we both like each other.

She says that I know a lot and I come on very strong. I only cooked for her once and it was just soup that I made from scratch and she got so excited.

My only problem with her is that she still lives like an executive. She needs knee surgery to get better but she doesn't believe in doctors. She's so much into old movies that she lives in her living room and the TV is on for 24 hours. An insomniac who goes to bed at 2:30 in the morning and wants her painkiller at 7am. Because she's that way, I have to figure out my sleeping and walking hours. My time with her won't be as flexible as with the Bergers. That means, I can't go on a date at night and stay out the whole night. Maybe I'll just sneak in my boyfriend cause my room has french doors that open to a patio with a back entrance. There's no drugstore in sight so I've already stock up on cosmetics, lotions and moisturizers. Since she eats a lot, I also have to watch my diet. This is my biggest worry. I don't know when I can start taking my daily 3 mile walk. And of course, the worst nightmare of all, she doesn't have dsl. Going to places with wi-fi is out of the question. Leaving her alone might be impossible cause she can't go to the bathroom by herself and she's wheelchair bound.

Well....my worries are really trivial. I'm sure I can figure out a solution once she warms up to me.

I feel excited about working with her cause she has a lot of stories to tell me about her past life. Not only that, her daughter, her only child, is also a VP for BMI records. Because of their careers, her bedroom walls are covered with autographed pictures of performers and personalities like the Beatles, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, Muhammad Ali, etc. etc.

But what I really like about my new patient is that she used to review and read scripts that could be made into movies and she had to watch 12 or more movies a day to choose what could sell. Annnnnd, before she got into the movie industry, she was a dance instructor for the Arthur Murray Dance Company. She must have felt how interested I was in her life cause she asked me to take out old photos of her from a cabinet so that she could show them to me. Kaya ayan, nahuli ko na rin ang loob niya. I hope that she will really like me.

Okay, that's all for now.

I'm glad that I finally finished this nobela. Now I can start packing my clothes.

Loily

Let The Party Begin - Loily's Novella, con't

CHAPTER 5

Let the party begin.

Okay, so we had the festive food that Carmel prepared the first night. We spent it just talking and too bad that we couldn't grill Ella that night. The woman is blooming. Parang high school girl who's just been dating. Listening to her stories just brings you back to those days were you swap tales about crushes under those acacia trees but this time the stories have more adult flavor and they're more colorful. Of course we had to respect the sensitivities of the others (some being religious and conservative) so we didn't dwell too long on sex and Ella's multi Os. Buti na rin that we didn't stay that long on the subject or else I would be cajoled into putting in some details about my own escapades. Phew!

So that's how it was the first night. I shared the floor (on folding air mattresses that Betchay and Sylvia brought) with Betchay and I can't recall who while Kathy, Ella and Sylvia slept on the couch(es). Come to think of it, we, the singles but wild ones slept in the den while the nuns and conservatives took over the bedroom that Carmel provided.

Bedtime was at 2:30 a.m. but Betchay was still watching TV by the time I started snoring.

By 7:00 a.m., I was up. Everyone started stirring too. I guess no one wanted to waste the day just sleeping in. Without much ado (Nay! No teeth brushing, face washing nor hair combing) some of us headed for the mahjong table. Ella, Wilma, Kathy and I. Bilangan na ng chips and even if we hadn't done our morning ritual of doing No. 1, we started to play.

While playing, Carmel made scrambled eggs with milk, Suki, Louie and Marlyn made palitaw and pichi-pichi. Then I had to get up from the mahjong table just to make all the leftover rice flour balls into guinatan.

We were having so much fun just cooking and mahjonging. Didn't know that Ella was such a serious player. As usual, the most professional one...the Queen of De Salat.....was Wilma.

We had to stop when breakfast was ready. We had that fragrant and tasty smoked ham again, the scrambled eggs, saffron rice and the kakanins. Hala, lamon ng lamon lahat. After breakfast, since there was only one bathroom, we had to start taking our turn doing our morning hygienic ritual. The fast ones had to go first and I was number 8 cause I still had to do my hair, face and moisturizing regimen. Tet had to be the last one cause she takes she a lot of time just to set up her beauty salon and spa. I guess it just takes her longer to look more desirable than me. Ella was the last one to use the bathroom cause she was so obsessed in cleaning it. Just kidding, Carmel has a cleaning lady. Now remember, she and Bruce are lawyers so they can really afford to have one come in every week. Hmmmm. Now why doesn't she just hire me. That way, I can be closer to her brother-in-law.

CHAPTER 6

Finally, we're all dressed and ready to party.

Before we start, Suki, brings out a prayer that she wants to read. So we all keep quiet and turn reverent.
I guess it's the Season and we should never forget the Reason for it. Then she reads the letter/prayer about Jesus not being invited to His own birthday party and because of that, someday, some of us will not be invited to His own shindig. I start to get confused with that letter because I can't understand what it's trying to tell me.. sounding more like a double speak.. cause we're all gathered here for fun in the spirit of Christmas. Just like the rest of the world, families and friends get together, feasting on a good meal and giving gifts to everyone, whether to kin at home or to total strangers who have less in life. 'Tis the season, 'ika nga. Share, love one another, forgive, forget your cares and just be happy for a day. But what surprised me was that Suki really became upset and tearful. I know that ....okay...I speak for myself here. I'm very aware of how religious some of our classmates are. They're really into Jesus. I'm a Catholic and everyone knows that I don't practice my religion. I respect any religion but I don't adhere to any of them. I avoid arguments about religion unless I feel slighted by a person who comes on to me as holier-than-thou. I believe in God. I'll always believe in His existence. I try to live my life as a Christian and I believe that treating my fellow human being with respect and having no malice towards him is what Jesus is all about. I CANNOT believe that a selfless Man died on the Cross NOT to save us but to turn us into blind followers who are fanatically in awe of HIM, drilling into our heads that He should come before all others, that He should be the center of our lives and that we owe HIM big. I CAN NOT BELIEVE that Jesus is a mere egoistic cult leader like Charles Manson or the Reverend(??!!??) Moon. I believe that Jesus was sent to save us, guide us , that he truly loved us and that he taught us to the same for our fellowman and that, if we did that....no one has has to suffer and be languishing in hell.

I rest my case.

Please excuse me for getting carried away, but I had a huge scene with a religious fanatic on Thanksgiving Day itself because this insolent person had been arrogantly declaring to her captive audience (except me) that the only 'WAY to be saved' was by THEIR (churches' or rather, cult's) WAY. And she carried on ....blah...blah..."I pray so hard for so and so that she'll be enlightened..yaddah...yaddah...". I kept on listening politely until she started to say "You know the Catholics were taught the wrong concept about salvation. They think that by just doing good deeds, they'll be saved. Blah...blah...yakkity yak...And the Virgin Mary, that's all wrong....it's not even in the Bible." I was still holding my peace at this point....until she mentioned how wrong her sister was (and I like this sister of hers) for not going to church and that she was taking it upon herself to save her sister's children. Well...this is when I butted in.

I said that she was imposing her beliefs on her sister. She countered by saying that she was sharing the Good News. So I asked her where she got her information. "From the Bible". Standard answer. I'm not surprised. For every believer, the Bible is the word of God. For every wannabe cult/church founder, it's the word of God according to or as interpreted by the former. To make the story short and to make the holy fanatics shut up, I told them that I didn't believe in the Bible because so many men have rewritten, revised and interpreted it and that all the pain and suffering in the world were caused by these self esteemed , self serving theologic charlatans.

True, I have been touched by Him and have been blest countless times. But not once did He ask me to repay Him but to pay it forward. All of you have been very kind, generous and accommodating to me all these years. In return, I've been passing on the gesture to others. I haven't exactly encountered impoverished people in this country, but I've taken it upon myself to be as kind and as generous as my friends and classmates to those who have less like the Bergers' cleaning lady, their gardener and that solicitous valet that they overlooked so many times.

Okay, 'nough of that preaching.

Let's go back to that gathering.

CHAPTER 7

Then, we had to play a game.

We were divided into two groups of the CATS and the DOGS. Each group had to sing "Jingle Bells" like them aminals. The Cats were Louie, Wilma, Carmel, Marilyn and moi. Louie thought of the concept right away (must be the teacher in her), choreography and blocking. Since we couldn't synchronize our movements and blend our voices well, Carmel had the bright idea that she be the conductor, with Lauren as her assistant. The rehearsal (10 minutes max) went well and we felt confident that we'd bag the prize. Finally, it was showtime. It was decided that the DOGS, namely, Tet, Ella, Suki, Kathy and Betchay were to perform first. We, the CATS, sat back, feeling smug about our inborn talent(s). Sylvia was the designated judge cause she was the prize sponsor/donor/philanthropist (as usual).

"Ladieeeeeeeees n more ladiesss!! May I proudly present......THEM DOGS!!!!"
The moment they lined up infront of us, you could feel that a great act was about to unfold. They had former corporate heavyweights with the group...Ella and Betchay..veterans of numerous office X'mas party competitions. Not to be dismissed as small fry when it comes to management level performances were Tet, Suki and Kathy. Then they got their number rolling. Who would think that a doberman, rottweiller, German sheperd, Shi Tzu and maltese could rap like Eminem, Snoop Dog, P Diddy, Will Smith and Latifah? What great performers!!! They brought the house down!!!!
And we cats.........tsk. tsk. we got so intimidated, we lost our confidence. I felt that Sylvester, Jerry, Hobbes, Garfield and Kuting should just throw in the towel. But then, the show must go on. We did put on a brave front but I fumbled my meows. I missed a whole stanza of purrs and mews. I just saw my whole acting career going down the drain with Louie ready to scratch the living daylights out of me. We were obviously outperformed.

Them $#%$#@dogs won and it was a unanimous decision. So Sylvia got out the prizes for each of them $%$#@!!@dogs. And when they took off the wrappers and showed us their prizes, you should have seen how crestfallen we looked. Louie and specially Wilma (like she needed another bag) were so forlorn you'd think that they just lost their husbands. Who wouldn't feel dejected after seeing those beautiful Louis Vuitton knock-offs? We didn't even get LV keychains as consolation prize!!

Anyway, it was fun, win or lose.

After that contest, we had the gift exchange. The max/min limit has always been $5.00. I don't know if some of the girls cheat cause most of the time, the gifts look more expensive. Mine really cost $4.99. It ended with Carmel so I owe her a cent. Suki had this system of passing the gifts to our left or right (just like the prayer) till you finally end up with the gift that's finally yours at last, so there.

I got a red velvet cosmetic satchel bag that came from Suki. Gee.....I have to buy more make-up to put in it. All of us liked our gifts. Even Lauren got several gifts from her favorite aunties...us.



Then....it was dancing time. Betchay and I just love "Don't Rock the Boat" cause it's our theme songs with our respective present and past great loves. Kathy had all these 60s and 70s CDs na panay Motown so we played them and we just went wild dancing. Siempre fafloo, Louie and Wilma did their swing numbah. I think it's about time that I take dancing seriously. Most of the men on netdating love to dance. If I know, most of them also are callboys or gigolos who are into escort or dance partner services. Sorry na lang but I just go for the perverts. They don't cost a cent.

Dancing was over in 15 minutes flat. It was time to leave...not for home but Chinatown. Pao- sio!! Yin yan!! Hoo lei!!

Itutuloy

Continuation of Loily's Novella

(This is already Part III. So if you haven't read the first two parts, please go back to previous posts.)

Chapter 4

By eleven in the evening, we finally get to Carmel's house. It's a sprawling bungalow with a well manicured lawn. As soon as we park the cars, she comes out and greets us. I didn't even realize that she was already chronicling and shooting the event as we started to disembark from the cars. Now, this is the part that I'm still not used to. Having to haul your own luggage from the car. Cause, in good ole Philippines, we had helpers to do that. And if we could afford our own yayas then, they did the unpacking for us, putting our soiled clothes in the laundry, hanging the clean clothes in the closet and putting the luggage away. Sigh.

Carmel informs us that Monsie (Chuidian) is in the house and has been there since seven in the evening. That was so sweet of her to wait. Once inside the house, we all do the beso-beso -screaming-giggling-teasing ritual with Monsie. As usual, she still looks hot and trim and with her cropped spike do, she reminds me of Sharon Stone. Thennnnnnnn.....Carmel invites us for a merienda. After living with frugal Jews for more than a year, I thought merienda would be something like unsalted crackers and hummus. Lo and behold!!! She's got this whole spread laid out on her dining table.
Ham glazed with orange juice and honey, Fried Rice aka Saffron Rice with Shrimp, Fresh soy beans still in their pods, very chocolatey and fudgy brownies dusted with confectionary sugar, crackers and garlic hummus from Costco (highly recommended for flavor and protein content), lots of chocolate candy, soda, chilled red wine (Shiraz, I think) but what's amazing about all that good food is that Carmel actually prepared the ham, cooked the rice dish and baked the brownies. For someone who keeps on saying that she doesn't know how to cook simple meals or what she calls everyday food, why bother to learn them. Just cook something special everyday.

Now, I can't recall anymore the chronological order of arrivals, but the tightly knit group of Suki, Wilma, Louie and Marilyn finally came, then Ella followed soon.

Try to imagine the noise in decibels. Twelve menopausal women shrieking, laughing and talking at the same time. After the cursory hugs and kisses. everyone rushed in for the kill. We trampled over each other to get a seat at the dining table. Fine, I lost a tooth but got a good seat. Fifiteen minutes into our gobbling, Bonbon, Monsie's better gorgeous, handsome...tall...ohhhhhhhh.....and attractive half arrives.
I told you I got a good seat at the table cause Bonbon sat across Monsie and she was just seated to my right. Now that was an excellent up close view of one more classmates husband. What is this thing about me and my classmates husbands???? I'm just so envious of couples who are happily married. Either that or I'm Mary Magdalene working the streets of Sodom and Gomorrah.

So we all feasted on the 'merienda' that Carmel prepared for us. While eating, you can't help notice how beautiful, neat and clean her house is. It's bright, roomy and spacious. The den, the living room, the dining area and kitchen all open up to each other giving the place a semblance of continuity and harmony. Tastefully furnished, nothing ostentatious or pretentious about her decor...no Ming jars on the floor to knock over or chunky crystal monoliths to tiptoe around with caution. You could really hang out in her place...sit comfortably on any sofa, couch or settee without having to worry about fluffing the throw pillows or cushions that you just left permanently indented with your head or wide bottom.

Not to go unnoticed is her patio which she converted into a grand playroom for her precocious and very sociable daughter Lauren who, at five or six years old(??) is starting to sound and behave more like her mother.
She could be another attorney in the making but probably not in the field of her Mom or Dad...more like a lawyer for the entertainment industry and if she needs a coffeemaker, she can call on me....Starbucklou.

So we yakked for sometime and thank God Betchay, Ella and Carmel got Bonbon entertained so he didn't have to leave right away. We wanted Monsie to stay longer cause all of us haven't seen her in years. The last time I saw her was at Rory Laico's place in 1999. It was really nice of her to wait for us since 7:00pm and still be able to stay for a few more hours. It must have been almost one in the morning when she left. Too bad that she didn't leave Bonbon behind.

Now that you all know how Carmel's house looks like, let me give you a detailed description and some tidbits about each of the CA ladies who came (no pun intended) together.

Let's start with Monsie. You know the rules. We always talk about the ones who leave first. He he.
Monsie - gorgeous, attractive, sexy. funny and bubbly as ever. Worked for the House of Valentino on Rodeo Drive for years, then moved on to a classy furniture store.

Suki - she'll be in Manila on the 28th of Dec. Still looks like the Suki of thirty years ago. Religious and virginal. Married to a wonderful man...Joey Lagman.

Marilyn - still the leader when it comes to cleaning up after a party. She'll kill for a mop and vacuum cleaner. Also the auditor and CPA of the LA group. When we go out, it's not at all like Manila. Diyan kasi, someone like Ampy, Lelette, Betchay, Juris or Kathy would foot the bill for dinner or lunch. Dito sa LA, talagang the bill (that includes meals, gas and a possible traffic violation fine) is divided equally among all participants up to the last cent. Talagang dibay-dibayd. And Marilyn is queen when it comes to computations. If Ampy is the Last Empress.....then Marilyn is the Dragon Lady....to poor Albert..the ambassador to Shanghai.

Wilma - did I say Wilma??? Just look at the pictures. But try visualizing her in a shopping mall on the day after Christmas.

Louie - just like Suki....sexy and youthful pa rin. Works on a treadmill every night but when she reconciled with her husband, she has less time now for exercise. It's back to bedroom basics.
Now about that photo of hers with Tet. To be fair, she just looks haggard cause she doesn't have any make-up on and those eyebags were due to cramming for her Masters.

Tet - the classmate with the smallest lips but with the loudest laugh. Talagang hindi virgin ang dating ng tawa niya. I don't keep a diary of my men. Tet keeps tab of them for me. What makes Tet unique? She slices or cuts up all her food into teeny weeny pieces cause her mouth is too small. Kaya she also cuts Ed's ahem. If you think that my make-up kit is huge, hers has a lighted mirror in it and a folding stool. Dala- dala rin niya lagi ang kaniyang hair dryer, roller brush, mousse, rollers, hairspray and make-up artist.

Sylvia - the kindest, most generous and caring (to a fault) woman on earth. Will give you the shirt on her back (too bad it's too big for me). The only coralbelle in existence who can sleep on any couch even if it's in a store. It actually happened at Costco.

Ella - what she needs on her breasts went to her hips. The woman is obviously a picture of happiness and contentment. At the age of 53, she finally learned what the big O is all about. For more explicit details, you can call her at 1- 000-666-AHHH and classmates will be charged $1.50/min only. The regular rate is $3.75/min.

Betchay - has been losing weight cause of stress due to her present job. Seems that the xerox machine at work keeps on breaking down so she has to make copies with her cellphone camera. Has been domesticated...can actually cook for all three sons and so far no one has gotten ill. Youthful looking and crazy funny as ever.

Kathy - like me, still wants the baaaaaaaad boys. She looks more americana now than espanola. But once she starts talking, parang may Ilonggo siya na accent. Abaw guid, que tal? She can't see too well at night so there's no long distance driving for her in the dark. Just groping.

Carmel - still madaldal and a livewire. It's so comfortable to be around this woman. You don't actually feel that she's a lawyer until you get a subpeona. She cooks and is a very devoted wife to Bruce and a loving..oh so loving mother to Lauren. Still has the same hairdo, built and loud laugh.

So ladies, those were the Southern and Northern California belles in attendance at the annual gathering of the Coralbelles, Stateside.