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MI Class of 1965 Mini Reunion in California

By Evie as Conferred with Speedy

This mini reunion of MI 1965 was triggered by the baptismal plans for Brian Del – the latest addition to Delfin and Kaye Zafra’s burgeoning family. The baptism was on November 18 with some ninongs and ninangs attending from locations across the country. The mini reunion was set up primarily by Edgar and the California Fund Raisers, which included Efe, Raffy, Delfin, Cora Ira, Boy Soriano and Eden.

Retrospective:

November 17, 2006

At noontime Edgar (Speedy) Gonzales and Raffy Contreras started checking the eight rooms reserved for MI65 classmates. Speedy had a “bad day” because there were no coffee makers nor microwaves in the rooms (as promised when he booked the rooms), to make life more comfortable for everyone, Raffy and Edgar put in soda and water bottles in the fridge of each room and waited for the classmates to arrive. The Malinis family; Rollie, Cora and daughter, Tina were the first to arrive in their van from Vallejo. Cora (Agapito) and Marcelo (Celo) Ira arrived next with food for everyone. The Ira’s room served as the welcoming venue. Anticipating that all will be “gutom”, Celo went out to get more food from Pollo Loco. Evie (Gregorio Peters from Massachusetts), her son Jesse and his family arrived next but the Malinis’ were out shopping. After having their fill of the pansit and the barbeque, Evie and family left to go to LA for her apo’s doll Jess.

Raffy and Edgar picked up Gani and Cynthia Lazaro (Vancouver, British Colombia) from the LAX airport, and returned to the Saddleback Inn. The Zafra’s; Delfin, Kaye, Monica, Briana Kaye and the star of the show BRIAN DEL arrived earlier. Boy Soriano brought boxes of Pizza. Efe (Salvador) and Rene Fajardo came in next. Sunny Prodon Graham and family arrived and the whole gang had a toast. Sunny did not stay at the Inn, as she and her husband Terry together with Sunny’s brother and family from RP, had an RV they used to travel from Texas to California. Rollie retired earlier than the rest of us. Eve came back without her son and family and stayed for more eats and chitchat.

After a while, Jack and Nympha Bordador (New York) (picked up from the airport by Edgar and Raffy) arrived, followed by Linda (Bernardo) and Amado Pascual (Chicago, Illinois). With Linda were the two sisters of our late classmate Linda Sta. Rosa, with their Cali friend Bert. More food, wine and beer (among the boys) and diet coke for the ladies were served. After more chitchat and guffaws the gang finally split (at almost midnight) to bunk in their respective rooms to get ready for the baptism of Brian Del the next day. All the ladies received one red rose in a green vase. What a nice and romantic touch !!

November 18, 2006

The Big Day - Brian Del’s Baptism:

Edgar announced everyone must be ready around 10:30 AM. The gentlemen did, but the girls needed more time to make themselves pretty as ever (See the proof in the pictures that follow - w www.mi65.org/lawelcome/ ). With the entourage of friends, family and classmates of MI65 arrived. At around 11:00, the solemn baptismal ceremony begun and was officiated by the Pastor’ son.

The ninongs were; Edgar Gonzales, Raffy Contreras, Ted Galsim, Jack Bordador, Rollie Malinis, Santy Morante (proxied by Jun Nuval) Peping Mendoza (proxied by his brother, Greg) and Jun Dulalia (proxied by Rene Fajardo).

The ninangs were; Cora Agapito Ira, Eden Abano Jen-Kin, Efe Salvador Fajardo, Evie Gregorio Peters, May Smith, Flora Mendoza Baetiong (who unfortunately wasn‘t able to attend), Gina Gonzales, Eden Adoremos Cruz.

More picture taking after the ceremony until Brian Del could not take any more the hugs, the kisses and flash bulbs. The baptismal party then proceeded outside the grounds of the church and under the tents. Everyone enjoyed more kuwento and the laughs. Everyone had a good time and greatly enjoyed the sumptuous feast prepared by Delfin and Kaye for this most important moment in their son’s life. There was more than enough food for all. Wow!!! Fidel and Sol Barrientos who, with some other adventurous souls, started the transformation of Meycauayan Institute to Meycauayan College were in attendance. The following were also in attendance : DIna and Gene Comaduran, Boy & Perla Soriano, Sunny & Terry Graham, Linda & Amado Pascual, Isagani & Cynthia Lazaro, Cora and Tina Malinis, Marcelo Ira, Jim Jen Kin and nympha Bordador.

During the period between the sumptuous food and the bowling tournament, Sunny spearheaded a discussion to explore how our class could invest together and by doing so help the communities we (the classmates outside RP and the RP classmates) grew up in and assisting generations to come. Sunny and most of us agreed the one way would be to build a school foundation - both high school and collegiate levels. Edgar said that it is the intention of the MC Yahoo Forum with partner Rolly Malinis to undertake this project at the appropriate time. He also added that this idea was echoed by MI '65 classmate Jun Dulalia as early as June, 2005.

The Bowling Tournament:

We were late arriving at the Bowling Alley, Raffy saved the day by saying to the Bowling Alley people that it was our last day for the tournament and we were late because we are senior citizens and ”a senior citizen tournament it became!! We had a fun time watching; the balls mostly of the girls (Nympha, Cora, Linda, Evie, Cynthia, Efe) go into the canals!!!! The anticlimax of the game is Nympha’s ball going not into the alley but backwards!!

Linda and Cora scored two digit numbers that were the inverted form of each other Cora 74, and Linda 47. Use your imagination, what if Cora had scored 96 (Whew!!!!). SInce there were only 2 games played and the scores were almost even, Efe and Edgar announced that there should be a rematch in the next mini-reunion.

On the way to Boy’s house, Rollie voiced his disappointment in not being able to sing with the Karaoke. Giving Rollie a break, his wife Cora did not stop him when he started belting out “Delilah” !!!!! So anyone planning another mini or big reunion makes sure that Karaoke night is a part of the program. I’m sure that will make our great web master Rollie Malinis happy!!!!

The Pacquiao - Morales Fight at Boy and Perla Soriano’s Home.

After two bowling games (we wanted more but our old legs won’t cooperate anymore), the gang went to Boy Soriano’s home for food (of course) and to watch the Pacquiao – Morales fight from Las Vegas, Nevada. Perla (Boy’s wife) had prepared a well- laden table for the MI 65 classmates and their guests to enjoy. The soup was the best!!! Everyone in the room was quiet or making sighs (AHHHH) every time Morales landed a fist on Pacquiao. Everyone clapped, stood and shouted every time Pacquiao hit Morales. The fight ended too soon on a technical KO after 3 rounds, with Pacquiao victorious.

After the fight, the California Fund Raisers presented the classmates present and their partners with gifts and awards. Highlighting the night’s activities was the award ceremony for the bowling tournament. Gani Lazaro received the highest score (162) award, Marcelo Ira placed second, Linda Pascual the lowest score (47) award and Nympha Bordador receiving the “Most Scandalous Player” award. Edgar and Efe gave all attendees copies of the MI '65 recently concluded medical mission in June, 2005.

After the award ceremony, we the more adventurous classmates and spouses (14 strong) decided that the night was still young (almost 11 PM) and went to Pechanga to test our luck. Reverend Lazaro was with us so Evie was confident that she will win something but she didn’t. Efe and Jack won some. Jack treated everyone to a late snack/early breakfast at the casino before we drove back to the Saddleback Inn. On the way back to the Inn, Efe sleepily mused “Sana ganito tayo palagi” Evie repartied that it will be till we can walk. Jack echoed this sentiment saying “Maski nakatungkod na tayo. Tuloy pa rin”. This conversation sparked the ideas in preparation for the MI65 medical mission/class reunion in
July 12 -13 2008!!!

The next day, we met for lunch at the Imperial Mandarin Palace before saying good byes.

November 19, 2006

At about 10:30 a.m. all the luggages of classmates flying out of California and those who didn’t have their own vehicles was stowed in room 6213 while they were getting ready for checkout of the other 7 rooms and in preparation for lunch.

A Toast to Edgar and Rollie!!! .

We arrived at the Imperial Mandarin Palace at about 11:00 a.m. and there waiting for us were the MI 71 spoke persons. The lunch was a surprise toast to Rollie and Edgar for their effort, dedication for the cause of reconnecting, strengthening the ties that link/join all the alumni of Meycauayan Institute/Meycauyan College. The idea was the brainchild of Joey Hipolito of class of 1971, and his batch mates in collaboration with Delfin Zafra of class 1965.

In addition to the MI65 classmates/spouses/other members of their families and friends, there were also representatives from several batches of MC Alumni Association to partake of the toast to Edgar and Rollie. Edgar’s son Edwin was there, taking pictures and video clips. Juanita Mendoza (Evie’s student from 1977) Lourdes Mendoza Vicente and her brother Jojo, Tessie Hipolito (another of Evie’s students from the early 1970’s) and her partner were also in attendance.

Rev. Gani gave a prayer of thanks before a Chinese cuisine. After the meal, Joey and Lourdes of Class '71 read the letters of thanks and appreciation to Edgar and Rolly from their other classmates, then presented a plaque of thanks and gratitude to both Rolly and Edgar for their efforts in establishing the MC Yahoo Forum to Bring All MC Alumni CLoser Together. It was a real surprise to them both and kudos to the "perpetrators" Joey, Lourdes and Delfin for this fine celebration. After Rolly's wave of acceptance and Edgar's inspiring speech followed the songs of praises from Sunny and Gani.

Sunny, inspired by the camaraderie that was overflowing among those present during the three day activities, surprised us all inviting everyone to a mini reunion in Texas. Efe and Evie caucused and threw out the idea of the mini reunion in July 4th 2007. Sunny agreed to this date offering to host the mini reunion at her place at Fort Worth, Texas. She suggested that it be a weeklong affair Yeha!!!!!Terry, Sunny’s husband said “ Walang problema. Dalhan mo ako ng malamig na tubig” when Evie and Sunny told him of the plan. Before Edgar left, he okayed Sunny's proposal for the next mini-reunion in Texas. So as the crowd was dispersing, plans were already underway for the next gathering, with Sunny and Evie discussing the next reunion with the Cali Ladies - Efe, Eden and Cora Ira.

Saying “Adieu”

As the rose the Cali group presented the ladies must fade, good times with good friends must end and these wonderful moments ended when we said good-bye to each other. After the toasting party, most of the Cali classmates and friends went home. The rest of us went back to the Saddleback Inn. Their friend Bert picked up Linda and Amado. Earlier, Nympha and Jack were picked up from the restaurant by their nephew to go to their house in Las Vegas. Cora and Celo went on their way to some place only known to them. Efe and Rene went back to their home. Rollie, Cora and their daughter drove back to Vallejo. Edgar, Raffy and Evie, brought Gani and Cynthia to LAX for their flight back to Vancouver. Raffy went home to his wife and dogs. The next day November 20, Edgar drove Evie to San Diego to catch her flight home to Dracut, Massachusetts.

This is not goodbye, it is see you again soooooooon!!!!

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