Few days later, while entertaining a client, I received a call from Elsa herself. She asked for my e-mail address. The same night, Elsa and I burned the shortened line between Toronto and the land of the mighty Kangaroo. Evelyn Gregorio-Peters of Massachusetts joined our exchanges within a week and then Colonel Rollie Malinis and Mr. Delfin Zafra of California jumped in. Though the head honcho, Edgar ‘Speedy’ Gonzales was copied, he never acknowledged our interactions until later. Being tax season, it was obvious that Speedy was buried in tax returns. By then, the plan to put up a website and a re-union was already brewing up. For his special skill, the Colonel was appointed our point and website man.

As our exchanges reached a crescendo, the discussion of a NY re-union for few members of the Crusaders was taking a prominent shape; though some members like Reverend Isagani Lazaro, who joined the groupie in May, was adamant because of his loaded ministerial schedule, Eng. Delfin Zafra had fund-raising excuses and everyone was worried of Speedy’s health condition. But Edgar booked both his and Mr. Diaper’s flights immediately and so did Sunny ‘Annabelle Lee’ Graham of Texas. Thus, after Sunny and Speedy took the lead, only the Reverend and the Website man were not sure of coming.

The Groupie then did something about the Reverend’s shilly-shallying. Sworn under top secrecy,
HRH, Evelyn and Jack started combing both the internet and telephone books for a certain Marlita Banez. It maybe a long shot, but the Reverend was only human. Few days later, at the backdrop of a heavy rain, I got a call from Mi Querida and Jack. For the first time, the elusive Marlita Banez was on the other end of the line. She was coming and so was Corazon Agapito. Even before I talked to him, I promised them that the Reverend would be joining us if I have to physically carry him. I then changed my personal plan; instead of flying I decided to join the Reverend in coming to NY by car. Meanwhile, New Jersey’s Eric Santiago of Class ’64 was equally excited of joining the group with his arroz-goto.

Backed by Flora’s deep pocket, Evelyn Peters, the Hermana Mayor, burned the lines, until all the roads, from California, from Boston, from Massachusetts, from London or Toronto, were all leading to New York’s 4th of July reunion.

-o0o-

After an exhausting eight and a half hour of non-stop, overnight driving, the two Canadians finally parked their car at Jack & Nimfa Bordador’s driveway. It was exactly 2:06am, Sunday, July 4th. I was already resigned to sleeping in the car after the Reverend’s several attempts to wake up the hosts remained unanswered. We were thinking that probably the Bordadors changed their minds, left town and abandoned us to fend for ourselves. But the Reverend had a direct line somewhere. With the help of Someone above and Nimfa’s relative, we were finally let in. After all, the Bordadors did not leave town, they were just resting after a grueling, long day of preparation.

After a quick cup of coffee, Nimfa & Jack ushered the Reverend & I to their master bedroom, where the Colonel, who finally came, was occupying the masters’ matrimonial bed. . We passed by the room of Mi Querida, of Edgar and Delfin who came in the day before. Actually, looking at the two, with Speedy’s left arm resting on Mr. Delfin’s side; I thought they were a very nice, loving couple. After 39 years of not hearing from these people, what do I know—with California’s permissive society? But why would I care---what they do in the privacy of their room was not my business.

After providing us with bed supplies, Jack and Nimfa proceeded to a small ‘closet’ to which I initially thought they were to pick up something. However, after waiting for about 5 minutes and they have not come out; I realized that Jack & Nimfa were finally retiring for the night. And while all of us were comfortably resting, our hosts were cooped-up in a small closet, unmindful of their own personal comfort. Honestly, I felt uneasy the whole time. But I know this couple. When Hongkong millionaire friend told me, ‘True friends are like diamonds, precious and rare,’ he was probably talking of Jack & Nimfa. And this couple is like diamond, only more precious.

Meanwhile, Cora Agapito, Flora Mendoza, Sunny Prodon and Elsa Pena were sleeping soundly at the nearby hotel. I was so excited, I was not able to sleep that much. Besides, the Colonel’s snore was so loud, the whole house was shaking the whole time. Before exhaustion took over and carried me to my dreamland, I did a mental roll-call of who were able to make it this time: there were twelve of us… all members of Class ‘65’s Crusaders; plus one, from Class ’64.

-o0o-

So finally, it came- July 4th, Sunday, the primary national holiday in the United States; the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, ordered and approved by the Continental Congress, the 13 colonies declared their independence from Great Britain.

Much like the US’s original states, twelve members of the Class 65 plus the smiling hostess, 13 in all, gathered around the dining table, for the first time, after 39 years. The Reverend stood up and led everyone in a silent but jubilant prayer, “Dear Lord, we the graduates of ’65 thank you…. for bringing us together…………… to enjoy each other’s company…Thanks to the Bordador Family for making this event possible!” After the toast, it was free for all. Our pictures said it all. We talked practically everything under the sun. Our teachers, Mrs. Bernardo, Miss Roberto, Mrs. Belza, even Miss Palencia’s legs, Mrs. Booma, our assignments, some funny and not so funny incidents, including a pair who was caught necking. We also talked of a reunion in the Philippines, our 40th year.

Ahhhh, Colonel was the soul of our group and our official photographer. A budding singer, the Colonel provides us with a different type of fun. And I say to those who said, ‘If the Colonel can sing, I can sing also,’ there was only one Colonel and there would never be another one.

Camera on hand, the Colonel was at every angle, taking a shot at every movement, every smile in every opportunity. Our party was not complete without the Colonel—the Jewel of Class 65. Right between laughter, our reminiscence moved slowly, right down at nightfall, until HRH took out her phone book and started dialing some numbers in the Philippines.

-o0o-

 

It was Sunny who provided the highlight of our re-union. When Echie was able to contact Adriano Andres, she handed the phone to Sunny who said, “Andring, si Sunny ito, Sunny Prodon. Lahat sila mayroong may crush maliban sa akin. Ikaw ba, mayroon ka bang crush sa akin?” Silence… “Hindi mo matandaan? Baka naman nahihiya ka lang? Aminin mo na!”

The calls were repeated. Adring was followed by Rustico, who like the first one fell victim to Sunny’s gag. When Sunny talked, everyone was listening; waiting in unison how she would deliver the knock-out punch that only Annabelle Lee could. I never saw Marlita, Reverend Isagani, Flora and Cora so happy while listening to her. Even HRH’s eyes ‘disappeared’ every time Sunny opened her mouth. Ms. Peters was lost in her thought as she laughed the night away. And for the few lucky ones who we were able to contact in he Philippines, that night was something to remember for the rest of their lives.

At last, we saw in Sunny that night the young Annabelle Lee that we pictured in our minds through the years. It was perfect. The night was perfect; even Edgar’s barbeque steak was perfect. That—the history could not take from us. Eric Santiago was just listening, contented that he was a part of the event.

-o0o-

Then it was time to say goodbye. It was the Colonel’s camera who said it all. In the early morning of Monday, when Edgar, Delfin and Rollie were about to get inside Evelyn’s car, the Colonel said, “It was very touching!” Right at the doorway were Sunny, Flora, the Reverend, Nimfa, Jack and Gerry waiving the goodbyes to the departing California boys. The scene was repeated in the afternoon. It was the turn of Sunny, Flora and Elsa to bid adieu.

At around 5:30pm, it was the time for the two Canadians to leave. As our van rolled slowly out of the Bordador’s driveway, the couple was waiving their hands. I took a last glimpse of the couple’s place—it was majestic, serene and very, very quiet. The last image that I saw was that of the deck, that only few hours ago was occupied by the 12 (plus one) members of the Class 65. It was a poignant reminder of how everything, even beautiful things, must end. It was Edgar who said to our hosts, “On behalf of the whole class, thanks a million.”

I agree. To Nimfa and Jack who made it all possible. Thanks for your kindness. To all my classmates, thanks to all your smiles, hugs and kisses. Till we meet again.

Gerry Villareal
Canada/July ’04, Number 2