Dec. 30, 2009 – Seven Bay Area 76ers had a Christmas gathering for North Carolina visitor Bambi “Toobs” Veron-Dulay at the home of Romi Beza in Concord. The eight batchmates – Eugene Jose, Balong Lahoz, Pito Liwag, Jun Macasaet, Cesar Santiago, Bambi Veron Dulay, Clem Yu and Romi Beza — had the usual banter and juvenile jokes from our days in Green Hills.
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The guys just about came in according to the reverse order of distance proximity to Romi’s residence. San Mateo resident Balong came in first and was followed by Fairfield newcomer Pito and wife Eloisa. The two reminisced about their glory (kuno) basketball days before Orinda resident Cesar “Sarsi” Santiago came with his commander, Meng. Cesar arrived with guns ablaze when he roasted once-in-a-rare-while attendee Balong with his Belo jokes. It was indeed the first time most of the batchmates saw Balong in years so he got a lot of good-natured teasing from the NorCal 76ers. Admittedly, Balong is looking good!
The East Coast visitor, Bambi, was the next to arrive with his high school cheat, er, classmate, Eugene. Bambi made fast friends not with his ka-verde and ka-birthday Romi but with Remy (Martin) while buddy Eugene stuck to his designated driver plans. Guess who was the designated drunk? Not Bambi, you malicious-minded 76er! Anyway, it was reassuring to see Bambi looking the same and even able to hold his alcohol. The guy has changed spiritually though as any cancer survivor is inclined to. Bambi’s story about his miraculous recovery is something to behold – not to mention the operation scars he had as recent as last November.
Dublin resident Jun Macasaet was next to arrive and he brought along one of his signature Goldilock’s dish, rellenong manok. Dinner was served not too long after and it was quite a spread: salad, pampabatang lechon kawali, bistek round tips, flounder in Meng’s special sauce and cilantro. Pleasanton resident Clem and wife Maggie came in time to provide additional dessert – home-made “food for the Gods” – to the biscotti that was already available. Lanzones (!) was also served but was monopolized by the tropical fruit-crazed ladies. And, oh, I forgot to mention the baked mussels and vegetable strips that were served as appetizers during the “happy hour.” Well, actually, the whole night was happy hour time because the alcohol flowed as easy as the stories!
I will be remiss if I don’t mention Clem and Maggie came in late because it was their 22nd anniversary and had an intimate dinner earlier. They also were the first to leave, of course, to be more intimate in more private surroundings! Thanks anyway for still making the time to be with the gang on your special day, Clem and Maggie!
The stags Balong, Jun, Eugene and Bambi soon bade farewell but the macho boys Cesar and Pito sent their ladies home in order to do their best re-creation of the 1970s curfew stay-in days. I left the dynamic duo to their own devises by 2a since I was getting cross-eyed with fatigue. I woke up early the next morning though to hear the duo’s version of the snore concerto. The rumbling only ended when Butch Prieto called in from Manila at 9a to extend his New Year’s greetings. Cesar barked initially at Butch but soon regained his holiday spirit to return the good wishes. Good thing, too, because the commanders soon arrived to bring the macho-kuno sleepovers back to reality.
Well, a good time was had by all and all had a good time! All our NorCal best wishes and prayers go to Bambi for his continued recovery!
Awesome write-up bro Romi & thank you again for your hospitality! Animo 76ers!!