Makati Chapter Hosts 3 Balikbayans

by Willie "Tatang" Vergara
[Photos by Rolly Reyes]

Judging from all the pictures of the Makati Chapter I have seen over the past decade, I guess this was their most attended one. The affair was held August 2, 2013 at Metz Bar, a new building inside the Metro Club compound, near Rockwell. Brods who came span 6 generations, from Enching Rodriguez, baby-faced Dennis Navarro and Nonoy Bautista representing the 50s to Mon Mamaril and Alex Bermas (son-in-law ni Jun Bernal) representing the late 90s. The Makati Chapter's membership has been beefed up with the addition of some OBBF members led by its current president Atty. Peter Danao.

Brod Atelier "Boy" Luna came with his big art works (all in acrylic) featuring different festivals locally and in Indonesia, where he taught art for several years. Boy Luna was asked to post his artworks at the international website, where he will occupy a space at the Art Works Section.
 

The Balikbayan Boys

Art Atega, seated leftmost

Toti Que, standing center

Willie Vergara, seated center

A brod from Oman, Art Atega of Blitzkrieg '68, was likewise asked to post his architectural designs of the cities he built in Oman. Art has practically attended most of the big and small group activities while in Manila and is scheduled to depart on August 4. He was among the three guests of this large Makati gathering, the other two being former Collegian Editor-in-Chief and Great Escape Jubilarian Agustin "Toti" V. Que and myself. Carlo Gervasio, another architect and mainstay of the Makati Chapter, arrived with City Administrator Gene Puente, who spent part of the night bantering with the pretty waitresses.

Gilbert Joven announced that he will be playing golf with Noli Nolasco, Rollie Balingit  and Julius Cada at Noli's turf in Alberta, Canada. He will proceed to Northern California afterwards, sometime in mid-September, and will be contacting his batch mates in that part of the world.
 

Sec Vic Ramos, Usec Rene de Rueda and Milton Mendoza were among the first to arrive with me and Bernie Bantegui, another prospective member of the Makati Chapter being that he resides in the same village as Milton and VOR. Instead of karaoke, the whole group preferred to watch an exciting basketball game between the Philippines and Jordan, where the Pinoy rattled their opponents in the third quarter to build a lead enough to win them the game. It was great to see Erza Castillo again, and it was only that night when many of us learned that Ezra is actually Erwin Castillo's half-brother! Prez Rolly Reyes showered us with a treat of Santa Maria chicharon. The late arrival of Joey Zulueta made me feel like this was a Betan lawyers meeting with so many other lawyers who already came before him. Boyet Fernandez, Enching Rodriguez, Rawlie Dimayuga and others who remained continued to exchange harmless barbs while Ferdie Echiverri, Art and I called it a night. Ross Fernando, Makati's ever reliable Treasurer made sure that the large bill for the large function room and sumptuous food would be paid without having to collect from their guests.

It appears that the Makati Chapter will be having more members in the fold. I understand that Freddie de Leon will be acquiring a condo unit very near Metz, where this affair was held. Joe Rebano aka JoeReb also has a condo unit right in Makati. Chito Arreza, Batch 76, another lawyer whose clients are the shipping lines magnates, is also a new member. Plus, of course, more Makati-based members of the OBBF.

Thanks to Ed Abon who organized the occasion! MABUHAY ANG MAKATI CHAPTER!!!

The Engie de Gracia - Makati Chapter, UP Beta Sigma Fraternity

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