OBBF Celebrates Valentine Day with Families

By Willie Vergara

[Photos by Rolly Reyes and Willie Vergara]

[*Web note: To view/download all pictures, go to Current Features>Photo Albums]

The OBBF Valentine Party 2015 was held at an upscale housing development in Taguig called Mahogany 3. It was the third time I’ve been to that place in as many times I’ve visited the Philippines since 2010, a first time for International Prez Edsel Arceo and the second time for Central Prez Rolly Reyes.

Edsel said at one point with some amazement and admiration, “Ibang klase itong grupong ito.” I told him I’ve known the group since 2000 through Brod Neil Hidalgo (who was also present at the Valentine party), during a frat picnic at San Pablo Lake whereupon he told me and Ike (Atenarai) about an egroup among the 80s and 90s that correspond with each other regularly. Hungry for some news about brods who came decades after us, I curiously and closely watched their conversations and I don’t think I missed a beat. I found them to be a tightly-knit group of brash, trash-talking alpha males and intellectuals, and I would later discover that most of them have made it in the corporate jungle.

Enough of the background info about the Operation Big Brother Foundation for now. Quite a lot have been written elsewhere about the members of this group, but from my perspective, I knew since 2000 that this high caliber group would soon lead this Fraternity of Choice, worldwide.

And now back to February 14.

Host “Dorb” Raffy Hidalgo aka Juan Luna aka Paeng announced the event as a family affair and that only “legits” would be allowed entry, meaning, kulasisis or umbrella girls are highly discouraged. (I’m just paraphrasing, of course.) True enough, many of them brought their respective spouses and children, some of whom I met in 2005 for the very first time at Raffy’s BF Homes residence in Tandang Sora.

Although I know most of them by name, it was a most pleasant opportunity for me to personally meet new faces during this affair. This include Brod Jun Justo, Richmonde Hotel’s General Manager who was among those who figured in the success of our Diamond Anniversary celebrations; Brod Binji Pangaibat MD and his wife, also an MD – both doctors at the UP Infirmary; and Brod Andre Umali aka Rats Karad (The Rock Star), whom I consider my “long-lost son” through a long-time friendship with his recently deceased dad.

It was nice to see the old faces – Brods Atty. Pete “Pedring” Danao (currently one of Central’s Board of Trustees), Engr. Leo Robel, Accenture officemates Jay Policarpio and Simeon “Mon” Mamaril, the unrelated Hidalgos (Paeng and Neil), Paeng’s fave Nonoy Tagaro, Alan Montecastro (who recently decided to leave Singapore for good), and Philip Marfil (who is enjoying another lease of life with booze and food).

Up to the day itself, Raffy was quite unsure about the turn-out because people’s behaviors can be unpredictable on a Valentine Day. Be that as it may, OBBF mainstay Brods Jason Justo and Lloyd Dizon were still able to make it with their respective spouses. Jason was the last to arrive as he complained about the heavy traffic from Tagaytay. The late Lloyd brought with him “The Singleton” one of the finest whiskeys of the day, to complement two bottles of 12-year old Yamazaki and a Double Black Johnny Walker – from Rolly Reyes, and another less known but extra-fine whisky called “Glenmorangie”. The Jack Daniels was almost left untouched till the end, but only after all the rest of the alcohol were gone.

The feast was a Bacchanalian, no less. First there was a large Cebu lechon incomparable in taste and texture, steaks and barbecues, local veggies, fish and “kakanins” – name it. Add these to an hour at the sauna and the pool which only Pedring, Leo and I chose to enjoy. But the highlight of the affair was just being together, raising our individual voices in order to be heard, outdoing each other in talking trash, simply enjoying each other’s company cemented by a most unique brand of brotherhood even if only by vicarious experience which ties date back to years in the university and the legendary tambayan.

Other brods promised to come the next time, namely: Brods Ron Justo, Harry Temperante, Dennis Belmonte, Jig Reyes, Jun St Barbs, Alex Bermas, Carlo Maceda plus many others whom I’d like to meet: Charlie Mendoza, Mel Ladip, Jerry Bongco, Alexis Dogwe, JP Aguiluz, Jet Balajadia, Chris Ofrin, Karl Galing and all the others.

Cheers OBBF!!

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