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FRIENDS,
FOOD AND FUN By
Charito Cabanilla-Love, Class 1974 Going
to San Diego has never been so good. It’s not that San Diego
is a top tourist spot nor that the weather, compared with that of New
York’s in the month of May, is enviably gorgeous. Visiting
San Diego is not complete without seeing former classmates.
It is the chance of catching up with the people you practically
grew up with. While we
must all acknowledge the fact that we all grew up to be a little
different from the brats that we were in high school, experience
confirms that when high school chums/friends/acquaintances get
together, a certain “child-like mischief” is bound to resurface
and catches everyone with such delight any party is bound to be
beaming over with fun. Such
was the case when I went to San Diego in early May 2003 and stayed
with my dear former classmate - Bernadette Manzano-Saclolo.
What started out as a simple “can you spare a moment to see
me?” blossomed into a huge never-to-be-missed-let’s-do-it-again
type of get-together. On May 4, 2003, my former classmates Yogi Diaz, Fanny Untalan-Ramizo, Dorima Marcelo-Mondala, and Yoly Sipin-Suyat arrived at the beautiful home of Bernadette where I was staying. Invariably, we all looked at each other’s sizes and blamed everyone and everything - it is never our fault why our dress sizes are way above that in high school. Dorima must have a well-guarded secret - she remained small, sweet and quiet. She came to be with us, her former classmates, and I was deeply touched. Yogi, as ever, was witty and funny and can cook! Fanny and I had a lot of catching up to do. We will have to continue next time - thank you for letting me meet your family. Yoly, my relative, whose husband, Enzo is a close family friend, almost a relative, too. I was so happy to see her turn into a happy and confident woman - and still married at that. I have to spend more time with her next time as well. Staying with Badette brought back so many happy memories; we talked about things we did in high school and it was a beautiful experience to be “there” again. I am grateful that we had a chance to laugh hard before the festivities. I thank you, Badette, for your hospitality, friendship and for putting together a most interesting collection that I had so much fun going through. The fun began that only Kuya Johnny Soriano and Enzo and Malou Aradanas-Castilian - ever the faithful leaders and tireless friends looking after every visiting alumni - can ever put together. It does not cease to amaze me how they could gather together people from every corner of the state and come up with just the liveliest party. We had food you will not find elsewhere - homemade kaldereta was my favorite among others. If food was not the best already, you have Kuya Johnny and Enzo throwing their old antics and I tell you, you do not know fun in the real sense of the word until you sat down with these two, then add Yogi - it was a riot. No one stopped laughing that afternoon. The lesson to be learned: beware when visiting San Diego, Divinian alumni can pull together their resources without a sweat and throw a party where the only strings attached are those of guaranteed unforgettable moments. I cannot wait to visit again and next time I do, I will make sure I will stay longer. |