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What does it take to wake up light-headed at a little past eight in the morning of December 28, 2008, with Santana’s “Black Magic Woman” continuously playing in your mind? Well , I daresay, a lot! For one thing, it is not everyday that you get to be invited to the SJA Student Canteen All Classes Party perpetually hosted by its ever solicitous originator, Mr. Ismael Baysa of the Boy’s Department Class of 1972, most especially if your sole claim to being a Josephinian is having studied at St. Joseph’s Academy for only a year, and that was way back in Grade One circa 1967 – 1968, under the tutelage of the erstwhile Miss Carmelita Dilay, now Mrs. Pabellano, and much retired from the service! Moreover, December 27th happened to be the Christmas get - together of Class 1977 of Quezon High where I belong, already in full swing at Castle Bernardina near SM Lucena when I left for Sariaya at about past nine forty in the evening, with a “well it’s gonna’ be worth it” ringing in my ears, inside that dark crowded van that dare brave the windy cold and drizzle of the night.
Over at Crossing in Calumpang, there was a slow down in traffic caused by road blocks at a military check point and buses full of commuters in both directions were among those that were caught in the situation. Traffic slowed down once again at the Balubal area care of unruly drivers who were bent on rushing to their destinations, even occupying the opposite lanes at times to great discomfort and irritation on the part of the more sedate commuters. Eventually, we arrived in Sariaya and the beautiful, period-renovated Baysa-Villoso house along Calle Mayor was well lit, with the stained glass windows glowing bright against a drizzly dark backdrop. The din of music and merry making permeated the night air and pyrotechnics lit up the night sky as the van approached the area, though It’s unclear whether it came from the house. Arriving at home to deposit my batch ’77 reunion things first, I dialed “Tita May’s” (Mary Ann Orendain-Villoso of SJA Class 1973) number so she can facilitate my coming over to the party venue since it was her who told me about my being invited to the one-of-a-kind gathering the day before, December 26th, while we were having part two of our Dedace family Christmas gathering at Tio Turing and Tia Helen Dedace’s in Jippers Ilaya. Accordingly, my penchant for writing Sariaya – inspired kuwentos and happenings at sariaya.net which I likewise forwarded to her, her husband Doc Raddy and my neighbor Rhodora Abano, all part and parcel of the SJA Student Canteen website, earned me some form of online readership from the more senior Kababayans like them who would like to be reminded, updated and thus inspired about things Sariayahin.
Initially, I told her about not being able to attend care of my forthcoming Class reunion that same evening but her prodding, and the thought of meeting new people, Kababayans at that, made me opt for leaving our party in Lucena much earlier to catch up with the SJA party later. Whatever and for some reason, she wasn’t answering the phone, perhaps so engrossed with the fun of it all so I tried calling up her husband Doc Raddy (SJA Boy’s department Class 1972) but likewise, to no avail. Then, there it was, a texted message from Tita May at about ten twenty that read “GO K P B D2? DAAN K SYD DOOR.” so I called her up and my right ear was instantly bludgeoned by that ever familiar nostalgic blast of early 70s rock music! So that’s why she wasn’t able to hear her phone ring . . . . . and she was shouting against the din and the decibels that the party was just starting and there’s no use having a conversation, stressing that I should enter through a side door into the Old Sariaya-inspired house. As I was about to get out, another text message arrived saying that “AND2 MA PAZ” referring to our Sariaya Quadri Centennial Foundation or QUADRO colleague Dra. Maria Paz Carlos-Carandang who belongs to SJA Batch 1970, and whom I haven’t seen in months. So off I went to Ilaya with my ever faithful companion, my umbrella, because there was no let up from the drizzle and soon found myself in front of the house with cars parked at its garage and at the newly constructed parking space of erstwhile Governor Robert Racelis’ house next door.
From the so described side door adjacent to the garage, I saw the pony-tailed Victor Albrando, whooping it up like the veritable “life of the party” that he truly is among fellow classmates seated around a table full of drinks, just as high-strung voices of merriment rose above the din of Santana’s high-adrenalin Latino cacophony blaring in its extremely danceable beat. Instantly, I had momentary flashes of fond 1960s childhood reminiscences at the Quezon Avenue Ibaba – Argente – Geronimo area where a much younger yet no less prankish Victor, affectionately addressed by his nickname “Sabas” together with his elder brother Ronnie, would come and contribute their share in the fun of the neighborhood play of kids their age, most of whom were Josephinians, like “Ates” Babygirl and Girlie Alcala, Edna and Joven Albufera, Yoly, Marilyn, Ernesto and Edgar Espinas, Anching, Efren and Idan Alcaneses, Juanie Albrando, Rhodora and Salvy Abano, Marie Reyes, Helen Quejano, Cynthia Carlos, Angie Algenio, Gerry V Cedeno and occasionally, Arthur and Angelo Dedace of the then still rocky road - traversed Rodriguez Subdivision among others. A most appropriate backdrop to all of these was the trendy musicality of a local band composed of their more senior contemporaries like Fredo Reyes, Pedro Idea, Susing Carlos, Tukil and Ambit Albrando, as well as Teddy Orendain, Tita May’s elder brother, who occasionally joined them, with Aurelio Reyes acting as their manager. They held Shadows, Ventures, Beatles, Dave Clark Five, Cascades, Monkees, and-what-have-you - inspired jamming sessions at the Cadiz-Palabrica-Reyes residence along Calle Argente to the utmost patronage and delight of their peers like “Ates” Nini (Soc) and Vinya Alcala, Naicy and Cristeta Carlos, Esther Reyes and Mercy Alcaneses among others. The erstwhile tiny tots who were too young to play unsupervised on the pock-marked asphalt streets like Veon and Eva Algenio, Lorna and Flor Quejano, Cherry Abano, Vivian Espinas, Julisses Albufera, Beppo Alcaneses, Raniel Cedeno, Al Dedace and myself can only look wide-eyed in awe and wonder at the vibrant and dynamic, kiddy and teeny-bopper scene all around, made even more engaging by the chirping of the colorful caged birds and the cooing of hovering pigeons that inhabited the balcony and roof of the Albufera-Espinas house.
Anyway, I dialed Tita May’s number once again so she can usher me, a first-timer, into the ongoing gathering, and again no answer at first. At my second try though, her high-spirited and lilting countenance answered . . . . . “Nasan ka baga?”above the music and the merriment, to which I answered “Naari sa harap ng bahay!”. The next thing I knew, she was slowly coming out into the specially paved sidewalk, ear-glued to her hand-held cell phone and looking from side to side as she shivered into the cold and drizzly breeze, while I was standing there, momentarily blocked by a nearby lamppost . It was so cinematic and comical , just like in the local “pa twee-tums” commercial movie releases of nowadays and we both laughed uncontrollably the moment our eyes met, with the high fives for emphasis! Before long, she was leading me past the garage, down a flight of stairs and into the confines of the party area composed of an inner courtyard with landscaped foliage to the right where Victor and the batch ’72 barkada were having the time of their lives around a drinks-filled table so described, while to the left is the hall where the rest of the exuberant party-goers were distributed in red wine, fruits and munchies-laden long tables. It was a vastly different set up from the bizarre, yet very artful and effective, Halloween-inspired ambience that greeted us during our fun-filled Sariaya Tourism Council “Pangangaluluwa”, the night of October 30th. Tita May encouraged me to go for some refreshments first and along the way, I said my greetings to the chubby and good-natured “Kuala”, a member of their Round Table Society (RTS) barkada at Ilayang Calle Rizal seated nearby. This happy-go-lucky barkada formed sometime in the fun-filled days of the 1980s was predominantly composed of husband and wife teams like Doc Raddy and May Villoso, Sonny and Coritha Medrano, as well as Avelino and Jocelyn Ibarrola among others, together with the happy and perpetually single sisters Minerva and Tahvick Remo, the ever vivacious Kuala, Larry Quinto, et al. The seeming Camelot – inspired twang of it all came from the big round table at the Remo house, that served as mute witness to their regular Friday night pre week – end “pa morningan” gatherings over food and of course, drinks, taken with a sip and a swirl that delightfully went to their heads in the process. If that round table could only talk, I would be most delighted to come over to Tita Miner’s and interview it for what must well be an intoxicating high in writing Sariayahin kuwentos for posterity . . . The exuberance of bygone youth, as well as wine and whine, led to one-of-a-kind togetherness and camaraderie that resulted in “kumaparehan and kumarehan”, truly cementing and perpetuating relationships to this day and age.
Near the buffet table, I exchanged Yuletide and Auld Lang Syne pleasantries with long-time neighbor, “kababata” and now prolific e mail pal Rhodora Abano – Raya, seated with fellow SJA batch ’74 classmates. With that and unknowingly, another momentary flash of childhood memory was rekindled, this time of the playfully musical kind. Rhodora Abano, Cynthia Carlos (SJA Batch 1975) and my cousin Arturo Dedace Jr. were among the batch of kids in our neighborhood who saw the light of day in the year 1958. According to Kuya Arthur’s jolly and vibrant mother Tia Helen Idea-Dedace, she would, upon the suggestion of her mother-in-law Maria-Ocampo_Dedace or “Inanang Bia”, carry her first born northwards along badly-asphalted and pock-marked Quezon Avenue in the early mornings. . . “para mainitan ang bata”, for a much needed dose of Vitamin D from sunlight, that is. Seeing her approach from the windows of their big and tall two-storey house, Tita Goya de Castro – Carlos, Cynthia’s mother, would come down from their likewise two storey-high massive concrete staircase, cradling the baby in her arms for a nice and pleasant talk. Equally gregarious and playful herself, Tita Goya accordingly, would suggest that they bring their infants face-to-face with . . . “Aba’y maige pa’y paghalikin natin!” and the expressions in those yet innocent and sleepy faces never failed to bring chuckles of amusement between them. While I was growing up in the 1960s, my elder paternal cousins, notably the late Ate Babygirl Alcala of SJA Class ’68, would teach us two incoherent novelty songs most likely inspired by that cute, infant kiss story of 1958 as follows: “Bondying nakita mo ba? Si Arthur nangharana! May dalang Sampaguita, ibibigay kay Cynthia. Cynthiang mag-iitlog, leghorn ang kanyang manok. Kaya pala nagkakamot, may hanip sa batok! Arthur ay humanda ka si Cynthia’y may ibibigay. Itlog na dalawa, ihahanda sa inyong kasal! Kasal na en grande gaganapin sa katedral. Ang ninong ay si Tatay, ang ninang ay si Nanay! Bondying!”
So where on earth, so you may ask, would Rhodora be in the picture? She enters the scene in the sequel song : “Istambay, istambay sa looban. Si Arthur at si Cynthia ay nagtanan! Ang kawawang si Irynn (Rhodora) ay naiwan, siya ay nagbigti sa kawayan!” Still steeped in recollections, Tita May introduced me to Ma’am Helen, an elder sister of Ismael who graciously invited me to partake of the food on the table, ergo, from Helen to Helen that is! And having just been to our Quezon High batch ’77 Christmas Party two hours earlier, I only settled for a light fare of pasta, salad and a sausage dish. The atmosphere was warm and congenial, with the five SJA batch classes socializing and having the time of their lives over a babble of talk on anything under the sun above the blare of apt 70s period music, while bosom cousins and classmates Ismael Baysa and Raddy Villoso were huddled on the LCD Projector that showed the 70s musical icons performing their greatest hits in big concerts before hordes of delirious, ecstatic, and screaming fans on a gigantic screen on the wall. A little while later, Doc Raddy came over and said . . . “Hindi ko na nasagot ang tawag mo kanina eh?” and I said “Okay lang yun Doc! Siyempre naman super busy ka! At saka e-eh, talagang DJ na DJ ang dating mo!”, at which he smiled. While I enjoyed my late evening snack at the batch ’73 table, I looked up and rested my eyes on the Christmas-inspired decorations such as beds of shiny twigs and greens attached with colorful shiny balls on the girders, supported by white columns draped and hugged by cascading shiny stars in red and gold. Meanwhile, Doc Raddy switched to slower and nostalgia-laden musical effects which are most appropriate backdrops to the showing of old, predominantly black and white period photos of yore at SJA. The now considerably classic photographs of the kindergarten boys in those all too familiar shorts and white polo shirts, and the cute little girls in their plain white blouses tucked in those little skirts, before the advent of the sailor-inspired collars for the girls starting school year 1967-1968 when our SJA batch was in the first grade, provoked animated reactions from the viewers! The “ooohs”, the “aaahs”, the “e-eehhs”, the “i-iiihhs”, the “a-aahhs”, and the lilting “iyaaaas” said everything about the good – natured amusement and nostalgic fondness for the “walandyo-walastik, ‘tsura lang, yeba, ye-ye vonnel, Divina Valencia-Stella Suarez nagbuburles, twiggy, fish net, sexy, and pogi hindi naman goli” period visual fare. With such, I got my earful share of . . . “Huy, sino nga baga yang madreng yaan? Napakataray niyan!”, “Iyaaa, ta’mo nga naman kaaamo ng mga itsura pag first communion ano? At tinamo naman ngay-on!”, “E-eh ay yanong ganda talaga ni Miss Rexie Sevilla ano?”, “A-ah, ay nami-miss ko baga talaga yang third floor ng St. Joseph’s ah!”, “Aba’y ari baga ay si Fr. Juano?” . . . Indeed, those were the days when the SJA nuns sponsored film showings as diverse as the very musical feel-good movie “The Singing Nun” inside its forbidding four walls, and “Dandansuy” at the erstwhile Joseph Theater starring 60s Matinee Idols Susan Roces and Bob Soler, with Rosa Mia in her characteristic role of the perpetually tearful “Inay” (if I was not mistaken) and the feisty mestiza Maria Victoria as the much hated contra vida. Just as the moviegoers shouted in irritation when a strong wind burst open the window upstairs thereby erasing the visuals from the screen, you munched on Sky Flakes chased by ice cold Bireley’s Chocolate, Mirinda Orange and Mirinda Grapes sipped through white paper straws that got deformed on the lip-sucked portion before you can even finish your bottle! Much later, the photos showed SJA Boy’s Department students playing basketball, that prompted the much amused ladies to shout . . . “Abaaa, ay bakit ganyan ang inyong mga shorts noon, ang iikli?” And when the early 70s Mamala exploits of the long-haired and Victor Wood side burn-sporting Szchimada Club ’72 barkada was being shown onscreen, the fifty something guys hollered, roared and laughed good-naturedly at the way the tight-fitting bell bottom jeans in vogue that time highlighted and flattered whatever assets the shirtless among the then young ones can muster.
Some of the photos virtually showed the touristic endowments of Sariaya, . . . from the slopes of Mamala and the gently sloping beachfronts of Talaan then the more popular picnic areas of those times, to the traditional May 15th San Isidro Fiesta, the 1748 church, the Juan Arellano-designed Municipio and the landmark ancestral houses. At some point, the photos looked so familiar and Tita May reminded me of a Sariaya oriented photo CD that I lent to her husband for self burning. I remembered taking those photographs sometime in late October 2006 after an almost week-long visit to Bacolod City for one of its top tourist attractions, the Masskara Festival. Side trips to Iloilo City specifically the gorgeous churches of the Jaro and Molo Districts, the awe-inspiring well-preserved 1883 Lizares Family ancestral mansion in Talisay City next to Bacolod, and on to the French-Silaynon Gaston ancestral house now known as the “Balay Negrense”, the Jalandoni ancestral house and the Hispanic buildings in Silay City, one of the country’s three National Historical Landmarks along with Taal, Batangas and Pila, Laguna, thereafter, inspired me to do a photo documentation of our town’s one-of-a-kind architectural heritage that the UP College of Architecture find most interesting, care of what they hail as the characteristic combination of the Sariayahin vernacular architecture with outside foreign influences like the Art Deco style.
Eventually, Senyor Baysa sauntered over to our table and with Tita May facilitating the formal introductions, we shook hands and he said . . . “Buti nakarating ka!”, which I noted with much appreciation. Not too long thereafter, Dra. Paz Carandang who earlier, was conversing with Irma Luna and her batch 1971 classmates, transferred to our table and after exchanging pleasantries engaged Tita May, Ate Jocelyn Cadiz-Ibarrola and myself in QUADRO-oriented topics. A little later, the Santana played “Black Magic Woman” onscreen and the light-footed among the attendees led by batch ‘72’s ballroom dancing aficionado Ms. Josie Mendoza and her Dance Instructors sprang to life and did their thing with gusto to the delight of everyone. The effervescent Victor even went over to where the husband of his batch mate Michel Guttierez, Canadian national Mr. Pasquale ( if I got his French-sounding first name right, minus his surname though), was seated and offered to lead him to the dance floor, to much amusement from the lively and spirited congregation. With the Santana video as full decibel backdrop, the ambience was of being part of the concert itself, with the great acoustics of the place intensifying the reality TV atmosphere of it all. Looking so pleased with the gathering, Senyor Baysa moved from place to place, offering more red wine, taking photographs of the proceedings as they happened and even brought out some tambourines which he handed over to his barkada, who took the cue to shake and beat them to the heart thumping cacophony of the Santana kind of expression in music! He with his youthful and lovely wife Emma, wearing a chic, wine-colored apparel, occasionally took center stage and surrendered themselves to the Latino suave and sensuality like everyone else.
With the video shifting to the Bee Gees, the mood turned even more nostalgic with voices and hearts singing to their most beloved hits like “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart”, “Massachusetts” and their late kid brother Andy Gibb’s 1978 runaway hit “Our Love (Don’t Throw It All Away)” among others. Then as the onscreen house came down with their “Saturday Night Fever” blockbuster hits “How Deep Is Your Love”, “More Than A Woman” and “Night Fever”, the DIs facilitated the Denny Terio – choreographed John Travolta numbers and the place seemed back to the good old and delightful disco days of 1977 – 1978, with more light foots joining in the unbridled fun. However, the electricity of it all did not seem to energize “Kuala” who looked sleepier by the minute in his seat, perhaps owing to the proliferation of “pa – morningan” parties and gatherings to be attended that is all the rage at this time of year, and Tita May remarked . . . “Iyaaa Kuala, bakit baga ikaw ay low batt na ganyan? Maki join ka nga dun sa mga nagsasayaw at nang magising ka!” And glancing at the batch ’74 table behind us said “Huuuy, isayaw nga ninyo ari!” to which one of the guys wearing a metro pink polo shirt, their co RTS colleague Larry Quinto, gamely took up the challenge and exclaimed “Parini nga Kuala at isasayaw kita!” to the to the feigned irritation yet “kil-it” (neck bent) – rendered smirk from the former that merited gleeful shouts of “E-e-e-e-eee!”and applause from those within earshot. Visibly energized, Kuala stood up and started sashaying to the 1979 Bee Gees disco hit “Tragedy” on the way to the dance floor followed by Larry and the dancing was just starting to heat up when suddenly the screen went blank and the music stopped, thus breaking up the momentum. From the direction of the amused onlookers came shouts of “Ay naku Kuala, aayaw sa iyo ng tugtog!” “Aayaw kang pasayawin!”, to which he made a wry face with “Oo nga ih, bitiiiin!”, as he and the rest returned to their seats, just as Doc Raddy and company tinkered with the video contraption. It was as if the steaming dance floor was suddenly doused with ice cold water and there was no MTV for the next twenty minutes or so, yet it did not really dampen the festive atmosphere and the babble and Babel of animated conversations reigned, punctuated by the clink of wine glasses and the laughter of abandoned merriment. Suddenly, out from the cold and dark of night, and down the flight of stairs from the garage emerged a grinning, lightly-bearded and mustachioed Mike Flores sporting a striped polo shirt, who first exchanged pleasantries with the guys from the table in the inner court area and then headed straight for the batch ’73 table where Tita May exclaimed . . .“ Ay sa wakas, dumating na rin ang aking DI! At ano naman Miguel at ngay-on ka laang?” He replied . . . “Naku pasensiya na at very hectic ang aking schedule kaninang umaga pa!” . . . and he recounted how he started his day by being a “Ninong sa kasal” to someone from Lutucan, and on to a flurry of previous commitments that took most of the time that would have been spent bonding with everyone in the party. Batch mate Ate Jocelyn said . . . “Aba ay kanina ka pa nga pinag te-te-text dine ah?”, to which Tita May went on with , . . . “Ay oo, at awan ko nga baga at wala namang dumating na boys ng batch ’73 dine! Kainaman na yang mga yan, kaya tini-text kita talaga!” Mike said that he received the text messages but he could not reply at once because he was driving and there were some areas along the way wherein there was no network signal. Then he turned to me and said “Naunahan pa nga ako ni Eric eh! Anong oras ka dumating?”, . . . and I answered, “Aba’y kanina pa!” Then Tita May said, “Ay siya hala, kain na muna ikaw!” . . . at which he turned to Kuala with “Kuala, samahan mo naman ako?”, so red shirt and striped polo shirt headed for the buffet table and were back not too long thereafter.
Before long, Doc Raddy and company were able to fix the LCD Projector and the MTV was back with a vengeance, this time with the electricity of a combination concert between Chicago and the Earth, Wind and Fire! Everybody’s attention was again riveted to watching the 70s musical acts being played out on the big wall screen and one can’t help but be carried away with the spirited performances and the pandemonium of their delirious fans, greatly magnified by the state-of-the-art amplifiers. It was not uncommon to see hands tapping on the tables, heads nodding, bodies swaying and feet stomping . . . even to hear voices singing along with the featured artists onscreen. Then the EWF started playing their monstrous 1978 hits like “September” and “Sing-A-Song”, and the dance floor instantly became alive . . . . . a veritable showcase for the 70s generation to display their innate beat, such that John Travolta and the 70s “Queen of sensuous rock” Donna Summer would definitely have been at home with them right then and there! The DIs did the motions and the ever young at heart and light-footed fifty-something fellows followed, instantly transformed into the energetic and carefree discophiles that they were of at least thirty years ago. Gone were the thoughts of arthritis, hypertension, high glucose levels and maintenance medicines, as they went through the familiar dance movements like the swing, that reminded of happy-go-lucky days in elevator shoes, bell bottom jeans, double-knit and shiny suede pants, tight fitting wide-collared apparels and hair styles that recall Rico J. Puno and Farah Fawcett-Majors. In the heat of the moment, the blink of strove lights and the blare of extremely danceable music, it was not hard to forget that there are already “Lolos” and the “Lolas” among them! It was almost like riding a musical time machine back to the old days of yore . . . . . when going to Manila meant either via Calauan or via Alaminos, of scrambling and climbing those BLTB windows at the bus terminal going to the Lucena Capitolyo area just so you can be assured of a seat along the way, of living in dormitories at Navarra and Moret streets near UST that get easily flooded in rainy weather, of curfews between twelve midnight and four in the morning, of Metro Pop and the Original Pilipino Music hits like “Anak, Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika, Saranggola Ni Pepe, Pumapatak Na Naman Ang Ulan, Annie Batungbakal, Bongga Ka Day and Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko”, of movies like “Burlesk Queen, Star Wars, Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising, Carrie, Ina Ka Nang Anak Mo and Love At First Bite”, of TV shows like “John en Marsha, Discorama, Starsky and Hutch, Charlie’s Angels and Gulong Ng Palad”, and of the very “in” Super Wheel commercial expressions like “Si Prince Charming!” and “Magapatuka Na Lang Ako Sa Ahas!” Dra. Maria Paz Carandang had already left our table and in her place with Tita May was her Orendain blood relation Chit Mendoza of SJA Class 1978 with elder sister Malou Mendoza of Batch ’74 seated at the next table. Tita May told her that my father, Ernesto Dedace is a very close “kabarkada” of her Dad Tito Nelying Mendoza and Chit said yes, remembering Tatay’s pet name to their Ranger’s Club group as “Parnot”, much to our amusement. Indeed, time has really gone so fast as I recall her as a kindergarten student when I was in Grade one at SJA, and she figured out as a light green-appareled “Miss Ilang-Ilang” then riding an owner type jeep during the 1968 “College Day Parade”. . . . . more than forty years ago already, to be exact!
Soon it was refreshment time already since the dance floor fellows had already shaken their booty for so long, and needed to recharge and replenish lost energy, and Tita May asked me to go with her for coffee. We headed for the merienda table where cups were waiting to be filled with hot water from the nearby electric dispenser, and flavored with “three-in-one” sachets, while a tray of sandwiches was at hand. While mixing coffee, she had a conversation with Ma’am Helen and another of Ismael’s elder sisters, Ma’am Emily Baysa-Remo. The topic was about the wedding anniversary of the host couple at that very moment, the first hour of December 28th since it was past twelve midnight already, to which Tita May reacted with a high-pitched voice of surprise . . . “Siyanga? Aba ay magka anniversary pala kami nina Kuya Ismael kasi 28th year ng kasal namin ngayon din ni Raddy!” Iyaaa ay hindi ko alam sa tinagal-tagal ng panahon . . .e-eh?” Her Ate Helen exclaimed . . . “Abaaa ay kung gay-on ay Happy Anniversary din sa inyo!” “Ayun at nagsasayaw na nga ang mag-asawa sa unahan!”, referring to the waltz number being done by Ismael and Emma that time. Surprised likewise at the instant revelation, I greeted her as well. Then Ma’am Helen said, “Ay siya, maige pa ay mai-announce din at nang isayaw ka ni Raddy!”, to which an amused Tita May answered “Ay naku Ate Helen, hindi nasayaw ang aking asawa! Magpapatugtog na lang yan at magkukuha ng litrato, ta’mo o! . . . referring to the perpetual DJ and document artist in Doc Raddy. Then she was approached and engaged in a conversation by a long-haired guy in white shirt who like Ismael danced and photographed his way into the party, US balikbayan Henry Villadiego of SJA Boy’s Department batch 1971.
Having finished my cup of coffee with the sandwich, I headed back to my seat and engaged in talkies with Ate Jocelyn while watching the dance floor being kept alive and swinging by that delicious 1978 Teri de Sario number “Ain’t Nothin’ Gonna Keep Me From You”. Asked as to why she came unescorted that night, Ate Jocelyn said “Aba’y awan ko nga baga duon at aayaw sumama!”, referring to her husband, likewise of batch ’71. “Sayang nga at naari pala si Pareng Henry ay di sana’y nagkita sila! Kasi ay magkaklase at magkabarkada sila nuong high school eh!”, she added. And before we knew it, who would be passing by and heading “pa sayaw-sayaw” to the dance floor but Tita May herself, so with Mike. . . and even Doc Raddy was already there . . . yes, in the middle of it all to be exact, but just to take candid snapshots of the incurable discophiles as always. At one point, they even formed a circle, hand in hand and swooped in and out of the center as if they were doing a childhood “Shoo fly, don’t bother me”, except that inside that dynamic circle was Victor doing an ultra personalized disco exhibition free for all with his signature pony tail swinging in both directions, after which replaced by others who were equally inspired, carried and blown away by the powerful music of DJ Raddy! Indeed, nothing can top the disco sights and sounds of the 70s with X-tremely danceable hits by the Commodores ( Machine Gun, The Bump, I Feel Sanctified, Too Hot To Trot ), Bee Gees ( You Should Be Dancing, Night Fever, More Than A Woman, If I Can’t have You, Staying Alive, Tragedy, Love You Inside And Out ), Andy Gibb ( I Just Wanna Be Your Everything, Love Is Thicker Than Water, Shadow Dancing, An Everlasting Love ), Donna Summer (Dim All The Lights, Could It Be Magic, Come With Me, On The Radio, Love To Love You Baby ), Barbra Streisand ( The Main Event, Enough Is Enough duet with Donna Summer ), KC And The Sunshine Band ( That’s The Way I Like It, I’m Your Boogey Man, Shake Your Booty, Keep It Coming Love, Boogie Shoes ), M.F.S.B. ( Love Is The Message, T.S.O.P. ), Chic ( Everybody Dance, Le Freak, Good Times ), Michael Jackson ( Off The Wall, Rock With You, Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough ), Earth, Wind And Fire ( Fantasy, Serpentine Fire, September, Sing-A-Song ), VST & Company (Swing, Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko ), The Emotions ( Best Of My Love, Smile With Me ) , Anita Ward ( Ring My Bell ), Evelyn “Champagne” King (Shame ), Ursula Dudzak ( Papaya ), Gloria Gaynor ( I Will Survive ), Frankie Valli ( Grease ), David Naughton ( Making It ), Walter Murphy Band ( A Fifth Of Beethoven, Funky Music ) and the like. Playing all of these with the apt period 70s looks and get ups for all the attendees the next time around will surely result in a faithful and virtual recreation of those much missed days of “Dekada Sitenta”, even for just a night of fun and nostalgia, for the ultimate enjoyment of everyone.
Eventually, the night was not getting any younger and the spirit of Bacchus had long taken its toll on the fiesta resistance of some of the guys, and eventually, attendees began leaving for a variety of reasons . . . like Terry Santa Cruz and Connie de los Reyes of batch ’74, RTS stalwart Kuala , as well as Dra. Ma. Paz Carlos-Carandang, and soon thereafter, even the Class of ’72 ladies such as Josie Mendoza and Michel Guttierez thereby provoking a mouthful of protest from their livewire batch mate Victor exclaiming . . . “At bakit naman kayo’y aalis na agad?”, but to no avail, with the customary “beso-beso” leave-takings being done already. All of them expressed heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the good couple who as always have been gracious enough to host delightful gatherings that resulted in great camaraderie and closer relations among the five batches of SJA graduates between 1970 to 1974. It must have been about past 3 AM already and Senyor Baysa announced over the microphone that hot and delicious “Bachoy” was being cooked and on the way to be served, to the delighted reaction of everyone. “Sabas” then remarked that “Nung minsan eh sa palengke na nga kami kumain ng bachoy eh!”, referring to another SJA Student Canteen All Classes “pa-morningan” party that saw the ’72 barkada being treated by Ismael to an early breakfast of this delicious pork-ginger-pig’s blood dish we locally call as “Syutsa” at a Sariaya Palengke Carinderia or “Karihan”, in peculiarly-lilting Sariayahin lingo. At this, Tita May said, “Ay oo, ganyan talaga si Kuya Ismael! Ayaw niya nang maagang nag-aalisan ang mga bisita, lalo na ang mga kaibigan pag may okasyong ganari.”
It was starting to get colder, what with fewer people around and the toning down of the erstwhile hot and blaring Latino and Disco music in favor of the more soulful and lyrical early 70s hits, one of which was being rendered on Videoke by Victor and classmate Sonny Diamante . . . eldest progeny of the much-missed jolly good old fellow “Mamang Temy”, famed for his delicious cookery and his characteristic ear-splitting and equally much-missed “sipol”! Tita May has fond recollections of those great happy days at their Calle Mayor house, when all their dearly beloved five Orendain siblings namely her aunts “Toyang”, Ondes” and “Pia” whom they, nephews and nieces, had each gotten used to call “Ate”, her father “Juanito” and his Tito “Doring” were still very much alive. The Orendains were gourmands and “Mamang Temy” used to be a habitué of the place, a protégé of his “Tito Doring” who once ran a food catering service as lucrative sideline to his teaching. As Tita May recounted once, “Ay naku, napakasaya sa bahay noon, lutuang-lutuan at datingan ang mga alyados ni Tito! Huntahang-huntahan habang gayatang-gayatan at gisahang-gisahan . . . I-ih ay yanong sasarap ng amoy galing sa kusina! Mamaya ay tutugtog pa ng malakas ang jukebox ng Kiama sa tapat, na kinig sa amin gawa ng wala pa namang masyadong sasakyan noon ah! Kaya may pasayaw-sayaw na habang gumagawa, at tapos ay biglang sisipol pa ang Artemio . . . “Fweeeeeeeeet!” kaya halakhakan kaming lahat! Haaaaay, talagang miss na miss ko baga ang mga gay-un! A-aaah!”, so Tita May sighed then. At least, she still has her dearly beloved 87-year old “Mama Esing”, and those wonderful, warm-hearted memories with her. My, some truly engaging things were what I remembered popping from my increasing headiness as I sat there surveying the after party scene at the Baysa residence almost two hours before dawn, with the wind increasingly getting colder and the remaining folks already back to plain conversations, oblivious to the video karaoke music being provided. Then the next wave of attendees started getting up from their seats and be on the verge of their fare-thee-wells as well . . . Irma Luna and her classmates, Henry Villadiego and his wife, even Rhodora herself and ’74 tablemates as some of them had to go back to Manila on some important appointments. I greeted the ever smiling Irma, a good friend of my Alcala cousins as she walked by and mentioned about the many occasions that she should have been at Ate Girlie’s beautiful garden in Mamala for delightful bonding occasions with her peers from the Calle Quezon Avenue Ibaba-Argente-Geronimo area. She said . . .“Oo nga eh, sayang! Ang dami ko kasing gawa sa opisina, pero gusto ko talagang makapunta doon.”, to which I replied back . . . “Naku, ang dami mo nang na-miss, pero sabihin mo lang kina Ate pag puwede ka na at welcome na welcome ka doon!” We said our leave-takings and Auld Lang Syne as they all prepared to go out into the light drizzle. However, their attempts at “calling it a dawn” were stalled momentarily by the arrival of the hot, gingery-delicious and hearty “Syutsa” served in bowls, with the sandwiches in trays as well. They went back to the tables to partake of the pre dawn fare, peppered with the company of the irrepressible Victor, and what’s left of the hearty “Chikahan” conversations. Doc Raddy’s classmate Rudy de los Reyes offered to fill some bowls for us but Tita May and I declined to be served, though I got a sandwich and settled for more talkies. Rudy’s ever popular mother “Aling Nena” now in her 70s has already retired from her delicious and lucrative “Pansit” trade and now resides in Muntingbayan, becoming very active in church activities as well as the local Senior Citizen’s Federation. I remember her taking part in the cultural presentation of Sariaya Tourism Council’s first ever Belen Festival of 2005, where she and “Aling Using”, a most unforgettable and always stylishly-dressed character and institution in our Nanay’s and Tita’s home service beauty regimen in those days, when the norm of haute coiffure was having the hair curled or “pakulot”, did a brightly-costumed, Latino-inspired dance number, as representatives of Poblacion Barangay 5’s Senior Citizens. It’s definitely great to be reminded of these recognized local personalities in their own spheres through associations with their progenies and friends, who made our being Sariayahin a life that is at once rich, colorful, charming, wonder-filled, worth living and cherishing. Indeed, it was so nice to be invited to Ismael Baysa’s party that surprisingly afforded me the chance to write and share of them for posterity, through this God-lent ultra talkative and introspective pen. Whatever, the “Syutsa” break was up soon and indeed Irma’s group really had to go, so they said their final farewells, thanking both Senyor Ismael and Emma for a wonderful time at the party with the hugs, the “beso-besos” and handshakes extended, punctuated by exuberant greetings of Happy New Year that flew from both directions. As a parting shot, Tita May so naturally injected her likewise God-lent gift of gab and humor with, “Iyaaa, mayamaya na nga kayo umalis! Magpapaluto pa ng Chami si Kuya Ismael!”, and everyone within hearing distance had a good laugh at that!
From being a stand up comic, a discophile, a video karaoke artist and a Bacchus – laden conversationalist all throughout the night and into the wee hours, Victor then turned to world politics and economics, and at once engaged the fellows near him in that direction. Then from out in the blue, Larry Quinto joined the verbal fray, quoting biblical verses, that prompted an ultra amused Tita May to blurt out’ “A-ah ay masama palang maturukan ang mga ito! Aba’y mga nawawala na sa sarili ih!” . . . amid much laughter. Everything was so spontaneous, done in the spirit of hilarity, and in the next minute, the group started posing for photographs with some seated and others behind a long wooden chair, indeed a fun way of winding up the cold wee hours. Before long, Victor was back to the videoke once again, singing his heart out at the erstwhile crowded, sultry, passion-filled thereafter abandoned dance floor with that soulful, lyrical, classic 1971 James Taylor hit . . . . “Just yesterday morning, they let me know you were gone, Susan the plans they made put an end to you, Woke up this morning and I wrote down in song, Just can’t remember who to send it to” . . . . . it was a hauntingly beautiful and nostalgic number that reminded of their long gone high school days that some of the Szchimada guys in the room can’t help but join in the singing . . . . .”I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain, I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end, I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend, But I always thought that I’ll see you again” . . . . .
We were still conversing in our seats when Ate Jocelyn looked at her watch and abruptly stood up saying . . . “A-ah ay mag a alas singko na pala!” Naku, makauwi na nga!”, to which Tita May said “Iyaaaa Mareng ilin, ba’t ka baga dalian?” “Aba ay baka magising na si asawa ay wala pa rin ako sa bahay!” . . . and the amused Tita May said, “Ay uu nga at napakalayo ng inyong bahay!” jestingly referring to their house just a block across the street . . . and Ate Jocelyn laughed at this. She then said her leave takings to the gracious hosts and headed for the stairs accompanied by fellow RTS barkada Larry, and out into the cold darkness. We likewise readied ourselves and Tita May said “Kuya, kami na ni Doc ang maghahatid sa iyo! Hintayin lang natin at inaayos yung sound system.” Then Victor said, “Aba’y te’ka nga at ako’y kakanta muna ng Hotel California!” . . . and to the others he said “Hoy, walang sasabay ha? Ako laang ang kakanta!” to the great amusement of Ismael, while the ever ready and efficient DJ Raddy cued the Eagles Karaoke CD at the player, with somebody shouting “Hoy Sabas, galingan mo ha?” And indeed, the opening bars of the electric guitar gave the long-haired rock aficionado the “emote effects” that he needed prior to his belting solo performance of the rock hit that topped the charts during my senior high school year in 1976-77 . . . “Welcome to the Hotel California! Such a lovely place! Such a lovely place! Living in a room at the Hotel California! Anytime of year (Anytime of year!), You can find them here!” We were so entertained as Victor swaggered, writhed and threw his head with his pony tail a – cascading in emulation of the British rockers . . . “You can check out anytime you like, But you can never leave!” . . . Indeed the time has come for us to head for home, and I took the time to shake Ismael’s hand in heartfelt thanks and appreciation for graciously having me there, even if I’m not part of their SJA Student Canteen circle. I ended up riding home with the solicitous Mike Flores in his car with Doc Raddy and Tita May preparing to follow suit, leaving the party venue to the Sczhimada barkada with their very gracious and ultra hospitable mentor . . . With Mike dropping me off at Argente corner Quezon Avenue, I headed for the house, opened the gate and in my hurry to turn the key on the doorknob and into our warm confines almost stepped on the tail of a pregnant cat who greeted me with her soft meow-meows. My, it would have been another three thousand peso plus misfortune, this time care of “Ninyos Inocentes” , recalling the anti tetanus and anti rabies vaccinations I had to suffer care of being bitten on the foot by that cat’s nasty predecessor last May 26th, on the occasion of Tita May’s 51st birthday! It was almost 5:30 AM when I finally had the luxury of having a few hour’s rest, and the last thing I remembered was of that crisp and all too overpowering ROTC – inspired command that barged and forced itself into my sleep-deprived mind, that then indicated a crawling punishment whenever we erstwhile cadet privates committed blunders in our punishing Saturday drills under the hot Los Banos sun of at least 31 years ago. It said “Fall like a log!” . . . . . and I’m afraid I truly did because my world suddenly went Z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-zzzzz!
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