Reunited the Simple but Elegant Way

What better way to enjoy good food with the company of good friends. I organized a get together among former co-workers and it was well attended. Dinner was at Sentro in Greenbelt 3 and it was full of reminiscing and laughter. We all agreed that the next reunion will be for Christmas. Almost half of the group has already moved on and are pursuing other careers but somehow, the group has remained bonded. I do recall those years when there were several seminars and out of town events. We'd always have a night cap of beer or wine and we'd all stay together in a room laughing the night away. One of the most fun night caps we had was when we played Truth or Consequence. To this day, whatever truth was revealed that night will always remain in what we call our Circle of Trust.

Now that I'm writing this blog, I can't help but look forward to the next reunion. After all, I do miss them and last night was the start of more get togethers and maybe another game of Truth of Consequence. I miss you guys! (I'm sure namimiss nyo rin ako kasi #1 alaskador ako ng grupo. Aminin nyo na rin na kapag nasa abroad ako noon, nami-miss nyo mga hirit ko sa mga meetings.)

The 40 something men. Fitz, Mael and Haja. Fitz and Mael were enjoying San Mig Light while Haja was high on sago't gulaman. :-) Fitz is the perfect partner for a beer night as he can finish several bottles in one sitting. Mael is the group's barista and he gets everybody tipsy and drunk during night caps. Well for last night, everybody was sober. Haja is a sight to see when Mael gets him tipsy. Sober or not, I can exchange jokes with him the whole time.

Jon, Shar and Dante. Jon is a good dancer and he cracks me up on the dance floor. Shar is a good impersonator while Dante is natural with his comic lines without him knowing it. It was with Dante that the term Orange Party started. Orange Party is how we called our farewell parties. Our parties usually had a theme. Needless to say, Dante's despedida was themed orange. We all looked like popsicles that night. It was fun and we played Game Ka Na Ba for the Dante Trivia.

Dra. Tita Go and Bess. Dra. gives really good training and I learned so many things from her. Bess is still quiet as ever and is still free spirited. Case in point was her purse which she left lying around last night when she went out for a smoke. Si Madam talaga.

Tina (a.k.a Tippie - ewan ko bakit basta love nya yang name na yan), Teza and Chel. I miss Tina's laughter and how we joke around during our KS days. We'd spend more time laughing than discussing the agenda for the day. Teza is famous for her rendition of I Will Survive. She did survive and is happy with her job. Chel is now one of the big bosses in an Italian owned maritime company. She used to be the resident database where we used to work as she knew what was going on with everyone.

Tina, me and Teza. I don't think I need to describe myself as it may take forever to finish. :-p

The ladies. The one in white blazer is Haydee and the one seated in black is Arlene. Haydee has such a sweet voice and is always smiling. Arlene used to be my "classmate" in the pantry and we always finish lunch at the same time. Inaabutan kami ng ilang batches ng kumakain sa pantry dahil ang bagal namin kumain. Ako sa kakadaldal. Sya sa kakakinig. Arlene and I are both members of Pantrycom. It's how we call the group eating at the pantry. We have our own members and discussions about so many things. Not shown in picture is Sonia who wasn't able to attend. (Mother, asan ka ba nagpunta?) Understandably, Sheila also can't join the group because she's now happily married in New Jersey.

The men. It's a riot when you bring them together in one room. Too bad Edward, Ronald, Ryan and Arvin couldn't go. (They better show up for the Christmas party or else! Ron, ngayon pa lang magpaalam ka na ha para makapunta ka. Mga end of November or first week of December. Malapit na kitang sakalin dahil ilang parties na ang ini-indian mo. Hmp!)

Till the next simple but elegant reunion. This was taken in Greenbelt 5 but somehow, it doesn't quite look like it. We looked like tourists in the place happily taking shots. We moved from Greenbelt 3 to 5. Mobilizing the group was not a problem as I stick out my umbrella for them to follow. Follow the flag (or should I say umbrella)!

Cheers my friends! I miss the dynamics of our group.