Reunited in Manila. (From L-R: Frank, Cams, Chic, Lady, JV, Telai, and Bryan)
“Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.”
It’s not everyday that a lot of us are in Manila at the same time. Last May 29, 2009, Frank, Lady, Chic, and I had a mini-reunion in Manila with our 1st year high school classmates Cams, JV, and Bryan.
Chic works in Manila, Frank was in town from a visit to his relatives in Bicol, Lady was on vacation with her family, and I was there for the AmCham get together and for the Hong Kong and Macau trip with Lady and her mom. Although Jude is also in Manila for his studies, he wasn’t able to join us that night because it was his dad’s birthday.
It’s been 4 years since we’ve all been together. Despite the time and distance apart, we’ve remained good friends through the years.
The Reunion
Cams and I were on the same flight to Manila that morning. JV picked us up at the airport, and they both dropped me off to Makati to meet with Frank as they headed out for training (JV) and org meeting (Cams).
Fresh from the airport: Telai, Cams & JV
I had lunch with Frank and his family in Glorietta. Finally, I’ve met Frank’s baby brother Prince Tristan! After we sent off his family for SM MOA, Frank and I toured Glorietta, Landmark, and Greenbelt, while waiting for the others to finish off their appointments for the day.
Lunch with Frank’s Siblings at Pizza Hut: JR & Diana
When we texted Chic that afternoon, she was surprised to know that Frank was also in town! Since it was Frank’s first visit with Chic in Manila, Chic treated us to some delicious French Crepes in Greenbelt 3.
French Crepes at Glorietta 3: Chic & Frank
We were supposed to go with her to The Fort, but Frank and I decided to wait for Cams in Makati, instead. After spending some time in Glorietta, the 3 of us decided to go to Mega Mall to wait for the rest of our friends. We had dinner at Sbarro, and Bryan joined us there. Afterwards, we went to Starbucks where a frazzled JV picked us up. We were so rowdy and noisy in the car, I think we may have shocked Frank a bit because he was the neophyte in our Manila escapades. We stayed at JV’s while waiting for Lady to be back from her trip to Pampanga. There we freshened up, and chatted for a bit with his hot brother. We also played Guitar Hero, and then had so much fun playing Cooking Mama!
Playing Cooking Mama at JV’s: Cams, Bryan & Frank
However, we had to cut short our games when Lady texted that she was ready to be picked up at White Plains. We were supposed to go dancing that night but we couldn’t decide where, so we ended up having a few drinks in Pier One at Tomas Morato, where we met with Chic.
1 Xavier Alums at Pier One
We didn’t like the service and the crowd, and so we went around the metro and ended up in Eastwood. Chic, Frank, Bryan and I had midnight buffet at Something Fishy, while Cams, Lady, and JV had cocktails.
Color Coordinated Outfits:
Cams & JV in Purple, Frank, Chic & Bryan in White, and Telai & Lady in Green
It was already 2:30am when we finished eating, and we were supposed to go to Manor, but last minute, we decided to go to Malate instead. When we got there, however, we chickened out and didn’t get down because of the ‘crowd’, and went on a joy ride instead. We ended up at Starbucks in People Support.
At Starbucks: Bryan, Cams, Lady, Frank & JV
We started to head for home at around 5am already. We dropped Frank off at his hotel in Pasay, and then Bryan and Chic in Makati, Cams in Quezon City, and then Lady and I stayed at JV’s for the rest of the morning.
On the way to White Plains: Telai, Lady, & JV
We slept there for a couple of hours, and then Bong and I had to bring Lady back to White Plains at around 9:00am. I went back to JV’s to get more shut eye, and then after lunch, JV dropped me off at Trinoma to meet with Bryan, Telaw and Cams.
Dinner at Megamall: Telai & Telaw
We stayed out until 7PM. JV picked us up again, and brought us to our respective homes: Telaw in Espana, Bryan in Makati, and me in Pasay. Wheeew. What a mini-reunion. It still feels the same to be with them after all these years!
8 years ago, we were just innocent high school-ers who were in the same class together. Even then, we were already crazy and loud. 8 years later, this is what we’ve become:
CRAZIER AND LOUDER!
CHECK OUT MORE PHOTOS OF THE REUNION HERE
For Multiply contact of Telai only
Tanduay Ice at Beer Avenue. We went to a gay bar for Bryan’s sister’s bachelorette party afterwards! Haha.
