JULY BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS

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The Triple A gang took the opportunity to get together once more. After a long time and after a series of email notices regarding Triple A July Birthday celebs, the date for a joint birthday celebration was set for July 21 at Chit Manabat's digs. Thanks to Chit who hosted the party and to Celia Aurellano with her infallible record of everyone's birthday dates.

Chit's flat is a large 3-bedroom unit in Lafayette Building conveniently located in Salcedo Village. It was the first time for most of the Triple A's to see Chit's Makati unit where she stays during weekdays. It is known that Chit really lives in Binan with her sisters. The party fare was a feast prepared by Chit's pamangkin chefs who stay with her in the flat. She is proud of these youngsters who have actually gone through culinary schools in Australia.

Two tables were set for the party, but the Triple A gang kept things cozy by squeezing together around one table. The usually late Cora Claudio actually had no more place in the table when she arrived, but nothing is impossible for this MBA group. The round table setting was conducive to conversation where exciting topics were ultimately taken up. These included Cora's planned transfer to her new flat in Pasig, Tony Sotelo's fear of high buildings, Lydia Echauz's reconfigured lot for her house in San Juan and Chit's real estate and other investments.

Then there were the juicy topics. These actually started when Lydia brought up Cheche Lazaro's recent TV show about adult preferences. Thus, the animated conversation started up with the topic of: sexually active personalities, then Seniors getting hitched again . . then tra-la, Hayden Kho and Viki Belo in that order! Noni Dolera shocked the group when he explicitly recounted his experiences with his friend, a notorious sexual predator from Mindanao. Leave it to Noni to associate with all kinds. Meanwhile, Oni Mayo seemed to have created an impression of sorts with the group when he admitted to all that he had actually sought out and viewed the Hayden Videos.

Tony was in denial about seeing the Hayden Video until he couldn't help it and confirmed scenes portrayed in the famous Video. In contrast, Temay Padero raptly listened to all the graphic details by the insensitive story tellers in the group, but again, I suspect she knew more about the Hayden case than what she was posturing to know. Sonny Vicente arrived at 5PM I think, but he just came and went since he had another engagement to attend to. (I wonder what he knows about the Videos.) And then there was Leslie Alvarillo, a new face in the group whom I understand to be a former comptroller of Shell until he was pirated by another company. Leslie is also an alumni of Ateneo Faura and is a classmate of Chit, Celia and Lydia.

At last, it was time to go. According to Chit, the other residents in the building were diplomats and big businessmen and the group was starting to get rowdy especially in the corridor of the condo. Some of the gang showed their appreciation for the food prepared by Chit by 'taking out' what's left of the goodies on the buffet table. It was a fun gathering that was a welcome change to Metro Manila's stressful environment for the Triple A's.

Happy Birthday to the celebrants, Chit, Temay and Noni. I understand it's also Ruben's birthday but he was unavailable. I believe the penalty for non-participation in the group blowout is a solo blow out celebration for the Triple A when it is opportune. Do you hear, Ruben?
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MID-YEAR PARTY AT LYDIA'S

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Last May 8, the Ayayay group reformed anew. The hard core Ayayay members consisting of Celia Aurellano, Temay Padero, Noni Dolera, Tito Legasto, Tony Sotelo, Sonny Vicente and Oni Mayo invaded the privacy and quiet of Lydia Echauz's elegant digs and were all there by 7pm. If you notice, this hard core line up is not complete. Who is missing? The dramatic Cora Claudio, of course. As usual, she made her grand entrance after everyone had started eating. Give it Cora for taking on crusade after crusade that occupies her time.

Hungry for a get-together after a long time, a sophisticated plot was woven by Celia just so that the party will happen. This plot involved the supposed retirement of Tito from his company - an event that merited having a party for the group. Everyone knew about the retirement except of course, Tito. Lydia's sumptuous prawns, lengua and salad were complemented by the contribution of others. Noni's humongous papaya mango was a hit. Tito was trying to get everybody drunk with vintage red wine. Oni's appetizer from Santi's was anti-climatic as he arrived late even at 7pm.

Table conversation consisted of the saga of Cora's new house, to Oni's US trip the next day, and let's not forget the backtalk about those that didn't make it to the party. Hear that, Chit, Ruben, Mon? An interesting topic was the issue of what is considered big money today. Lydia said P1B while Tito and Tony settled for P100M. Now we have an indication on why men are more harassed than women - there's more expectations from them! After dinner, Tony and Oni brought out their fancy guitars and the chorus concert started. Tony started it with his baritone rendering of oldies in his songbook. The sequence seemed mainly for Lydia as Tony ultimately did the Beatles tune "Hey Jude". Later Oni brought out his array of Minus Ones where Lydia was visibly beaming this time. It turned out that she was enjoying one of the songs. This was Cherish, a 60's number that brought back memories for her. Capping the show was patikim from Oni of his compositions from his songwriting hobby. Oni had wanted the group to experience his music before he became famous daw!

And then it was time to leave with Celia pondering whose retirement it will be this time to justify the next party. Or maybe it will be another esoteric reason about somebody else.

AYAYAY SINGS POP

Last January 28, Oni Mayo invited the Ayayays for a night out since it was his Birthday. From the elegant birthday dinners the group usually have, they had something different that night. They went to the RED BOX karaoke place in Greenbelt. Those that were hungry had to do with the simple buffet that was there. Lydia Echaus had a craving for peanuts and there was none in the menu. The room attendant received an earful from the hard-nosed executives in the party. There is no excuse for a decent restaurant not to have the basic peanut appetizer.

Tony Sotelo disappeared but came back soon enough with a bag full of chichiriya including Lydia's craving. A denizen of Makati commercial center, Tony knew the Greenbelt layout so he went to the movie house area to secure the goodies. Being the shrewed bargainer that he is, he also intimidated the attendant. He declared that outsourced food should have no corkage charges since the resto is remiss for not having peanuts.



Despite this initial inconvenience, the rest of the night was for the singers in the group. Noni Dolera started the show with his Diomedes version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Cora Claudio raised goose bumps (and eyebrows) with her coloratura version of the same song. As the Cliff Richard and Jack Jones numbers kicked in, Tony Sotelo and Tito Legasto contributed to the music. And then it was the Broadway and Elvis tunes on the Karaoke system. By this time, these familiar tunes coming out of the speakers had everyone - Lydia, Chit Manabat, Temay Padero, Sonny Vicente and Celia Aureliano - taking turns (or altogether in harmony) crooning on the mic.

By about 10:30 pm, things were getting hot (and hoarse?). it was too bad that Celia had to pull a Cinderella. She was being serviced by a borrowed driver and had to leave. The group broke up then but not before flashing their Senior Cards that enabled Oni to get a hefty discount on the bill. Overall, the group seemingly gladly participated in the singing. It is hoped that they will now be familiar with karaoke procedures for the next time they do this. For now, until next time and thanks again for coming to the party and for the gifts.