Last January 26, the Ayayay bunch got together at Tito’s digs in Corinthian Village. The party was actually the conclusion of a series of events starting with Cora’s untiring urgings for a group excursion, Tony’s aborted Birthday invitation in November, the snubbed Ayayay Christmas get-together happening – until finally it became a reality because of Tito’s relentless reminders regarding his birthday party. But even at that, the party was slightly off-timing since Tito’s birthday is in December. As a matter of fact, the party day was closer to the birthdays of Temay and Oni in January!
Apparently, the Ayayay group remains active players in Manila’s business scene. Despite being Senior in category, many Ayayay members are top executives with very busy schedules. Getting them together is a challenge that would take great organizational skills. Thanks to Celia and Tito for that – they were the lynch pins that provided the references, agenda and the all-important venue for the party. As for Tony and Oni, they were true to form with their acerbic kind of humor and contributed to the cause by cajoling (if not shaming) the group into coming.
Up to the last minute it wasn’t clear how many were coming. Qualifications on their attendance were sent by many. Mon Soriano begged off citing vague medical reasons which Oni claims is hogwash. Ang masamang damo ay walang panghi-hina! And then, some didn’t reply at all to the Email invite sent out by Celia. Tito’s set table by the poolside was thus earmarked for 10 people. The dinner started at around 8pm sans Cora who is always late for parties due to her radio talk-show program (now TV too). A miscue became apparent when Cora came and found no more place for her in the table setting.
Quickly, Tito pulled up a chair beside him at the head of the table. Ever the gentleman Tito said that he really wanted Cora to sit beside him in a place of honor (which we all knew is another hogwash). At last the table places were complete and interesting conversation that only Ayayay can dish out was . . well . . dished out over gulps of succulent dishes for the night. Lydia’s prawns prepared two ways and the other dishes brought by the gang were a hit. The coup de grace was Tony’s $200 Dom Perignon toasting at the end of the meal.
The conversation got serious for a while when an informal poll concerning the Philippine presidentiables was held by the group. All I can say is that the Ayayay vote turned out to be a reflection of the findings of the SWS polls. The political differences were delightfully ventilated with passion by the Ayayay members – truly a hallmark of their Boomer generation. Should the choice be: heart over mind? country over self? naivete over propensity? and purity over track record? But we knew that in the end, politics is a never ending issue. Hence, an enjoyable change was when the conversation drifted to lighter matters. As usual, the widowed Noni was chided by Tony for continuing to enjoy his singleness. Poor Noni can only mumble that he couldn’t find a partner at the moment to which Tony riposted: “kung saan-saan ka pa tumitingin e marami naman dito sa mesang ito!”
Amidst flowing wine and sinful desserts, the late evening became a Karaoke session with Noni delivering Tagalog love songs perfectly enunciation (as if he were not from Bohol). Ruben could not find his 60s songs in the Karaoke list so Oni used his trusty guitar to accompany him later. The party broke up only when the workday fatigue caught up with the group (who had to live and fight again the next working day). And still people left only after distributing (and exchanging) gifts galore among and between themselves.
Like the true organizer that she is, Celia posed the next event for Ayayay which could be an excursion to Pascual Laboratory’s company farm in Nueva Ecija. For the umpteenth time, Oni also promised to look into that music session practice activity so that there will be decent harmonizing and guitar-playing for the group every time they get together and have the time to sing. Let’s wait for the details on these events and once again patronize what clearly are the real better things in life.
XXX
