Sunday, Dec. 9, 2008
This was my last day in Manila before flying home the following day. I spent the whole day out with several groups of friends. When I returned to Baby Boy’s condo a little before midnight, Manito de Leon was there visiting with Baby Boy.
We chatted for a while, enjoying laughs and savoring memories. This was my last unofficial reunion with Luxids, fittingly with two very dear friends.
With my pinsan sa labas and poker king Manito de Leon.
My last Luxid reunion before flying home—fittingly with long-time
friends and classmates Manito de Leon and Baby Boy Poblador.
Kudos, Acknowledgements and Thanks
I join the many Luxids at the reunion in thanking several individuals who greatly contributed to the success of the reunion. I agree with my amo Jake Campomanes who came up with the visual tribute above honoring Baby Boy Poblador, Willie Villareal, Pol Asuncion and Babes Oreta as Luxid Men of the Year.
To maybe a lesser extent, there were innumerable others who in their own way put in more than their fair share of effort into the reunion including the fund raising efforts. Some who come readily to mind include Jake Campomanes, Jay Macalincag, Manito de Leon, Topper Coronel, Jimmy Alabanza, Mike Arroyo, Joe Mari Chan, Manuel “Boy” Favis, and our lovely and ever dependable secretary Ruby Santos.
I know for a fact that many balik-Luxids who stayed in Manila were hosted by fellow Luxids, like Rom Azanza who hosted John and Raquel Salientes. In this regard, I would like to publicly thank here my hosts, Baby Boy and Elo Poblador and the whole Poblador clan who took me into their fold as a family member during my stay with them.
A happy couple and a class act,
Elo and Baby Boy Poblador.
I want to thank the many Luxids who hosted lunches, dinners, clandestine coffee meetings and nocturnal diversions on my behalf, as well as the many others who offered various invitations but time and scheduling worked against us. I want the following Luxids to know that the gesture was not lost on me—Ruben “Oboy” Apelo, Tino Galang, Ricky Roceles and Jimmy Melendres. We will take those road trips yet, insh’allah.
There were many memorable moments. Some luxids whom I had not seen since high school surprised me by coming up to me and actually introducing themselves. One came up to me and shook my hand and said “Hi, I am Joey Moreno.” I could only blurt out, “But of course you are.” Of course I remember you, Joey. You were always a gentleman.
I remember Father Walter Isaac, SJ and his broad grin as Ernie Diokno and I introduced ourselves after the Mass at the Gesu and shook his hand. Father Isaac was a co-celebrant of the Mass. He seemed genuinely glad to see a couple of reformed ruffians from 2-C actually in church.
After a few days, the flash on my camera started to malfunction. So there were several events where I ended up with dark, unusable pictures or I gave up entirely on using my camera. And so many of the pictures in this article were purloined from Luxid postings of reunion pictures. My thanks and acknowledgement go to these cameramen including Baby Boy Poblador, Marvene Ozaeta, Ed Faelnar, Bong Baun, Tommy Ching, Vic Perez and Jake Campomanes.
Finally, I want to thank my other non-Luxid friends which include many martial arts brothers-in-arms and personal friends who met me at the airport, lent me cell phones, provided security and transportation, etc., and just made my trip much more comfortable and enjoyable. I value your friendship.
Thanks for the memories, everyone. Till the next reunion, whenever and wherever that may be. Till then…
Lux in domino.
Ad majorem dei gloriam.
Postscript : In Memoriam.
While I was writing this article, I learned of the passing of Father Carlos Abesamis, S.J. on January 31, 2008 in the Philippines. Father Abesamis was the class moderator of my class, 1-D, freshman class of Ateneo de Manila High School while he was stilla scholastic . I believe he also served as a member of the faculty of the Ateneo de Manila University for several years after his ordination, in addition to many other priestly duties and assignments.
During my visit to the Philippines in 2006, he joined us, a group of former students as well as my son Mitch, for my welcome dinner. My thanks to Tito Osias for inviting Father Carl and actually chauffeuring him, and for organizing the dinner.
Seated, from left to right, Mitch and Jay de Leon, Johnny Nanagas,
Conrad Cuesta, Babes Oreta, Manito de Leon, Fr. Carlos Abesamis, SJ.& Standing, Tito Osias. Taken at Libis, Metro Manila, July 2006.
To many of us, he was a spiritual inspiration, a mentor and a friend. He truly lived a life in the light of the Lord. He was loved, and he will be missed.
Requiescat in pace, Father Carl.
Ave atque vale.
Copyright, Jay de Leon, 2007
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