Reconnecting

On Friday, after our yearend party in the office, I went to Katips in Scout Torrillo to meet up, this time with my grade school friends. I have been absent in a number of our get-togethers for months, so I took it upon myself to attend the party this time. Ms. Bong and Kuya Carlos willingly drove me to the place (despite its being quite a distance from their destination), so I arrived there in time for the 7:30 schedule. As expected, only Mike, the perennial early bird was there. I brought a couple of SMB bottle openers as a gift to the early birds so he got one from me right away. Soon after, Danette arrived (so she got the other bottle opener) and we started chatting away as we feasted on crispy liempo, pakbet and fried hito.

Seven more came (Jom, Darwin, Geoff, Ashley, Kit, Vernon and Ton) and arrived one by one; most of came from work while others from spending a day with their kids. As usual, the banters focused on grade school days as we tried to remember the names of our past teachers and schoolmates. What I love about this group is that while most of the time each of us is busy being an adult, when we get together, its grade school all over again; minus the pretenses and inanity of childhood. We just let our hair down and be who we have become. I likewise feel the sincerity of these people, and while I was not really close to them in grade school (they’ve always teased me about being snobbish when we were kids) I’m doubly pleased I found them again.

from L to R: Darwin, Vernon, Ashley, Kit, Ton, Geoff, Me and Jom; standing: Mike and Danette

We capped the night (or morning… it was past 2AM when we left Katips) with coffee, not really wanting to separate ways just yet. Jom needed 5 more stickers to get his complementary planner so all nine of us (minus Darwin who left earlier, his flight back to California was next day) trooped to Starbucks to make our contribution. And since we took part in his success (of getting enough stickers), we told Jom we will write him a dedication on the page of our birthdays.

Geoff and Jom drove me home since they were on their way to Las Piñas. I got home a few minutes before 4AM; the latest I’ve been out on a gimmick since time immemorial. We promised to see each other again a few days after my birthday…no problem…as long as I’m not expected to pick up the tab.