Pre-Milestone Celebration

There is a Chinese saying that one should not only celebrate the milestone decade year of one’s birth but also the year before that (ages 49, 59, 69, 79, etc.). Mainly because of this, a birthday party for Bili was held at Greenmeadows last June 24. Those who came to the party consisted of Bili’s brothers, sisters, nephews (some 40 strong) plus Oni’s brother, wife and daughter (3 members). It would have been more if Ramy, Raffy, Butch, Gayet and their families were available that night.

The main guest of the evening is 95 year old matriarch Mom Pacita. Mom Pacita is very selective on the gatherings she graces, hence it was quite an honor to have her. She occupied herself looking at the travel photos in Bili’s new Ipad. (In the last 1-1/2 months, Bili and Oni had been to the USA visiting Carla and Lia and Shanghai for the World Expo). Mom Pacita retains a sharp memory and remembers grandchildren readily. She struggles with the names of those she hasn’t seen in years but heck, this is not uncommon especially for seniors.

Bili had a sigh of relief when the discriminating guests approved the quality of her lechon order. It’s not so easy nowadays to chance on a well-cooked and well-selected lechon. I believe that the lechon supplier is a recent discovery of Nena who is a seasoned hostess to family parties. The weather cooperated and it was a comparatively cool evening where everyone engaged in the usual but fun conversation. And the many children? Well the open planning of the Greenmeadows residence allowed them to run around from room to room having fun as children does. The only off-limits were Oni’s guitars in the den which the children mischievously eyed until Bili advised them so.

George Balagtas Mega Party

February 22, 2010

The forever young couple of George and Racquel Balagtas decided that it was high time to show their appreciation for all of the friends in their life (including kin of course). Thus, for George’s 68th birthday a great bash was held at the top of Bellevue hotel (Alabang, Muntinglupa) and where the V family had another get together.










The party theme was designed around the Balagtas couple’s love for music. Early in the evening, a 6-piece classical ensemble greeted the guests and which strings eventually accompanied George the Tenor with his rendition of several Broadway tunes for his ‘captured’ audience. George ad-libbed that nowadays you need to feed people if you want them to listen to you sing. After George, the delightful harmony of the St. Jerome church choir (of which George is supposedly a member) was heard on stage. And still afterward, a special show was a dance number by who else – Raquel Balagtas. With two male dancer as her props, Raquel wowed them and showed the stuff that proved once and for all which branch of the V family can really move on the dance floor!








The many groups that were in the party consisted of George’s many Ateneo classmates and colleagues in the advertising business, Racquel’s STC classmates and amigas, and of course - immediate family, relations and all kinds of in-laws. This was just the right group for what followed afterwards in the program. After the buffet dinner and the program, you guess it . . it’s dance time, bro! Two bands - not one but two famous bands - performed that evening. MOBB and Mullato ultimately came on with their stylized vocals, wailing keyboards, throbbing percussion and shrill guitars to give the baby boomers on the dance floor a rock and roll thrill.

Marilen and Ila were seen giving the DIs a workout through the night. I guess the two balikbayans were having their fill before going back to restrictive NY. Becky, Mon Mojica and some contemporaries of George and Raquel showed to all how 60’s boogie moves are done. The party that started at 7pm ended up past 12. I’m sure that the open bar didn’t help any in perking up people the next morning (so that they can proceed on to their respective salt mines).

Grand Inauguration

February 8, 2010

Last Saturday evening, Bordeaux Bar Restaurant in Burgos Circle St. at the Fort had a grand inauguration. Burgos Circle is the new area in the Fort that resembles Remedios Circle of Manila in ambience. The inauguration saw the V family rubbing elbows with Manila’s young cocktail crowd. Present at the cocktail were personalities the likes of Senator Chiz Escudero and ANC newscaster Ricky Carandang who cut the ribbon.

The new bar is owned by a group of four persons. And to everyone's surprise, one of the owners is Chef Edgy Narvaez. Yes, Edgy N is now not only an IT mainstream guy (for HP) . He is also a Chef, a proprietor by night giving vent to his dreams of owning a restaurant business. Proud mama Gina V was there attending to guests from the V family. Those who came include Edgy's brothers, and their partners, aunts, cousins and friends who came to the inew place for the event.

Edgy promptly showed off the restaurant to his Tita - Bili V - when she arrived. The restaurant interior was tastefully decked in classic European motif. While they served steak dinners and tapas, Bordeaux’s main fare is really all kinds of wine especially formulated for the Pinoy palate. (This is trade info from Bordeaux's wine supplier Isa Gaufo who I happened to interview). Naturally, wine was free-flowing during the inauguration. Through out the evening, much drinks, canapés and even roasted calf slices were offered to the guests. Having their fill after long hours in the event, Ila V and Bili V eventually went home for the night. Ila V was sleeping over in Greenmeadows since she has an activity in the area the next day.

The next morning, the effect of the night before was evident. Bili V is wondering why she was not up to it when she woke up rather late. Ila V was also unusually waking up later in the morning than she usually does. I guess they now know the meaning of the word ‘hangover’.