20. Hot 20 Memories

ORGULLO
O N L i N E
14 November 2005

As we celebrate our 20th episode, we thought we'd have a blast visiting the past. We hope you've enjoyed being with us all these years, and would continue to do so.

Hot 20 memories:

This appears in no particular order.

1. We had an amazing STS class. The opening dance number, the debate, the video presentation, the commercials, the reading sessions where we divided and conquered the readings, final grade higher than 1.5... it was the best. “Does anyone know where the antenna is?”

2. Of course, one of our classmates knew how to drive backwards--all the way to Tierra Pura. Snaps for you if you remember who it was. He was also the one who said "El balahibo en mi mano parece una cara." Don't laugh 'cause Mamá would catch you!


3. There was a conference at the DEL AVR and three almost got caught stealing -- of all things -- Arnibal! If y'all remember, arnibal was our version of pinoy iced tea.

4. Mel E was having a birthday party at our real tambayan with Trining Regala, and that day we were filming our "Hoy" news program and commercials and we brought all our hi-tech gadgets to our extension tambayan. What was more important: the real tambayan with all the food, or the extension tambayan with expensive gadgets (i.e. cellphones, digicams, video cams, laptops, portable printers, audio-visual accessories, and even wallets) worth more than PhP 300,000. The one with food, of course. Are your loco?

5. We loved to perform back in college. Some memorable performances were: the Xmas party at DEL (Armis, you're late), Maria's classes (we got paid), the Círculo Hispánico batch party (the one where Armis, Don, Allan, Ian, Diday, Mel F., et al danced), the Xmas party at Instituto Cervantes (Santa Claus nos viene a matar?), EL Week at UST Educ Auditorium (She Bangs and Ojos Así, anyone?), the CAL freshman program at the AS theater during FOPC week (No me mates, er, ames...), Maria's despedida party (acting to the max), Rudolf's piano concert at the RCBC Plaza (Very good, Rudolf! Just don't talk or sing.), the Fiesta Latina in Summer of 2002 with Carmen (chachacha!), the Fiesta Española in 2003 (sing, Eky), the Xmas party of EL orgs at the CAL Atrium, and a lot more! And who would forget the amazing performances of Rona and the Street Dance and Pep Squad, and Mel E. and her org?

6. Gin sessions. At the tambayan. Sunken Garden. Lagoon. Just don't borrow glass from the UP Coop canteen and you might break it. Or don't call your mom, who has a religious vow of abstaining from alcohol, while you're drinking alcohol.

7. Who really sang "Urong-sulong"? Swear, if it weren't for all our pop culture conferences, we would not have won the Jologs Quiz Show at Vinzon's Hall. We also got a lot of awards back then. The champions were Allan, Ian and Rio and the runners-up were Don and Armis at a national EL competition at DLSU. Of course, we've had several student achievers who got honored at the Gawad Chancellor: Nina, Rona, Mel E., Henz, Allan, Don, Ian, Jewel, Mye. (Correct us please if this list missed anybody). And who kissed who after winning pearls at a contest? Can you tell us, Henz? Ian?

8. Fishball and kwek-kwek. Siopao at the pushcarts. Manong's footlong (!) with mayo, ketchup and veggies. Mangga't bagoong at FC. Buko juice and gulaman and tapsilog at the Shopping Center. Siomai and melon shake at CASAA. Carbonara, spaghetti, stir-fry, mashed potato at the Green/Orange/Purple House. Binalot at the NISMED canteen. Tinapay and cheese ni Pot-pot. Cheese sticks at Econ. Sisig at World Topps. Sineguelas, gin, etc. at the tambayan. BBQ and Itlog na Pula w/ kamatis at Beach House. Lunch classes with Carmen Ventanilla in Eastwood. "It's not what you think" at the Arcade. "Keema" at Mister Kabab. Pansit at Vinzon's. Chicken at Chef d'Angelo's. Green Mango Shake at TGIF's. Fries at McDo. Sinigang at Lutong Bahay and Lutong Kapit-bahay. Oh, yeah. We loved to eat. And we loved to eat inside the Botor Library 'til late at night while playing Spanish Scrabble and Squabble.

9. We had fun swimming sessions. Remember the time Mye did not ask for permission to use her uncle's pool? Or when Allan slept in a kiddie pool in Marita's LGV apartment during her party? Or when Ian vomited in Marita's apartment? Or when some of us did night swimming during Niña's party on a night with a 17-degree celsius weather, in a pool with an even colder temperature? Or the time we smuggled in alcohol at Villa Alfredo and the guards believed it was vinegar undergoing fermentation?

10. Step 1: Wait for a taxi for 1 hour in Ortigas and then you'll reach Monumento in 15 minutes. Step 2: Just look at the signages. It says Zambales, right? Step 3: Don't mind the seat numbers. It would just create enemies from existing friends and families. Step 4: Sleep. Don't mind the clues. Step 5: Wake up when the driver shouts "Pampanga!". Get off after seeing KFC and McDo. Step 6: If you're at McDo already, leave Mcdo right away 'cause you're not supposed to be there. Step 7: Go back to KFC and take a tricycle. Don't be shy to ask for directions. The drivers already think you're locos from Manila. Step 8: Don't ask other passengers if it's Coke Central. Trust the driver. Coke bought out Cosmos, remember? Step 9: Trust the tricycle drivers if they tell you there's no Villa Alfredo in their baranggay. Step 10: Shout so your other friends would know you're already there.

11. The "Ya!" Magazine was so filled with "la calor" photos from that summer. Sexy swimwear? We've got it. Fatales? Yes, we are! (And the French majors and minors also produced another mag, also filled with steamy photos. Right, Rona and Mel?)

12. If it weren't for the distance and travel time, Allan would have invited y'all to his house in Malabon. Good thing he could relocate the birthday parties. Even though only a handful could attend some of them, we still created some great memories. It was "Lucky Numbers" with Don and Nance in 2001. With Don in UP in 2002, it was a sad birthday because he had to work in the evening. In 2003, it was even sadder because Allan was all home alone editing the video presentation & special effects for the STS live show. It was back to fun in 2004 at Gerry's with Armis, Mel F, Rio, Nins, Mye and Blossom and a Malate comedy bar with the last three girls (Mye, what really happens "down there" if it's not moist?). And this year, with Nins and Blossom, at Gateway, where the Pizza Hut Bistro's manager gave him a very theatrical birthday greeting. Plus, Nins had to buy a whole box of cigarettes so she could light a few a sticks and Blossom could throw the rest away.

13. The Lantern Parades were fun. We had an amazing banner instead of a lantern! Unique. Then we had one hell of a X-mas party in Malate in 2003. Of course, Allan was fuming mad because TGIFriday's lost our reservation because we came in late, but we still had a great time. The girls danced with the Bling-bling boy in a disco. We waited for the sun to rise (Like it would rise at the Manila Bay? Blossom, you were right, we were at the wrong side of the planet). And the boys had such fun with the camera on the way back to QC. Plus, it was Diday's first time to taste a blow-job!

14. Rona, why did you touch Karina's crotch when everyone was listening to your discourse? Karina, why did you allow your crotch to feel Rona's warm palm?

15. You could always ask where NISMED is, right, especially when it's already behind you? But, no, you had to ride an Ikot jeepney and tour the whole of Diliman.

16. We've had great gatherings at our friends' homes. Bet you didn't know how KFC chicken tasted before we ate a bucket and a half at Don's house? Or when Allan and Ian started their theses at Don's house but ended up repeating the class? Or when we started to learn how to concoct an amazing gin at Don's patio? Or our filming and editing sessions at Mel E's house? Or the crazy overnight at Mel F's ranch? Or the time we dubbed at Eky's house and Irene renamed a dish pochero? Or the time we practiced our dance routine at Armis' dorm? Or when we practiced at Chen's dorm, the IC, where we (we meaning Ian) met a hot Columbiana? Or when we had dinner at Ramon's apartment on Panay Ave.? Or when we had late lunch at Blossom's provincial house? Or when we gulped down an amazing Adobo at Rhoda's house (during a wake, no less)? Or the time Allan and Nins stayed at Blossom's pad and got stoned by Medusa while playing on the rooftop? Even if it's not at someone's house, we had great parties. In fact, we became experts at throwing despedida parties: Diday (one), Armis (one), Ian's (two), Niña (three? We lost count. This one leaves every year!)

17. The movies were great. And we loved to watch movies in malls. If malling were a PE class in Diliman as it is in UP Visayas, we would have graduated Maxima cum laude. We loved Galleria. Some of us had a photo-op with "Jay-R" there. Also we loved to explore Greenbelt where you could watch a movie that looked like "Babae sa Breakwater" even if it's not. And what about our bowling session at SM North way, way back? And wasn't it fun riding the bump cars at Sta. Lucia? Or when we toured a Spaniard to SM Manila (and of course, the whole of Manila)?
18. FOPC. Film Showings at the Film Center and the Faculty Center. Chicharron-&-Gazpacho-eating Contest. Ramen-eating Contest. Habitat for Humanity. Círculo Initiation rites. 8 Waves. Sagada. Biak-na-bato. These are some the many events the Orgullosos participated in that required great strength and endurance. That and when Henz got in La Lola Verano's car. Yup. La Lola Verano and the Fountain of Menace. It was a true story! Gasp!

19. Most of us met our best friend in college. Best times.

20. When we graduated, most of the girls got cum laude or higher honors and the boys were in cum laude standing. And one of them had a 1.76 GWA. Holy crap!

Final Thoughts:

We'll have a sequel, promise. Don't you just miss everyone? Let's create new memories.
Catch you next time here at Orgullo News Online!

Next Issue: Nrng m n b ang l8st?