THE PRESIDENT IN SINGAPORE

Yes! You read it right! MSC was surely surprised when pictures of our President Jaypee came spreading through Facebook having the time of his life on a recent leisure trip in Singapore. I bet it was more to that. Perhaps a couple of job hunting took place as well... Hmmm... Are you planning to leave us too?  

 

MSC SUMMER OUTING 2011 P10 - CLOSING TIME

Finally, it was time for us to leave. Bags were packed, the venue paid up and the rooms and beds has been returned to their naturally organized state.  But surely, we leave Laguna with a pleasant smile on our faces knowing that we all genuinely had a great time together.

How could one miss a quick stop at D'vinia's buko pie, to buy for "pasalubong"? 

  

The traditional group picture

Honestly, even before this outing happened, I already imagined this year's group picture to be once again shot on the beach. The beautiful scenery of the sky meeting the ocean on the vast horizon as background while our feet are being dreached in briny waters. But due to some unfortunate events that I'd rather not talk about in this entry, we settled once again to a much nearer and more practical venue. 

I would also like to congratulate this year's President Jaypee and Vice Glady for their hard work to make this event possible in spite of the minor mishaps during the planning period. Special thanks to  Ate Bhing for selflessly contributing some funds to help out with the expenses.

Until next year...  

MSC SUMMER OUTING P9 - THE NEXT DAY

I woke the following day at about 6:40 in the morning. The sun hasn't yet shown his full splendor. The venue was deserted. Not a soul has awaken yet. I had to get up and take my meds afterwhich, prompted me for some naughty but wholesome fun...

Take pics of the peeps while they sleep!!! 

After an hour or so, one by one, the members rose up from their bunkers to help out in preparing breakfast. The kitchen was once again filled with busy bees! The breakfast was dominated with EGGS! There was omelets, sunny side ups, salted eggs with tomatoes etc!!! 

After breakfast was another session in the pool! This year's chore assignments was a big improvement compared to last year. Everyone helped out! Not a single members idled and all contributed their services no matter how simple or complicated it was.

While others wasted no time at all and started preparing food for lunch!

After lunch was the hard part. It was time for us to pack up and leave. The thought of going back to the real world is quite daunting. School's up the next day and yet for others, work, work, work!   

MSC SUMMER OUTING 2011 P8 - POOL PARTY

After dinner, and when the pots and pans, plates and all been cleared out and dealt with, it was time to dive into the pool again, serve out some booze under the moonlight and party on.

Drinks were served by the pool courtesy of Jaypee, our president. It was a concoction of sorts. Unfortunately, due to my post-injury meds, I was not permitted to drink with them that night. But I bet the booze was a hit for most of them. 

(DISCLAIMER: The younglings were not permitted nor harassed by the elders to drink. ) 

The group partied on until slightly after midnight. We were steadily decreasing in number. Most have gone up and called it a day while others, including me remained for another round of throat scratching, ear-piercing karaoke Death-Match! It was all good fun.    

It was always a nice feeling whenever I see my MSC having a great time together. The highlight of the event has come and gone and the events of the night will once again be recorded in our  fondest memories. But the outing is still not over until the group wakes up the next morning.

MSC SUMMER OUTING 2011 P7 - DINNER AND ATE BHING'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

It is Ate Bhing's first time to celebrate her birthday in the Philippines after five years of living in Australia. A few hours before dinner, Mackoy, Cocoy, Tito Oyet and Joy went out to find a store to buy a decent cake for Ate Bhing without her knowledge.  The plan is to throw a surprise birthday party for her.

At dinner time, the group gathered round the long concrete table and called on "unsuspecting" Ate Bhing. Upon seeing the cake I could feel that she was deeply touched! Especially when MSC started to sing her the "Happy Birthday Song" cueing her to make a wish and blow the fire off her birthday candle!    

The surprise birthday celebration for Ate bhing was a success. It was an instant party and the mood was intensely high that night! The food was unmistakenly superb as always. Some instantly geared up for the imminent booze overload that was set up to commence after dinner. While others lined the karaoke machine with party music. I must say that this year's crowd all did their own little ways to make this night a memorable one especially for our birthday girl!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ATE BHING!!!

  

MSC SUMMER OUTING P6 - PHOTOFRENZY UNDERWATER

As mentioned on my previous entry, the newest attraction this year was the underwater shots courtesy of Gerry Laforteza (TENOR).

MSC SUMMER OUTING 2011 P4 - THE BLOGGER'S POST-INJURY SWIM

 

I promised myself that I'd have a good time with my choir if I get to join the excursion this year inspite of my recent accident. With the help of my co-members, we figured out a way for me to soak in the pool without getting my injured arm wet.

LET'S go with plastic wrap!!!   

It was really amazing to see my co-members' faces as they watched me tentatively take little steps towards the pool. I was really apprehensive to dive in! The thought of getting an infection from the water scared me so much! But the encouragement from my MSC made me feel that they wanted me to have fun with them as well and not settle on the sidelines and sulk myself to death of envy and self pity. 

Although my posture in the water was quite weird for I had to keep my arm up to avoid any splashes (even if my arm was already covered), I could really feel that my group was happy for me that moment I dived in!   

MSC SUMMER OUTING 2011 P3

The once calm and "unrippled" waters of the pool suddenly turned into a chaotic turbulence as soon as the group turned into their swimming attires! There were new games of "tag" in the pool that I had no idea of, synchronized diving and even underwater photosessions, thanks to Gerry (TENOR) were the latest in the group's activities this year.  

And while I was contemplating on whether to dive in or not, because of my recent injury, some others including myself settled on the videoke. But not for long!

MSC SUMMER OUTING 2011 P2

Villa Nueva Resort was the place to be, this year. A modest house with swimming pool surrounded by clean purple walls located at Lirio St., Mira Monte Subdivision, Pansol, Laguna.

Immediately after arrival, the group wasted no time at all and started to gather all the necessary things to assemble our lunch to quiet down our growling tummies!

 

 

The food was great as always. And was definitely worth the wait!

The Karaoke Machine was already turned on and the pool was inviting for an afternoon swim. The cloudy skies was sort of an advantage that day. Not too hot, not too cold. Just right to relax and have a funfilled afternoon lounging around the pool and making music with the karaoke... heaven!!!

MSC SUMMER OUTING 2011 P1

After a lot of debates and misunderstandings, finally the group decided on a much nearer and safer location to hold this year's MSC SUMMER AFFAIR on June 11 till 12. With Oyet still recovering from his recent heart attack and me, recovering from my accident, it is but practical for us to choose a venue that all the members would benefit from without any other concerns and hassles whatsoever. 

The assembly was early this year. Same rendezvous... Hilario's Sizzlers restaurant at 6:00am. After a few waits and last minute buys, we went on our way at about 9:30.  

After an hour or two, with a few stop overs for bathroom breaks along the way, the familiar signs were already seen and the level of excitement of the group especially the youglings went several notches higher. The resort is almost within our reach! 

The magnificent sight of Mt. Makiling that looms on the horizon somehow served as a welcome treat to us visitors who seek for a wonderful time in the province on which she stands.

Upon arrival to the town of Pansol, where numerous private resorts were offered to be leased, we had to stop by the "Brick House" which is owned by an uncle of MSC siblings, Meanne and Jhoanna. Apparenly, the place was reserved that particular weekend for another group. But we had an opportunity to tour the place while the others looked for a nearbly available resort. 

       Meanne and Jhoanna with Mom and Baby Zaren

THE BLOGGER'S ACCIDENT

The night of May 26, 2011, was the most unforgettable moment I have ever experienced in the 35 years of my existence in this world!

I had a friend who visited me that night. Had a couple of drinks at the Hilario's Sizzlers Garden area. When we were finished, I closed the gates, locked them and walked on home. Then I realized I forgot my wallet in the garden and I had to get it. With no spare keys to let me in the garden again through the gates, I had no choice but to climb the fence to get inside, which I already did a couple of times before. It was a success! I got inside and got the darn wallet and started to climb back the fence to get out. 

Then it happened! I slipped... It was all a blur. A succession of events that ended my arm skewed on one of the sharp, flat bars that rowed the whole length of the fence! With all the strength I could muster, I unskewed myself and started thinking on what to do next. I called on Jesus that night as if the sun won't shine on me again ever!!! I believe that He provided me with the presence of mind to do what is right that night! And I felt calm and peaceful in spite of the pain which is already starting to surge my brain.  

All bloodied and trousers torn (which I don't recall why that happened), I ran along the streets, got into a tricycle and told (pleaded?) the driver to bring me to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment. I called my Brother whom he was with other close MSC friends and family that night, on the way. They got to the hospital as fast as they could and decided that they transfer me to MCU hospital.

There, I had the nightmare of nightmares! The cleaning of the lacerated skin and underneath, the anaesthesia injections, multiple stitches and sutures for my two BIG wounds! Something I only see on TV especially during New Years! And I repeatedly asked myself, "what have I gotten myself into, again?". The pain was so intense that I felt as if I was going to die. Fortunately, my brother, Arnel, my Tito Larry de Guzman (BASS) and Ryan de Guzman (TENOR) were all there at my side for support. Their hands even served as my squeeze ball during that whole process.

Actual Picture of my injured arm

I was admitted and confined for close observation of the wounds and was discharged 2 days after. 

Now, my stitches are healing. I'm starting to act and feel normal again after two weeks of medications and close monitoring for possible infections (it wasn't a clean wound to start with). Hopefully no adverse and untoward effects would occur. 

Me, after 4 days ☺

Thank you, Lord for saving me. Praise You always for being my ever present help!  

THE MAROON 5 EXPERIENCE

On May the 23th, I and a bunch of cousins and friends from Parañaque met at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia to partake on a once in a lifetime experience! It was at The Maroon 5 Live in Manila Concert!

You would probably wonder how the heck we ended up experiencing this...

Adam Levine, Carlo Santiago and James Valentine

It stared off as a simple friendship between James Valentine, lead guitarist of Maroon 5 and my US-based nephew, Carlo. It was in a Music Summer Camp when James Valentine fell in love with a bright and talented little boy who dreamt of becoming a great musician someday...

Afflicted with a rare type of cancer, Carlo was not able to truly devote himself too much on his guitar lessons. But James found great determination from this young fellow and was deeply moved. James would visit him in the hospital and Carlo would almost immediately forget all the pain due to his disease and medications. They became real buddies! When Carlo had no scheduled treatments and is out of the hospital, he'd get to come by James' house too for more lessons...

Carlo eventually reunited with God at age nine. It was a few months before Maroon 5's Asian tour. The  strong bonds between the band and Carlo's family lived on. My cousin Toni, Carlo's mother, now based in Hongkong managed to get 16 gold tickets courtesy of James! What a friendship! We got to meet them face to face too!

  

The SMX was packed!!! According to some reviews, the band was spectacular!!! and I must say that it was indeed a KNOCKOUT!

It wasn't just a concert. It was an EXPERIENCE OF EPIC PROPORTIONS if you ask me.

Some performers rely on stage lights and special effects. But this one... it's PURE TALENT! They had their special way of making the crowd feel that they are part of the act. They make sure the crowd participates. Adam (band frontman) even complemented us, Filipinos as melodic by nature. 

We were just a few steps from the stage and we could easily squeeze ourselves in nearer if we wanted to, but we chose to be a little more behaved that night. We even wore themed shirts so that the band would recognize us as Carlo's family and friends!

If it wasn't for lack of time and the undeniable distance between Parañaque and Valenzuela, we would have had an after-concert party in honor of Carlo whom we all owe this very memorable opportunity...