MACKOY'S BIRTHDAY 2008 (VIDEO)

This is yet another salvaged video from my archive of goodies in my PC. The period was around September of 2008 when the choir went to attend mass at Valle Verde in Pasig City, since we didn't have any scheduled service in our local church that particular Sunday.

This was also Mackoy's Birthday that we celebrated at Gerry's Grill in Greenhills right after the mass at Velle Verde...

Please feel free to visit the other blog regarding this event entitled "MARK JOHN'S BIRTHDAY".

FLASHBACK: CHRISTMAS 2006 @ HILARIO'S SIZZLERS

The first ever "Big Gathering" held at the famous Hilario's Sizzlers Restaurant was the MSC Christmas Party of 2006, four months after the restaurant became operational.

It was MSC's first time to hold such an event at a restaurant. Thanks to some "influential" people (*cough) who managed to pull some strings in order for the group to exclusively enjoy the place, free of charge!

It was a gathering of sorts! Some attendees were even alum members from abroad who generously made time to partake in the occasion and share the Christmas spirit with the group they were once part of.

Most importantly, the active members had their well deserved Christmas treats after all their hard work.

FLASHBACK: CHRISTMAS 2005

In 2005, we held our Christmas Party at Tatay Boyet's place. Apparently, nobody knew, by far, that this would be the last of a series of annual gatherings like these at his abode. Because the following years after, the venue was moved to my area. Which indeed is always an honor for me of course...

As always, parlor games are a big hit for us members who attended. Pinoy Henyo of Eat Bulaga I think, was the "in" thing that time when it comes to games. And the members were truly "GAME" to participate.

We all expected a great fellowship with one another that night and we certainly did get it!

FLASHBACK: SUMMER 2001

At last! I finally got my scanner working(ish)! My apologies for that dreadful line at the left side of the photos. I couldn't fix it.

But that's not what this entry is about...

There was a time when MSC used to go for excursions at the north side of Luzon particularly, Olongapo City.

The last of our "northern exposure" was at the Mirage hotel. Situated by the beach with nice, elegant air conditioned rooms that are easy on the budget. As far as I could recall, this was the last time MSC went on a trip to the beach as a group and the rest were just regular swimming pool resorts.

The hotel rooms were composed of two beds each, newly installed airconditioning and wide screen TV. Four people could share in a room and 2 for each bed. There is also a wide viranda facing the beach. you could hear the waves slamming on the shoreline in the night which is really soothing and therapeutic.

This is the corridor to the dinning area. Food there was good. But the it takes a long time to get our orders out. The service in their resto was not that satisfying, sadly.

With a little wit, we were able to push the beds side by side to accommodate more people.

This was the oldest summer excursion photos I have unravelled from my files so far. That's why most of the people you see here are sadly either inactive or out of the country.

FLASHBACK: HANDOG HIMIG KAY MARIA

During the time when the OLRP church was still undergoing major construction, the parishioners thought of a lot of fund raisers in order to help out with the church's expenses amidst the unrelenting crises in our country. There were raffles and even BINGO nights.

HANDOG HIMIG KAY MARIA was MSC's unique way to help raise more funds for OLRP. Actually, MSC did two choral concerts in two consecutive years held at the site where the church is being constructed. Led by our Sir Roni Verga, the group succeeded in its call for the people to shell out some money to buy tickets and place ads on the souvenir program which all earnings were donated entirely to OLRP.

MSC performed with the best of its abilities and impressed the whole congregation. It even inspired the other choirs of the parish to put up their own concerts for the church's benefit.

FLASHBACK: MSC MEETS FR. GBOI SAMONTE

A couple of years ago, MSC was invited to sing at the Regina Carmeli College in Malolos, Bulacan for a "Special Occasion" Mass. There, MSC met Fr. Gboi Samonte. A priest famous for his many religious musical compositions and arrangements. His works with the modern touch and feel revolutionized the way choirs sing at Masses in the parishes under the Diocese of Malolos.

At one time after that blessed encounter, I received a call from him asking me if I could sing one of his compositions on his feast day where he and his parishioners have set up a mini-concert where his works will be highlighted. Who was I to turn my back on such a magnificent opportunity? So on August 26, 2005, with a couple of choir mates at my side for support, I went to St. Ildefonsus Parish in San Ildefonso, Bulacan to sing for him.

Many great opportunities came and went for MSC that I have witnessed in the long years I've been with the group. It only shows MSC members really have the talent for other people to discover and appreciate.

MARK JOHN'S BIRTHDAY

Every once in a while, an MSC member celebrates his or her birthday in a different place away from the usual and common small town house party. When Mackoy had his birthday last September of 2008, the group decided on celebrating it in Greenhills, particularly at the famous Gerry's Grill after attending the FEAST at Valle Verde, one "service-free" Sunday.

Upon opening for service, Gerry's Grill became an instant party venue of sorts as the crew frantically assemble tables to set up one long table for our hungry group. Food was undoubtedly delicious and satisfying.

After all has been served and filled to the brim, MSC spent the rest of the afternoon, shopping and bonding with one another.

FLASHBACK: MSC SUMMER 2008

In 2008, MSC went on an excursion as one of its annual activities in the province of Laguna. Thanks to generous members currently working abroad and others celebrating their birthdays on those particular months (May and June) who willingly shelled out some cash to make this excursion possible.

It was quite a fantastic opportunity for MSC to renew its group spirit, bond with one another and simply to unwind even for such a short time away from the real world. From the delicious food that we brought, the food prepared on site by our wonderful "elders", the bottomless booze that we got to consume until the wee hours of the morning to the videoke jamming that could wake Mount Makiling up, we all feel blessed and very much satisfied!

Activities like these are just but icing on a cake. What matters is we all enjoyed each other's company in everything we do. Thanks to Ate Bhing for the MOOLAH, Pimie and Tita Pines (Pimie's Mom) for the VENUE, Tito Oyet and Ate Jo for preparing the food and Tito Boyet, for always providing us the ride each and every year!