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!

AMERICAN IDOLS INVADE MANILA!

American Idol Season 7 for me was the best season in the history of this famous Reality TV show! I never missed an episode of it. And I even watched the reruns and marathons! Imagine that!

On May 16, I and MSC alums Che and my sister Pam, got the chance to watch the back-to-back concert of American Idol winner David Cook and runner-up David Archuleta at the SM Mall of Asia open grounds! They sounded so much better than when they were still competing for the coveted title. It was like watching two concerts of different genres rolled into one. It was at the end of David Cook's set when both Davids got to sing together on stage thus ending the entire concert with a bang!

Sorry guys but I just really had to put this here! hehe!

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.