UP Sapul reunion, batches 70s and 80s

Last night, I attended a great, fantastic reunion of the UP Samahan sa Agham Pulitika (UP Sapul), batches 70s and 80s. It was fantabulously hosted by Alex Gaticales in his house in Quezon City. It was so great because I have seen and met Sapul alumni from earlier batches, plus the current officers of Sapul. Normally our Sapul reunion is only from the 80s, those with UP student numbers 79 to 83. Last night, I saw alumni with student numbers 74 (and 72?). And some flew from Capiz, Davao, HK, anthers postponed her return trip to the US, so they could come last night.

Alex, right, said that it was Popo Lotilla, non-Sapul but friend of many Sapul alumni, who suggested a reunion of the earlier batches. Then it was suggested to include us in batch 80s. He agreed.

Aileen Baviera was the main "taga kulit" for people to come, as many as possible from these 2 decades of batches. Aileen wrote to us via facebook and emails. Repeatedly sometimes, haha. And Raffy Aquino would follow up.

Among the photos last night, some photos courtesy of Bong Cruz, Edwin Anonuevo.

From left, standing: Kiko Magno, Bong Cruz, Jay Batongbakal, Ding de Jesus, ___, ___.
Sitting: me, Boying Lallana, Zeno Martinez, Edwin and wife.

From left, standing: me, Frances Aquino, Ochie Tuazon, Marilyn Alberto, Bong Cruz, Boy Dio, Raffy Aquino. Sitting from left: Princess Nemenzo, Dodong Nemenzo, Kiko Magno.

Earlier batches.

Other friends who were there last night but not in the photos here are Pepe Alcantara, Popo Lotilla, Alex Padilla.

Lots and lots of food, drinks. Beer and red wine were aplenty.

Arlene Dada-Arnaldo was the MC.

Group photo, although this was taken when many have already left.

The Jerks Band provided a non-stop entertainment for about an hour.

With 2 jammers. :-)

Band vocalist Chikoy Pura, and bassist Edwin. The performed songs by Sting, Steely Dan, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, others. Plus their own compositions like "Reklamo ng Reklamo". Great night, The Jerks band, thank you.

Ah, this photo was taken a year ago, not last night. With tokayo Nonoy Fajardo (left) and Kiko Magnno (right).

Thank you very much for that great event, Alex G. Super saya, busog-busog sa kainan, inuman, kwentuhan, kantahan.

See also UP Sapul, May 17, 2012

Atty. Vicente D. Millora is Turning 80

The patriarch of the Millora family, Atty. Vicente D. Millora, will turn 80 years old next week, February 22, 2013. Party-party-party! Party-party-party! :-)

Below, upper photos taken sometime in early 2012 or late 2011. Lower photos, the nuclear family, from left: Vvon, the 6th and youngest in the family; Monette, the second; Mavi, the 5th; the patriarch, the matriarch Lilia, Mico, the 4th, and Judea, the eldest. Not in the picture is Mil, the 3rd in the family. He died in a car accident in 1986.

The man is a famous lawyer, being a former National President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the organization of all lawyers in the country. He was a bar topnotcher in 1957, a former Assemblyman from 1978-84, and was an acting Governor of Pangasinan.

I mentioned above the 3rd son, Maximilian "Mil" Millora. That guy was cool, intelligent and very friendly when he was studying at the University of the Philippines. He finished AB Political Science, took a few masteral units in Philippines Studies, then pursued AB Law, also in UP.

Mil was a good friend of mine in our student org, UP Sapul and was a classmate in some Political Science subjects. Here's one photo I got from our Sapul yahoogroups, taken sometime in 1983 I think, in one of Sapul activities out of town. From left I'm the 3rd, Mil on the 4th.

When Mil was still alive, he would welcome me to sleep in their big house in North Fairview, Quezon City. I sort of abused it, I would sleep in their house once a week for more than a year sometime in 1985-86. And that is how I got to become close to his family.

Sometime in 1989, the entire family was planning to migrate to the US, so they asked me if I can stay in their house as I used to live there often anyway. I immediately said Yes as it would mean free room rental for me as my work was in UP area at that time. Since then, I called Atty. Vic Millora and wife Lilia as "Daddy" and "Mommy". I became a belated adopted son of the family.

I have lived in that house in North Fairview until it got burned sometime in 1995 I think. Then the family moved to another house in West Fairview, they invited me and I joined them again, until about 1999.. Around 2000, I stayed with my sister in her house in Makati as I changed work. I left the Millora residence after 10 years, wow.

Needless to say, I became part of the Millora family. And they have also became my second family in this planet. I joined the yearly family reunions whenever possible. 

I got married and my own family became part of the Millora reunions. Below, during Daddy Vic's 78th birthday celebration two years ago. See the big family including the grandchildren.

Mavi has four kids (girl + 3 boys), Vvon has four too (2 girls and 2 boys), Mico has three, all boys; Ate Dea has two. Only Monette is unmarried, but happily single.