Notre Dame of Jolo High School Homecoming Reunion. More Gimmick Day 06 – Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Continued....
Too many wayward thoughts coming to my mind and couldn’t concentrate much on my works. For one thing Albert’s youngest daughter Brittany Anne was continually asking me for her dad’s friends that she could add in her Facebook page. I wrapped up my works & closed my email & before I knew it was already 6pm. Checking the girls at Arnie’s place, they were all waiting to be picked up for dinner at Paseo de Jardin as promised by Albert last night. Among the girls who came were Arnie, Belle, Des, Irene, Madel . Queenie called up to say that she would find her way there.
Paseo de Jardin as the name implies is a cluster of eateries alfresco, that cater for those diners who prefer garden settings and since it’s located in Pasonanca Park, the weather was cool not chilly and traffic very light. Music ranges from Latin jazz to contemporary tunes and like it’s counter-part in Paseo del Mar, the lighting complementing the scenery was an art in itself.
The restaurant we chose belonged to Albert’s nephew—MJ something and it was adjacent to the pasta shop. This time we ordered individually according to our taste. The buttered chicken I ordered was highly recommendable—crispy on the outside and tender-juicy in the inside. When all our orders finally came in, I saw chicken b-b-q, fried calamares, grilled fish but nobody ordered veggie. Albert ordered ‘sisig’, minced meat(?) served in sizzling hot plate (until now couldn’t figure out what it was) but was good enough for Albert to chase with beer.
Just before we left he place, Belle went to check the fruit stall across the street and came back with 3pcs of ‘marang’ another exotic fruit native to Zamboanga & Jolo. Irene immediately got hold of one with a strong warning that it all hers, while Des & Madel had also one each. We ate inside the van as Albert cruised along Pasonca-Sta. Maria road on the way to Lower Calarian to visit Belle’s cousin, Mario Yanga who is the incumbent Chief of Police of Zamboanga City.
Mario’s wife Ruth immediately cleared another table for us and laid down a pot of crab in thick turmeric sauce, prawn cooked in coconut milk and two big grilled ‘pugut’ trigger fish and down with cool light beer. This time I had all the crab for myself which Queenie captured me in few candid shot of pure greediness. I thought the girls were all full, but Irene & Madel couldn’t resist the sweet taste of the crab. I was into my third beer when we had to say goodbye. Belle decided to be left behind and our next stop was Zalo’s a bar famous for staging ballroom dancing.
It was almost 11pm when we reached the place. The dance floor was indeed designed for dancing—smooth and wide. Sitting alone waiting for us was Laureto who was too happy to see us especially Irene. Did I miss anything between these two seemingly crossed-star hi-school sweethearts? Belting sensuous tune from cha-cha to rhumba, the voluptuous singer really know how to captivate our senses which later had Laureto going up the stage as well. While in the midst of ordering our drinks, Laureto sang something that awaken Irene fully to the amazement of the gang. That song must have meant something to them way back in hi-school. Queenie & I also burnt the floor with salsa, meringue & swing. Joey & Eugene dropped by to say hello & informed Madel of their date to check out Nur Husin’s castle.
We sent Des home first then all of us went to Arnie’s house for early morning coffee as it was already 1am. Arnie was saying that she had to report to work by morning and so did Queenie who still had seminar to conduct. It was indeed a long day for the Class79 but it seemed there was no indication of stopping the gimmick later in the day. “Bye & Good morning everyone”, Albert said as he drove off. edLim001@gmail.com
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