Allen, Samar

Getting our luggage into the LTO Service Vehicles for the long haul from Allen to Ormoc City. We were very lucky to bump into Mr. Edgar Cabase, Assistant Regional Director of LTO, inside the ferry boat from Matnog. With his officemates, he was transporting from Manila 3 brand-new Adventure Vans to Cebu. We hitched a ride, an 8-hour very bumpy ride to Ormoc City. 

Trip to Cebu from Ormoc

On the ship that left Ormoc at 12 midnight. We stayed up until around 2 pm at the bow of the ship and went back inside only to find that people lay asleep on our Economy beds. Fortunately, we were able to find vacant seats inside the Jetseaters Room and slept there.

May 20, 2006

Finally, we arrived in Cebu. Here we are at the corner of the road leading to Pier 4 where we disembarked. 

The Karate Kid flew in from Manila on a rescheduled flight. He missed his flight the previous night getting Yayes a plane reservation. They spent the night drinking at the Baywalk until it was time for Yayes to check in at the Airport around 3:30 am 

Collins arrives from a seminar in General Santos City

Collins arrived around 1 pm. 

Breaktime

This room had Collins, Rino, Tivo (in green shirt) and Eric while Yayes, Jason, Henri and I occupied the other room on the fourth floor coming down of Tyrone's house. Tyrone had the rooms ( and the CR betwen the two) constructed for the reunion. 

at the Living Room

Lazing around at the Living Room, waiting for everyone to get dressed up for a visit to a stand-up comedy bar downtown. We had to abandon the idea and went instead to a place of quiet, the Mountainside. 

Fear Factor

Tivo is holding on for dear life as Rino keeps on pulling at the hanging bridge, an attraction at the Mountainside (located on, well, the side of a mountain) where you get a panoramic view of Cebu. 

Nightcap

The drink at the rooftop capped our first day, Rino's second. Sorry, can't show the frustration written on the face of Tivo for failing to get a "local talent." Maricris should get the award for the "defensive player of the year award" 

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Taking breakfast. Maricris is a great cook. 

On the rented boat still docked at the Boyla Resort, one of the many that dot the shoreline of Mactan Island, waiting for Tyrone to return with his SCUBA diving gear before we set sail. We had to cancel the scheduled two-day trip to Bohol in favor of Island Hopping to allow our tired bodies to recover from the punishing trip to Cebu. 

At the Playground of the Subdivision

After dinner, the group took a walk, mostly downhill, around the subdivision and rested at the playground. (Before dinner, Tyrone, Collins, Tivo, Eric and Jason played a bruising basketball game. Collins was forced to retire (Jason subbed for him) after taking an elbow in the jaw from Junnel.) 

The Theology Instructor from University of St. Agustin takes the floor

Collins giving a lecture on Interfaith Dialogue. An animated religious debate ensued that ended around 11 pm 

Corporate Meeting

Tyrone presided over the organizational meeting of the Corporation. This was one time when the spirit of fun was a little suppressed and everyone turned serious. 

May 22, 2006

Eric and Rino ready for their separate flights to Manila in the morning of May 22. The rest wouldn't leave until 6 pm. 

The Singer

Jason discovered the joy in singing during our reunion. While the rest of the class would retire to bed for the much-needed rest during free time, he and I would take turns at the mike. He promised to set up his father's videoke upon his arrival in Casiguran and regularly sing his heart out. 

Nagbabakal Pasalubong

A trip to Cebu would not be complete without buying Danggit. This is in Tabu-anMarket where the best dried fish from Cebu can be found. Maricris served as our Sherpa. 

At Pier 5 in Cebu

Arrived at the Pier around 5:30 pm for the 6-pm boatride to Masbate. Henri was queuing at the ticket booth nearby. 

Trip from Cebu to Masbate

Just gotten on board TransAsia. We got 3 aircon and 3 economy accommodations. Junel, Yayes and I enjoyed the comforts of our respective beds while Collins and Henri, who sneaked inside the airconditioned room in the middle of the night, slept on separate benches. Jason endured the heat and smoke upstairs, at the economy section. 

by Yayes Basares

Where are you now? What are you doing? Have you heard the trumpet sound?

There is a call for you. It comes from the conviction of one man and is shared by many. Tyrone calls it payback. Having received so much in his life; a good wife, wonderful kids, a fleet of cars and a single engine cesna plane, a palatial house, he wants to give back to others what he has. And his invitation is being extended to you.

MAELSTROM is being organized as a corporation. Its aim in engaging in business alongside profit is to assist others members of the class foremost and charity work later.

The batch is oozing with talents both in the administrative and technical aspect in business and many have the capacity to finance projects. You are being called not only by Tyrone but by the whole batch as well (MAELSTROM VENTURES INC.) to participate, invest and or assist.

With the golden hands of Tyrone, Erwin and Nono in business, their combined expertise MAELSTROM VENTURES INC could go far, the dedication and commitment of the rest of the batch would surely make it a success.

Each and every one of you will receive a formal letter of invitation from Tivo who has been elected as Corporate Secretary. You will have to respond with your intention to join either as investor or industrial partner. Along side this, another group based in Sorsogon is working on the paper for the legal personality of the group while another group is already scouting for the location of our first project/venture in Sorsogon. An office is already prepared courtesy of another batchmate. Sorsogon shall serve as our launching pad inasmuch as it is where Maelstrom was born.

By June 2, 2006 Manila based Maelstrom shall meet with Tyrone. Rino shall coordinate with each of you. In the meeting Tyrone shall fully explain the project to all Maelstrom based in Manila.

By June 17, 2006 the first general meeting to finally kick off the project shall be held in Sorsogon.

We cannot forever spend our lives like kids on a seesaw there is always a time to make decisions. As Tyrone says it, we cannot spend the rest of our lives holding reunions and living the good life for a day or two and in the end faces a blank wall.