Cheers, Adonis!

September 21, 2009. Two events were celebrated.


September 21, 1972. What's important about this day? For my generation, it was the day former President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law in the Philippines. I was six years old and a first grader at Ateneo de Manila. Back then, I didn't remember a whole lot about what Martial Law meant and what transpired during those dark days. I had my own little world. I was so excited being a first grader because I was now out there with the larger grade school population, and no longer isolated in a small, gated area that housed the prep students. It was fun. A new beginning.

September 21, 1966. Something happened on this day. My best buddy was born. Like me, he, too was a Martial Law baby. He was also six years old when it happened. I didn't meet him at the Ateneo. As a matter of fact, I met him when we were both 17, during college at the University of Santo Tomas. Both of us were taking up Electronics & Communications Engineering. We were an odd pair. He was about six feet tall, and I barely made his shoulders. But somehow we hit it off and became good buddies ever since.

We pretty much shared things in common -- we hated loud-mouths, disliked going to discos, were passionate about jazz, loved cooking, and enjoyed ice cold beer and good "pulutan." As bachelors, all we were responsible for were ourselves. The only chore we did was to clean our cars. We didn't have any after-work activities because it interfered with our favorite past time -- a night with San Miguel.

Aside from enjoying our favorite beverage, we also indulged in good food. As foodies (in our own way), we visited different places around Metro Manila to sample the best "pulutan" one can find. Our passion for good food and cold beer has taken us to simple (and sometimes, extraordinary), yet fun places too many to remember and, some, too regrettable to even talk about.

We've known each other for more than 26 years. My parents treat him like their own. For many years, at the start of each year, we took weeklong trips to Baguio to recharge. All we did was eat, sleep, and get drunk. He was my best man at my wedding. He picked me up early to make sure I got to the church with lots of time to spare. He also made sure I had a shot of tequila before I marched down the aisle.

Earlier on, his dad was suspicious about me. He thought that I was up to no good and that I was a bad influence to his son. Little did he know, it was the other way around. During our second trip to Baguio, my buddy told his dad that we were taking the bus. But, actually, I drove. On our return trip, I had to drop him off at the end of his street so he can "walk" home, with matching walis tambo in hand. His dad changed his perception about me when I consulted him on something close to his heart -- technical training.

This buddy of mine is still an elusive bachelor. It's either he's enjoying his bachelorhood and has yet to find the right girl, or he is done looking and is resolved to a life of single-blessedness. But I have this feeling he's not going to be alone for long. I just hope I get to meet this special someone in this lifetime.

To my best friend, BENG, enjoy life....continue to share your graces....and be thankful. Happy Birthday !!!! Let's drink to that.