Earthshaking events

Many people thought it would take a Solomonic decision for President Aquino to pick the one who will replace the late much-lamented Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo. But he surprised everyone with his announcement yesterday that former senator and Transportation and Communication secretary Mar Roxas was the man, and that, in turn, the DOTC would be in the hands of Joseph Emilio Abaya, the congressman from Cavite. In Negros, especially, the appointments were met with great approval and acceptance as, in the case of Mar Roxas, they consider him a Negrense, too.

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The selection of Abaya was also hailed, because he, too, has an impeccable record and impressive academic qualifications as well as experience. And both are young, idealistic, and patriotic, just the kind of officials we need. If all our departments and agencies were headed by similarly equipped leaders, our country could, perhaps go on fast-forward in a shorter time. Let us congratulate our president and wish the two new appointees the best of luck.

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The Presidential announcements elated Filipinos, but it did not shake them up as fearfully as the sudden earthquake that rattled the country last night did. At the time, which was shortly before 9 p.m. we were celebrating the birthday of Tutay Corral, which was a very happy occasion for the family because his only brother, Danny, is visiting from New York where he has been working and residing for so many years, and his wife, Meya, had also arrived yesterday. And as Tutay’s wife, Marissa, said, it was also an occasion for thanksgiving, because their mom, Mrs. Florinda Ramos-Corral, had just recovered from a serious fall that had kept her immobile for several weeks. But she forgot to mention that it was also a welcome for their two girls, Trina and Ria, who also just came home from a long stay with their Tito Danny and Tita Meya in the States.

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Well, the party was swinging along, and Danny had just complied with a call for him to sing, when suddenly, we felt some tremor under our feet. And then somebody pointed to the chandelier that, at first, swayed lightly, but then began moving faster, and the ground seemed to be heaving, too. This went on for several seconds, and it was only later that we learned that people on second or higher floors of buildings were already panicking and rushing downstairs! But we were probably so lulled by Danny’s rendition of “The way you look tonight” that nobody even walked out. The way we looked must have been, sated with the wonderful menu, and soothed by the singing. It was only when I got back to the STAR office and looked through the dispatches from the PHIVOLCS that I found out that we had experienced a quake of intensity 5, and Eastern Samar even had it at intensity 7.7!

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We had to proceed to another affair, the pre-reunion party of La Consolacion College high school class 1962 at the SVMore building. We got there after a few hits and misses that entailed going back home to look for the invitation stating the venue. But it was worth it, my, the class members were all gung-ho over their Golden Jubilee, and had already held such bonding events as a trip to Don Salvador Benedicto town, and overnight stay at Mambukal Resort. No wonder they all seemed so hyped-up and “at home again” with each other last night.

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The Golden Jubilarians really had prepared well for their Big Day tomorrow at LCC where there will be the traditional mass, program and dinner party. For Class ’62, the observance began a long time ago as they already have all their citations, souvenirs, give-aways, and, most admirable of all, a program similar to their graduation yearbook, with their “Before” and “After” photos. A big number had flown home from various parts of the country, from the United States, Canada, and other foreign places.

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Many of them have already retired, have grandchildren, whose photos were shown in the Golden Jubilee Book, but all seemed still very energetic, especially when dancing the “Twist”, and line dance, as well as other crazes, both of their generation and later. The culmination of the reunion, that will include other celebrating classes, will be tomorrow Sunday, when they will sentimentally sing their “Loyalty Song” and the whimsical “Hail Alma Mater, Hail LCC”.*

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