| Report |
"Coch was not around"
Reflections of the 14th Rotary Golf Fellowship Foundation of the Philippines
Wednesday
by
Baby Rtn. Raffy Ocampo
The 14th RGFFP technically started at 3:30 am on Wednesday morning for me, that is if I
wanted to catch my ride at the Rufino's house care of Tito Cary. Being a late night
sleeper I decided to pull an all nighter in order to finish packing and ensure that I
don't miss my trip to Baguio. After a delayed convoy start (c/o PE PKC) we were off at
4:30 am. It was a quick and quiet trip since all I did was pass out beside Lou in Tito
Cary's van. We arrived before lunch and the players there were Tito Cary, Lou, PKC, Titos
A., Mike Sy, Dong 2, and myself who were overtaken by the first batch Tony L. and Dong 1.
Baguio turned out to be an excellent idea golf or no golf as the weather was "just
like Florida this time of the year" as PKC put it.
After a big brunch we were off to John Hay for a practice round. If I knew the practice
round involved so much betting I would've practiced for the practice round! In this round
the Jaguar shot an 8 over and pretty much-cleaned house that day. Everybody liked the
conditions and development of the course and it was good to see other Rotarians from other
clubs practicing as well. All in all a good first day at my first RGFFP. But it was far
from over as after settling in at the cozy house and cottages of the Rufino's and the
Ayala cottages, we were off to the cocktails at the Baguio Country Club were I discovered
that being a member of RCMA meant coming in a Rotary function only in one way: Grand
Entrance Style! Joined by Miguel P. and Cesar V. we were all decked out in our black and
gray uniform for the night with our mustard half-length jacket, we came dressed to the
teeth. (and quite tipsy as technically cocktails started at the Rufino house shortly after
our practice round) By the way, all meals and cocktails were at the Rufino house
spearheaded by the ever-gracious Mike Sy.
At the RGFFP cocktails is where I first noticed the difference between our club and the
rest of the other clubs present and it this time it wasn't the fancy uniform but more of
the cohesiveness. Our table was definitely the noisiest and most fun of the bunch. Pocholo
Borromeo and DG Oskie De Venecia kicked off the night with their opening remarks. Tony L.
and Dong 1 acted as very efficient captains for the whole club during the captain's
meeting and the tournament boss Vince Villafuerte took the helm at the official's table.
It wasn't long before Team RCMA got restless and decided to go singing at one of the more
popular karaoke places in town. Mike Sy's brother-in-law was also in town to join the fun.
Turns out Karaoke isn't a big thing in Baguio but that didn't dampen the spirit of RCMA as
loads of bottles and Beatles were my last thoughts of the night as I passed out and was
awoken at around 3:00a.m. for a midnight snack at the infamous 456 Chinese restaurant.
After a lot of food, drink, and fun it definitely was a good first day at the RGFFP.
Thursday
by
Dir. Dong Abad Santos
Thursday was the slow day for the RCMA contingent as by some design not
one RCMA'er was scheduled to play that first tournament day. Convenient too as most of the
members of the CHIMAF weren't scheduled to arrive till evening.
P.P. Tony L, Rtn. Titos and Dir. Dong1 got-up early enough to make the
7 min trip from the Ayala Cottages to the Rufino House to have breakfast. Upon arrival
there Dir. Dong2 and Rtn. Mike S. were done with their morning routine contemplating their
activities for the day while waiting for the other guys to breakfast with them.
Given the "Budget", you can always expect the best from Rtn.
Mike S. and this trip was no different. The breakfast was accompanied by the usual but
enjoyable exchange of stories, jokes and witty comments uniquely consistent at RCMA
gatherings.
Most of the guys including IPP Miguel P., Baby Rtn. Raffy O., and Dir.
Dong2 were planning to either do 9 holes or take to the driving range. Rtn. Titos was
quite awake considering the previous evenings (till early morning) night out. PE PKC and
Rtn. Mike S. would later have afternoon coffee at a popular local coffee shop. P.P. Tony
L. and Dir. Dong1 opted for an afternoon siesta which was immediately interrupted by a
concerned call from Dir. Alvin regarding the clubs team line-up which fortunately was
easily remedied by P.P. Vince V. who was with the tournaments organizing committee.
Dinner at the Rufino House was great as usual exceeded only by the fellowship and
camaraderie of the guys. Everyone lamented the non-appearance of Dir. Jun Y. who was
called to duty by his work. Most notable for the evening was the reaction and
corresponding expletives mouthed by Dir. Alvin over his cellphone while somewhere in
Tarlac upon leaving at 8:30 p.m. that his scheduled tee-off as well as that of his
comrades was only 10 hrs away. Check with Dir. Bobby R., Eugene G. and Rtn. Tom.P for more
details.
Friday
by
Baby Rtn. Eddie Boy Romualdez
I arrived at the Ayala House, Baguio very early Friday morning (3am).
Since all the RCMAers (PP Tony L., Titos, Dong 1 and my roommate Raffy O.) in this house
were still in slumber land, I went ahead and dozed off to gain some much needed Z's to
gather some strength before my 7:30am tee time.
Upon my arrival at John Hay, about 6:30am, RCMAer Miguel P., Cesar V.,
Bobby R. were already hitting the driving range, warming up (literally, since it was quite
chilly).
My game started rather bad and frustrating. My flightmates, Ed Alvarez
of RC Makati-North and the brothers Tito and Tony Nazereno of RC West Triangle had even
better games. At the back nine however, I had already shaken off my lack of sleep and
gotten more familiar with this interesting and quite challenging course and scored much
better.
Late lunch prepared by Mike S. at the Rufino house near Baguio Country
Club was superb. While enjoying this, RCMAers who had early tee times, had finished their
rounds were already comparing scores, feats and frustrations. Club Secretary Alvin and IPP
Miguel had the best rounds among the early birds.
That afternoon, Miguel P., Alvin C., Bobby R., Raffy O., Tom P. and
myself had another 9-hole event at the front nine of the Baguio Country Club. Despite my
20+ PAL points, my team (Bobby R. and Miguel P.) lost to the team of Alvin, Raffy and Tom.
Dinner was great, again thanks to Mike. While the wine and liquor kept
pouring the RCMAer players again discussed their scores, frustrations and feats. For me,
it was early to bed since I had very little sleep. For the rest it was either the card
decks or Star City.
Reflections
by
Baby Rtn. Tristan Choa
I generally like to jot down things I observe in a little notebook. It amuses me to look
back and read what I wrote. The following is an excerpt from my private records. Please
treat it as confidential.
Dear Diary,
A single weekend away and so many impressions. It was a great weekend to say the least --
one of, I expect, many that will validate my excellent decision to join RCMA.
Too bad the other 'babies' weren't there. Would have been fun to have Joe Marie, John and
Jacko, RJ, Jon, Mon and Noel around. Noel . . . he's a funny guy. And drinks like a fish!
Come to think of it, he even looks like a fish! But he's a great guy. Should try to hang
out with him more often. Maybe I can ask him what makes a Rotarian a 'baby' Rotarian.
Probably wouldn't know. If I invite Bert Manero to join, will he be considered a 'baby'
Rotarian? Hmm . . .
I liked driving up with Ralby and Marco. I liked it even better that Ralby drove the whole
way! The traffic out of Manila was torture! Kinda like talking to Alvin. I think I got
spoiled. Maybe I can fix it so I never have to drive on these out-of-town trips. I wonder
if I was really snoring or was Marco just pulling my leg?
The set-up was nice . . . most everyone staying in one place. A lot were at Rufino House
when we got up there, hanging around talking about their games during the RGFFP. Too long
to say Rotary Golf Fellowship Foundation of the Philippines . . . why not just make it
J.U.N.K.E.T.? I wish I could have played . . . that woulda been fun. The last time I
played was at Capitol. I think I shot a 68. I just can't remember if that was the front or
the back nine. My game's really been improving a lot lately.
Food was good. Mike Sy did a really good job. Lugaw for breakfast (with 10 condiments!
Sarap!), siomai and adidas for lunch, pork with taosi and salted fish fried rice for
dinner then lomi for breakfast (!) the next day. Wow . . . food lovers paradise. I always
did want to eat Chinese food three times a day.
Mike . . . what a guy. His heart is really in the right place. His liver might not be, but
his heart is. He's the first guy I've seen who drinks scotch by the mug. I think he was on
his 4th or 5th mug when we got there and he started telling us about how we can get the
most out of being Rotarians. If only because of him, I really want to be more active in
our outreach programs. I've been in Rotary since October and I haven't done a thing! Have
to ask about a medical mission or something. (well, this article is a start - Ed.)
The Saturday awards night was a lot of fun. You really have to give it to RCMA. . . we've
got attitude! Everybody dressed in uniform topped with a yellow jacket. We looked like The
Platters with PK as the lead singer. We may not have won any golf awards but at least we
won The Best Dressed Award (If you can't perform, japorm!)
Speaking of which, I have to remember to tease Bobby Ro about treating us to dinner.
Imagine winning P1,800 on a hundred peso bet on who was going to get called for a raffle
prize first! Bobby's a nice guy. Bet he'll even volunteer to take everyone to Gerry's
Grill.
I wonder what Mike Sy was praying about after dinner? Looked intense. He'd bow his head
and be in deep, contemplative prayer. Iba talaga ang effect ng Jubilee Year.
Who else was there? There was Tito Cary, Vince, Tony, Jun, PK, Rene, Mon, Migs, Alvin,
Cesar, Dong 1, Dong 2, Eddie Boy, Raffy, Tom, Spencer , Eugene. . . seems like I might be
missing a few. . .
Titos! How can I forget The Jaguar?! He's so graceful talaga. I have to get his number in
Manila, maybe watch a ballet or something.
What happened to Eddie Boy after golf? Ah ... he went down already. He's another
character. I wonder what he'd look like without a whole bottle of gel in his hair.
I'm usually a scotch drinker but there's something about cognac and Baguio air that just
goes together. Good thing Tom Pohang taught me how to drink it properly: you cup the
brandy glass and warm the cognac with your hand. Makes it smoother that way. But there was
something in the way he gently caressed that glass with his hand... it's a technique I've
seen before... I just can't quite put my finger on it.
One thing I do know. Someone's gotta help Alvin out. The guy is just UNbalanced. The first
time I meet him, he's a Sinead O'Connor groupie who shaves his head (as if we weren't
already wincing at the parts of his face that we could see!). Then in Baguio, he plays
cards wearing a robe, a vest, techni-color, polka dot boxers, knee high socks and Mao
slippers! Who does he think he is? A Victoria's Secret model? But, he did win me money
during the tourney. That makes him a very nice guy.
But you know what? While I was slowly getting to know the RCMA-ers better, I even managed
to learn something of the place that is ever so dear to my heart: Baguio!
Baguio is my home province. My grandmother lives in Baguio and as a child, I spent most of
my vacation time there. Even now, unseen by the naked eye, I wear my bahag everyday to
work to remind myself of my Spanish-dipped, tribal heritage. It brings back a lot of
memories, each surrounded in the lush green embrace of chilled, pinecone-scented air.
Hence for the longest time, it was truly the City of Pines.
And now, in one fell swoop, everything has changed.
Just as the internet has so radically changed the landscape of doing business, so has the
RGFFP - through the fellowship and camaraderie it provided - changed my view of the city
of my youth.
From now on, I will only know it as simply: the Star City.
Like I said, so little time and yet so many impressions. That'll be all for now, Diary.
I'll fill you in a li'l later. Live long and prosper.
Sunday
by
Club Secretary Alvin Milton S. Co
Having a bunch of Baby Rotarians reflecting what happen in Baguio is
dangerous. What is worse was having Baby Rtn. Tristan reflect last. Therefore, I got to
have the last say here.
By Saturday, midnight, most RCMAers have left Baguio for ... (honestly,
I'm not sure where they went but it was definitely south). But definitely, Tom was around
as I could hear him snoring throughout the Rufino house. Eugene was definitely there as he
was my roommate and he caused me three sleepless nights with his constant teeth-chattering
and inconsistent snoring. Those were some of the reasons why I prefer to sleep late to
make sure that I fall asleep first once I hit the sack. Unfortunately, they did the same
thing and fell asleep first!
This trip could be defined as a golfing, fellowship, camaraderie &
gambling trip. We would bet on anything...as usual. We had a wager against RC Makati-North
and Makati-West, which we won. We also wagered to whose name would be called first. A bet
which I should have won...TWICE! Cesario Villanueva! I could have been P5T richer.
Anyway, we left Baguio for Manila early Sunday morning but there was a
sidetrip to Pampanga as we ventured to True North Golf Club to play, even though only 5
holes were playable. That didn't stop us (Eugene, Tom & I) from playing the 5 holes
thrice. We could have played more but Eugene lost his swing while Tom lost all balls and I
lost the most money. Why? I had to give them strokes.
Ending this trip was the saddest part. Looking back, it was a
successful trip even though our Club didn't place in any division. I was so sure that we
would have won something because.....Coch was not around!
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