Maria Marauder: UPCC Batch 1990 at 25: Day 3, Hibang Pa Rin Sa Awit Dinner-Concert Part 1

Had it been already two nights of food trip and never-ending chikahan for the group in Batangas? We felt isolated from the world since cellphone and wifi signals were not that strong at the farm; which was a good thing, in retrospect. It probably helped that it was only Atty. Noriz who could post on Facebook (I can still hear her say, "mag-Smart na kasi kayo!"); else, everyone would be checking on their e-mails and messengers like the online addicts that most of us have turned out to be.

So it was time to say goodbye to Villa Crisanta. We had to set off early so that we could still go home, stretch our legs a bit, and have time to relax before the big night.

But first, Virna's Mom wouldn't let us go without sating our palates with the most heavenly breakfast I had tasted in years. Anong sinabi ng mga breakfast buffets sa five-star hotels!

This is how busog people look like.

When Virna's Mom said to take home some of the food, I didn't hesitate to ask if I could bring to Manila the whole bilao of putong puti. E, alangan namang mag-no si Virna. Wait, before you judge me, I brought it not for myself, but for the whole group naman. I was thinking we could eat it as snacks before the concert. Imagine me, riding a cab from Virna's office in Makati holding a bilao. #iloveupcctalaga. Hehehe!

Again, for the wonderful, wonderful experience at Villa Crisanta, we thank you, Virna, from the bottom of our hearts. Please kiss your Mom for all us:-)

This is it! The highlight of our Anniversary Reunion.

Call time at Xavierville Phase 3 Clubhouse was at 4 p.m. Everyone was there on time!

Nu, the English professor (sabi niya!) at a Dutch university, giving me the final touch for my hair. That's what friends are for!

Final instructions. Up to this moment, we didn't know our final repertoire! Hahahaha!

Blocking an hour before the concert... (sa totoo lang ninenerbyos na ako dyan!)

Sorry for overexposing myself with too many photos (e, blog ko ito, di ba?), but I have to tell you that this skirt was the original Maria Clara garb we wore in 1990. This skirt is Lowell's, not mine, but I was curious if it could still fit me. Hindi ako humihinga nyan, but I was able to close the zipper! Now, project!

The original Bianangs circa 1990 : Mary Ann Uy, me, Cynthia Guico

Just as a background, the original plan was to end our reunion in Batangas. We thought that doing a full concert would be too ambitious for us--the practices, the program, the expenses. But then again, those of us who came from abroad and those who could not join us in Batangas were asking if it was possible to have a show in Manila so that their family members could see them sing again (or in the case of my BFFs Nu and Egay and myself, this would be the first time our families would ever see us perform). It was a request we couldn't say no to. After all, we also wanted our families to share this celebration with us, for they were the ones who supported us twenty-five years ago. Pumalpak man o hindi, we know that our families would always be our biggest fans.