BACOLOD -- My presence again in this City of Smiles is in keeping with tradition that Joe Cajile only knows too well.
It’s been 14 straight years or so that I’d been attending the birthday celebration of Ramon Uy, the esteemed primo of Toyota’s Robert Uy. Joe, Ramon’s brother, is Sucing Chua’s bosom buddy. Sucing is Robert’s chief lieutenant.
I love Ramon Uy because, like me, he also loves the good life.
The ones he loves come in twos, usually.
Travels and exotic foods.
Music and nature.
Wines and roses.
Living well and sharing gains to others.
His love for family and friends is legend.
In his birthday mass officiated by the eloquent Fr. Tomonong of Mountain View in Mandalagan, Ramon Uy took to heart Fr. Tomonong’s homily about loving and sharing.
As usual, present were Ramon Uy’s employees at R.U. Foundry and the staff of May Uy at May’s Organic Garden in nearby Pahanocoy. (Congrats to Mareng May for winning the No. 1 Tourist Destination Award on Thursday.)
Addressing his workforce of 75 or so after the Mass, Ramon Uy said: “I have two hundred pesos each for all of you today. But after hearing Fr. Tomonong’s homily, I have increased it to five hundred pesos.”
Lusty cheers instantly erupted.
But Ramon Uy was not done: “No, instead of five hundred pesos, I am increasing it to one thousand pesos!”
Deafening cheers engulfed the Pavilion Hall.
For his encore, this: “And to those clad in red, including my children (Mayra, Michelle, Princess, Maeggie & TsinTsin) and grandchildren, one thousand pesos each for you, too.”
My compadre, Marvin Velayo, was also in a red T-shirt.
“For my Uncle Marvin, one thousand pesos, too,” said Ramon Uy. Laughter.
Marvin turned to me and said: “But my Pareng Al is also in red underwear and so, he is qualified, too.”
At the stage is a large tarpaulin with words in crimson red that read: “Happy 72nd birthday, Boss Ramon.”
Seeing that, my mind raced back to eight years ago, when Pia, Sahlee, Sol, Marvin, Johnny and I stood on the stage and did a song for Ramon Uy, titled, “When I’m Sixty-Four.”
Ah, to reminisce.
Makes the heart grow fonder, and mind younger. Sigh.