IT WAS a celebration and a reunion right after Davao City’s busiest and liveliest week in August as Atty. Bernard Lopez of the Lopez clan in Calinan marked his birthday last August at his farm residence at Purok Orchid in Baguio, Calinan District.
Flying in all the way from Manila were members of the University of the Philippines Law Class of 1989 Section C, Berns’ batch. They are Juor Buted, Ariel Magno, Al Oxales, Boyet Medina, Patrick Perez, Ricky Espina, Mario Molina, Joy Yuzon, Mimi Andaya, Loida Mayo, Elena Abacajan, and Meyose Libunao.
With them were long-time friends Pinky Villamor and Allyne Creencia.
Most of Bern’s classmates brought their wives and brood. After all, it was at the height of the Kadayawan Festival and there’s a lot of reason to celebrate.
The party was more like a music festival as among the UP Law ’89 are members of the Chorus Juris – Berns, Ariel, Juor, and Al). All others took the mic as well. There was the ever-reliable iPhone to play minus one music, while others sang with the accompaniment of an acoustic guitar and Juor on keyboard.
Food was overflowing, especially fresh fruits. Then there’s the chicken binacol cooked “lutlut” style in bamboo. Drinks were overflowing as well, although the guests were all inclined toward the Macallan 18-year-old single malt.
The guests made the celebration a mini vacation as well as they taking time out to have dinner at Jack’s Ridge the night before, a visit at Eden Nature Park, just before the birthday dinner on August 25, a day at the Paradise Island Beach Resort the day after followed by a dinner at Yellow Fin Tuna and a nightcap at Insular Waterfront’s Vinta Bar.
It was a truly unforgettable weekend celebrated as Dabawenyos would.