[BIRTHDAY BOY BARRY is shown here with actress JANINE GUTIERREZ. BARRY really is not only comely but it seems; “he is HABULIN ng BABAE”, as can be discerned from how JANINE almost enwrap him into her (i.e. JANINE’s) arms, “na parang bang ayaw nang pakawalan” or is it the “GIGIL EFFECT”. Well, as they say a picture speaks a THOUSAND WORDS.]

Happy happy birthday BARRY BOY…

As a GEMINI person born on this DAY – –

You’re so calm and so composed, truly ATTABOY!

You’re deemed as humorous too, indeed so sweet and cool like SUNDAE!

Per your horoscope reading, you’re truly relentlessly POSITIVE…

Am not talking of COVID, for I’m sure you’ll remain continuously NEGATIVE;

You’re that kind who constantly search for additional FACTS- –

That’s the reason perhaps, as you aced the HKUST Kellog Energy Case MATCH!

You’re described too as truly NIMBLE-MINDED AND SHARP-WITTED…

And a NEAT AND conventional guy, of course, that’s ADMITTED;

You’re described too as overly MATHEMATICAL- –

For a CHARTERED FINANCIAL ANALYST, like you, that’s OBVIOUSLY USUAL!

But you are deemed too as not too CAUTIOUS…

So, better be forewarned, please don’t drive RAMBUNCTIOUS;

Be extra careful when you’re DRIVING- –

Do restrain your speed and never ever go OVER-BEER DRINKING!

On this your NATAL DAY, Birthday BOY BARRY…

I wish you luck and plenty of MONEY;

Attire yourself in YELLOW today, as it’s your lucky COLOR – –

In case you win in any game or make much MOOLAH, just throw me a crisp GREEN DOLLAH!!!!

Joke, joke, joke!

[My dear KUMADRE, ATTY. VICTORIA V. LOANZON, is deemed as the GRAND DAME of the INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES, QUEZON CITY CHAPTER (IBPQC), having  been  elected  TWICE  as President of  the IBPQC and is considered as the ETIQUETTE  MISTRESS  in  the  IBPQC  Viber Chat group.  Accordingly, she would quickly call the attention of anyone who would upload a post that would not be in keeping with her GOOD MANNERS and RIGHT CONDUCT CODE.  I failed ONCE (as I uploaded a seemingly ribald post) and I have  been  chastised  and berated  with  some  sort  of  a  failing  mark,  as  she  is a strict and a competent and a topnotch law professor too. My dear KUMADRE was instrumental in making one of the 2019 bar examinees snatch a notch in the TOP TEN list and that was  because  of  the  guidance,  and  caring  tutelage  by  my  KUMADRE  upon  this topnotch new lawyer. And now, I also want my paralegal (who’d take the BAR next year) to  be  accorded  the  same  personal  guidance  and  tutelage that would serve as my paralegal’s inspiration towards a successful passing of the BAR next year.]

I am profoundly sorry my dear KUMADRE…

I will confess this sin to a Claretian PADRE;

Claretian Fr. BERNARDO BLANCO, will also scold and chastise ME- –

O thanks, for detecting my sin and calling my attention, my sweet MARE!

When I took a leak at almost 3:00 this morning and was still so DROWSY…

Was not in fact aware that it’s a SUNDAY ALREADY;

My cell sounded and knowing that Papang Rey and Jack will be TITILLATED- –

I languidly forwarded the video post, and fell asleep once more as though I’m SEDATED!

So please be FORGIVING, my dear KUMADRE…

I’ll bring you a peace offering, but not a VERSACE;

Just a round of a cake 🍰 that’s not much SUGARY- –

Still, with bits of sugar, and just treat me as your DADDY!

Treat me as your DADDY, as I’ll bring a lollipop TOO…

Could even bring a balloon 🎈, and some popcorn ALSO;

I’ll do this as though I’m sort of courting YOU- –

As I have a paralegal who’ll take the next BAR, and the saviour will SURELY be YOU!

[Birthday   GIRL,   Atty.  CHERRYL   FRANCES   MAE  ONTALAN was TREASURER of the INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES, QUEZON CITY Chapter. She is shown in this photo holding on to a crucifix while her head is bowed down in deep and fervent prayer for the continued safety of HEALTHCARE WORKERS, the FRONTLINERS in our nation’s fight against the rampaging COVID-19 pandemic.]

Happy happy birthday Frances Mae CHERRYL…

As a GEMINI person, you’re imaginative, perceptive and bright; but not SURREAL;

You’re soft-hearted too, and can effectively express yourself but not with respect to EMOTIONS- –

Perhaps, you may have fears for the possible emergence of some kind of inner SANCTIONS!

Your greatest challenge is conforming to your high STANDARDS…

But your best traits are of being concerned, warm-hearted and DECENT as though always with ethical CARDS;

You have the potential of rising to positions of LEADERSHIP- –

And the ability  to impart your strong views through inspiring words just as to enhance your COMPANIONSHIP!

Indeed, you are persuasive and terribly ELOQUENT…

And you’re cerebral, charming and flexible too, making you thereby ELEGANT ;

You are usually YOUTHFUL too being the center of SCRUTINY- –

But you are charitable and emphatic to your peers, a paragon of SIMPLICITY!

Your first name FRANCES, means “FREE ONE”…

And MAE denotes the picture of a pearl as though appearing atop a magician’s WAND;

While CHERRYL means BELOVED and GRACIOUS- –

And your lucky saint could be Saint Patrick aka PATRICIUS!

On this your natal day, I wish you much more SUCCESS…

Being a Thomasian (prior years’ BAR topnotchers), you could be among its BEST;

Push onward and make your dream come TRUE- –

You can reach your star, as it’s not too far from VIEW!

[This  FUN  RHYME  was  written  by  me  during  the  time  of  the  subsequent LOCKDOWN brought by the PANDEMIC. There was PARANOIA  among all of us. With those LOCKDOWN restrictions, I did not have the chance to get hold of my personal computer which is located in my Law Office; while my laptop was borrowed by my law partner who has gone on indefinite leave (as he got elected as COUNCILOR in a town in CAGAYAN) prior to the LOCKDOWN.  Thus, this belated PUBLICATION.]

“INAY KO PO” , yaan ang karaniwang ating BINIBIGKAS…

Lalo na ang mga mumunting anak  kung sa sakuna’y UMIIGKAS;

Mga NANAY din ang nagtuturo nang pagsaing ng BIGAS- –

Pati nga ang pagpapaandar ng mga sinaunang kalang de GAS!

GASGAS na nga halos ang ating mga TENGA…

Sa mga payo at pangaral, kapag tayo’y nahahantong sa DISGRASYA;

Napakabait ni NANAY, nung tayo’y musmos halos nais kunin sa pagitan ng ipin ang TINGA- –

Ni ayaw tayong madapuan ng lamok, pati ng langaw; tunay po na sila’y KAKAIBA!

Malupit nga naman sila PAMINSAN-MINSAN…

Subalit ang aruga at pagmamahal, palagi pong NAANDYAN;

Noong tayo’y mga sanggol, tayo’y palagiang DINUDUYAN- –

Tunay na sila, sa mga tahanan ang syang tampok na LUNDUYAN!

Bagamat nabansagang ang mga AMA ang siya nating HALIGI…

Ang mga NANAY po naman natin ang siyang ating ILAW na PALAGI;

Buti pa nga ang MERALCO ay mayroon pong “BROWN OUT”- –

Ang mga INAY po’y walang break-time, ‘di nga pwedeng mag- “TIME-OUT”!

Kaya atin pong mahalin ang ating mga mapag-arugang INA…

Na kasama pa rin natin sa ngayon, o kahit tayo’y ulila NA;

Umusal tayo tuwina ng marubdob at maikling DASAL- –

Para sa ating mga NANAY na napakasarap pong MAGMAHAL!

[Photo above shows our BIRTHDAY BOY, and much ballyhooed barrister, a flamboyant and much publicized lawyer, my friend ATTORNEY  REDEMBERTO R VILLANUEVA. Atty. DEM exceedingly shone in the limelight when he lawyered for one of the AMPATUAN brothers in the notorious 2009 MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE which filled the headlines of both broadsheets and tabloids of the Philippine metropolis then.]

Happy happy birthday my fabulous friend DEM…

He is one among AQUILA LEGIS’ superb lawyers and PAPANG REY is also one of THEM;

BIBOY MALAYA is in effect marvelously on this first-rate league TOO- –

Better to list others,  all lassiters indeed, so that I won’t get a BOO!

As a GEMINI person born on June SIX…

He’s so focused on lawyering, not much time to deal with the opposite SEX;

As he really is so nobly passionate in his advocacies  and WORK- –

Would not even dare to dance the alluring and sensuous TWERK!

As Managing Partner of his own lavish Law FIRM…

He has enhanced its fame through his avant-garde style of LAWYERING;

DEM is filled to the brim with unconventional IDEAS- –

Would be so courageous indeed to apply them in all legal practitioners’ ARENAS!

DEM is a very vivacious and versatile PERSON…

Dreaming dreams and of putting it into REALITY SOON;

Has been DEM’s usual and structured venture towards REALIZATION- –

And now it seems that it has turned automatic and has become an avowed FASHION!

DEM has even become an idealistic LOVER…

That’s why perhaps from pretty dames he would often seem to COWER;

DEM’s horoscope says that June 6 birthboys are suited for jobs involving EXPLORATION- –

DEM has turned lawyering into some “mining exploration”, which has reached bombastic boom and fantastic FRUITION!

On this your natal day, my dear FRIEND….

I hope and pray that you’ll find your true LOVE just around the BEND;

For true lovers indeed are willing to SACRIFICE- –

Just love and love and love; and few of them would perhaps SUFFICE!

Joke,joke,joke!!!!

MALIGAYANG KAARAWAN IDOL DEM!

[BIRTHDAY BOY ATTORNEY FERDINAND “DING” CORPUZ (a proud member of UP Law 79) is shown in this photo comfortably ensconced on a CHESTERFIELD CHAIR wearing some sort of a mischievous smile. The usual smile purportedly sported by GIGOLOS of yesteryears.]

Happy happy birthday to you ATTORNEY DING…

Not much I know about you, but you really walk with ZING;

A log in our 2004 souvenir program, narrates about you lawyering career PATH- –

Your variegated lawyering  is amazing, it actually deserves a laud, INDEED, a pat on the BACK …

You really went through a SMORGASBORD of  career as though lined up in a RACK!

After passing the BAR, you joined a MAKATI-BASED LAW FIRM…

That’s the usual resort to quick SUCCESS, Makati-based attorneys would surely CONFIRM;

Thence, a long stint ensued of lawyering work with the BANKING SECTOR – –

Those who’ve raised much DOUGH, would need the help of banks as funds’ MANAGER…

As the funds would then, I am sure , would need to be transported by a ‘COPTER!

Being a CANCER person born on July 15, your persona is dominated by EMPATHY…

You’re in tune with your emotions as well as of others, so GREATLY;

You’re possessed too with an INTUITIVE and OPTIMISTIC NATURE – –

And you proudly have a POSITIVE outlook in life, that’s an asset for SURE…

But not the POSITIVE sign of COVID, which still as yet, has no CURE!

WATER is CANCER’s paired element, and a July 15 born is fundamentally linked with this elemental MATTER…

Similar to rocky ocean waters,  CANCERIANs  often experience emotions in waves like  undulating TETHER;

They use these experiences to understand  complexities of EMOTIONS – –

And they apply those knowledge, unto oneself and into the feelings of others, enriching thereby their winsome NOTIONS!

As CANCERIANs continue to embrace those qualities of WATER…

They’ll grow into an even more compassionate husband, friend, brother and FATHER;

But be aware too of the negative influence of WATER – –

As becoming fully submerged could bring INSTABILITY, and you might even blame this WRITER named WALTER!

July 15 CANCERIANs understand better than most people, just what harmonics do to LIFE…

Thus, you’re really much skilled in sparking up harmony especially with your WIFE;

You’re sensitive, yet strong; and you’ve a powerful attraction to beauty in all its ASPECTS- –

And you’re a genius in attracting people to teach you life lessons, inclusive of all its PRECEPTS!

After another 10-year stint serving as country manager in direct selling INDUSTRY…

DING returned to law practice, as it’s his real CUP OF TEA;

Being a highly romantic and culturally INCLINED INDIVIDUAL – –

Your great excitement to the novelty of romance,

could allow you to reap a LOVE GOLD MEDAL!

On your natal day, this WONDROUS WEDNESDAY, with greetings from a crude BARD…

In addition to the LOVE GOLD MEDAL AWARD,

which this WRITER has put FORWARD;

I hope and pray that you’d continue to have precious  GOOD HEALTH – –

Ailments experienced by July 15 people are often related to over indulgences, which could shrink your WEALTH,

Thus, employ self-discipline where good things in life are concerned, and enjoy much EXERCISE to the HILT!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY DING!

[Birthday GIRL GINA is shown in this photo wearing a yellow blouse and a black shawl over it (looking as though a UP Law 90s grad, so petite and flashing as though relatively younger than all of us). Others who attended the dinner at the CRAB MINISTRY, BGC which was hosted by the greatly generous gentleman from the UP Law Evening 79 class, JOEY OSANA, who has always customarily footed the bill in most of the UP Law Evening class get-togethers, are: (From L-R: Babes Navarro, the generous Joey Osana, Judy Belderol-Lewis, Cecille Gellada and Alpha Dayot.]

Happy happy birthday to you REGINA…

Despite the lapse of many years, you’re still an OOH LA LA;

The creases on your face are not so VISIBLE- –

You’re indeed still BEAUTIFUL and so truly LOVEABLE!

Sorry for not having had the time to meet you all during our UP Law  79 REUNION…

I’ve lots of work to do for my Korean War veteran Dad, who receives some PENSION;

Perhaps, by next reunion date, I’ll have the time for bonding in such a FUSION- –

And I will offer you a song, sung by the 5th DIMENSION!

Hope you’ll accept my APOLOGY…

I won’t break my promise, I’ll make a bet… OH GEE;

If ever I fail to be at our REUNION DATE- –

I’ll offer you a peace offering, perhaps a luscious CAKE!

As I got freed from the tenacious and back-breaking work ASSIGNMENT…

I was told that you won’t be present in our exclusive evening class dinner APPOINTMENT;

Thus I said to myself, if I’d join and frolic with THEM- –

My dear GINA would get much angrier that could start much MAYHEM!

But as you’re a GEMINI and an amiable PERSON…

I am quite sure that you’d be forgiving like a Christian PARSON;

And perhaps, in our next meeting during our exclusive GET-TOGETHER – –

We could have a sumptuous supper and feast on lobster and OYSTER!

You might have not noticed the RESEMBLANCE , which is quiet CLEAR…

But MARILYN MONROE is your virtual DOPPELGÄNGER;

You’re a petite and svelte version of the DUMB BLONDE, she’s a CREEP- –

But you’re a brilliant lawyer who’s truly beyond the REEF!

And on your natal day TODAY…

I wish you long life and more extended HOLIDAY;

So that you could snatch a trip back HOME- –

Here in our country, that would make your senior life, C’EST BON!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[Birthday girl MA. FE TOBIAS endearingly called by friends and kin, simply as  FE, is pictured here together with her TWO (2) children; LAARNI in PINK and LAWRENCE in GREYISH-BLUE long-sleeved shirt.]

MALIGAYANG KAARAWAN SA IYO FE TOBIAS…

TUNAY NA MABAIT AT MAINGAT, WALA PONG ALINGASNGAS;

TAHIMIK MAGTRABAHO, AT HINDI KATULAD NI LITO – –

NA DATI AY PANAY ANG INOM NG BEER AY PAGTAYA SA MEGA LOTTO!

NAPAKASARAP PATING MAGLUTO NITONG AMING KASAM-TANGGAPAN…

MASINOP, MALINIS AT PAGDATING KO’Y MAY PAN DE SAL NG MAY PALAMAN;

MAAGANG GUMISING HABANG SI LAWRENCE AY PABILING-BILING PA DIN – –

SI LAARNI NAMAN AY NAGSUSUMIKSIK PA SA MAY DINGDING!  

ABA EH, TSAMPIYON MAGLUTO PO SI FE NG MENUDO…

PATI TINOLA AT TOKWA’T BABOY NA AKING PABORITO;

PABORITO NG LAHAT, PATI NG SI ALEE KO – –

KAYA  PAG-UWI KO SA BAHAY ANG HANAP PO AY ITO!  

SI ALMER NA KABIYAK NG PUSO NITONG SI FE…

FIRST TIME NA NAGKA-CELLPHONE MUKHANG MUNTIK NABUKO ANG DISKARTE;

YAONG CELPHONE PALA’Y IBINENTA NG SECURITY GUARD –

YONG TUMAWAG NA “HONEY” AY PARA SA GUARD PALA, NA KILOS SWARD! 

DAPAT ITONG SI FE AY MABIGYAN NG AWARD, NA SWAK…

PERO MAHAL NGAYON ANG GINTONG MEDALYA PATI NA ANG PILAK;

LOCKDOWN DITO, LOCKDOWN DOON, AT PATULOY ANG PANDEMYA – –

SIGURO PWEDE NA ANG AWARD NA MEDYO MEDYA-MEDYA!

KAYA ITONG SI FE DAPAT AY TALAGANG MAPARANGALAN…

ANO GANG MEDALYA NA DAPAT SIYA’Y ATING GAWARAN;

TANSO BAGA KAYA AY PWEDE NANG MAIBIGAY, NG SORPRESAHAN – –

HALA, UMISKOR KA NA AGAD WILLY SA JUNK SHOP NI JUAN!

JOKE, JOKE, JOKE!!!!

MALIGAYANG KAARAWAN MULI FE!!!!

[This is the group photo of the UP Law Evening ’79 batch taken along the alley  fronting  building facade of the Malcolm Hall. From left to right: Ding Dar Santos, Romy Legaspi, myself, Talek Pablo, Joey Osana, Babes Navarro, Jim Nagrampa, Vicky Bataclan, Bobby Lopez, Tony Abellera, Benju dela Paz, Procs Sarmen, Eric Rodriguez, Cel Gellada and Marvz Gonong. Of the FIFTEEN UP Law students then featured in this photo, THREE (3) have passed away; Jim Nagrampa, Bobby Lopez and Eric Rodriguez due to lingering ailments. Those who have similarly expired but not in this photo are: Dionne Laurico and Mar Turingan, both perished due to cardiac failure. With respect to Dionne, we got wind of his death after a year as he reportedly succumbed outside of Metro-Manila; while with respect to Mar, Mar expired after reportedly getting so drained and exhausted (almost swimming the whole afternoon) following an outing with his wife ROSE and their NHA colleagues  in an out-of-town resort.]

They  were among my TWO (2) best friends from the SIGMA RHO…

One is from far Zamboanga and the other is a BICOLANO;

They’re in fact a naturally smart, funny and jolly DUO- –

One is the first managing partner of our law firm and the other wooed me to be his law office associate TOO!

I truly admired JIM as he was truly so HARDWORKING…

And he likes it best to do pleadings by way of “CRAMMING”;

JIM would say that his mental juice would go into stanchless DRIPPING – –

Especially when the filing deadline is fast and  quickly COMING!

I was labelled as the day shift LAWYER…

As we’d usually meet at the car park, following his night shift THEREAFTER;

Usually, it would be around six in the MORNING- –

But he’d still look so fresh, as though he just went SWIMMING!

JIM was so fussy about cleanliness and NEATNESS…

His starch-sprayed barong would show no wrinkles until the hour, when fowl have returned to their NEST;

He became the SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT of IBP-QC- –

He could pencil-draw scenes and characters just what he did for my daughter, and that’s truly ARTSY!

And the other SIGMA RHOAN, is from far ZAMBOANGA…

Well, his Dad then was General Manager of a sugar mill in PAMPANGA;

We’ve been twice invited to do a staycation at their MANOR- –

And we’ll  talk of things, till the wee hours, of happy moments and nighttime sightings that brought as tinge of HORROR and DISASTER!

ERIC was a zealous and ardent Couples for Christ’s OFFICER…

And he’d truly speak like a pastor and that’s how he wants us to REMEMBER;

He asked me to join his  Law PARTNERSHIP- –

But wasn’t able to say YES, as it could mar my brother and kin’s work RELATIONSHIP!

Bobby LOPEZ was among us too, and he was some sort of  a “TATAY”…

For he was, the most senior and most decent among us all, but I never thought that he’d be the earliest to DIE;

I know that he already holds an MBA, when he went to UP LAW- –

And he is somewhat considered as already made and is with plenty of DOUGH!

But he was even a humble, kind and a true GENTLEMAN…

Was seemingly always so prepped in class, and was SOFT-SPOKEN like DUSTIN HOFFMAN;

He would even be exchanging jokes and would make out a smirk or a SMILE- –

But sometime would even act like a teen, though he’s older than us perhaps more than a MILE!

DIONNE LAURICO is another  character who’s somewhat UNCANNY…

He’s one among the FIVE (5) batchmates that I recruited to be a peculiar NHA BUDDY;

The QUINTET was composed of CEL GELLADA, EDWIN SALES, MAR TURINGAN, DING DAR SANTOS and DIONNE- –

It was only MAR  who seemed most LOYAL to NHA, as his employer and as a corporate ENTITY!

All of them served as diligent and competent HEARING OFFICERS, on claims of legal residency in TONDO FORESHORE…

For it was, the mark and the qualification that would engender a LOT-AWARD for SURE;

As DIONNE seemed to be the one with a heavy docket of CASES- –

We’d snoop during DIONNE’s hearings from across the hall, as he’d look always angry with his forehead filled with CREASES!

TFDA means – Tondo Foreshore Development Authority

And we’ll make comical antics, while DIONNE prevents a SMILE…

But he’ll thereafter hunt us all, and sort of castigate us, as that’s his usual STYLE;

 But nonetheless, he would blurt out a guffaw and a LAUGH- –

And would dart away and out, into another hearing that could turn to NAUGHT!

An office worker at the conflict resolution center is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

And MAR TURINGAN, stayed with NHA, for almost TWO (2) DECADES…

I even served as matchmaker to his eventual wife, who was one among my TWO (2) secretarial AIDES;

As  I served then as his eventual BOSS in the WORLD BANK-FINANCED TONDO FORESHORE PROJECT THEN- –

Me and MAR, would be at odds, as with legalities we’d CONTEND!

MAR was then my likeable and laudable LEGAL CHIEF, while I was ESTATE  PROJECT MANAGER…

But the EDSA REVOLUTION, brought me into a quick RESIGNATION;

I got employed at ALLIED BANK as ASSISTANT MANAGER and LAWYER- –

But MAR became so emphatetic with the TONDO poor, and stayed there until moving to NAPOCOR, following his own NHA ABDICATION!

What I learned from MAR’s wife, my former AIDE, named ROSE…

MAR drastically weaned himself from CIGARETTES and BOOZE;

Realizing perhaps that he has to start thinking about his HEALTH—

The drastic deracination proved fatal, as MAR gained weight, and death snatched him with wily STEALTH!

Let’s all pray and offer masses for all our departed BATCHMATES THEN…

It really is good to reminisce and make some kind of post-elegy for THEM;

For indeed with this PANDEMIC, lots of lugubrious voices can be HEARD- –

Perhaps, by  way of a countervailing act, let’s wipe the SAD with BARD and BEARD!

ETERNALLY REST GRANT UNTO THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM!!!!

[Birthday girl GINA CALLEJA-WARSHAW is shown at right wearing that charming and coquettish smile. At center is our debonaire batchmate ROMY LEGASPI with the bodacious BABES NAVARRO to ROMY’s RIGHT.]

Happiest birthday to our batch-mate GINA CALLEJA…

Though she’s refined, stylish and modish- she never did act like a PRIMA DONNA;

GINA belongs to and is a proud member of the famous CALLEJA CLAN- –

Of LIBON, ALBAY; a kinship group which is proud of its marvelous and outstanding GANG!

And the CALLEJA line can really boast of a FINE BREED…

The list of her relatives would look like a row of the most precious BEAD;

The late Justice Ramon Calleja Fernandez is ONE- –

And the Miss UNIVERSE  titlist Gloria Diaz, is the clan’s alluring beauty  BECKON!

Being a GEMINI person, you possess tremendous CREATIVITY…

You even have a wondrous and dexterous PERSONALITY;

That’s what your horoscope reading SAYS- –

It only means that you’re skillful and clever in your physical moves especially your SASHAYS!

You are competent and have a serious side to YOU…

And so amiable, who loves debating in defense of your valued VIEW;

Your point of view can be a little TRADITIONAL- –

But more or less, you could also sound a bit so PRACTICAL!

You spend long hours to accomplish the things you NEED…

But please take care of your health, and try not to overextend your DEED;

As you are loyal and supportive too unto your handsome MATE- –

Be sure to plant a kiss on Bruce’s lips upon his arrival at your GATE!

On your natal day my dear GINA…

I hope to see you on next reunion date as a dexterous dancing DIVA;

Will pray that you’d continue to age so GRACEFULLY- –

To make you proud of yourself; the pride of your clan and the whole Calleja FAMILY!

Happy birthday my dear GINA!

MAUGMANG PAGKAMUNDAG!

Happy happy birthday to my sis-in-law RALLY…

This birthday greeter is your handsome Kuya WALLY;

You’re among the most uniquely positioned soul in the ZODIAC- –

That’s what the horoscope reading says, as you’ve multifaceted intelligence and that’s quite a KNACK!

You’re horoscope further says that you’ve the mystical star sign of familial energy and EMOTION…

Familial energy actually for the weekly chance to play MAHJONG;

And when you win, you’ll be filled with emotions, mostly HAPPINESS- –

And your familial mahjong co-players will soon become PENNILESS!

I am now endeavoring to learn on-line the game of MAHJONG…

And now I know that among the chief aims is the CHOW, PUNG and KONG;

I will then volunteer to serve as your strategic avant-garde COACH- –

So that you’ll continue to win and flatten each and everyone of your co-player’s POUCH!

And as your lucky color is DEEP BLUE…

You must attire yourself every mahjong session with such a HUE;

Our first strategic move is to resist the urge to separate your TILES- –

And focus your concentration on those available tiles with varied STYLES!

We’ll do some incantation to make your win, a “BUNOT” STYLE…

Your hidden KANG will also multiply, be sure to keep secret the TILE;

You’ll win indeed via ESCALERA- –

And you could surprise them with a win, na “BISAKLAT TALAGA”!

On this your natal day I will pray for your more mahjong WINNINGS…

So that your familial energy will be stronger  in all those mahjong INNINGS;

And if you would eventually achieve a regular  weekly or daily WIN- –

Perhaps, I deserve to ask a bottle of brandy or just a whiskey or even a GIN!

Joke, joke, joke…

Happy birthday once more RAL!

[The phenomenal rise of Dr. LUCIO TAN has proven to be an INSPIRATION to a lot of ENTREPRENEURS in the Philippines. Stories bruited about town, speak about Dr. LUCIO TAN’s modest beginnings as some sort of a FACTOTUM during his BATAAN CIGAR and  CIGARETTE days; and his eventual rise to the pinnacle of SUCCESS. Dr. LUCIO TAN just reached his 86th YEAR this month of JULY. I offer this FUN RHYME as  BIRTHDAY  GREETINGS  to  my  former  BIG  BOSS  at  ALLIED  BANKING CORPORATION, which eventually was absorbed with its merger with PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK.]

Happy birthday Sir LUCIO TAN, also known as EL KAPITAN…

You’ve been the inspiration of lots of entrepreneurs, ‘cause your truly the MAN;

Who’s so humble and meek, but who can turn ideas into FUNDS- –

You’ve truly become a STAR, with lots of admiring and adoring FANS!

EL KAPITAN started with simple and modest BEGINNINGS…

But now he can be considered as one of the business KINGS;

And still his simplicity and modesty has REMAINED- –

Would even walk a mile bypassing traffic, and won’t be hurt or PAINED!

EL KAPITAN is an exemplar of modesty and HUMILITY…

Vanity and precious things and gadgets are not his CUP OF TEA;

I remember one time, when at the Allied Bank Corp. Legal Dept., we asked for more law BOOKS- –

He sort of smiled, winked and retorted: “ Oh, many many books spoil the COOKS!”…

EL KAPITAN despite his PAL ownership, won’t be used to fly FIRST CLASS…

For indeed, FIRST CLASS or ECONOMY, you’d arrive same time in a BUS;

The usual buses in mega airports that does the SHUTTLE- –

Indeed, if you fly FIRST CLASS, you won’t arrive at the tarmac with the sound of drums and BUGLE!

On your natal day, my esteemed and humble EL KAPITAN…

I’d pray and fervently hope that you’d reach ONE HUNDRED AND ONE;

Just one wish that I’d ask and REQUEST- –

The 100,000 pesos cash prize be granted unto the ABC Core Group (for the next GRAND REUNION date after COVID) as sort of your BEQUEST!

JOKE,JOKE,JOKE!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EL KAPITAN!!!!