LEGENDS by big bad gino

December 29, 2001. A day that will live in MASS infamy. Sa araw na ito ginanap ang year-ender gimik sa Libis, QC. Walo lang kami pero full MASS-gimik mode kami. Ang original plan is to meet at the Triple V sa Megamall ng 4 p.m. Dahil sa mga 'di maiiwasang circumstances, na-move ang meeting sa 7 p.m. That was the plan. A very simple plan. But the eight of us didn't come from the same area. That played a big role in making that night a night to remember.

Bago pa man mag 7 p.m., nandun na sila Geybs and Jai. Siguro excited. They didn't know how long their wait will last. By 7 p.m., hinahanap na nila kami. Unfortunately for them, si Jonee ay on-the-way pa lang, si Tinay ay bagong gising, si Sarah at si Joan ay naghihintay na masundo ko, at si Juby ay naghihintay na sa 'kin sa may BK sa Pacita. Nang masundo ko na si Juby, na hinatid pa ng mother nya, sa BK, we headed for the expressway patungong Bicutan para sunduin si Sarahbabes. By this time, Jai and Geybs started the long wait. Ako naman at si Juby, nag-start na ng tatlong-lalawigan trip. One wrong turn towards the Skyway led us to Ayala, lampas na lampas sa meeting place namin nila Sarah. Hindi kami papayag na maiwan si Sarah ng ganun-ganun na lang. Sinubukan namin syang balikan. A few wrong turns later, we read a sign saying "Welcome to Cavite". We were in deep syet. Fortunately, the first turn left leads to Alabang. After almost three hours of driving, we were back where we started: the expressway. Meanwhile, Geybs and Jai were finally joined by Jonee and Tinay. Mapapagsarahan na sila ng may gamol kaya dumeretso na sila sa Libis via Manong, the friendly cab driver. Finally, nasundo na namin si Sarah. We then proceeded to QC to make sundo sundo to Joan (sagwa pakinggan ng pick up eh) and off we went to Pier 1, kung saan senglot na agad si Geybs (you go Geybs!). It was almost midnight when we officially started the gimik. The fun was just about to start.

Nagulat kami sa naglalakihang mga bouncers. Nanlaki ang mga mata ng mga sisses at ni Geybs sa mga papas, habang bumukas naman ang mga mata ni Jai sa mga panyo at punda na ginamit na pantakip sa mga katawan ng mga bebas. Tahimik namang gumala ang mga tingin namin ni Jonee patungo sa mga nasabing bebas na naka banderitas lamang. After confirming na puno na yung ibang mga place, we stayed na lang and amused ourselves with the colorful people, pati na rin si Mark Solis (nyeee!). Pwera sa amin nila Jai and Tinay, pumasok ang grupo sa loob upang gumiling at lapitan ng mga horny yuppies. Hindi nagpatalo si Tinay dahil later, habang nasa labas kami nilapitan din sya ng isang horny guy. Hindi nga lang sya yuppie kundi isang jologs of the Streetboys-kind. 'Di nagtagal, nabuo ang Jai-Tinay-Gino group. Hulaan nyo kung sino mga miyembro nun. Matapos ubusin ang anim na cheese sticks na may ham sa loob na nagkakahalaga ng 60 paking pesos, sinamahan na kami ng limang jacksoners for another round of San Mig Light. After 10 years, dumating na yung mga baso na hiningi namin. And then, a toast for the past year, and another toast for the year that's coming. After the toast, tinawag ulit namin yung waiter namin na medyo mainit na ang ulo. We ordered crispyliscious crispy pata and tokwa't baboy na sagot ni Sarah. Naintriga kami sa chicken lollipop. After the round, naiwan muli sa labas ang Jai-Tinay-Gino group. Dito nangyari yung jologs interruption. After ng last call, we decided to leave. Pero in true UPLB MASS fashion, we took a few "souvenirs". Kung hindi ganun kalaki yung mga bouncers, fair game sa 'min yung mga ash trays.

Kahit walo lang kami, it was still UPLB MASS' year-ender gimik. And being MASS members, we wouldn't let it end like that at 4 a.m. The night was still young. As young as Juby looks. Next stop: Antipolo. Overseeing the whole Manila area, we sat and waited for daylight. We talked about how lights in the area near the coastal road and the airport, like the stars, form an image of several jeepneys. We also beared witness on how the airport becomes busy at 4 in the morning. Inusisa din namin yung van na malapit sa 'min na parang nagjujuts. It was the ultimate analogy of ending the year that has passed. After going through all the fun, the tragedy, and the chaos of the year, we were at a point where we can see where we've been, what we've done, and where we would eventually find ourselves in if we hadn't learned our lessons. It's a little melodramatic for some, but it was the perfect way for me to close a year of after being lost, partying ensues. Although our talks were not that serious, it was a time of reflection for me and the seven others that shared my view of the city and the past year. Analogies rule!

At 6 a.m. you'd think we'd be dead tired already. But you're forgetting something, we're UPLB MASS. We may sometimes be dead, but we will never ever be tired. Dahil sa alkohol, sa pagod, at sa hangin na amoy juts, naging trigger ang tawa ni Sarah para sa walang patid na tawanan hanggang makababa kami ng Antipolo. Recalling those laughter makes me want to laugh again ang again and again. Before saying goodbye and good morning, nag-mini breakfast muna kami sa 7-11. Hanggang doon, nag-aamok pa rin kami. It was bright and sunny na nung hinatid ko na sila Jonee, Jai, Joan, Geybs, and Tinay sa Katipunan. And then, hinatid ko na sila Sarah and Juby. It was a meaningful and fun experience. It gives us hope of a year that is less dangerous and tragic, and more fulfilling and enjoyable. It was night to remember. But above all, it was legendary.

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