The ‘Golden Boys’ of Xavier

I am very proud to belong to Xavier School’s High School Batch 1986. This batch has truly stood the test of time and we all have tried to keep in touch and see each other quite regularly.

Most of us turned 50 years old this year. Yes, we were born in 1969, probably one of the most eventful years ever. You see, it was the year when man (Neil Armstrong) first landed on the moon, when the Philippines got its first Miss Universe (Gloria Diaz), when the brands Gap and Rip Curl were established, when the Concorde took its first test flight, when the jumbo jet Boeing 747 made its debut, when The Beatles recorded their final album (Abbey Road) together, when the $200-bill was discontinued, when Sesame Street debuted on television, when Woodstock and Stonewall in the US took place, when the Oscars had a tie for the Best Actress category (Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand), when Judy Garland reportedly died of an accidental drug overdose, when Golda Meir became Israel’s first female prime minister, when Salvador Dali designed the logo for Chupa Chups, when DHL was established, and when the first ever Automated Teller Machine in the US was installed in New York City.

(From left) Benjamin Loo, Alvin Vy, Edgar Gatchalian, Mitch Cuna and Michael So Tan.

Recently, we had a get-together to celebrate the “Golden Boys” of the batch at The Empress Dining Palace (formerly Crystal Jade) in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The restaurant kept its chef and we certainly enjoyed our Chinese food that night. We had fried prawns two ways — wasabi and salted egg, duck, grouper with mango sauce, oxtail clay pot, braised pork belly, and much more!

There were also raffle prizes donated by some of my batch mates. Everyone went home with a birthday cake that said “Happy 50th!”

It was a great night to reminisce about high school and to catch up with friends whom I also consider family.

(From left) Gerry Qua, Toti Sanchez, Boompy Martel and Joey Qua.

Happy 50th birthday to my fellow classmates from Xavier School Batch 1986!

Cheers to ‘Build, Build, Build’

(From left) Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. chief development officer Raul Ignacio and president and CEO Rodrigo Franco with ATN Holdings president and CEO Arsenio Ng and managing director Hilario Ng.

An alliance was recently forged between Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) and ATN Holdings for the construction of such major thoroughfares as the NLEX Harbour Link, the Cavite-Laguna Expressway, the NLEX expansion, the Manila-LRT Line 1 Cavite extension, among other noteworthy projects envisioned to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila. ATN will provide a steady supply of quality construction aggregates to ensure fast completion of these projects.

Recently, a signing ceremony was held at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila in Mandaluyong City led by MPTC president and CEO Rodrigo Franco and ATN Holdings president and CEO Arsenio Ng. Public Works and Highways’ Build, Build, Build program chairperson Anna Mae Lamentillo was also present at the event, during which guests enjoyed a buffet dinner.

Public Works and Highways’ Build, Build, Build program chairperson Anna Mae Lamentillo.

Build, Build, Build is the centerpiece project of the government to fast track economic development through massive nationwide construction of highways, bridges, and other major infrastructure together with six government agencies (Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Transportation, National Economic and Development Authority, Bases Conversion Development Authority and Department of Public Works and Highways).

(From left) Sam Chen, Christophe Vicic, Michael Chiu, Christine Codrington and Dioceldo Sy.

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)