Zimar in the Garden: Captured Memories

Captured Memories - CNHS Batch '72 Christmas Party

written by Ms. Glenda Manlapaz

Braving the weekend traffic, we managed to reach on call time zimar's place located at the elite and exclusive village in Tagaytay. A beautifully made up to stand witness to another unforgettable kitakits of barangay72 seniors as we celebrate the yuletide season with endless moments worth keeping. These memories would keep us breaking into smiles again when remembered. Zimar's place is simply awesome to the max that you will find endless antique items all over the place. The feeling as if we were in the house of Maruja--remember that Mars Ravelo classic in the 60s? The crocheted curtains, crocheted like lace-covered beds and all the old things around seemed to bring us back to another place and time. I heard Doris talking to herself--that was like our charcoal-flat iron, should I had kept it, it should have been antique by now. There is also a mini garden with fountain in the bathroom which I found amusing and almost forgot some one was waiting. A gazebo built on top of a big like aquarium full of fishes exhibiting to us their bright colors as they playfully swam right before our very eyes. While enjoying this aquarium and trying to identify every plant in the garden, since lunch was not yet ready anyways, we feasted on boiled mais, boiled peanuts which I asked Doris to cook for me, the boiled eggs from the poultry of Mansueto, puto brought by norly. We had lots of debate over the correct names of fruit bearing trees on the sides and endless plants. We also spent a lot of time remembering hi-school days as usual.

At lunch time I was trying to recall if cabalen or barrio fiesta set up was infront of me, with all native food arranged in kawali (pan). We had ginataang kuhol, inihaw na bangus, ginataang paku with shrimps, lechon manok, fried tawilis from the lake of Taal, Of course the center of attraction on the table was what tagaytay is famous for, the super tender and hot beef bulalo (soup base). The kundol (winter melon) desert, buko from Elmers farm and the rice cake brought by Ed Obusan were blockbusters.

The ever outspoken Lilia told as that it was a dream come true for her to be in Zimar's place in tagaytay. The very prim and proper husbands of zimar and Loida, threw all cares to the wind, when the very game lilia danced the gangnam around them and both very gamely did the steps to our applause. The boys of batch72 were feeling what would be the reaction of there wives if they would dance with Lilia. And the moment they saw them enjoying the antics of lilia, everyone gamely showed their dancing prowess. But allan and elmer had a few drinks first before proceeding to the dance floor. The revelation that day were girlie and amy, the wives of elmer and Monching, respectively, showed there moves too, also in the beat of gangnam. Of course our very own ed, norly and Nitz too. After the singing and dancing, we left at 4pm because Sally had to pack her things for their family U.S. trip. Elmer packed and gave each one a loot bag of the delicious macaroni he and Girlie baked.

Very sorry to those who did not make it due to transportation arrangement problem. Sally harassed Alan to make his car available as our service to the place, and he in turn harassed his son to act as our driver. Many thanks to you Ms Zimar and to your family for playing hosts to another memorable batch72 event. Thank you and Merry Christmas to all. LOVE -GULAY (more detailed story is available at the CNHSBatch70 Yahoo Group).