ETCETERA; Thoughts between the lines

  Usap Tayo: Oysters, Memories, and the Currency of Time My original group of friends, the Alabangers —all four of us—gathered at Talabar Seafood Restaurant in Westgate, Alabang to celebrate Chito’s July birthday. Over a table filled with fresh Aklan oysters (served raw, Rockefeller, baked with cheese, and as ceviche ), Crispy Beef Kare-Kare, and stuffed squid, the camaraderie was as rich as ever. But looking around the table, the reality of time hit home. In our younger days, we met constantly—frequent Friday nightcaps over cold beers and pulutan at Manong’s inside Filinvest, alongside monthly food crawls to try new spots. Celebrations were always special: the birthday celebrant had total freedom to pick the place and enjoyed a free blowout from the rest of us. Today, those spontaneous gatherings and monthly food crawls have dwindled mostly to birthday season: a short window stretching through July, August, and September, with maybe a bonus reunion in December if time permits. ...

  On Cruise Ships, Pencil Sketches, and a Cha-Cha-Filled Night in Intramuros There is a unique kind of magic that happens when the Rotary Club of Intramuros gathers. On paper, it’s a meeting. In reality, it’s an evening where serious civic duty smoothly glides into good wine, timeless music, and warm camaraderie. Yesterday at the Knights of Columbus Boardroom was no exception. President Joey got things rolling with a look ahead to our November Induction. He’s been scouting venues, and he dropped a tantalizing idea: hosting the affair aboard a cruise ship in Manila Bay. Whether we actually set sail or stay safely docked will depend on the budget, but the thought alone was enough to stir up some nostalgia. Personally, I’m looking forward to a grand gala. It’s high time we dust off our finest suits and dress with the elegance of the Ilustres of old. To top it off, Batas suggested a high-profile guest speaker who, if secured, will undoubtedly set a grand tone for the night. Joey also ...

  Our monthly Barkada Food Adventure brought the four of us to Jang Geum Kitchen to celebrate Robert’s birthday. The restaurant features a classic, no-frills Korean BBQ. The service was courteous and excellently paced. Instead of everything arriving at once, the freshly prepared dishes were brought out progressively. This thoughtful timing allowed us to savor each dish without feeling rushed. The Banchan (Side Dishes): A great spread including kimchi, egg-coated luncheon meat, spicy fried tofu, adobo-style kangkong, and excellent bean sprouts (which were immediately refilled). The Main Feast: We loved the savory bulgogi, a perfectly spiced seafood-soft-tofu stew, tender grilled beef, and a crispy seafood pancake. Every dish was generous and delicious. True to our barkada tradition, the celebrant doesn't pay! The bill was split among the remaining three of us, making it the ultimate birthday perk for Robert—great food with absolutely no bill to settle. After two hours of nonstop...

  Ready to create a lasting impact: President Joey B. Lat. In the world of Rotary, July is always a momentous month. It marks the official changing of the guard and the dawn of the new 2026-27 Rotary year. Every year, the incoming international leadership introduces a theme to set the tone, and this year’s rallying cry is to "Create Lasting Impact." Naturally, incoming club presidents need to prep for such a heavy mandate. Before taking the reins, they gather for an intensive three-day presidential training seminar. But it wasn't all serious lectures and note-taking. During one of the fellowship nights, the incoming president of the Rotary Club of Intramuros, Joey Lat, wittily coined a new moniker for his batchmates: the "Impacto Presidents." The room instantly erupted in laughter. As Filipinos, we all know the word impacto carries a hilarious double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a colorful, old-school reprimand— “Impacto ka, walanghiya ka!” —usually reserved ...