I thought of bringing up this picture because of Belai Servando's latest post.  Photo was taken during Emily Abrera's surprise birthday celebration at Rockwell in August of 2004.

Left to right : Hans Lopez-Vito, myself, Minnie Bobe, Ems, and Rudy Villar.  Ems spent a large part of her childhood in Bacolod (even studied in La Consolacion College) and in Iloilo. 

The title to this post is a bit of a misnomer because there are others who should also be in this picture including Belai and Dawn Justiniani-Atienza plus a few more.  Sadya kami to`ya! (trans: It was fun over there).

One of those crazy Ilonggo moments I remember in the agency happened at the 34th floor Executive Presentation Room where we were doing some planning for McCann's 40th anniversary.  On the side, Dawn Atienza starts chatting to me about the hottest buzz in Bacolod.  Rudy Villar then overhears and says, "Oi,Oi, Oi, ano ina?  Kabalo bala ako sina" (I know about that). 

Dawn remarks in 'St. Scho Ilongglish', "Oh, so kabalo ka man gali?" (So you know about it too).  Spontaneous laughter breaks out.  Laughter startles McCann VP, Aleli Villanueva who then says, "What is that all about?".

Rudy Villar replies, "Something shocking back home". 

Aleli: "What?! Do you think that at my age and experience there is still something left to shock me?"

Rudy, Dawn and myself look at each other and reply in unison, "Yes!".

Indeed there are still many stories from the land of sugar which can shock and disturb.