Our recent trip to Manila was a shining testament to how kind friends could be. That said, this post is not an attempt at sycophancy; it’s an expression of gratitude.
Ms. Analyn Corpuz-Alarde practices generosity long before she got to where she’s now. In fact, generosity pulsates in her veins you think of getting her as blood donor should the need for transfusion present itself in the hope that the same streak of generosity rubs off on you.
I know Ann long enough to know she’s a woman of finer taste. So privileged to be born with it, she hones this flair further with non-stop reading, a passion we both share.
Since high school, I’ve been a grateful beneficiary of Ann’s generosity. One time, knowing I had an antiquated cellular phone, she sent me a Nokia with a camera. She’d sent me books, magazines, foodstuff. And yes, DVDs because movies are another passion we share.
I don’t see Ann often because she seldom goes home to Tago. And in rare times we swapped text messages, she would always tell me to see her should I find myself in Manila. Just to share a laugh, she would say. While I had so many chances, I never sought her because generosity, even if it’s good, is something that kills me.
The last time I met up with Ann was about 10 summers ago. Knowing I love theatre, she brought me to the comedy show of Rex Navarette at Music Museum in Greenhills. All tickets were sold-out that day, but she still managed to find ways to get some for us.
If not for Emily who arranged a trip to Manila for me and Dee via budget fare of Cebu Pacific last week, I wouldn’t have renewed ties with Ann. And when Ann knew our junket coincided with the Philippine-run of Phantom of the Opera, she got us tickets without being asked. That’s vintage Ann!
If you’re with Ann, you better had a tummy the size of Makati because she has this habit of making you taste and try everything. And dining, for Ann, follows no schedule, coming as it does in short intervals.
On Sunday, 26 August 2012, we were to watch Phantom of the Opera at CCP. Ann lives in Novaliches and since we had a tour of the Ayala Museum in the morning, we met at Greenbelt 5 at lunchtime.
Unknown to Ann, Emily and I agreed that she was to go home with Ann to Novaliches after lunch. I would join them at CCP later in the evening as I lived in Paranaque. But then Ann told Emily that she had already reserved a room at Makati Shangri-La so we wouldn’t have to go home and change. Whoa!
At P7,280.00 each, the Phantom of the Opera tickets that Ann got us were premium. So close was I---second row to be exact!--- that only an orchestra pit separated me from the stage. If you were that close, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the unfolding scene and the fast changing set. And for this promdi, it was a hair-raising spectacle!
After the show, Ann bought us memorabilias--- a CD soundtrack and a white mug. Then off we went to Diamond Hotel for some midnight snacks. But the restaurant had already closed and so we repaired back to the Shang where Ann ordered room service.
The next day, Ann knocked to say we were having buffet breakfast at Circles where the array of food was both eclectic and plenty it could feed all residents of Tago in just one go!
We checked out carrying Makati Shangri-la mooncakes sheathed in magenta satin and etched with Chinese art and characters.
Because Ann knew we were meeting our high school batchmates in Serendra, she herded us to Bonifacio High Street, wanting to show us the place as it’s now the favourite watering hole of the stars. We had late lunch at Café Juanita where on the side, I tutored Ann’s sons on some things Tagon-on. Then with just a 30-minute interval, we had cake and tea at Chelsea. By the time I sipped the last drop of my chamomile tea, I was about ready to burst!
Ann is an extraordinary friend not because she has too much to share and spare. But because all these years she has remained child-like, that is: unassuming, soft-spoken, and effortless! But what really endears Ann to me is that she strikes me as someone who is oblivious of the good and wonderful things she does to her friends. And that, to me, spells the greatest difference!
To a great friend, Ms. Analyn Corpuz-Alarde, thank you very much.
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