K88 Krismas Kampayan

K88 is having its Annual Christmas Party Celebration on December 29, 2009 at Jay Ravalo's place in San Miguel, Pasig.

Everyone's invited to attend.

For details, just email us at kumbento88@gmail.com. We would love to see everyone there. Especially for those classmates who would be coming home from abroad for the holidays, this is the perfect chance for you to re-connect and have fun with us.

So mark the date - December 29, 2009. Festivities start at 7PM. Be there early so you won't miss any of the fun.

Come one! Come all!

Sagip Kalikasan

Kumbento88 joins the rest of the PCC Alumni Association and the Pasig community in calling for more awareness regarding our environment. Alay Lakad sa Kalikasan was held last December 6, 2009.

Kumbento88, Kumakalinga sa Kalikasan

The Resurrection

Happy Easter everyone!

I feel this is one of the better times to resurrect this website of our batch since it has been put in hibernation mode for quite some time now. I see that the last entry made is still from October of last year - an entry about our failed campaign to defend our KBBL Championship.

So for those of you who have been asking what has been happening with our batch, I shall try to list down the major events in this entry.

Last November, Derrick Macutay held a one-man show at the Big and Small Art Gallery in Megamall. Numerous batchmates supported Derrick in this endeavor. And the exhibit was a resounding success. He is an artist we can be truly proud of.

Last December, the Kumbento88 Rigmarolers also participated in a civic-oriented activity. In cooperation with the Knights of Columbus of Pasig, thru the spearheading of our batchmate Lito Atillo, K88 donated some goods which were distributed to our less-fortunate brothers here in Pasig. As they say, the true spirit of Christmas is in giving.

And of course, our batch's Christmas Party pushed through last December 29, 2008 at the residence of our gracious host Jay Ravalo. Although this time, it was held without the fanfare of the previous year's pre-homecoming celebration, it was fun-filled nontheless.

And February this year, as everyone might expect, we participated in PCC's Grand Alumni Homecoming. As usual, we showed support to the PCC Alumni Association, of which we are integral members, as we joined the whole Kumbento community in anticipating the nearing Centennial Celebrations of our Alma Mater.

Those are the major events of our batch in a nutshell. And for what we can expect in the days to come, I can give you some hints.

The 3rd Season of the Kumbento Boys Basketball League is already being planned. As per Chunky Ramos, the league shall open this summer. Although no definite date has been set yet, members of the K88 Rigmarolers Basketball Teams are already excited. Talks of putting up just one consolidated team are already being discussed, with imports from abroad already planning their vacation to coincide with the league's play-offs.

And for other events to come, let me just say that this is indeed the "Season of Resurrection". And I'm not just talking of one.

Just be on the loop. There is more to come.

Despedida Pics

Below is a link to the album for some pictures taken from last Saturday's despedida for Joey.

Joey's Despedida

An Invitation

Everyone is invited to join us as we bid farewell "for now" to our K88 President Joey Manalad this Saturday, 7 June 2008.

Venue is at Ravalos Food and Music located at Mercedes corner Sandoval Ave. in San Miguel, Pasig. Party starts at 8PM but doors open at exactly 6PM for the early birds who would want to make the most out of this celebration. K88 Rigmarolers Team A shall also be having a game at the PCC gym on Saturday. So everyone who's playing or watching the game is expected to celebrate with us at Ravalos later that night.

There shall be food, drinks, music, games and the usual K88 funfare. After all, this is our "Kuwentuhan! Kantahan! Kampayan! Part 2". If you thought our celebration last February was "bitin", then complain no more. This party is the extension of that merry-making celebration.

Join us as we thank Joey for all of his efforts in keeping K88 strongly united after 20 years. And let us bid him and his family good luck as they take on a new journey in the Land Down Undah.

That's already this Saturday, guys. Be there!

Ravalos Food and Music

As I open the door to the air-conditioned bar, I see Jay sitting by the table in the middle with his Mom.

“Good afternoon po,” I smiled at his Mom while I shook Jay’s hand.

Jay introduces me to her mom to which she replies, “Oo, naaalala ko palagi siya sa atin nung reunion ninyo.” And I thought my usual bashful self was stealthy enough for parents not to notice me in gatherings of a rowdy bunch like our batch’s.

It’s the blessing of Ravalos Food and Music, Jay’s latest business venture and, as I would find out a bit later, a dream-come-true for this budding entrepreneur.

Jay and I sit by the table near the entrance door. I was purposely early since I told Jay that I also had to leave early ‘coz I had another commitment later that night. And for the first time, I think, someone has beaten out the dynamic duo of Bong Estrada and Cocoy Del Prado for the Early Bird title of coming to Ravalos.

“Naglagay ka na rin pala ng LCD TV,” I notice as it is the most visible addition to the bar’s interior from the last time we hang out there.

Jay shares his thoughts on how he envisions the bar to feel like – a sports and music resto-bar seamlessly fused into one. There’s the billiard table in the middle that was installed a week earlier which the Rigmarolers got to “baptize” with their friendly nine-ball matches after their opening day games at the KBBL. The drum set and guitars have already been set by the stage, just waiting for the band which would provide rocking music on weekends. And now, another addition which I initially failed to notice was a black piano by the corner to provide acoustic music on some nights. To spice up the interiors of the place, Jay displays his electric guitar collection, which numbers to around a dozen, by the wall greeting one’s entry, accentuating the party atmosphere of the place. Then, as I mentioned earlier, there’s the LCD TV on which I hope to watch some Manny Pacquiao fights or some NBA play-off games very soon – some suggestions to which Jay was passionately receptive to. He really wants this bar to be the ultimate hang out place.

But right now, there is Santana exhibiting his guitar-playing wizardry on DVD being played on the LCD screen. Min (Jay’s sister and the other half of Jaymin Breadhouse, for those who do not know her yet) arrives with a glass of blue drink that she invites us to take a sip of. Not that I didn’t trust her, but I am usually wary of alcoholic beverages with such funky colors. They seem so inviting to the taste as their appearance looks to seduce you like a pretty girl in a pastel-colored skimpy dress, only to knock you out of your wits once you taste its concealed alcoholic kick when you drink it straight up.

I was more interested with the food. The booze can come later anyway. This is a blessing after all. And with the reputation of the Ravalos, not only in good food (Jaymin’s uberly famous Garlic Bread is a testament in itself), but also with hosting parties such as our reunion, I knew we were in for a treat. (I would have my chances to taste the different items on their menu in the days to come, but for now I have only tried their beef tapa and it is definitely recommended for the discriminating taste.)

Jay’s mom, whom I had the pleasure of talking with later that night, is truly glad with the recent turn of events in Jay’s social life. With Jay having been re-acquainted with some long-lost batchmates, and volunteering to host the latest reunion of the batch last February, Jay’s mom feels glad that he has reconnected with a good set of friends who would not lead him astray. Of course, I tried to conceal my comments and contrasting reaction. But given that I was talking with a truly loving mom, I just let it be. Somehow, some of us already feel like being adopted children to the Ravalo extended family (what with the weekly sessions we spend at Jay’s place). Some of us even jokingly tell each other that we are somehow expecting Jay’s mom to finally remind us one day pretty soon that we should remember that we should also go home and spend time with our respective families. But at Ravalos, we are family.

Looking back at our student years in Kumbento, it isn’t really surprising that Jay decided to put up this venture. Music has always been in his blood. He wasn’t the Freddie Aguilar of our batch for nothing. Memories of old singing contests dating back to our grade school days when Jay would usually be pitted against the likes of Bong Estrada and Eric Aprecio come flooding back to our minds. And do you still remember that it was Jay, together with his best buddy in high school, John Andrew De Guzman, who composed our Graduation Song? And unknown to many, it was also music that Jay turned onto during the dark moments of his life. Music became his outlet, his refuge, his creative channel to be able to get back on the right track. And now, Ravalos Food and Music becomes his way of paying back to music which hasn’t really left him all his life. It is a dream-come-true for him. What could be better, right? A business venture about something that is really closest to your heart.

It is good, clean fun that Jay stresses he wants to promote at Ravalos Food and Music. And I couldn’t agree with him more. The previous tenant of the building (which Jay also owns, by the way) has made the place known for a different type of bar – the type where GRO’s serve men and sing videoke with them. Of course, we wouldn’t be familiar with such places that are the breeding grounds for immorality, would we? And Jay would definitely want Ravalos to erase that image of the place and replace it with a new concept of a hang out. Still fun, but the clean, wholesome, and even family-type of fun. And anyone who knows Jay quite personally wouldn’t be surprised with his thrust towards wholesome, family fun. He has been a very active member of the Marriage Encounter community for quite some time now. And he is just living out what he believes in.

So, whether it is music that you are into, or you just want to have a taste of good food and relaxing ambiance, or you just wanna hang out and play a game of nine-balls with your buddies, Ravalos Food and Music is the place for you. Food and drinks are great and are available at very affordable prices. And the place is very accessible for most of us who just live in Pasig.

Come to Ravalos Food and Music where we are family.

Now, who says being wholesome cannot be fun?

K88 Reunion Videos Part 3

The Arrival




Square Rooms + Beatles Medley

K88 Reunion Videos Part II

The Night Before




Hernan's Alma Mater Song




Jeff Sulit's Speech




Joey Manalad's Roll Call




Audi and Regan Singing Ako'y Sa 'Yo




Chunky and Gary Singing Ipagpatawad Mo




Jay Ravalo Singing Come Together

K88 Reunion Videos

Bong Estrada Singing Melt With You




Bing and Hernan Singing Salamat




Mrs. Memoracion's Speech




Father Erick's Speech




Miss Carina Santos' Speech

The K88 2008 Reunion In Pictures

Okay, here's what you've been waiting for. View the pictures taken during last night's K88 Reunion by clicking on the link below.

And if you are one of those numerous people who brought their own cameras yesterday, please contact me on how you can upload your shots into the album below. It's better if we centralize the archiving of all of our pictures from this point so that organization would be alot easier. Access would also be a lot simpler.

2008 Reunion: Kuwentuhan! Kantahan! Kampayan!

K88 Christmas Party

First of all, we would like to thank Jay Ravalo for hosting this year’s K88 Christmas Party. Not only did he provide the venue for this year’s gathering, but he also made sure that food, drinks and entertainment were overflowing during the party. Maraming salamat, Jay!

I became the official photographer last night (what’s new?). And thanks to my holiday-season-induced-hypertension, I wasn’t able to drink alcohol, nor partake in the sumptuous lechon feast. Yeah, I know, it sucks!

But someone’s gotta do it. Someone has to write about this event. So here’s my Top Ten low-cholesterol and alcohol-free recollection of the things that transpired last night.

1. Two words – live band. Yup, it was not your usual drinking marathon kind of a party. There was live band entertainment courtesy of our host, Jay Ravalo.
2. Jay Ravalo proved to us once again that he is the uncontested Minyong of the batch with his guitar playing wizardry.
3. Gatchie was a revelation on the drums. And so was our Little Drummer Boy Jun Lara.
4. The K88 Boy Band was officially formed last night with Bong Estrada on lead vocals. Rey Carlo, Chunky Ramos and Rod Vagilidad provide back-up.
5. ‘Tis really the season for giving. The batch agreed to help, not only the PCC Boys Basketball Team, but also the PCC Girls Basketball Team with their athletic requirements. Way to go, Rigmarolers!
6. Boyet Valencia loves us so much that even in these trying moments during his mother’s death, he squeezed in a few minutes last night just to be able to see us and be with us. Our condolences to you and your family, Boyet.
7. Kapitan Mario Concepcion showed us samples of his new sex wonder drug which he claims is extremely effective. For orders, just call 1-800-PAKAGAT.
8. Jeff Sulit defied his Cinderella Guy trademark when he stayed at the party past 12 midnight.
9. I found out that I could drink 5 gallons of mineral water all by myself. Sensya na Jay kung naubos ko tubig sa water dispenser nyo.
10. Next gathering would be on January 12, 2008 to celebrate Sajid’s birthday. So for those of you who missed last night’s festivities, better not miss out on this next one.

I do not have the complete list of those who attended last night. But I guess, a rough estimate of around 25-30 people is a fair estimate. Just take a look at the pictures and see who were there.

Merry Christmas everyone!