2002 Monthly Chat Archives

December 2002

Ten alums, and one parent, crowded into the chat room for over three hours of holiday cheer and chismis.  New inquiring minds Julie Spector and John Krausse were welcomed and given the usual interrogation...

Dave McConeghey, fresh from his celebrity cameo on Letterman's show, signed cyber-autographs while reminiscing about how he interviewed Sam the Sham in Manila way back when....

Karl Meyer checked in from the Pacific while keeping an eye on a typhoon in the area packing 150 mph winds but appeared heading for Guam.  Karlyn Goolsby, already experiencing a white Christmas, arrived with her mom (who informed Andy that she knew more about his doings in Manila than he thought she did).  We encouraged Karlyn's mom to attend the Santa Clara reunion to catch up with alums' more recent antics.   

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November 2002

Six alums, some shivering in the North, chatted for 3 1/2 hours.  There's excitement about next August's Santa Clara reunion, and planning for optional "athletic" and "intellectual" diversions is underway.  Watch the reunion section for details...

Since at first only male alums were present, there was an "invigorating" discussion about which favorite cheerleaders would hopefully attend the Santa Clara.  (Time to write Santa...)

As if on cue, Phil Adamson arrived and mentioned Gina Reagan would soon be visiting him from Guam.  When asked about Manila, Phil replied replied that it was the "usual" - kidnappings (but not reported in the press) and coup rumors.  Will Fernando Poe become the next PI Prez and resuscitate Estrada's acting (political or screen) career?

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October 2002

Eight alums , all but two of them survivors of the Vegas reunion, gathered for a short reminiscing of the great fun in Vegas.  We'll have photos to relive the memories until the BIG one....AISAAM Reunion 2003.

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September 2002

Eleven alums helped break last February's 5 1/2 hour marathon by making chismis for a good six hours.  Even at 11:30 PM Pacific, 4 alums were carrying on (including one very tired alum in Florida, where it was 2:30 AM). 

Chismis "virgins" Earl Cocke and Gaynor Bishop received warm welcomes.  Gaynor surprised Jeff Phillips when, after they exchanged some background info, she said that she remembered Jeff because....he was "one of the cool ones."  Ay nakool...

As we hoped, Phil Adamson took time from his US visit to update us on his travels.  He was at Terry Nassr's bahay in Orlando, where he had been playing golf for a few days and is heading back to Manila in a few days.  

Pat Larson advised that the volleyball team she coaches is doing quite well.  (We're not surprised Pat, given your volleyball history in Manila.)  

Shawn Palmer noted her one-year old is kinda talking (e.g., mama and dada).  Maybe some basic Tagalog lessons soon too? 

Dave McConeghey announced he is planning to make it to the Vegas reunion.  This relieves Lee Phillips (Jeff's brad) from representing the entire decade of the '60's.  Expecting that Lee will bring his guitar, we can hope for some impromptu late night entertainment...maybe even a "Live in Las Vegas" CD!

Asked what he will do as the owner of the "US" domain name of the most infamous Tagalog phrase, Steve Fellerman indicated he may move his Spencer Court alum site there next January.  (And since ownership has its privleges, anyone using that phrase in Steve's presence owes him royalties...isang San Miguel na lang!)

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August 2002

Seven alums chatted for three and a half hours, which included the revelation by Ed Fortenberry (77) that he has eaten balut.  The TV show Fear Factor has, or will, introduce balut to the US national prime time audience.  It won't be our secret anymore!

Karlyn Goolsby reported that her son recently returned from three weeks in Manila visiting her father and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now he understands his mother's stories!

Andy Butler told some "adventure" tales from his trip last December to the PI, including a close encounter of the second kind (sighting) with NPA guerillas near Sagada.  The funniest adventure involved a public "hot bath" that he entered (naked), sat down in, and discovered...slime at the bottom.

Dave McConeghey mentioned that his brother was recently married.  Dave may make it to the Vegas reunion.

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July 2002

Six alums chatted about three hours, returning often to the topic of mini-reunions.  Phil Adamson will be in the US in late August, first in LA and possibly in Orlando.  Florida alums Liz Hamra and Steve Fellerman wil try to get together with Phil if he makes it to Orlando to golf with Terry Nassr (76). 

At last month's chat, Phil had predicted there would be a "development" regarding the Abu Sayyef.  Phil has excellent sources...their leader was killed shortly afterwards.

When it was learned that a '70's alum is building a home on 20 acres near DC, it was agreed this would  be an excellent location for an updated  "Woodstock"-style reunion!  Another '70's alum is building a home in Mexico and that would be a great reunion site too!

We hoped to hear from the San Francisco area group partying at Jeff Phillip's (74) mini-reunion but apparently they were too busy twisting off San Miguel caps... 

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June 2002

Although the regular Chismis room was unavailable due to problems with the host site, six determined alums managed to get together in a substitute room at an alternate site.

The Philippines was the major topic for the night.  Phil Adamson brought us up to date on the situation with the Abu Sayyef and general security concerns in the PI.  Many alums remembered marital law during the 70's.

Karlyn Goolsby, who recently returned from a week in Manila, said that searches are common before entering many large businesses.  This was her first trip back since leaving 30 years ago and she couldn't recognize most landmarks.  She reported that the Manila shopping scene is fantastic - "Abercrombie and Fitch" shirts were $2.  (But...is it real or is it...<g>)

Of course, sometimes you get what you pay for.  Andy Butler wore a shirt for the first time which he bought during his PI trip last Christmas .  Three buttons popped off and all his co-workers were laughing!  We also heard a story about shoe heels falling off on the first wearing.     

Steve Fellerman reported finding a small Filipino restaurant in Orlando while there on business.  Fiesta Sa Nayong is on Orange Blossom about a mile or two south of the Florida Mall.  It's in a strip center adjacent to a Sam's Club and also has a bakery with pan de sal, siopao, and kutsinta.  Right across the street is an Oriental market which carries Skyflakes (cans and packages), cracker nuts, patis, pickled green mango, and a few other "essentials" but no Sarsi.  

Since most of the alums were on the east coast, the chat broke up just before midnight Eastern time.  We aren't the party animals we used to be in Manila!   

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Freddy Gleeck advised that he had been selected as a Nielsen rating home and will be influencing what you see (and don't see) in TV.  Despite a good sized Filipino population, Las Vegas does not have the Pinoy Channel, so "Tawag Ng Tanghalan" reruns won't see a boost there! <g>

Phil Adamson will grace our shores with a three-week visit at the end of August.  And then will be back at Christmas.

Jeff Phillips checked in about 11 PM (Eastern) from an Internet cafe in Haight Ashbury following the San Francisco dim sum mini-reunion organized by Debbie Guardian (76).
Jeff related that 10 alums attended but he could only remember nine names at the time.
Too much San Miguel?

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April 2002

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March 2002

Unusual cold for this time of year in many parts of the country prompted a discussion about how "cold" is relative.  Steve Fellerman saw a very brief snow flurry in New Orleans last weekend (when Tallahassee had a record low of 18 followed by 8 inches of rain) and Andy Butler reported a 40 degree drop in temperature the day of the chat.  Yet, most us were "freezing" when the temperature in Baguio dropped into the 50's or when sports teams traveled to Hong Kong in December.  (The "old" alums remarked that they never went further than Subic!)

This led into a discussion of the "good old days" and what "progress" has done to our memorable institutions.  Nina Papagayos is now a Pizza Hut!  (Ano?!) And yes, AS is now ISM, "Indians" has given way to "Bearcats" (a type of rodent?), and the campus is moving from Bel-Air... but so what?  AISAAM, the reunions, the chats - they are not about the school but about the alums... and as long as we are together then the Manila experience we lived is still alive, will continue and - yes - even grow through our new experiences together.  (You may now pause to stand and sing "Onward Indians"! <g>)

Although confusion about the airing date caused most of us to miss David McConeghey on an "All my Children" episode, we have a new chance to see him.  This time, David will appear on the "Slaughter" episode of "Law and Order" which will air on April 10.  He plays Paul Zwybel, father of the first "false lead."

At about 11:30 PM Eastern, afraid we may all turn into camotes, the chat broke up.

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February 2002

Laughter overcame us as we clicked on a very bastus link of Andy and a very pant-less Igorot flagrantly violating (at Baguio's Barrio Fiesta restaurant) a "bawahal umihi" sign  while a policeman prepared to accost them.  A closer look revealed that only Andy was not a statue.

Once again, the Chismis Room gave up old secrets... After Kris "Discorama" Weathermon mentioned she had written her college senior thesis on a history of Philippine TV, pride compelled Andy, Rick Velayo and Steve Fellerman to simultaneously proclaiming their membership in Uncle Bob's Lucky 7 club.

Freddy Gleeck mentioned that next time you're in Blockbuster's, pick up "Diamond Run" and see eight minutes of his villainy performance in this action video.  And David McConeghey appeared on "All My Children" as manager of the Pinecone Motel in an episode he thought would air next month but aired last month.  (Sayang!)

Only the need for sleep ended the chat at just past 2:30 AM Eastern...a record 5 1/2 hours!

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January 2002

Regular chat host Andy Butler was in the PI and we hoped he'd give us a live report but wala...  He was either still enroute to Baguio from Manila or could not find Internet access there.  He has taken over 700 photos so far during the trip.

Even though the alums chatting spanned three decades of classes, it was amazing how connected we were.  Many knew alums mentioned, either directly or indirectly through siblings.

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