A SURPRISE THAT
BROUGHT TEARS
by Chito Manayon


Last May 20,1998, a really big surprise party for the incoming Calamba Association President Lito Mendoza's 40'th birthday and for his son Gerry was held at a Church Hall in a New Jersey township. His wife Nini and her cohorts planned it so well that Lito was so angry with everybody including with this writer.

The party was decided to be a secret/surprise when early on, Lito announced to his wife, Nini that it wouldn't be wise to have an extravagant party since they have been running up expenses for the new deck/porch they are building at their backyard. Nini, however, decided that he (Lito) should have one good party, as this year was the year Lito turns 40! As Nini conferred with Tonette Alonzo, they both agreed that they believe Lito would just like to keep him turning into 40 a secret, more, it was supposed to be a party for their son Gerry as well….. well, a secret not for long….

It was amazing how everything was executed right under the nose of Lito and he had not caught on. Secret coordinating phone calls were made between friends. The invitation was designed and printed with their home computer while Lito was sleeping. The invitations were secretly handed out during other parties while others were mailed.
Nini decided the party was going to feature the 1970's motif and that everyone was to come in their 70's attire. More, the first hour of music would be nothing but 70's disco music.

Another "treat" Nini wanted Lito to have was Lito was supposed to have a "sexy" dancer suggestively and seductively dance for him and Gerry. However, due to the presence of young children, who, without a doubt, would be there, she decided and opted for a "mundane" belly dancer.

Nini arranged all the food, including a real big lechon. Some of the food would be ordered, other friends and relatives would bring some, others are catered, and there would of course be a birthday cake. Tonette Alonzo and Willie Mendoza were going to be the association's photographer and videographer of the event. The CHAMP will once again provide the music.

All the while, Lito was planning only a small party at home with a few drinks among his close buddies to celebrate his birthday. I agreed to come but told him that I had to leave early because I had a prior commitment at 6:30 that evening (to his surprise birthday party, what else?).

DAY OF THE PARTY . . .
My wife Jhoy and I arrived around 4:00 PM at their house for the said drinking session and naturally, there were a lot of activities in their kitchen. I asked him innocently that I thought there wasn't going to be any party. And Lito stated that he has no clue to what was going on and no one would give him a straight answer and was already at his wits end.

Tonette Alonzo, one of the drinking buddies, even offered to take Lito to Manhattan for a preview of

L-R: Elout, Willie, Chito, Titot, Celebrant.

Godzilla as he had an extra ticket for the movie. He said it should be a nice treat for him since it was Lito's birthday and nothing really was planned for it, as he gathers.

This really threw him off, because, if there was going to be a party, naturally Tonette was going to be there, but since he has a "prior" commitment to go to Manhattan, it naturally goes without saying that there definitely wasn't going to be any party.

Lito and I called his brother Willie to join us in our little birthday celebration we were having then, but Wiilie excused himself and told us he couldn't come as he is busy repairing the faucet in his basement.
You could feel the disappointment, the frustration Lito was experiencing just by looking into his eyes that were in the verge of tears. I felt so sorry for him that I wanted to tell him the truth, but I controlled myself and held back. Lito could not believe that the very people he counted on and were close to him would leave him to celebrate alone with utmost disregard towards his feelings and with total abandon.

I could almost hear his heart at this point screaming like he was saying…."H.E.L.L.O, everybody, it is my birthday today, does anybody care at all? Please stop whatever you are all doing and at least help me celebrate my birthday even in a humble way!" He definitely was at his wits end. He probably could not figure out why everybody was so busy and that the last thing they want to talk about was his birthday. He was, of course embarrassed to assert himself.

When I left their house, I guess he felt so alone. I was the only friend he had that would acknowledge that it was his birthday today. And yet, I had to leave early. I guess he was saying to himself, "this is probably what it means to get old"

There was nobody home. Everyone had left to do something. Except his beloved wife, Nini. They of course had to leave also to pick up Gerry at a party (Church Hall) to take him to his (Gerry's) party with his friends.
The hall was fully decorated. The table for the food was overflowing. There were drinks around and I was readying the "Roast" for Lito to toast him. Just about every guests were in, the DJ music is ready on cue to play the birthday song, the lights were turned off or subdued and everybody gathered around the front door of the Church hall. Nini and Lito slowly made their way in to what appears to be a quiet and empty hall. And as soon as Lito walked in. . . .#