Lito and Ana

Lito and Ana Vergara drove all the way from Long Island Sunday evening to meet up with Cecile and myself at Jackson Heights. Earlier, Cecile and I, together with Renelle, Ben, Patrick and Tita Nenen had lunch at Renelle’s house in Demarest, New Jersey.

Lito had learned from Paeng Adriano that I was in the East Coast and “insisted” that we meet up, even for an hour. I have not seen my “cheatmate” in 30 years, since we both graduated from UST High School.

Meeting up brought back so much memories of UST High School. He even remembers my handwriting. Skewed to the left. Big curves. Ana even asked me to write down something so she could see proof. I wrote down “Lito Vergara” in an envelop. And, Lito was right. Cecile validated it too.

We just had salad and drinks at Texas Grill, at the corner of 84th Street and Roosevelt Avenue. Cecile had red wine. Ana had strawberry daquiri.

For nearly, one hour and a half, we caught up for the years we have not seen or talked to each other. Lito and Ana talked about their love story and family. We listened, despite being tired and sleepy (as we have been for the last few days.)


Lito still recalls “Niyere” the main character of a play I wrote back in high school for our English class (but I think it was for our Spanish class under Prof. Verzosa.) He describes the main scene where in African terrorist disrupt a U.N. meeting with their guns hidden in pizza boxes. I had really forgotten all about that play in years.

Today, Lito and Ana are proud parents. His big SUV plates say “V Boys!” Thanks Lito and Ana for meeting up with us and bringing back fond memories of high school and sharing your love story with us. See you soon in Manila.