Reconnecting and reminiscing with old friends
After residing in the USA for more than 20 years, my dear friend Joey Mesina flew home to Manila right after the new year began for a brief visit. Joey — whom I fondly call “Islaw” — lives in New York City and has been the bar manager of Wolfgang steakhouse in Tribeca for the past seven years.
We met 30-plus years ago when we lived in Los Angeles in the early ‘90s. We were introduced to each other by a mutual friend, the late Michael de Villa, and since then Joey has proven to be a rare and precious true BFF. Despite the distance, Joey and I remain in constant touch.
When my family went to New York in 2019, he hosted us in his apartment and was a wonderful tour guide. Because it was the first time for my kids, Gabbie and Paolo, to visit New York, he took time off from work to show us around and even proved to be a top-notch photographer. But it was when we were gathered around his dining table and exchanging stories that that trip was at its most memorable and fun, at least for me.
We would talk endlessly about anything and everything under the sun and end up in stitches recalling all the foolish things we did when we were younger and more carefree. There is no dull moment with Joey, who is a very good storyteller with a sidesplitting sense of humor. And whenever I need a shoulder to cry on, Joey unfailingly manages to give sound and practical advice to lift my spirits and make a bad situation better.
And so, when Joey came home three weeks ago, it went without saying that I had to see him. Marivic Ortigas-Borromeo, who is also very close to Joey (they’ve been playmates since they were kids because their mothers, Susie Ortigas and Linda Mesina, are best friends), hosted dinner for him at her residence in Makati.
Marivic invited friends of hers and Joey’s, and the gathering turned out to be a wonderful evening of reconnecting and reminiscing with old friends. Marivic’s husband, JV, invited ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez, wife Connie, and cousin Angela Lopez, who were his high school and college barkada and who also knew Joey before he left for the United States.
Also present from ABS-CBN were Biboy Arboleda, Joel Mercado, and “It’s Showtime” host Amy Perez. Other guests were Rhiza Pascua of Live Nation Philippines, Olive Isidro, Joey and Lenny Marquez. Helping Joey entertain that night was his wife, Carrie Lopez-Gonzaga.
The food that evening was exceptionally delicious. And aside from the desserts, cold cuts and cheese, everything was home-cooked. Joey proudly announced that he made the lobster rolls wrapped in apples (Joey loves to cook, and when he’s not mixing drinks, he caters on his days off), the gambas, tortilla de patatas, charcuterie board, and green salad with homemade salad dressing.
For the main course, there was the seafood paella (which Tita Susie prepared and her specialty), the tenderest beef salpicao, and roasted herb chicken, all of which were sumptuous.
For drinks, there was a sangria bar with assorted fruits: oranges, apples, and lemon and an assortment of drinks and wine.
So many conversations covering showbiz, politics, weekend getaways, and maintenance medicines were being buzzed about that it was hard to keep track. But the most hilarious stories were the ones Joey shared about his stint as the night manager of Funeraria Nacional, the interment business owned by the family of his mom until early 2000, who is a Quiogue. One of the stories that never gets old is how Joey would always wait with anticipation every night if there was a reported corpse waiting to be picked up, especially when he was saving up for a hot date. After all, he received a commission for every death reported when he was on duty. And even though I’ve heard these stories countless times, they still made me laugh like I was hearing them for the first time.
While listening to Joey share his rib-tickling stories about the “laughter” side of death, I was again reminded of how lucky I am to have a handful of BFFs I have cried with, laughed with, shared many meals together with, and helped me navigate through life with. If you haven’t seen your BFFs in a while, start the year right and make time to see them.
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