MEDIUM RARE 

Sandee S. Masigan gathered us Bulong Pulungan originals for what she called a reunion at Sofitel, our once-a-week home for 33 years whatever the political weather, the climate, or the whims of its members. Sandee being her mother’s daughter – mother being Bulong’s law enforcer, the late Deedee Siytangco – her texts had the ring of Moses’ tablets.

So, with a carte blanche issued by Sofitel Hotel president Steve Peña Sy, on a nice day laced with clouds and no thunder or lightning, we sat around a circle in a private room at Spiral coffee shop, the cabal composed of Mandy Navasero minus her previously ubiquitous camera, Chay Santiago with her hubby Ed (he had his camera), Bob Zozobrado, Pete Dacuycuy, Beth Tagle with her son George (who took the second table reserved for the younger generation, including my Paul). Thelma San Juan and Joanne Rae Ramirez were never Bulong regulars, but being dearly beloved colleagues, they were invited to share our memories-laden luncheon.  

Steve was entertaining guests at another of Spiral’s function rooms. (Since news of Sofitel’s closing, Spiral has been practically SRO, the food queues growing longer by the day.) Steve and his visitors were probably discussing how Sofitel will write “Finis” with a bang and fireworks “past midnight” this coming Sunday, June 30, when “the lights will go out.” As things now stand, the hotel will be laid to rest at 48, not quite a middle-ager, but no longer a teenager. At that age, a top-to-bottom renovation would cost very dearly. (I caught a “bulong”-- whisper -- that in the last 30 days, there were a total of 40 small fires.)   

From 1986 and up to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bulong Pulungan – I coined the name to mean Meet Up for Gossip – Sofitel was our Tuesday haunt, week in and week out. We invited newsmakers or interesting people with new ideas, and thanks to Deedee’s Palace connections, President PNoy Aquino graced our Christmas parties twice during his incumbency.

Sofitel has always been exceptional, being a resort hotel based in the city. Blessed with open spaces, including a parking lot crowned with huge shade trees, flowering vines and hedges, it commands a grand view of blue sky and deep blue sea. What now?