Spicy Rabasera : My Ray of Sunshine: Flipping the Traditional Script

He completely subverted

the usual way of doing things.

Raymundo "Ray" Cadag Triñanes, a very dear friend in Mississippi, sent me a surprise package through the kindness of a mutual friend who picked it up from his Rawis, Legazpi City residence and couriered it the day after. Whoa! It arrived on June 16 which is Ray's birthday! I was smiling while shaking my head out of sheer awe for this thoughtfulness because he should be the one receiving gifts on that day, and not the other way around.

Opening the parcel, I didn't expect to see these statement pieces!

This burgundy sling bag unraveled more delightful gifts from him!

Right away I communicated with Ray. I first extended my birthday wishes (Philippine Time) before expressing my profound thanks for his gifts.

He was online when I messaged, thus he quickly responded.

A beauty queen maker, he made me feel like a beauty pageant titleholder with these showstoppers. *blushes* Notice how color-coordinated they are? That's Ray, always possessing an eye for aesthetics. I felt honored to be glammed up by him.

Surely Ray will be uncomfortable with my "singing hosanna" to him, but 40 years has proven that he has been one of my constants. Funny was not all of our high school classmates had a vivid recall of our closeness. So, I took the liberty of posting this rib-tickling FB convo, which transpired under this photo on June 13, 2016, as Exhibit A. Hahahaha...

YEP: hmm. i never thought that you and Rey are that close when we were in HS.

hello Rey and enjoy your vacay here in Pinas

SPICY: Love the 'hmm...' sound, Yep. Hehehe. Actually we're close in all tenses. Hahaha. Perhaps you just didn't notice as you were busy noticing others. Bwahaha. Remember the play "A Daughter's Destiny" and our CAT?

Great times. Great memories in high school. Ray, you and I were all part of them. Looking forward to reliving them.

YEP: hahaha. now first comments of yours Mau Mediavillo-Gines are very intriguing. it might again create a stir here. hahaha. so now i know. so until when is your close (in all tenses) friend be here in the Phils?

SPICY: According to Ray he'll be here for only 10 days. That brief.

YEP: ok. just a curious question. i need not say more... thank you

SPICY: Naman. Maray ta aram ko simbag. Hehehe...

SPICY: P.S. The play "A Daughter's Destiny" brought priceless moments during our third year... Ray won the Best Actor trophy and you, Yep, won the Best Supporting Actor trophy. Well, all awards were bagged by our class except for Best Director. Bwihihihihi... at aram ko na nyata. May nagtuga na. Hahaha...

YEP: ah yes, i think i can remember that. the play i was into was "a cask of amontellado." i was the butler of jose tatualla acting the lead role then. and yes it was a project of our english subject. and you were right all awards went to the class of narra except for the director's award which went to joel carrascal. hahaha. and the reason would be beep! oops naraot comp ko. hehehehe

SPICY: Hahahaha... bull's eye...ay baga nagka-virus man ang piga-gamit ko. bwahahaha.

YEP: my british accent made me win the award for supporting actor. yun lang. hehehe

RAY: Yes Yep! Mau and I were a HOT topic in H.S., and even NOW

RAY: I haven't seen you in ages!!

YEP: Hello Rey!!! Well since you have not seen me in ages would you want to hook up sometime this week on your available time together with your HOT TOPIC in HS and even NOW?

Truly hilarious, but had me walking down memory lane at the mention of our section’s prize-winning play and our CAT (Citizens Army Training). Ray and I were both officers then, and we'd often go home together with two of our close friends.

Unless I'm mistaken, we shared the same interests in dancing, stage plays and pageantry. This common ground cultivated a relationship that was solidified after high school and even when Ray emigrated to the US as a nurse.

For awhile we exchanged snail mails. Then, it stopped. If Mark Zuckerberg did not create Facebook, we would not have reconnected virtually.

Similar to my handful of staunch, sincere and trusted friends, Ray doesn't consider propinquity and routine catch-ups in validating a steadfast friendship.

13 June 2016

23 July 2022

Thank you so much again, Ray.

Thank you for your love and compassion. I will never forget that time when you didn't hesitate lending me your rubber shoes, so I could play in our intramurals and then join the BU (Bicol University) Softball Varsity Team during a tournament in our senior year. This has been an inexpungible memory which I have shared to my family who has considered you another earth angel in my life.

May the Lord shower you with immeasurable grace!

Ray, celebrating his 57th birthday on June 16, 2026