Joy to the world

My original intention was for the previous post to be about the despedida party thrown for Joy last night. I also wanted it to be a happy post: a proper send-off, so to speak, for somebody who to many people embodies her very name. However, as it is often the case with my writings, sometimes the words get the better of me and they run off to directions that I did not intend to tread. So this time I will focus on the party, so help me, God!

In my opinion, the despedida actually started on Saturday night. After the mass, Joy had a short photo session with the choir, whose members regard her as the ‘Simon Cowell’, bluntly pointing out when the singing deviates from its usually-high quality. After that, Joy treated us (Lou, me, Lala, Tita Sonia, Tita Purit, Trixie, Daden, Doc Marisa, Daddy Dick, and Bea) to a buffet dinner at Juliana Hotel.

Last night, people started arriving at Bistro Lorenzo (a Filipino restaurant) around 6PM, as per the invitation sent by Lou. Joy arrived at around half-past 6. After a prayer led by Jojo, the 40 or so guests dined on beef stroganoff, sweet and sour fish, chopsuey, chicken cordon bleu, fresh spring rolls, noodles, and lechon. For dessert, there were leche flan, gelatin with coconut milk, and fresh fruit salad. I immediately felt full after a single trip to the buffet table. Must be the couple of glasses of iced tea I drank before eating.

When the guests have eaten, Bridget (the Singaporean former beauty queen and member of the church choir) took to the floor and asked the guests to speak on how Joy has touched their lives in the time that they had known her. When Joy entered the restaurant after her cigarette break, we applauded and sat her down on one of the chairs and the testimonials began. 

Friends old and new came forward, speaking of how they first met Joy and how she had touched their lives. Jojo told the story of how, in her most relaxed moment while talking to Jojo, Joy removed her bra non-chalantly. Nary, a Cambodian colleague shared how she owed her professional development to Joy’s tireless generosity. Tita Purit likened her to an umbrella that provided shade from the sun and rain. Doc Marisa talked of the family she has found in Joy and Lou, something that had lasted for many years.

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