JEDDAH, 17 August 2003 — Pandora’s Box is opened. But, instead of mischief, good things came out as Forever Friends Club or “FF” showcased the various talents of its members with songs, a dance number, and a play for its 8th anniversary.
The show on Aug. 8 at the Le Meridien Compound, titled: “Buhay FF — The Forever Friends Club Story,” was a breakout performance.
FF is a non-profit, social organization that instills camaraderie and personal development among its members. It is a group of friends that had been doing so many good things but within their small private circle only.
But FF could hide no more.
“We opened Pandora’s Box; we showed ourselves to the world,” was how Boogie Ricafort, one of the original founders, described the event.
After a multi-media presentation compiled by Melvin Madrid based on the script by Ed Fermin, the evening started with a rendition by the FF Choral Group of the famous Filipino love song “Ewan.” The group later rendered another song, a ballad titled; “Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin.”
Two dance numbers adapted from the Broadway hit musicale “A Chorus Line” — choreographed by Ricafort, had the guests applauding.
Then a play followed an adaptation of Paul Dumol’s one-act play entitled “Ang Paglilitis Ni Mang Serapio” — directed by Orlee Reyes — showed the group’s flare for theater.
The challenging role of Mang Serapio confirmed the actor in Wilson Villoga, who, as a ragtag named Mang Serapio, was accused and convicted of feeding and taking care of a child.
According to Elmer Fuentes, the group’s current president, all these numbers took more than a month to prepare. But the many positive comments he heard after the show was more then enough to compensate for the work put forth.
Every group or organization has its share of problems or challenges, and FF had some of its members not in speaking terms.
For a while some members were snubbing each other for some reasons. So two weeks before the anniversary, the group camped in Obhur, built a fire and started a gripe session.
“We called it a bonding night. We cried, embraced, and patched-up,” Ricafort said.
The group’s strength to talk things over stems from its foundation.
“The foundation of FF is based on true friendship,” said Fuentes.
The success of the show was made possible through the efforts of Dennis Pe?alosa Jr., Nato Reyes, Tong Mahakijkampol, Jun Cortez, Egay Resurreccion, Buboy Sabidong, Bong Tipon, Lack Quijano, Leo del Rosario, Frank Raposa, Rodel Ruiz, Andrew Ortega and Ric Odasco for the facilities and their technical contributions, as well of the hardworking advisers and officers of the club, Orlee Reyes, Don Mata, Chito Villas and Levi Factor.
Pepsi Cola contributed drinks while FF birthday celebrants for July and August provided the sumptuous meal.