Team Luy-A

L-R: Rodel "Yotz" Malagum, Ramy Baltores, Anthony "Tonyo" Salva, Paolo Ray Bataller, Mary Grace "Grasya" Uayan, Henry Awab

This is Team Luy-A. 

The group also includes Sam Porras (the one who took the picture) and Rommel who we haven't seen for quite awhile. Grace is also an honorary member standing as the muse.

Sir Ramy had asked me sometime ago to write a post about the group. Well, here it is.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME

The group's name stems from the rumored dalliances of a member (I'll not name who but you probably have an idea anyway). Rumor has it that this guy had a girlfriend in every major city in Mindanao. 

During a conversation, Sam interjected an apt metaphor of this friend's love life by likening it to ginger or "luy-a". Like the ginger root, which branches out everywhere, the guy's love life has evolved and branched out into a network of girls spread across the island with each girl unwary of her boyfriend's infidelity.

In sarcastic praise of this guy's talents, a consensus was formed and we named our group "Team Luy-A".

MEMBERSHIP

We all started as employees of BPI/BPI Family Savings Bank. All single male professionals (with the exception of Sir Ramy who was separated) with nothing to do, we bonded together during our office lunches, drinking sessions, and out-of-town trips. 

As for the members, here's the roll call of the core:

Ramy Baltores - Considered as the father figure of the group, Sir Ramy is the chief financier for our trips and the grand dispenser of advice. He's now a loans officer of RCBC Savings Bank.

Sam Porras - Almost always the victim of our jokes and the eternal scapegoat if plans go awry, he more than makes up for it with his fantastic sense of humor and charisma with the ladies. He's a marketing assistant for BPI corporate lending in Davao City.

Rodel Malagum - The self-styled bad boy of the group, he's witty, opinionated, and is constantly notable for his mysterious personality. He's an appraiser of BPI Family Savings Bank.

Henry Awab - Another appraiser of BPI Family Savings Bank, Henry hails from Zamboanga City and is known for his boy-next-door looks and his (almost) intolerable quirks. He is resigning next month and is planning to go abroad.

Anthony Salva - The reliable wing man to Sam's jokes, Tonyo is now a father of one (with another one on the way). He's with Banco De Oro as a collections officer.

Rommel Malinao - The father also of a beautiful daughter, Rommel is renowned for his glutathione use, his antics, and stories. He's now an appraiser for Security Bank and a self-made contractor for various construction projects. 

Paolo Bataller - Me.

I guess the reason why I'm writing this post only now is that I've realized this group isn't built to last. Though friends, circumstances have a way of pulling former companions apart. Busy with his budding business, Rommel is scarcely seen already. Anthony has a family to take care of. Henry is going back to Zamboanga City. At some point, everyone is bound to leave.

It's a bit too melodramatic for me but it's reality. It does however make me more grateful for the memories shared. It also makes the group's name even more reflective of the group's members. Like a ginger root branching out, we've also grown and branched out to our respective companies and our separate lives.

One thing's for sure though. Team Luy-A was the best thing my former employer gave me.

Well, apart from the salary, of course. Peace out.