UPLISSA Big Night '09 @PenPen

August 29, 2009. PenPen Restaurant, Tomas Morato, QC.

UPLISSA held its annual Big Night last August 29 at the PenPen Restaurant at 105-C Scout Castor, Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City. The place was easy to find, coming from Timog and going round and left at the rotonda to Tomas Morato, and right at Scout Castor, one could easily see Pen Pen. The restaurant is situated in a cozy nook right beside Pet Studio and Bound Bookshop (http://boundbooks.net) and across L.A. restaurant.



PenPen is a two-storey place with the Up↑Stairs available for parties, private functions, events etc! (Regular opening will be this September, I think we were one of the binyag events of the Up↑Stairs, hehehe).

Okay, to make it short and sweet, the place is cozy, just the way I like it. Enough for a party of close friends, we didn't have trouble fitting in. The long stretch from the stairs starts with the sofas then it transitions to the tables and ends with the corner nook which could serve as a small stage for presentations (see below). Creature comforts for each and everyone. A lot of LISSAlistas were torn whether to slump on the soft sofa or curl up in the nook or sit at the tables. Any place Up↑Stairs was comfortable.

At first we were wondering where we could set up the LCD projector but found that the walls seemed a natural fit for the presentations for that evening. Oh, and there's wifi, so we were able to stream the event as well as make on the fly updates for those who weren't able to come (virtual reunion attendance, anyone?) Of course on fun nights you may end up regretting what you tweet, fb or plurk, hehehe (incriminating evidence, anyone?).

I will never be able to say enough about the food. Nabundat ako sa kakakain. Personal fave was the Molo Soup. (Yebah! loved that since I was young, like what Tita used to make.) The spiciness of the Binagoongan had me craving for extra helpings of rice as I was eating (ang tunay na lalaki, parating may extra rice...) And then, came the BBB (Baked Bangus Belly) w/ Quezong Puti layer. You know me, I don't eat fish. Well, the way this was cooked didn't bother me and had me going for thirds. Hehehe. Oh, and that Crispy Liempo for pulutan really didn't last long... Kundangan kasi kalalapag pa lang e pinapak na agad! Hehehe.

The program started at around 8pm with LISSA apps, mems and alumni all in attendance. Kung wala kayo, malas nyo. :D Busog na kami, solb na tas laugh trip pa. The theme was Statement Shirts and everyone had something to say (see below). Well, what you wore probably reflects your state of mind. With that said, I am bothered... Hehehehe... Dean Vy was there. Alumni James, Tadz, Sir Melvin and the Kambals Malou and Marie were there. Yet and Bianca started off the program. I gave the opening remarks. Then the intro AVPs flashed onscreen. Asia then introduced the apps. The apps sang their hearts out. Yes, napakanta namin sina Stoi, GM at Noey! The apps won over the alumni in the kindat-nguso game. Laurence won the apple-eating contest (sanay na sanay, a).

After eating came the unexpected part of the program... The two Chie's (Joan and Hazel) entertained as Kuya Boy and Ate Krissie. Laglagan na! Iinum na lang yan! Resident alumni (is there such a thing?) James, incumbent president Jean and Dean Vy took the stage to end the program. Pahabol... Resident dancers Emong, Del and Hazel did "Nobody!" Walang halos rehearsal pero swabe! Bwahahahaha! Bonding lasted till 3am. Solb.

PenPen proved to be the perfect place for a perfect night.

See you all next year!

PenPen on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/PenPen-Restaurant/82259541702
PenPen on Twitter: http://twitter.com/penpenresto
PenPen on Multiply: http://penpenresto.multiply.com/