This is one of my favorite pictures of Darren and me as it captures the essence of life “back in the day.” No stress, playing video games, and having fun. I met Darren in high school, and although at first he thought for some reason I didn’t like him… we ended being close friends. Being in a lot of the same classes and both part of the bum wall crew, we kicked it everyday. When we were able to drive and go off campus for lunch, we’d always carpool and grab fast food. I remember one time we called ahead to order fish n chips during our physics class. Mmm fish and chips (I’m hungry).Darren is my best man not only because I’ve known him longest among the groomsmen, but because we’ve been through plenty together and I consider him one of the most loyal, most brutally honest, and most considerate people I know. We may not always be super close or hang out as much as back then, but I know that if I call him that I can tell him anything. Nowadays, I look forward to those rare times I can play basketball with him and the guys. 4 what? 42! KBK 4EVAR.
Jayme aka J-Skeet aka Pinoy Passion aka Jose “Merienda” Servanda II
Allow me again to start by explaining the picture. I must admit, we do seem pretty happy here and this is bromance or manpanionship at its finest. One magical evening, Jayme was able to grace me with his presence while down for a trip to So Cal. We met halfway for dinner at a sushi bar in Westwood. As last call approached, sake showed up on our table and we got some liquid confidence to sing karaoke together (best duet rendition of Oasis’ Wonderwall ever) and take this picture. Basically, we talked, drank, and sang all night and the owners and hostesses even sang a song for us after closing.If you know him, Jayme is pretty full of himself at times… but that’s what I like about him. He is very proud of his many nicknames (some self-given); however, I was always there to take him down a notch or two in college (ask him about that one time in ME122 lecture). Although we’d joke and get stupid dumb and hyphy at times, deep down Jayme keeps it real and has always been a good friend. “3 strikes homie!”
Greg aka G-Chin aka Gregory Terwiliger Chin
On one legendary day, Greg and I decided to go to the infamous Wet Pets pet store in San Pablo and here is the evidence. This local commercial aired a lot on TV at the time and Greg still knows the rap by heart to this day.Greg and I first met as neighbors in the same southside apartment complex and ended up living together senior year in an apartment right across the street. We weren’t alone though, Teddy (R.I.P.) my teddy bear hamster lived with us too. Since Greg still lives in Berkeley working on his PhD in mechanical engineering, he graciously provides Sara and I a place to stay and transportation during our visits to the Bay. Whenever I see a Subaru, I think of Greg (since he gives other WRX drivers a thumbs up on the road). It wasn’t a trip to Emeryville Bay St. unless his old car set off a few parked car alarms. The broccoli roll at Sushi House in Alameda is his favorite. Ohhmyygoddddd. LRG. “Nash, pass the ball!”
Raimund aka Raimundo aka Ryan aka |2y4n
As you can see, Raimund and I are both passionate about Cal sports, especially Cal football. Nowadays, there’s not a Cal football game without a text or call from this guy. This picture was taken during last season’s Big Game against Stanfurd where I snuck into the student section (even without any of Raimund’s many saved colored bracelets). We are also both big fans of the best pound for pound fighter, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao. Raimund's definitely got the look for his Pacman/Pacquiao costume this Halloween. Rai is very family oriented, hard working, and funny. If you need shaved ice for halo halo or you want to see it disappear before you can blink, ask Raimund.Raimund and I were both in the ME program at UC Berkeley. We had a lot of classes together and spent a lot of time in the library or at his dorm trying to make sense of it all. Although most of that was spent not studying, we somehow made it through. I hope our Kinetic Toothbrush and Stunna Shades projects will make us rich someday! Deeeeeng.
Andrew aka Andrew “sexual” Favor aka Favor Flav
Andrew is here with me after the PilGrad ceremony in Wheeler hall. Graduation was an awesome day, and what was more awesome were the days that followed hanging out in the Bay with him and friends without any cares in the world. Grad bash (not sure if Andrew remembers much of that night) in SF, Bear’s lair for beverages, Rubio’s for $1 fish tacos, SF MOMA, de Young fine arts museum, strawberry mountain at Nations, Takara Sake factory tour and tasting, Berkeley rose garden, concrete slides… just to name a few.I will never forget the night I left one party and literally ran all the way to Andrew’s place. Let’s just say I had already hydrated profusely at the first party and I miscalculated how far it was, ended up on Shattuck, and had to run back a few blocks. This was the same night the notorious guitar hero picture was taken (and later photoshopped by Gilbert). Andrew is more than just ballin’, he’s “EJ ballin” to me. He was a model student, able to balance his studies yet still be heavily involved in extracurriculars like PASAE and Movement dance group. Can’t wait to see him tear up the dance floor at the wedding reception. Holla at my boy ladies, titas, lolas/grandmas ;) Slap… pound.. explozn!
Gilbert aka Gilby aka Manong G
This picture was taken during the most epic visit to Disneyland & California Adventure. We are both turning it on for the camera here, naturally. I still want a rematch on the Toy Story Mania ride! It was a hot but fun day with a magical evening ending with fireworks (if you know what I mean).I met Gilbert in Asian Am R2A freshman year. Then we had E190 together, technical communication for engineers, where he presented on AJAX but he was most famous for Boondocks. Gilbert has a great sense of humor and always appreciates a good twss joke I make. Whenever I order hawt tea, I think of Gilby. Gilbert always looks out for yours truly, and is never shy about chatting it up on gmail talk during work, even though my busy status is on with some number of BZBZBZ’s. During a visit to So Cal, Gilbert was super excited about the wedding and being a groomsmen and I look forward to have him by my side during the big day. Deploy!!
