Just like all of the previous Kuya Reunions, Kuya Reunion 2006 was a huge success. Many Salamats to all the work by Bruce "Zoot" Suits and Gregg "Turk" Taylor and their helpers. It was great having all of the Kuyas together and especially some Kuyas that were able to make it to the reunion for the first time. There were lots of interesting stories, good food, and just incredible companionship that once again shows how much our friendships from the Philippines have lasted all of these years. We were especially blessed this reunion to have Dr. Turk, personal physician of the Kuyas and medicine man extrordinaire, attend. Dr. Turk cared for the "Bomb Squad after the bombing in town and maybe even a few of us that to go for shots of penicillin.
As with all of the Kuya Reunions from Las Vegas, Saint Louis, San Antonio and Cincinnati, each was a unique opportunity to renew friendships, share what has been happening in our lives, remembering our fallen comrades and retelling war stories from that special time in our lives in the Philippines. Don't miss out on the reunions. They are special times and, as we grow older, possibly fewer in the number we may be able to attend. Here's some of the photos of the reunion that will help us to remember how much we enjoy being with one another and how much fun we can still have. All of the pics are thumbnails. Click on the picture for a larger view:
Meet and Greet
Before the reunion festivities even got started, Hippo and his daughter, Crissy, did a recon of the area. Of course, Hip had to sample the Pilipino pood that would be served at the reunion. Looks like Crissy may have a baloot shell caught behind a molar.
Here's Zoot toiling or soiling away in the Hospitality Suite and likely one of the first sights you'd see. Tres chic!
Turk Taylor prepares to goon a baloot. The lady next to him is Agnes, the owner of a restaurant near Zoot who supplied the Filipino food for the reunion.
True to his word, Turk has the baloot in his mouth. Don't know but it's still in the shell so maybe he was just tasting the caribao dung packing to make sure the baloot was aged properly.
Hip checks out the camera while Turk and Agnes discuss Turks' baloot breath.
Here's the Hospitality Room centerpiece for the pilipino Pood Tasting
Mary Barry-Cybulski and Miki Collins meeting up in the Hospitality Suite.
Miki and Carol Chapital. Carol, is that water or did you dig into some of Pogie's Anejo Rum?
Miki must be a social butterfly. Here she meets up with Mark "Tarzan" Lyvers.
Now Tarzan goes alibangbang (butterfly) with Pam. But it looks like he may have some kind of presento in his arm.
Kevin "Pooh Bear" Brown and Norm Collins share a laugh.
Rock Blanton, PJ Shingleton, Si Bob Harris and Norm Collins - Now that is a very, very bad combination. I smell trouble in the River City. You can tell by their looks that break has only just started. It's a Rummmbbbbllleeee!
Bruce "Zoot" Suits is diligently manning the desk, checking the roster to ensure no Kuya imposters show up to drink the San Magoo. You do need a stinkin' badge! He is ever observant (check out the look above the glasses). He was never like this in the PI.
Glenn "The Saint" Gillette is corralled by Norm Collins. Zoot may have made a mistake and wrongfully accused the Saint of trespassing, so Norm took over to oust the suspected imposter from the room. Zootie, how could you forget your flight commander?
Norm gives Turk a big hug. Maybe Norm is trying to convince Turk to borrow a nice summer frock and some dressy pumps.
Tarzan and Mike "Lulu" Gilson share a thought. Lulu says, "I can't believe that she burned you too! She told me she had been to the doctor in Angeles. I thought those doctors were pretty good, at least better than Balibago.
Jack "Ironman" Sverchek - Up Close and Personal. What? Was this pic taken by Pilipino papparazi?
Bea "Ma" Campbell - She and Marv have been to all of the reunions. Guess you could call her the "Kuya Matriarch". And we all mean that in only the best of terms. It wouldn't seem right without the Campbells.
This page was last updated: January 13, 2014
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Wanted to get this Kuya Group pic up front. The picture was taken the night of the banquet and shows how large the Kuyas have grown since our first reunion in Las Vegas. Each reunion brings together more of us to share our experiences in the PI and strengthen the unique bond that holds us together so many years since. Being able to reunite with each other is something very special. We are a "Band of Brothers".
First Row: Russ "Rusty" Mullen, Susan Mullen, Mary (Barry) Cybulski, Joe "Cy" Cybulski, Gregg "Turk" Taylor, John "Rock" Blanton, Mike "Lulu" Gilson, Don Orbin, Pam "Spam" Greely, Bruce "Zoot" Suits, Judy Taylor
Here's just one of the beautiful views we had from the Radisson Hotel hospitality suite. This is a church steeple. In between was a restored area of Covington, Kentucky with stores, restaurants and bars, and a park that was designed after what you might find in Germany.
As with all of the Kuya Reunions from Las Vegas, Saint Louis, San Antonio and Cincinnati, each was a unique opportunity to renew friendships, share what has been happening in our lives, remembering our fallen comrades and retelling war stories from that special time in our lives in the Philippines. Don't miss out on the reunions. They are special times and, as we grow older, possibly fewer in the number we may be able to attend. Here's some of the photos of the reunion that will help us to remember how much we enjoy being with one another and how much fun we can still have. All of the pics are thumbnails. Click on the picture for a larger view:
