A group of childhood friends (officially founded on the 27th of October, year 2009), continues to create happy and memorable moments that would strengthen more their friendship. The main purpose of publishing this page is to share the strong and ever-present friendship and bond in the Cali Squad (subtitled as the Kalubihon Family); hoping that they may inspire people and become role models for tee
nagers in valuing true and genuine friendship. Although the group is quite exclusive, it is still open to those who are aspiring to be members of the group. In fact, the family has its new batch of members; the second-generation members. The group was formerly known as “Cali Ocho”, and this is how it all began…
“OUR STORY”
On one occasion during their play-time, when the sun was about to set, out of the blue, the original Cali Squad members suddenly had an idea to create a group. And so, they gathered together and discussed among themselves. During the discussion, they agreed to call them themselves “Cali Ocho”. The members of the family were a group of childhood friends who love to play on the streets especially in the afternoon; when the sun starts to go down. They love to play ‘Slipper Game’, ‘Patintero’, ‘Pusil-Dunggab’, ‘Bato-Lata’, ‘Bulan-bulan’, etc. Most of their time revolves around the streets or kalyes outside their houses; it has become their second home. And their friends, their second family. When the group was founded, there were originally eight (ocho in spanish) members (although now, they realized they were actualy nine) in the group. The founding members with their corresponding position is as follows: Frank Maurhay Basiga (President), Rosalinda Tayros (Vice President), Beverly Anne Conde (Secretary), John Rheed Caturza (Treasurer), Dean Mark Conde (Auditor), Dionie Pasok and Jessryl Cabus (Sargeant at Arms), and Cherry Rose Conde and Hannah Mae Paquira (P.I.O). Aside from that, the members assigned themselves as the Social Manager, and all their parents as their Advisers. They even had their Muse and Escort: Beverly Anne Conde (Muse) and Frank Maurhay Basiga (Escort). During the foundation of the group (2009) there was a popular song by Pitbull titled “I Know you Want Me (Calle Ocho)” which the like so much. And from that song, a spark came! The group found the part of the title of the song “calle ocho” very fit to be their group’s name; it really describes their identity – they were children who love to play on the streets, and there were eight of them. That was the idea. Ideally, that was the idea. But because of the limited intellectual capacities of the members that time, instead of putting “calle”, they put “cali. What the group really meant by “cali” is actually the word “kalye” in Filipino and/or “calle” in Spanish which means street. They could spell “ocho” though. It’s simpler. Nevertheless, there it was! “Cali Ocho” was born on October 27, 2009 – a Tuesday. As time passed by, changes on the name occurred; from “Cali Ocho” to simply “Cali 8”. And now, and in which they believe could be the final name of the group – “Cali Squad” – influenced by the trend on social media called “Squad Goals”. As they grew older, they became fond of doing “squad goals” such as doing movie marathons, swimming/outing, laag-laag; having food trips like boodle fight, eating pancit canton, proven, etc.; doing picnics, photoshoots, sleepovers, and so on. All these serve as a form of their bond. And besides, they are not anymore eight. The group never thought of attaining what they have achieved in the present; they never though that their group which was just made “out of the blue” would survive this long. Not only that, they never ever thought that the family will become bigger and stronger. This is all thanks to our Lord God Almighty! And so, the prayer of the group is: “Ang among ampo nga bisan pag mangdagko, bahalag magkalagyo, kami will always be forever. Bahalag mamuti na among hair!” May God continue to bless us! Amen!😊
