Philippine College of CommerceHigh School Class of 1965

Sulat-BalitaVolume 2005, Issue 1 http://pcchigh65.tripod.com March 2005

Pledge anto benefit ourOne Million Pesos Balik-Aral Perpetual ScholarshipFund Program

$375 each payable in 3 years to make a difference in someone’s life

J un

JetAbe

Ludy

LettySuki

You?

Would this be a better looking and beautiful tree if it’s blooming full of apples??It’s possible, with your help…

A uctio n

Afgha n

APPLE GIVINGTREE

P CC Hi gh SchoolClass of 1965

What’s in a Tree???Sometime in February, a month after our successful 40th Ruby Celebration and Grand Reunion in Manila, Jun Lalog, the Chairman of our Scholarship Committee, wrote an e-mail plea letter announcing the Apple Giving Tree to kick-off our One Million Pesos Balik-Aral Perpetual Scholarship Fundraising program. To those who missed Jun’s letter, here is an excerpt of that appeal…

“The first day of the Reunion has special meaning to me. Besides meeting our classmates and teachers I have not seen in 40 years, I finally met our scholars and their parents for the first time It’s an unbelievable feeling talking to the parents and hearing their never-ending appreciation for all the scholarships we have been providing their children. The beautiful faces of our scholars radiate signs of better future. The parents don’t know exactly how to thank us, but they assure us that they are doing their best to keep their children worthy of our sponsorships. That assurance, I said to myself, is good enough.

We need to continue our project on a consistent, permanent foundation. When we first started this, we’re kind of ‘testing the water’. We did very good though, producing 13 scholars, fully funded in 2 years. The response/support is unheard of, unendingand contagious. Pouring and sharing of creative ideas on how toraise funds keep coming and yielding incredible results.

Reality is we’re not getting younger and soon, we’ll join the retiree section of the Baby Boomers. We’re ready to step us our efforts and build on reaching a Perpetual Scholarship Fund of P1-Million.

Here’s the plan approved by your Scholarship Committee:1. Adopt the Apple Giving Tree concept to promote and achieve our goal. An ‘apple’ represents recommended pledge of $375.

We need 50 Apple Donors or Sponsors to meet our target of P1-Million or $18,750. Please don’t be overwhelmed with the amount each Apple represent. Treat it as a tool to monitor our progress. If we have 25 Apples on the Tree, we know we’re half way towards our goal. As a start up, we have 7 Apple Donors already, plus $941 uncommitted funds in the treasury, and another $520 from the Afghan raffle, or a total of $1461, almost equivalent to 4 Apples. Altogether, we have 11 Apples to begin this project. Thirty Nine more to go!!!

2. Suspend sponsorship until we reach the P1-Million Fund. This year, we already have 4 donors as follows: Dr. Rita Eustaquio, Palm Coast, Florida; batch mates Manny Balangue and Purificacion Caro Lozada, and Jose S. Santos, Sr. Memorial Scholarship.

3. Use the interest/income from the P1-Million Fund to pay for the scholars’ expenses. The Perpetual Fund will never be touched. Funds stay in US until its disbursements.

A plan towards a more stabilized program which we have been toying for years and now seems to be the right thing to do. We now haveA good track record, dependable manpower and a strong will that we will succeed. Experience tells us that a project with a noble cause Such as ours will always succeed, and we will!

So klasmeyts, hope you would embrace this class project with full support and kind heart and make a difference to the lives of talented and deserving PUPHS students. Hopefully, once we achieve this, its lasting benefits would echo thru the hallways and classrooms of PUPHS Laboratory Sta. Mesa Campus and encourage other batch years to emulate.”

Marc

Volume 2005, Issue 1 Page 2 March 2005

100020003000400050006000700080009000

100001100012000130001400015000160001700018000

D ollars

APPLE GIVING TREE PROGRESS REPORT

as of 4/8/2005

Bernabe GuerzonJun & Lina LalogLetty Valisno SanticoJet SantosSuki Aventino SeballosLudy Valisno TanchocoMarc Pascual

Cecyll & Michael LobueEilynn & Frankie QuagliataYvello & Patty Seballos

APPLE DONORS

VERY SPECIAL APPLE DONORS

We hope to complete this drive in a period of 3 years or earlier.

As the sponsorship of scholars is suspended through the duration of this drive, its resumption is totally dependent on earlier completion and collection of our P1-million Perpetual Fund.

US-based classmates who are currently sending their quarterly contributions are requested to stop their payments and resume payments according to the terms that they choose based on the Apple that they pledge. Please let us know your selection of your new pledge amount as suggested above as soon as possible. There is always an Apple available for everyone.

Ongoing and future fundraising, whether individually, geographically or in group, are requested to send in their goalsto “reserve” an Apple for them. Your Apple will be ready for pick up upon completion of your project.

Promote the Apple Tree Gift Giving among your friends, families,officemates, retirees, non-profit associations that you belong to, fellow parishioners, at parties and meetings when appropriate. Share the success of our program and its benefits. Be creative and share your ideas.

We are totally a volunteer group. 100% of the funds we raise goes to the Perpetual Fund.

Detailed financial reports would be provided periodically, as well as the scholars’ progress report.

So p ick y our App le. It’s good f or y ou!

addendum & guidelines to p.s.p.

PLEASE PLEDGE NOW!

PCC High School Class of 19651 Million Pesos Balik-AralPerpetual Scholarship Program

Full Name

Address

City, StateZip Code

E-mail

Tel. Nos.

$25

$75

$200

$50

$100

$__________ Other

Apple donation of $10/mofor 36 months ($15 initialDonation)

Please e-mail us back at jlalog@bellsouth.net with your donation/pledge details (i.e., full name, amount, and date) so we may confirm your donationand update our goal chart. Mail your check to:

MANNY BAUTISTA4568 Darcelle AvenueUnion City, CA 94587

Cut form below and kindly send your completed form to Manny Bautista.

MANILA REUNION REPLAY

Volume 2005, Issue 1 Page 3 March 2005

are back to reality. It’s time to tell the stories. For those who will find this replay boring and stale by now, my apologies. I have to do this labor of love after work, and in some instances, between my household chores, and of course after watching my favorite TFC telenovelas, and the hot American Idol. So please bear with me, and instead join in reflecting back and recount the journey of the three wonderful days of “Together Again @ 40” celebration in Manila. Remember, this was four decades of not seeing your friend, crush, first love, mentor, and you name it. So hope you’ll find the storytelling still pleasurable after the long wait…

To start off, sincere thanks to all who have contributed to the success of our reunion—from the planners, hosts, attendees, souvenir program advertisers, and classmates who were not able to attend, but gave their full and unselfish support. Above all, to our Almighty Father, for answering our prayers for a highly successful, memorable, and safe reunion. Praise and Glory be to God!

A short program emceed by Juliet Salvador, Manuel Balangueand Melba Abaleta signaled the beginning of real business. Guest Speaker, Dr. Samuel Salvador, Acting President of PUP, who by the way gave an inspiring message, was welcomed together with other special guests, and the seven high school teachers present for the occasion…

Okay, okay, it has been two months since our reunion… the dust had finally settled, the jetlag way over, the flu’s all cured, and the attendees

Our Manila reunion was indeed a total blast! Words like marvelous, wondrous, inspiring, heaven, exciting, ecstatic, just aptly described our get-together after long 40 years!

The ambiance of the first day at PUP Ninoy Aquino Hall was so joyful you could see numerous reactions from the attendees. Screams, smiles, tears, and sublime happiness! Bandang Kawayan, a junior PUP High School band, welcomed the ‘reunionites’ with upbeat Filipino native songs that brought more excitement to the affair. Ang saya-saya talaga!

Hundred plus batch mates representing classes from Bookkeeping, Salesmanship, and Stenography had fun remembering the good old days, and shared non-stop stories about families, and life after HS.

“Jailmates”?Count yourBlessings,

it’s the Honorable

Bookkeepers

Estela Villena of Salesmanship even brought her precious “slam book” and thrilled the classmates who had written their old favorites and messages, circa ’65.

“Blue Light”

Specials…The Sales

Team

The Mellow Yellow

Sexytaries

Mr. Edilberto Bagnes, Dr. Mila Ruiz, Ms. Rosalina de Lara (also a Balikbayan from Los Angeles, California), Mrs. Ruth Bernardo, Mrs. Fe Domingo (who BTW postponed her cataract operation just to be with us), Mrs. Lydia Villa and Mr. Pablo Canlas. Roll call of classmates present were welcomed with thunderous claps, roars, and all kinds of noises.

Appreciation gifts were given to our teachers who helped and molded us to where we are today. Love gifts were also presented to our High School Scholars, members of the BANDANG KAWAYAN, and the BAGONG HIMIG for their beautiful performances that kicked-off our Ruby Celebration with really a big bang!

TheCommitteeand theScholars

Volume 2005, Issue 1 Page 4 March 2005

Saturday’s trip to Wonder Island Resort in Calamba, Laguna was also another riot day. Two busses left Manila early in the morning (one from PUP, the other from Hyatt) for the long ride to Jose Rizal’s birthplace.

But before the classmates lodged at Hyatt could leave, they have to try the TAHO peddled in front of the hotel for some energy food . For ten pesos each small plastic cup, Marc Pascual and company happily consumed the whole soy treat and even want to buy the whole container! The newly spirited and peppy group were game to play “Pick-Pack-Boom”, and re-learned to sing “Row Row Your Boat”. Mind you, with actions pa! But the kicker was the “Packing Business” joke from Marc, which brought down the “bus”, especially Cely Bumanglag Dec, who almost fainted from laughing so hard!

Karaoke singing led by Judge Rochie Gasiong and Mon Montemayorwelcomed the 2nd batch of classmates at the resort. And soon after, fun parlor games were played from Name That Tune (won by the Salesmanship Team led by Enrique Matias), Treasure Hunt (won by the Bookkeeping Team led by Jun Lalog), Newspaper Dance (won by Fernando Manuel and Angie Vasquez Ramirez), Playing Cards Transfer (won by husband/wife team of Lulu Sierra and Art Legardo), and of course, the Bingo game (blackout won by Lily Calleja).

Food at the resort were great; most “attacked” was the lechon, a gift from Judge Rochie, and the turon, gulaman at sago merienda served by the resort.

Everyone went home with filled tummies, happy hearts and aching muscles! And for the members of the “TOMASIANS”, all were red-faced and smiling from ears to ears!

The “Boat People”singing their anthem “Row…row ur boat”

Liway and Lillian “trying hard” in Bingo

“Open Sesame!” Look at the girls… giggling!Lily Calleja showing off

her winning card!

Rochie & Mon fightingover the mic

Two parlor games that are still fresh in our minds are the “Trip to Jerusalem” and “Open Sesame”. Tetchie Manahan Jovero gave her all to fight/sit on Mon Montemayor’s lap with gusto (several times, ha?!). For her, it was instead a “trip to heaven”! And for Manny Disuanco, Mon, Fernando M., Marc, they had to keep a poker face in spite of their “kilig paktor” when the girls--Lulu S., Rose Mutuc, Beth Bernabe and Cely B. hurriedly opened the guys’ pants’ zipper at the host’s cue. And who was the fastest people in the West?? Sino pa, kundi angtandem ni Manny D. and Lulu. So much laughter and shouting from the audience on both games!!

Got Apple?

Volume 2005, Issue 1 Page 5 March 2005

PCCHigh Class of ‘65SENIOR’S PROM NITE

Gabi ng mga gabi… ang pinaka-hihintay! You’d wonder why, right? Well, for those who missed the opportunity forty years ago, this was the night to fulfill that elusive dream—to dance with their “friend”, ng walang sabit. Wala ang mga Nanay at Tatay! (May ibang klasmeyt tayo na kasamaang mga asawa, nakalusot kaya?)

The evening started with the Auction led by our fearless leader, Suki Aventino and her able assistants. They showcased the thousands of beautiful and one-of-a-kind goodies donated by our generous classmates. It was a big success, and the proceeds were the starting fund for our P-1Million Perpetual Scholarship Program. Heard the “big spender” was Lee Pangilinan Barcelon, who was getting ready for her only daughter, Tricia’s wedding. And Mon Montemayor was just as happy as a clam when he grabbed or won the auction of an Anne Klein watch for his special lady. Hindi ako ‘yun, so sino kaya?

January Birthday celebrants were also serenaded with a jolly birthday song, complete with candles and cake. The special honorees were Manny Balangue, Ceny Alfonso-Duldulao, Guillermo “Boy” Jeyuson, Emerita Lumagui, Veronica Galang-Pedrola, Lena Lubi, Gloria Manalastas-Rivera, Veronica Rellamas-Melad, and Maria Serafico.

Sister Loreto Villaluz recited a beautiful prayer in thanksgiving to God’s Provision in allowing us to have this great reunion, the strong friendship that is still there, the care, and the love felt by everyone. Sister Lorie also gave thanks for the sumptuous food prepared by Hyatt Hotel Staff that everyone enjoyed!

Of course, what’s next after the tummies were filled with so much food? Dance…Dance…Dance. Everyone was having so much fun! Sayaw dito, sayaw doon… sa dilim, sa center stage. Our classmates still showed we are demure, prim and proper ‘cuz I don’t remember seeing anyone dancing on top of the tables! Unless I missed it? Anyhow, to everyone’s delight, the Toronto Group led by Maysie Bautista, gave their best dance interpretation of “Staying Alive”, and a Greek square dance. Opa! I could imagine Anthony Quinn nodding and agreeing with their moves. Well done Maysie, Pia, Becky, Lilian, Angie, and Lulu!

Not to be outdone, the U.S., Australia, and Germany did their “coming-out” and brave contribution by bringing back the “Messed Universe” beauty pageant first introduced in Toronto 2001. Take note, there were no practices; just some brief instructions before the presentation to “give it all” and have fun. And sure they did! The beautiful and able contestants were Miss Germany (“Nila Spagh” aka Ligaya Amandre, who spoke fluent German), Miss China (“Ang Lu Wang” aka Veronica Galang), Miss England (“Gina Kohl” aka Pearl Paz), Miss France (“Mae DamC’ia” aka CenyAlfonso), Miss Belgium (“Khe Sehoda” aka Glo Manalastas), Miss Indonesia (“Sue Nami” from the island of Pinitpit aka Zeny Abalos), Miss Italy (“Pat Tanesca” aka Celia Bumanglag), Miss India (“Nahine Dhut” aka Lita Rollon). The much coveted title was a tight competition that it almost had a protest from the other contestants. Finally, the “semi-finalists” were… Miss Malaysia (“Monay Nakadikit” aka Manuela Disuanco), Miss Singapore (“Kirina Landipa” aka Manuela Bautista), Miss Hawaii/USA (“Susuko Lailayna” aka Willi-ana Hernandez), Miss Philippines (“PeningGarcia” aka Mona Montemayor), and Miss Japan (“Kikimo Kinukuto” aka Marcela Pascual). Of course in any beauty pageants, there is always a special number, which these five semi-finalists presented in grand style. They danced and sang to Viva Hot Babes’ famous novelty song of “AngBulaklak”. Sure thing, there were “malaki, matambok, manipis, mabaho at mabangong bulaklak”. Who’s who? your pick.

Our teachers present served as judges…Mr. Bagnes, Dr. Mila Ruiz, Mrs. G. Talusan. Our judges had a hard time making the decision; therefore, asked the audience to help them pick the winner by their applauses and screams. But before the new Messed Universe could be decided on, the reigning 2001 Messed Universe (“Mah Luh Wong” aka Daniella Picazo) was asked to give her last triumphant walk. Fresh flowers were given to the runner-ups, and with everyone’s rejoice, the very popular Miss Japan was crowned the ultimate winner!

The affair ended on a high note with everyone forming a round circle thanking each one, hugging, kissing, crying, with a promise to be back in our next reunion in 2007! A moment of silence and prayers were also afforded in loving memory of the known 18 classmates who are victoriously home with the Lord. Rochie Deonida, who penned the new lyrics of the reunion’s theme song, together with Jun Sotto, Mike dela Cruz, Romy Avila, Rose Marie Aguila, et al, led the group in singing “Those Were the Days” complete with stomping feet, raised hands, and big smiles. It was a night to remember!

Well, now that our first Manila Grand Reunion is history, let’s not stop from there. Let us keep our momentum going, expose ourselves and hearts to our many projects in helping our brethren, and most important of all, continue to pray and care for one another. Here’s to more years of friendship and more beautiful memories together! See you in 2007!

Volume 2005, Issue 1 Page 6 March 2005

Dear Batchmates,

It’s Valentines Day when I decided to sit down and recall those three days that we encountered. I wish you and everybody with you the happiest day of the year, Valentines Day, although our Grand Reunion last January will remain the happiest moment for me. Herein are personalities I wish to mention, most were “behind the camera” but these people did give their humble shares.

When we met for three days, I felt it made me younger and lovelier, adorable, and attractive, not only to the opposite sex but also to my cats, dogs, and other pets back home. It was really a thrilling and memorable experience to be with all of you from PUP campus to Wonder Island to Hyatt that night.

As part of the Planning Committee (sometimes called Coordinators), I wish to make it known that there were people who did their best for the success of our reunion. These batch mates of ours shared their time, money, and effort for a “near perfect” reunion that made us feel weary not during the series of meetings and actual “encounters” with all of you but right after the third day we felt really tired but relieved. Ang mga araw pagkatapos ng reunion natin ang mgapanahon na naramdaman natin ang pagod ngunit sa kabila ng lahat na ito ay masaya tayo because we gave our best shot!

Special personal mention to Chit Gutierrez del Rosario who gave all her, sobra pa nga minsan, for the success of the three-day events. What Chit did was to set her eyes on a perfect objective, a penultimate goal of perfection which some people failed to notice. Kasi naman si Chit, if she wants to stress some points, she creates stressful situation kasibinabasag nya ang mga table tops. Sometimes nga kahit hindi nya responsibility, gusto nya siya na gagawa! Let us understand Chit for all her intention was good, the problem is the way of execution perhaps. So, Chit, keep up the good work but try to adjust also to occasions and persons. Ok sa akin si Chit! Ok din ang mga lengua at roasted peanuts.

Although these citations are not in order of importance, special mention also must go to Rose Marie Aguila-Guerzon, who must be entitled to a Kulit Award for burning cellular lines, land lines, and crossing all lines. Even pedestrian “lines” commuting, using her own car, walking, arguing, collecting, going to Metrobank and Land Bank, doing ocular inspection with other members, and all kakulitan makuha lang ang lifetime membership, reunion dues, t-shirt sizes, individual pins, etc.

Of equal efforts made si Nancy na kasama sa meetings, without any number shared in the discussion, she does not even gave any barking silence for she is a beautiful dog of Imelda Baun. Mel made use of her Adventure in combing known and unknown habitat, unimaginable places, squatter areas, subdivisions or wealthy batch mates in Manila and nearby provinces. Service vehicle pa minsan ang Adventure para sa mga kaibigan even after the reunion. For the record, si kumareng Imelda ko ang tumawag sa akin more than a year ago about the 2005 reunion. If not for her, I will not attend!

Who can forget Ted Leo Fernandez and Ed Damian? Kahit saan magpunta, kahit sa masikip na sasakyan walangreklamo yang dalawang yan basta……(glug, glug, glug). I once said these two seemingly are the “utility men” of thegroup. Kahit ano ipagawa, ok lang, specially if Chit will request them to do something for the group. Bigay na bigay, walang reklamo.

Si Vic Pasion, the Head Coordinator, also did his best to come out with a very nice reunion racing against all odds. Time constraints, whims, and caprices, misunderstandings, individual ideas by other coordinators, several bright minds sometimes derailing smooth flow of discussions, showbiz-like intriga, commitments, due dates, email thing, overall coordination, etc. Si Vic and bahala dyan, sometimes nga siya din nasisisi, but all of these were hurdled successfully or otherwise. Vic even sent text message to me with a commitment that those from abroad who sent in their ads for the souvenir program but whose payments were not received will be his and Ludy’s responsibility because I refused to include their ads in our souvenir program. Hats off to Vic Pasion! Si Cornelia will agree with me on this.

Si Vic will also agree if we extend a certificate of appreciation to Cornelia Alejandria Kaesbauer for being the MostFriendly Member of Batch ’65. Wanna bet? Si Cornelia will spare not a single day sending inspirational messages to us, (ang dali kasi nyan pindot-lang ng pindot). But kidding aside, the work of Cornelia is not that easy with her weight bullying her around, up-and-down. Would you believe kasama siya sa mga ocular inspections, meetings, and all other

A Letter from Class ’65 Alumni Prez

Volume 2005, Issue 1 Page 7 March 2005

gatherings before, during, and even after the reunion? What an effort! Saludo ako sa iyo Cornelia, may your tribe increase, sabi ni Vic Pasion. (Sumasayaw pa ng cha-cha at tango!)

Our “foreign” guests were treated to Bandang Kawayan performance and Bagong Himig numbers. I am sure the imports all enjoyed as much as we enjoyed too. But do you know who were responsible in bringing those talents to entertain us? I cannot say she is behind the camera kasi makikita din naman kahit sa likod ng camera. Her turf is PUP kaya basta may gagawin, may kailangan sa PUP, we can count on Melba Abaleta. Of course, we also have Rose Guerzon, a faculty member who was equally responsible for taking good care of us during those days. Our university registrar also provided the venue for several meetings, either at the registrar’s office or at the function room where attendance swells. In most of these meetings, we nibble in peanuts and lengua courtesy of Chit.

Tetchie Jovero not only provided big, big discount to the group with her being at Hyatt. She also provided comic relief (or totoo ba?) with the forced cooperation from Mon Montemayor sa Wonder Island. Who will say Tetchie is a “respectable” (ka galang-galang, as you don’t know) officer of Hyatt Hotel with all the antics she did at Wonder Island? That’s the girl, that’s the spsiritof PCC Batch ’65, that’s one of the most memorable happenings on the second day of our reunion. Ano ba naman ang Hyatt night of kantahan at sayawan, puno ng saya and the Sampaguita Hall became the venue of professionals, veterans, tested, and never say die beauty pageant contestants. We were worried though and we kept praying for about two days after that third day, hoping that the hotel management will not fire out Tetchie. There were lots of discovered talents on that occasion, some contestants were given the opportunity to appear in a movie to be made by Metro Goldwin Mayers titled, “Remnants of Tsunami”.

Si Nellie Aragon, the beautiful housewife na hinubog ng panahon at ng Chippy, Nova, ChocNuts, kasama na angDingdong at Boy Bawang. A regular participant in our preparations, from meetings to ocular inspections, and hopping from table to table, of course, to satisfy her hearts (and taste buds) desire. If you are on diet, ask Nellie how to trim down to a manageable level. Videocam operator pa si Nellie making that camera her dumbbell that’s why.

Without Justice Rochie Gasiong, we cannot get nearer to heaven because her house which we used for some meetings seemed stone throw away from salvation. Doon kami sa top of the world. Rochee also provided food smorgasbord. She is always ready to belt a Celine Dion and Abba eliciting calls for encore. Our group will go a long way and her legal mind will always be on hand whenever advice is needed, I am sure of this. Sabi ni Rochee, “Suportahan ta ka”.

“Regulars” sa hirap at ginhawa include Danny Teotico, dancer na singer pa; Manny Yazon, bottoms up; Vic Olayerwas always trying his best and I personally appreciate his effort; hindi din mawawala si Boy Jeyuson; and mgaFernando Atienza and Manuel. Ibarra San Diego joined us up to Malolos with Elvis Presley giving his numbers in competition with Rochee. Si Elvis Presley ang Jun Sotto of U.S.A. Special mention also to Rosette de Guzman who sings well, a-la Imelda Papin. We will suffer electric failure the whole summer if we will not take notice of Mike delaCruz, who joined in ocular inspections, meetings, and other electrifying moments of our reunion.

Alice Ynchausti Santos did her share for the T-Shirts that we used, but I think if anyone is interested to order such t-shirts, the price will not be similar to what she gave to our group. Special price yan with special quality pa. Next reunion, gown for ladies, and suit for men ang gagawin ni Alice, proprietress of Spring Hill Clothing.

MCS for the first day did their best although this duty was given impromptu. Si Manny Balangue surprisingly came without an escort, and Miss Julie Salvador added some flavor specially during the first day.

Those who failed to come, they missed a lot but I can feel another reunion is now on the drawing board. Why wait for 2007? What you can do “today must not be postponed for tomorrow”. We cannot speak for those who came from several miles away, but a sincere appreciation for their time spent with us crossing continents just to see the Philippines anew. Imagine si Marc Pascual, last time we met, dalagita pa, ngayon dalaga na, hands down winner pa sa atingbeauty pageant. Walang binat-bat si Madamo Danny Picazo! We feel though that Ludy Valisno also did a splendid work when she took time to communicate with our classmates, of course, with the special effort coming from Jun Lalog, Glo Japos, Cora Romero, and Flor Zubiri, and others whose names I cannot recall. I wished Rey Bonus attended our reunion for he was the closest to my seat way back our high school days. Kasama ko si Rey pati sa kalokohan. It’s good I saw Willie Hernandez and Marc Pascual, two of our buddies. Of course, I also felt good when I saw everybody, sabi ko at last, nandito na ang mga Westerners! Si Estela Leoncio, pareho pa din, her giggles nakakahawa; siVeronica Galang, the same demure and sweet, during high school days I look up to Veronica because she stood tall, and because also I was then a small innocent boy, ngayon si Veronica pa din; ang aming Ate image way back,

Volume 2005, Issue 1 Page 8 March 2005

si Becky Telesforo, what a diet perhaps, still payat, but of course, matured like us, she looks 35 now! What I can remember also is Angie Vasquez who is still a beauty until now; Lita Rollon, daring with her songs in duet with Justice Rochee; si Celia Bumanglag, during our high school days, we used to be contented watching her walk, pass by our barkada, ngayon pareho din, magtiis nalang sa tinging, gorgeous pa din so with her daughter, Leilani.

Those who shared in their own big, remarkable, and sometimes expensive ways, you know who you are, salamat ngmarami sa inyong lahat. Si Enrique Matias, tahimik, walang kibo, hindi nagdala ng ice from Alaska para libre na anghalo-halo natin. Manuel Disuanco came after 28 years making him wonder why Manila is what he saw. In this three-month stay, he will try to remember all the streets and districts where he spent days and nights, ;except Timog Avenue, memorize na ng grupo nila even blindfolded pa. What we failed to see? Si Jun Lalog singing Elvis hits. Aida Jallorina, dancing with Lorie Villaluz. We also missed tips from Socorro Aventino, Nellie Aragon, Ludy Valisno, PiaIlagan, Elcia Boglosa, Belen Samson, and Willie Hernandez on how to keep fit and trip (from knee down to toe nails).

The Manila group would like to express deepest appreciation to all those dollar earners who initiated the Scholarship Program to deserving high school students. The program is a very good gesture of providing and sharing with others the blessings that you are receiving. It has been said, it’s better to give than to receive. So let us give our share to this noble project.

We would like to share also with all members of PCCHS Batch ’65 our future project aimed at helping the less fortunate members of our batch in any way we can. To start the ball rolling, hat was not passed on our third day at Hyatt, but a box full of caring and love expressed in pesos and dollars amounting to more than then thousand pesos and some dollars. Guidelines shall be made on how the program will be implemented. Thank you very much to all those who chip in their hard earned money for our batch mates. We hope those kind-hearted people from the United States, Canada, Australia, Alaska, Switzerland, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, etc. will also send their love and care to our batch mates who are in need.

We would like to thank also those who sent in their advertising commitments for the printing of our souvenir program. For those who have not remitted their ads payment by now, kindly remit them immediately. There were also some ads that failed to appear in the souvenir program, sorry po! As much as we want all ads to appear, there were kinks we failed to avoid. If you have sent your ad payment, we will just return said payments; please advise us.

It’s really hard to close but I have to, magluluto pa ako ng hapunan, gabi na. With the expected turn around of our group for a more cohesive association, new rays of hope will also be present for everybody. We will live, we will survive.

Sincerely yours,

Romy C. Avila

“Da Man”… Mr. Romy Avila

“VISA”… Vic I. San Andres

VeronicaU-pick Apple

Volume 2005, Issue 1 Page 9 March 2005

Hello!!! This is your youngest “??? batch mate of The Philippine College of Commerce High School Batch ’65 -- DON (?) VIC SAN ANDRES, Sr.” saying “Hi there!!! --- specially to all the girls I’ve loved before, truly I say deep in my heart that I STILL LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH, even after forty (40) years”. To the other “old, but puede pang boys of Batch ’65”, (inggit langkayo!), better luck next time, but “see you all at Timog Avenue in Quezon City” right after Day Three of our scheduled activities. (Paging Messrs. Jun Sotto, Manny Bautista, and the “shy” Ed Damian—magbago na kayo!). To those here and in abroad who didn’t make it in our 40th Ruby Celebration, we missed you, and you definitely lucked out!

Frankly, I cannot resist disseminating my observations on the just concluded global reunion of ours. I have requested Ms. Ludy Valisno-Tanchoco, who by the way, sent me the formal invitations (pambihira, galing pa sa Amerika ang invitation ko para sumamasa Reunion) to publish my Memoirs for public consumption—(even if I’ll spend a hundred pesos to send my article via airmail—subject, of course, to a refund from Ms. Ludy…ha.. ha… he.. he…)

I remember early October, 2004 when I received a call from certain Mr. Vic Pasion (katoto or ka pangalan ko pa—which means “We are the Champions… We are...”), inquiring about a certain Mr. Vic San Andres. As I was the one who answered the phone, I said “speaking”. “This is Vic Pasion of PCCHS ’65, remember me?” (how do I know, it’s almost 40 years!!!). Vic Pasion continued by saying, “Vic, may reunion ang lahat ng PCCHS Batch ’65 sa January, 2005, sumama at pumunta ka!” I said to myself, am I dreaming at ano ba ito? Without second thoughts, I said okay. Then I asked, Pareng Vic, how much ba ‘yung damage? “Three Thousand Pesos lang plus a thousand pesos each for your guests.” I said okay lang. (Inay ko po, ano siya sinusuerte, saang sulok ngPINAS kaya ako kukuha ng Three Thousand plus, eh ang ganda ng “ekonomiya” ng Pilipinas kong mahal.) I said, “OK, Vic, chicken feed lang ‘yan, magbabayad ako. At sasama ako diyan, guaranteed, no need to think.” By the way, Vic Pasion continued by saying, “mayroon tayong meeting sa PUP, sa airconditioned room ng presently PUP University Registrar, Ms. Mel Abaleta (likewise, PCCHS65 Batchmate) sa darating na Sabado, pumunta ka, dalhin mo na tuloy ‘yung Reunion Dues mo.” I said, “No problem, I’ll be there 110% (telling myself, ‘problema to, saan ako kukuha ng P3,000+ pesos, bahala na’)”. For the record, I wasn’t able to attend any of the weekly Saturday meetings of our hardworking Manila Planning Committee.

Now that the celebrations are over, I have to put my hat off and salute and congratulate the men and women, (both here and abroad), behind the “Together Again @ 40” for making our celebrations so successful. It’s undeniable that their patience, perseverance, and diligent efforts paid-off. We all owe them a lot; most probably, we can never reciprocate their concern and love for all of us, now or in the future. A member of the Planning Committee based in Manila (his name I don’t need to mention here), confessed to me at the end of our reunion festivities that “NAWALA LAHAT ANG PAGOD NIYA” dahil sa tuwa at kaligayahang nadama niya, and because all of us were very happy.

By the time we celebrate our next reunion, possibly in 2007 as planned, I believe I will be able to save (just an estimate—what with the “great GNP” conditions of our country), Ten Thousand Pesos – P10,000 plus as our reunion dues, (by that time, maybe more or less, US$200+ for our batch mates abroad – which is chicken feed sa aking mga kaklase na magbabalikbayan), so I can again participate and attend.

To all PCCHS Batch ’65 members (particularly those who weren’t able to attend for some reasons I can’t understand—repeat after 40 years?), allow me to inform you of my personal observations on the happenings of the 3-days of our Ruby Celebration. But before that, I am pleased to inform you that on January 16th, Sunday, yours truly, together with the Salesmanship Core Group of Batch ’65, (except myself was in Bookkeeping—actually when I was in HS, I remember now, my ambition was to be a very successful CPA/Businessman--after a good 40 years, I made myself a very successful certified “TANGGERO—Tagay Mo, Pare Ko” ‘inggit lang kayo’), namely, Messrs. Vic Pasion, Ted Leo Fernandez, Ed Damian, and the indefatigable Danny Teotico, and Mr. & Mrs. Renato (ship “Kapitan Rene”) Ignacio (BTW, this lovely couple are inviting us for lunch very soon at their beautiful home in Bacoor, Cavite). We visited our klasmeyt Eduardo (Ed) Francisco, (one of my best friends and buddy in Bookkeeping). Ed is presently on a wheel chair (soon he’ll have to be on crutches to be able to walk). Ed’s right foot, and a few of his left fingers had to be amputated because of his diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Although we were deeply saddened by his physical condition, we all felt somewhat happy because we were able to visit and see Ed personally. Ed shed a tear or two upon seeing all of us. He

MEMOIRS OF PCCHS BATCH ’65“Together Again @40”

By Vic I. San Andres, Jr. aka VISA

Volume 2005, Issue 1 Page 10 March 2005

said if it were not for his condition, he would have loved to join us in our reunion. We stayed at his daughter’s house in Kawit, Cavite for about an hour-and-a-half. He was recuperating well from his operation. We were sure we somewhatmade him happy as we comforted him with our prayers for his complete recovery. We promised him that a few days or weeks after our reunion, we will again visit him together with some of our klasmeyt friends.

Personally, I think this was what PCCHS Batch ’65 Reunion was generally all about. It was not only for fun and joy and for giving “scholarships” to deserving students, but more importantly and more so, to take care, give love, and help, in whatever we can, to some of our classmates who are in need. Other general objectives are to help/assist classmates who are very sick, those who have been hospitalized or needs medical attention, or friends who may need financial assistance to improve their livelihoods—some could be offered short-term loans (with very low interest rates) that they will have to pay in accordance with their individual capabilities. I feel and think that if these objectives of our batch headed by Mr. Romy C. Avila, (Manila-based) President of the PCCHS ’65 Alumni Association, and the rest of the newly elected officers and staff, our organization will be unequalled in scope, character, and vision that may never be emulated by other alumni associations. The Almighty One in Heaven will surely bless our group, as well as those kind-hearted individual batchmates who may be well-off in this world of ours, and who without second-thoughts, contributed largely or in a small way, and financially or otherwise, to Batch ’65 success.

Now, for the great happenings of our three-day activities… get ready and hold on to your seats for the ride…

DAY ONE – Friday, January 21, 2005, “Getting To Know You”, Ninoy Aguino Learning Center, Amado Hernandez Hall, PUP Campus, Sta Mesa, 1:00 p.m.

Since I just live quite near the PUP Campus (Sampaloc, Manila), I left my home at 12:30 p.m. And since I couldn’t find a taxi, a tricycle (very famous here since the streets in Manila are, as usual, small and narrow) appeared in front of me. Eh naka-porma ako, the tricycle driver said, “Boss, saan kayo?” “Alam mo ba ang PUP Campus sa Sta. Mesa?” “Opo, Boss”, hence I took the ride. We easily reached PUP; since the driver knew full well the place (only a few don’t), I paid the driver Fifty Pesos—for the “Amboys”, that’s more or less US$1.00.

A big banner was so noticeable and displayed at the steel main gate of my Alma Mater, therein boldly printed, “TOGETHER AGAIN @ 40”. As I was entering the gate, I smiled to a few pretty young girls. They chorused “Good Afternoon, Sir”. I said, “Hello, do you know where the Amado Hernandez Hall is”? One of the pretty girls in the group said, “Yes, Sir; as a matter of fact, I’ll escort you there.” I said, “No need, just tell me where the hall is actually located.” The pretty young lass insisted, and said “Sir, ihahatid ko na lang po kayo dahil malayo-layo pa po mula sa gate.” “Ok”, I said, ‘though it’s the first time I was ever escorted by a girl who was about forty-five years younger than me! While walking, the smart girl said, “Sir, PCCHS Batch ’65 pala kayo. Sir, do you know that I am one of the scholars’ of your batch?” I said, “Oh, that’s wonderful; you must be very smart and intelligent.” “Sir, konti lang po,” she said. “Alam ninyo sir, we were instructed by the PCCHS ’65 Planning Committee to make it a point to escort each and everyone of you to the venue.” I later confirmed that this young pretty girl’s name was Janine Bolloso, and she is on her 2nd

year high school education.

Hesitantly entering the premises, I was greeted with smiles by those who arrived earlier. Somebody remembered me, and said, “Hoy, Vic San Andres, bakit naging ganyan ang itsura mo? Para kang matandang John Lennon. Diretcho ka na roon at magpa-register ka, kunin mo tuloy yung two (2) T-shirts, Pin and Souvenir Program mo. Wala ka nang babayaran—kasama na ‘yan sa reunion dues nanaibayad mo na.” (Sa sarili ko lang, salamat naman dahil sa porma ko, singkuenta pesos lang talaga ang laman ng pitaka at bulsa kongayon!). Being well received by our batch mates and the assigned Receptionists makes one feel so at ease and comfortable; it was then NOT difficult to adjust and communicate, just by saying Hello and Hi (with a smile) to everybody you meet, (kahit namatatanda na kami). Mayroong tayong mga batch mates na kalbo na, mayroon talagang puting-puti na ang mga buhok, mayroon din namang ang itim pa ang mga buhok—(alam namin, pare at mare, hair-dyed—black color lang yan), may payat pero malaki ang tiyan, may mataba (gaya ko, nek..nek.nek..nek mo, Vic) pero maliit and tiyan, may mga slim pa rin na sa tingin ko, PUEDE, PUEDENG PUEDE PA (saan?—you know what I mean). After a while, flashbacks again in my mind, nasaan kaya yong mga crush ko noon, lalo na yong HS Sweetheart ko? Maya-maya, isang babae lumapit sa akin. “Hi, Vic, naalaala mo pa ba ako?” Aba’y sa tuwa ko, halos niyakap ko, ayoko nang bitiwan (ayaw din naman niyang bumitiw sa pagkakayakap sa akin, dahil nagpabango talaga ako—galing Riyadh-Saudi perfume). Alas, I found my HS sweetheart! I can’t give her name here; (I haven’t got her permission, medyoconfidential baka ayaw niyang paalam—kasi secret lang sa amin yon noong HS.) Sige na nga, I’ll give you a tip—her initials are RNR and she is one of the best friends of Ms. Nemie Cruz Peralta, who is based in Richmond, California. But for those present on the first day of our reunion, they already know who my HS sweetheart was, and bistado na ako dahil when I volunteered to render a song

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I couldn’t resist dedicating the song to her. Mayroon pang isang ex-girlfriend ako noong HS na nakita ko. She was shy; niyakap kona lang ng “simple”. Pasensiya na kayo mga kaibigan, manang-mana kasi akosa mga guro ko sa mga chicks noong HS, i.e., Messrs. Manny Disuanco, Bautista, and Balangue, who were also present at our reunion—I know that the main reason for their presence were the girls—(ang pinagtataka ko lang bakit ba itong mga Manuel sa atingbatch ay puro “playboy”—sa totoo lang). Before I forget, Day One activities were perfectly emceed by HS sweethearts Ms. Julie Salvador-Reyes, and the one and only “Matt Monroe” voice of Manuel Balangue.

DAY TWO – Saturday, January 22, 2005, “Trip to Wonder Island Resort”, Calamba, Laguna, 6:00 a.m.

Well, considering that the first day jitters were already out and gone, I left my heart in “San Francisco”… ehem, Sampaloc, Manila pala at exactly 5:30 a.m.; arriving at 6:00 a.m. We actually left PUP Campus at almost 7:00 a.m. already and arrived at Wonder Island Resort at about 8:30 a.m. The resort is so beautiful (it’s a resort located in an island within islands; you can only reach the place via ferry boats (unless you’re a gold medalist in the Olympics, SWIM right there to actually reach the venue). The place has everything, swimming pools, cottages (when I saw the cottages and air-conditioned rooms, I imagined when I was a teenager and had a girlfriend—she and I will be perfect in this place—for newlyweds, it’s the perfect place for honeymooning), audio-visual facilities, restaurants, respectful personnel/staff, etc. It didn’t take a long time to be happy again. Right there and then, music was being played, the sound system was perfect, and definitely, you can select a song in the VCD’s or KTVs/Jukeboxes for you to sing to your heart’s delight. Of course, there are a lot of good singers, my favorite and Number 1 on my list is Ms. Rochee Gasiong Deunida; patiako nakipag-agawan sa mike para makakanta agad. My favorites are My Way, Lift Up Your Hands, and Bayan Ko (composed by the one and only me).

Even though it was still quite early in the morning of Day Two, you can already select what you want to eat or drink (hot or cold), sandwiches, fruits, chocolates, buko, etc. Hindi pa ako gutom, so naglakad-lakad ako at paikot-kot sa resort when I saw Mr. Fernando Manuel, a drinking buddy; oh boy, he had brought with him (as usual) a lot of bottles; name it—brandy, whisky, gin tonic, red wines, San Mig, etc. You name your drinks, he has it! Binanatan na namin yung mga whiskey; siempre sumabay at sumabak narin itong mga “orig” salesman & businessman na si Danny Teotico, Ed Damian, “Kapitan” Rene Ignacio (BTW, he brought his lovely family, together with his beautiful teenage daughter), Tony Sadsad, Ted Leo Fernandez, et al—mga “moderate” (??) drinkers ng mga grupo. After a few drinks, ayos na, kumanta ako uli ng “My Way” (trying hard), mas matinik pa kay Frank Sinatra! Nakupo, pagkatapos, sinimulan na ni Ludy V.T. at Marc Pascual ang napakaraming fun games. Sa dami ng games, halos hikain na yongiba dahil mga “olds” na at hindi na makahinga sa katatawa. Medyo gutom na kami dahil malapit na ang “lunchbreak” pero hindi pa rin pinayagang kumain kahit na napakarami ng handa (sobrang napakalaki ng lechon, halos naglalaway na yung iba). Kailangandaw ay gutom na gutom kami bago kumain, so naglaro pa ng mga tatlong games hanggang di na kami makapigil at makatiis, nilusobna ng aming barkadahan yung “lechon” (pulutan) na regalo ni Judge Rochee. Pati yung ibang pagkain ay amin na ring nilaklak—ayos, sumunod na ang lahat at nagsikain na rin. Sa kabusugan (at dahil na rin nakainom na ako), at sasabayan ko pa ng dessert at buko, baka kailangan ko ang KREMIL-S at NEW DIATABS, may mabili kaya rito? E frush buko ito, BAHALA na. Sige tira, kain. Busog na kaming lahat, masarap matulog, aba’y biro mo sabi ng “sweet but strict” Ludy, laro uli—walang tulugan/pahinga—kantahan, sayawan ulit. (VISA, di tayo nagpunta sa WIR para matulog, ha?!...LVT)

Sa bandang dulo ng resort, napansin kong itong si Nanding Atienza—pakindat-kindat sa akin, e dati naman itong singkit…aba’ydalawa ang kausap na babae…alam mo na itong si Nanding, napakatahimik nitong taong ito ngunit NAPAKAMAPANGANIB nitosa chicks. Ewan ko, basta’t mga Fernando, DELIKADO. “Tuloy tayo!” sabi ni Emcee Ludy. Patay, no choice, sige, laro, sayaw, kanta, hanggang sa malatin ka sa sarap. O anong sarap, ISA PA NGA! I won’t mention the names of the two guys I know, nagpuntasa bathroom at CR, “bahala na kayong mag-isip o humula kung anong pinag gagawa ng dalawang taong ito sa CR!!!”

Sa totoo lang, dumating ako sa bahay ko Linggo ng umaga, January 23rd na, dahil itong si Fernando Manuel at Jun Sotto sinabingihahatid na raw nila ako sa bahay. When we arrived in Manila from Laguna—’yun pala dadalhin pa ako sa Timog Avenue saQuezon City, na naroon halos lahat (sa mga panahong ito sa Pilipinas!) ang nag gagandahang mga Pinay GRO’s (Guest Relations Officers daw, buong akala ko, ang GRO’s ay matatagpuan lamang sa offices in Makati). After the Timog encounters, I swear to myself na hinding-hindi na ako sasama sa dalawang ito pagkatapos ng Reunion. On second thoughts, puede na rin sa 2007 Reunion, SANA MAULIT ULI.

Before I forget, if you want to see Batch ’65 most beautiful faces, seat beside “be-dimpled” Ms. Elvie Conde-dela Cuz, and Ms. FlorUlan-Taylor—(belat…belat mga PCCHS ’65 “palikerong boys”, si supladang maganda’t matalinong Flor (na crush din natin pare pareho noong 1961-1965) WALA/ABSENT sa 2005 Reunion dahil iniwan tayo… nasa Thailand kasama ang BF niya). And guys, if you wanna dance your heart’s out, definitely dance with the still slim, lovely, and

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“sexy” Ms. Lita Rollon Kong (definitely “Oh….My Lady” at 2005 Manila Reunion), and Linda Roy Savino. And if you wannasmile, and be the happiest all night long, chika and dance with the one and only, “Miss Laguna 2005”, Rose Mutuc-Santos.

DAY THREE – Sunday, January 23, 2005, “Formal Naman Tayo”, Sampaguita Hall, Hyatt Regeny Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

Having attended Day One and Two of our unique reunion, and having been acclimatized with most of our batch mates, I was eager again to attend Day Three, at saan? Aba’y sa first class hotel lang—sa Metro Manila—Hyatt Regency Hotel—in Dewey, ay RoxasBoulevard na pala. Early bird ako sa Hyatt. By the way, our batch mate, Techie Jovero-Manahan works with Hyatt; if it were not for her great help, our celebrations at Hyatt would not have been so successful (thanks so much, Techie, for the discounts!). If I am not mistaken, I believe pang apat akong maagang dumating. Nauna lang yata ng konti si “Shy” Boy Jeyuson. Si Jun Sotto, alas otsona ng gabi dumating! Saan pa ba nangggaling ang chickboy na ito? I asked him, “Pare, late ka na.” Nagdahilan na sinundo pa angbalikbayan niyang kapatid (think he has only one brother from their family of three), hula ko naman inihatid yung GF niya saAirport. Talaga itong si Jun Sotto, hindi lang sa “SM Beer” napakagaling, pikutin pa sa mga chicks. By the way, since halos magkapitbahay lang kami ni Ms. Josie Cruz-Saladino, isinabay ko na siya sa pagpunta sa Hyatt. But mga Mare & Pare ko, biro ninyo nahirapan pa akong isabay siya dahil ang hihigpit ng mga anak niyang lalaki; sabi ko na lang kay Josie, sabihin mo na lang, talagang ako na ang pinaka “harmless” in Batch’65 para makalusot lang at maisabay siya (though sometimes, eh ako pa, basta nakapalda ‘yan, ayos mga Pare ko! Ha.ha...he...he...he…).

Since I was an early bird on Day Three, I volunteered myself to be the “normal” PR Manager and Room Boy rolled into one (what anexperience—hindi bale sa Hyatt naman!), ako ang naging taga-buhat ng mga bags at sankatutak na dala-dalahan ng mga sexy at mga“orig” na batch mates. Pero di ko pinakialaman yung mga lalaki (bahala sila sa buhay nila, no?!), yung lang mga “chicks” angpinag-lingkuran ko. E alam kong si Ms. Lita Rollon Kong (na crush ko rin noong HS), ay billeted din sa Hyatt Regency (siguradobalikbayan ito at maraming giveaways!). I asked the Counter/Reception Area for her room number. Alas, I found her, and she had a bag full of goodies as souvenirs for Batch ’65, at talagang ginawa niya akong Room Boy!

It’s almost two a.m. na, eh nakita ko na naman ang mga “harmless” talagang sina Ted Leo, Danny, Ed, Manny Disuanco, at Fernando Manuel (buti na lang si “Kapitan ng Cavite” Rene Ignacio, nakauwi na yata), na nagkukumpulan sa dulo ng SampaguitaHall. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, masama ito—may plano na naman ang grupong ito—buti pa makaiwas na ako rito sa mga taong ito, sigurado, pagkatapos sa Hyatt, bitin pa ito at didiretso ito sa Timog Avenue, ayoko na, sukong-suko na ako! (Eh weeks pa lang bagoang reunion, nandoon na kami gabi-gabi. Sabi tuloy ng Misis kong si Baby, “Sweetheart, anong klase ba yang reunion mo? Araw-araw at gabi-gabi--sino ba talaga ang ginagabi-gabi at inaaraw-araw ninyo sa reuniong yan, magsabi na ng totoo, kung hindimalilintikan ka sa akin.” (Sabit talaga mga “guys & gals”—PATAY ako, always outside the kumlambo!) Hence, I told myself, just for tonight, tonight only, tatakas ako at makauwi na kaagad, taxi na lang ako… eh pag sumama ako sa mga ito, walang matitira kayCommander-in Chief ko, siguradong sa main gate ng bahay ako na naman matutulog… eh ang daming lamok sa kalsada namin! Arriving home by 3:00 a.m., ayos maaga-aga pa ako, my “commander” opened the door, I kissed her, and bravo, eh di naka scoreakong muli when we slept.

In closing, may I see you, my dear batch mates next reunion—two (2) years from now—most probably at Fernando Manuel’s nice place in Iloilo; then in Boracay. For those batch mates (here and abroad) who weren’t able to attend our “Together Again @ 40” celebration, you DEFINITELY MISSED A LOT. Aba’y biro mo after 40, repeat 40 years—absent ka/dehins ka dumating—BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME. But I am more than a hundred percent sure, that you’ll be in our next Reunion come what may, hopefully in 2007, because it is one of the happiest, exhilarating, memorable, and exciting experiences you’ll ever encounter in your life—guaranteed! Or I, myself, will gladly refund to you in full your paid reunion dues (kapal mo, KID). The truth was that, a lot of us, or almost all the guys, (what more with the “gals”) present in Manila 2005 Reunion SHED tears when we said Goodbye at Hyatt,and see all of you again, with great hope, at our next reunion.

FROM MANILA WITH MUCH LOVE…

Vic I. San Andres, Sr.

(Klasmeyts… may pahabol pa si Vic na di ko na-include (in other words, “postscript”) sa kanyang madamdamin na Memoirs. Watch out for it in our next newsletter issue. Honestly, it took me forever in re-typing his funny recount of our reunion. Sounds OA but I did have a few dates with “Nitro” (pa guilty trip). He sent 3 drafts by snail mail—which meant, malaki na ang stamp reimbursement ko sa kanya! PKBK, Vic! …LVT)

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Dearest Klasmeyts,

How are you all? I hope you are all keeping well? Remember what we said during the reunion, we need to look after our health so we will be able to continue meeting and having wonderful times together. I just want to apologize for an overdue thank you to you all. Thank you again for the wonderful time we spent together. I never thought that I will have such a great time with you all. When my family and friends ask me about how the reunion went, I was so full of joy telling them what a fantastic time I had and I am sure almost all of us did. It felt like being in high school again, we felt so carefree and a bit uninhibited at times but it was alright, that made it even more fun. The first day felt that we needed to break the barriers and that will be true how can we expect to just be warm to each other when some of us have not seen each other for donkeys years. I remembered Rochie and myself we whisper to each other to check who this classmate is or who is that. The fact remains that we have aged some better than others. We now come in different shapes and sizes some pretty some not so pretty, some hair is thinning and some bald already. I just felt the love in that room at PUP and it felt good. And of course on the way to Calamba, with the singing on the bus and the games and most of all the jokes from Marc what an enjoyable trip. And being in the island resort was thumbs up we laughed until our voices are almost gone and the time we spent at the swimming pool with some of you girls and the agenda discussed there was mind boggling. The games, what creative minds you have to think of such beautiful games to play, real fun and the food we can just count our blessings and of course our gala night what a successful event we were all so pretty and handsome and when we hugged each other I just felt so much warmth and love from all of your that when I think of it it touches my emotions that I want to shed tears.

I just want to thank all of you wonderful classmates for a very good time that I had with you, the Manila Committee you tirelessly worked to ensure success of this event. Rochie was telling me stories how you did your detective work in searching for our classmates. Talk about Rochie, thank you very much for being such an excellent hostess, you are so generous say hello to your children for me cause even them were there for me. By the way I like your penthouse. To Techie Jovero thank you for your patience in assisting me to go to Baclaran and the wonderful sharing we had truly God is with you. Chit Gutierrez thank you very much, Victor And Romy (may utangako sa iyo but I am hoping to contact companies in a day or two sorry). Ludy a million thanks where do you get all that energy and of course Suki. Not forgetting the Canadians thank you for being so involved and generous. By the way Lita thank you for the card and photos you are angel. Apologies tio those I failed to name but from my heart endless thank you for the successful reunion and see you in 2007.

There is now something I want to share with you all about our classmate Flor. I know the news shocked all of us. I was actually talking to Flor only a few days before I departed for Manila. I left Melbourne on the l9.1.05 and our discussion was on the issue of the attire for the gala night. I was actually telling Flor that I don't think I will bring the outfit that I bought for the occasion and she was pushing me that I should, I told her that it is too formal, it is a strapless gown and so I was describing it to her and she told me that she didn't think I will be sent home if ever I turned up dressed that way,and she was telling me what she thought of bringing if she managed to attend and we were both laughing our guts out. I did not have a sense that Flor at that time was so poor in her health already. Flor was a very active coordinator. She was the one who got me so excited over this reunion, that this is a once in a lifetime experience and I felt sad when she told me that she will not be coming anymore. I did not actually know what was happening with her until I received the newsletter and prayer request for Flor was made. I then became a bit intrusive but gently of course asking her what was wrong with her so she told. In fact one of our classmates asked what was wrong with Flor, I said to that classmate that I did not know, not because I did not trust her but because I respected the wish of Flor not to tell anybody about her condition she said "ayokong maawa sila saakin". I purposely delayed sending anything to the family to allow them to settle from the busyness of burying a loved one coming to terms with their loss and dealing with their grief but last week I decided to make the phone I have been wanting to make and I spoke to Arnold, Flor"s husband and obviously feeling down as a result and I felt he managed to ventilate some of that pain he is feeling. He is hurting so much only because it was only few days before Flor's death that he started contacting families and friends about how serious she was because Flor has been stopping him from doing so. He carried his cross on his own only because family and friends who could have been there to support were not aware of how things were. Nevertheless I reassured him that all of us are praying that our Heavenly Father will welcome Flor in His Kingdom and of course we are also praying for her loved ones. I asked permission to Arnold to give their address to the florist because I want to send flowers from all of us like Zeny did and we agreed that I will send this on Flor'sbirthday and 40th day which is the 1st of April. Arnold was very thankful for all the prayers from all of us for Flor especially and to her family like Arnold said it looks like their children were in denial because you don't have to be a clinician to assess that Flor was close to death and yet her children still felt that she was being treated in hospital "to come home". Although we are sad that we don't have Florwith us anymore but we know we have a loving and merciful God who will take care of her.

On this note I'll say goodbye but before I do I want to mention the breakfast we had at the Hyatt each morning during the reunion, apart from the food the company was superb, Manny, Marc, Jun, Willie and family, Celia, Angie, Ludy, Belen, Suki, Zeny, Ceny and hubby, Nestor, Maysie, Linda, and if there is anybody I forgot sorry. Gloria we must go shopping for shoes again.

Love,

Veronica

From Australia with Love…

Volume 2005, Issue 1 Page 14 March 2005

Again, the Class 1965 would like to thank the members of the Manila Planning Committee Team for a job well done! From Melba Abaleta, Romy Avila, Imelda Baun, Ed Damian, Chit Gutierrez del Rosario, Mike dela Cruz, Ted Leo Fernandez, Cornelia AlejandriaKaesbauer, Tetchie Jovero Manahan, Nelia Aragon Recato, Vic Pasion, Alice de Ynchausti Santos—bravo!

To our generous Teachers’ Appreciation Baskets and Scholars’ Gift Bags donors…”salamat sa inyong mgaginintuang puso”… from Sancho Acosta, Jr., Celia Bumanglag Dec, Zeny Abalos Eugenio, Abe Guerzon, Manny Bautista, Maysie Bautista, Pia Ilagan Casimiro, Ceny Alfonso Duldulao, Manny Disuanco, Willie Hernandez, Jun Lalog, Lilian Mesina Cuaresma, Marc Pascual, Marilyn Perez, Jet Santos, Suki Aventino Seballos, Lulu Sierra Legardo, Becky Telesforo Albino, Angie Vasquez Ramirez, Ludy Valisno Tanchoco.

And for the AUCTION contributors and purchasers… Your love for our Scholarship Program and commitment to the cause are commendable. Thank you all (you know who you are), especially to SUKI AVENTINO SEBALLOS for her painstaking leadership in starting this sell-out fundraising.

To the sweet MARILYN PEREZ, of Daly City, California, for the 35 pounds of Sees candies set on the dinner tables enjoyed by all. Big thanks also goes to TESSIE & MYRA HERNANDEZ, wife/daughter of Willie, for their able assistance in making our “girls” beautiful in the Messed Universe pageant. And who would forget RICKY & BECKY MATIAS’ generosity for the hundred gifts brought all the way from Alaska!

To Jet Santos, Abe Guerzon, Emy Salonga-Osoteo, Teody Trinidad, and Mimi Loyola for their added financial support in the success of our reunion. We missed you, and hope to see you in 2007!

Lastly, to all the classmates and friends who joined our AFGHAN BLANKET raffle led by our energetic klasmeyt, LUCY AYALA FRANCO. She donated the blanket made personally by a friend from Oregon. Total money raised was $520 towards our P1-M Perpetual Fund! Congratulations to the lucky winner, who happens to be Lucy’s friend.

MEET YOUR CLASS ‘65 OFFICERS

Here are the first set of Officers of the PCCHighClass of 1965 Alumni Association elected and/or appointed at our Hyatt Regency Dinner Dance. Remember, our alumni group’s success depends on your support and total cooperation.

PRESIDENT: Romy AguilaVICE-PRESIDENT (Abroad): Jun LalogVICE-PRESIDENT (Manila): Melba AbaletaSECRETARY (Abroad): Ceny AlfonsoSECRETARY (Manila): Rochie GasiongTREASURER (Abroad): Manny BautistaTREASURER (Manila): Rose AguilaTREASURER (Scholarship): Liway CatangayPRO Ludy Valisno

Our prayers and loving thoughts are with you…

May you feel God’s ever lovingpresence in your everyday lives!

MARCH3 - Connie Sumaway-Castro

- Corazon Maturgo6 - Zeny Abalos-Eugenio

- Pet Mico Sitcharing7 - Rebecca Obona

- Espie Tejuco-de Guzman8 - Yoli Arrienda-Martin

- Jaime “Jim” Blancaflor11 - Fernando Atienza

- Floro Tejuco21 - Silverio Dimacali22 - Lilian “Lil” Mesina Cuaresma24 - Arceli “Celi” Sideco Liceralde

- Noemi Malana-Carlos25 - Crisanta Nicerio-Gan29 - Evelyn Madrid-AnesAPRIL

1 - Priscilla “Pia” Ilagan Casimiro6 - Rene Ignacio8 - Romeo Avila9 - Nilda Villanueva-Angod14 - Liduvina “Ludy” Valisno-Tanchoco15 - Elisa Figueroa17 - Clarita Uy-Romero21 - Beth Delloson-Gabriana25 - Enrique Matias

- Victor Pasion27 - Liway Catangay-Cariaga