FINALLY – THE SNNHS BATCH ‘69 GOLDEN JUBILEE REUNION

by: Norberto Betita

The day did finally come when after 50 years from the day we left the portals of our Alma Mater---the Surigao del Norte National High School---we are again reunited as a batch of graduates of the year 1969. We come together with fervor and intensified excitement as though we were those young and vibrant youth of long ago. The friendliness and camaraderie of those energetic past reverberate and ring anew when we gather as one class, no longer as those vigorous graduating senior students, but the lively and enthusiastic band of seniors awaiting the graduation day of life.

The first thought that came into my mind was our abiding and heartfelt gratitude to the core group---Dr. Amelia Romero Nambatac, Hon. Philip M. Adlao, Ms. Jocelyn Balutan-Dedumo and Ms. Florida Kaimo-Clerigo---with Dr. Nambatac at the helm. Their incalculable and untold determination to make our golden jubilee reunion a success, truly made the event most grandiose and marvelously memorable for all. We are likewise grateful to all who have so generously and benevolently contributed financially or otherwise to the jubilant realization of the grand episode of our common 50-year journey from high school graduation through life’s challenging voyage.

We also express our deepest gratitude to the husband of Josie---Mr. Allan McCall---the husband of Aname---Mr. Emil Gines---who together joined with us in all our activities and had become our voluntary official photographers while we are rebuilding our camaraderie and friendship and reminiscing the memories of our youthful past. They are to us adoptive members of SNNHS batch 1969.

The impact of the individual kindness and support for each other and the liberal donations of the affluent, is an incarnate characterization of the words of Etienne de Grellet: “I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

The highlights of the golden jubilee year reunion included the following:

September 5, 2019 – Final practice for the gala night presentation at the Provincial Gymnasium. It was our first meeting together with those coming from lands faraway. We realized that our countenances have already changed with some we could no longer identify and therefore have to be introduced again. There is so much joy and gladness to meet together with those who had been carried far into the realms of endless opportunities, away from the place of our ‘once upon a time.’ 

At night, we have our first dinner together at the roof deck of Mr. Marlo and Dr. Amelia Nambatac’s residence. There we enjoyed for a short moment the presence of our dear Social Studies teacher--- Irenetta Bullo-Montinola, PhD. It was a joyful and memorable meeting with her. She’s now 82 years old, but she looks just as we are at 67. It was a sumptuous feast with our favorite food exceeding our old-age limitations. We sang and danced and chitter-chattered---retelling memories of the past.

September 6, 2019 – Our second day activities included a City tour where we visited the vicinity of the Provincial Capitol and enjoyed picture taking while continuing with our chitchats. We proceeded to our Alma Mater—the Surigao del Norte National High School---and there also took pictures for remembrances. Then went to the City Hall for another picture taking. The tour was concluded at the JB Farms Resort where we have our lunch and continued chitter-chatters while the cameras were clicked for more records of the memorable events. 

Engr. Surtalicito C. Liquido and I attended the SNNHS Alumni Foundation, Inc. (SAFI) awards night at Parkway Hotel. Surta was one of the Most Outstanding Surhighnian Award (MOSA) 2019 recipient in the field of Engineering, as an alumnus of Surigao del Norte National High School. After which, we proceeded to the venue of the 39th wedding anniversary of Emil and Aname at Jakelou restaurant. 

At Emil and Aname’s wedding anniversary celebration we were joined by Dr. Celia Silverio-Santos and Atty. Epifanio Almeda and his wife Gudilla, who just arrived in the afternoon of the same day. Except for Aname’s few relatives, all the guests are from SNNHS Batch of 1969. It was also a grand celebration where we were made to express our thoughts about Emil and Aname’s love and romance, followed by our individual reflections and memories of those of our wonderful high school life.

On my part I commended and congratulated Emil and Aname for their extraordinary marital closeness which I often observed from their posts while at home and during their travels to different parts of the world. Their evident togetherness and apparent love and intimacy and even their attachment to their family were exemplary and remind me of Shakespeare’s descriptive meaning of love which I recited during the event, especially for them, thus: 

“Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand'ring bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me prov'd,
I never writ, nor no man ever lov'd.”
(William Shakespeare, Sonnet 116, Let me not to the marriage of true minds) 

September 7, 2019 – The final day. The Grand parade started at 7AM. I had to catch up having awakened late, tired as a result of two days of vigorous activities. Our golden float with Batch ’69 aboard in golden T-shirts and hats, overflowed with participants. After the grand parade, we were then ushered into the Surigao Provincial Gymnasium for the different contests, one of which---the Yell Contest---our batch placed second place.

While seated on the stage and waiting for the other batches to arrive from the parade, we started dancing with the music, although not in the program, to entertain the weary crowd of SNNHS Alumni and thus prompted other batches to join in the dancing and made the waiting hours merrier and enjoyable.

After the contest, we were again marshalled by the core group to the Almont Hotel for an eat-all-you-can lunch. The food stuffs on display were truly sumptuous, but we were made to realize of our old age food limitations, hence, nobody seemed to take a second round of the splendidly lavish meals. 

Before the Gala Night of the 2019 reunion, we assembled at the Gateway Hotel for another elaborate dinner. While enjoying the meal we continued to delight in our togetherness, strengthening the bonds of our group as SNNHS batch of 1969. Then we proceeded to the Provincial Gymnasium for the Gala Night to perform our choreographed presentation, led by Susana Cayasa-Lipang, Maria Estubo-Entendez and Delia Cortes-Morticio. We were glad that despite the obvious flaws of our presentation we were applauded by the audience. 

As an extension of the jubilee celebration, on the night of September 8, 2019, some of our 1969 batchmates participated in a joint gathering of Surigao City all 1969 batches from San Nicolas College (SNC), North Eastern Mindanao Colleges (NEMCO), and Surigao del Norte National High School (SNNHS). Dr. Amelia Romero-Nambatac hosted the affair at their residence. While there, friends and classmates from elementary and high school met and memorialized once again the friendship and camaraderie of childhood and youthful long ago. 

We missed those who, for some obvious reasons, did not make it to this grand and glorious day of reminiscing and remembering the sundry wonderful memories of those vibrant and pleasant high school days while also enjoying the camaraderie of the present. We likewise remembered with fondness and affection the memories of those who had already gone beyond the veil. 

In the winding up of our jubilee year celebration, we parted ways with solemnity and hopeful vision that we will one day be together again with the same enthusiasm and vigor. May the warmth of our embrace and the glow of our love and friendship ever gleam and remain bright and radiant throughout the remaining laps of our mortal race. May we be able continue to fill our “Winding up days with toil and nights with sleep” (William Shakespeare), that we may sustainably be invigorated. The path to our life’s December is perilous and vitally crucial. It is a lonely trail, full of hazards and dangerous cliffs. May we ever take every step with caution and care, for one misstep can be fatal. We may not be able to meet often, but we hope that our communications with each other will remain connected.

With such grand and spectacularly unforgettable moments we shared together, it is profoundly worth to reiterate our genuine gratitude to the core group led by Mely. The flashes of joy and gladness that we experience as a result of their efforts is not worth the money. Those precious twinkling amusements may have been short, but it becomes priceless as it turns to memories; for memories are forever.

REACHING THE STAR TO A GLORIOUS RETIREMENT

By: Norberto Betita 

When we were in high school, Surigao was yet a Municipality. It became a City only in 1970. But during that time the parents of SNNHS 69er AMELITA B. BIASONG were already engaged in a franchise or sole distributorship business for Singer appliances, most common product of which are different types of mechanical sewing machines, then a very popular American brand. They were distributing these appliances, not only in the Provinces of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, but also in other neighboring provinces. It was a thriving business undertaking for the family. It is no wonder then that Amelita was one among those privileged few who are gifted with a flare of prominence.

I had seen no other chubby young woman in our batch, but Amelita. Such chubbiness is kind of a determinant of her family’s economic circumstances, although she humbly declared that their economic condition during her high school days was simply average or middle class. Her way of student life is also a show of relative abundance. But like all others of our classmates who are of prominent circumstances, she remained to be humble and kind.

By her reasonably well-heeled circumstances, college education is not a worry and she was sure to make it through her desired course. Besides, there were only two of them siblings. Therefore, upon graduation from high school, she enrolled at San Nicolas College of a course leading to Bachelor of Science in Education, major in Home Economics---an ambition she embraced even during high school. Such a goal for a noble career in teaching with home and cooking related education as her leading interest, ironically revealed her love for food. With better learning foundation, determination and sufficient financial support, she should have made it to her desired academic goals earlier. But youthful love and premature marriage which happened in the midst of her college days, on February 12, 1972, suspended her academic journey for about two years.

Such was her first misstep in her youthful journey. But love conquers all and she believed then that all other obstacles can still be defeated. She had confidence in the words of Socrates that, “Falling down is not a failure. Failure comes when you stay where you have fallen.” While thus confined in the chair of postponement of her career goals, she had always in her mind the thought that, “It is never too late to be who you might have been (George Elliot).” Consequently, she determined to stand from where she fell; pursued what she had started; returned to college and eventually graduated in the year 1975.

In their eventual quest for the family’s economic growth and development, she and her husband were constrained to chart the open horizon for a clearer vista of the doors of endless opportunities. Providence and fate ultimately landed her to a rightful place in Taguig City, Metro Manila. She started her teaching career at the Signal Elementary School and served there for 22 years and later at the Tenement Elementary School in the same City for another 12 years. After 34 years of building learning bridges for hundreds of school children, the only employment she ever had, she finally retired.

She admits that the journey of fifty years since high school graduation was filled with love, work success, joy, good health, and peace of mind. However, while these rich and satisfying experiences are in abundance, struggles, challenges and setbacks are always and ever in opposition. She realized that in every rise to success there is always an equal pressure to overcome; in every joy there is sorrow; in every attainment there must be an equivalent struggle. All along every serious and honest efforts to cross the boundary between failures and successes lies the deep marsh of countless hindrances and drawbacks that bars the way. But with optimism high and progressive, she felt deeply invested in her fight against her personal adversities and took it not as the end of her world, but a means to an end. And thus with determination and wisdom, and sincere pleadings to God, looking forward with faith and hope, she was able to find resolves and solutions to the continuum of tribulations in her life, until finally she found herself reaching the star to a glorious retirement. By then she must have realized that, “It is not on the pinnacle of success and ease where men and women grow most. It is often down in the valley of heartache and disappointment and reverses where men and women grow...(Ezra Taft Benson).”

Her marriage to Carlos E. Cartoneros, blessed the partnership with two children--- Josephine Cabrera and Cybele Baguio---all daughters and both married. It must have been hard for her to raise and nurture her daughters as a working mother, but she rejoices in the fact that both have been guided through their respective journey in the subtle and elusive avenue of life. The family’s challenges and struggles during the growing up years of their children may have been vast and varied, but she finds joy and contentment as her children now discover their own levels of success in life. Her eldest---Josephine---is now a Professor at AMA University and the youngest---Cybele---is a bank executive.

She feels happy, peaceful, motivated and personally satisfied to have been granted an extended life into retirement. She feels so sorry that her closest of friends---Remelina Espiritu---and others of our classmates did not make it. She feels fulfilled as she now treasures many happy moments with her two grandchildren--- Kyle Chirstian Baguio and Kean Christian Baguio---the priceless pearls that buds from one of her precious daughters. She feels blessed to still have the needed health and vigor as she now walks the path of seniority after finally reaching the star to a glorious retirement and enjoy life with her family. She is excited to be able to celebrate with her friends and classmates the Jubilee Year---the 50th year of their journey---from the time they leave the portals of their Alma Matter, the Surigao del Norte National High School.

A LIVING TRIBUTE TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER - MS. IRENETTA BULLO CREENCIA-MONTINOLA

By: Norberto Betita 

MS. IRENETTA BULLO CREENCIA-MONTINOLA

It’s been 50 years since we marched out from the portals of our dear Alma Mater---the Surigao del Norte National High School (SNNHS)---during our graduation in the year 1969. Of the many dedicated teachers we have of those years in high school only a few are now still alive. One is our 3rd year Social Studies teacher---MS. IRENETTA BULLO CREENCIA-MONTINOLA.

Social Studies is a course which covers a variety of subjects. It is a very complex field of study that not many took it as a major in college. A Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSEd) major in Social studies which is a four-year degree program in the Philippines, comprises a combination of studies on economic planning and strategy, government and politics, and selected laws. It includes such subjects as Anthropology, History, Sociology, Ethical Reasoning and the Societies of the World.

In our high school Social Studies subject in 3rd year, we are taught to understand how the economic system works to help students become better prepared and best informed as they move forward to their respective individual journey which, as always, involves the economy of life. Even Psychology, Technology, Religion, and Migration are part of Social studies. So that the role of a Social Studies teacher in high school is such a very important assignment and a marvelous responsibility.

Ma’am Montinola was one of our most honored and respected Social Studies teacher in high school. She was then young and recently married when she was employed as a teacher. She’s one among the privileged few whose father was a prominent lawyer in Surigao City---Atty. Mauro Creencia. With such distinction, she should have taken a law degree instead and enjoy the personal reputation and eminence that it provides, but she’d rather took the humble, but most noble profession of a teacher.

She graduated from Silliman University with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Sociology-Anthropology. She took and passed the Teacher’s Licensure Examination and eventually applied as a teacher at the SNNHS.

During those high school days, she walked her way daily from home and up the hill to SNNHS to fulfill her tutorial responsibilities. Such had been her daily routine for years. In the performance of her teaching assignments, she always stood taller than she was and her well-shaped body, poise and posture and good looks bespeak of her inherent personal discipline. She’s an exemplar of a pure Filipina countenance and the embodiment of the proud complexion of the Filipino brown race. She’s a very kind teacher and one who was most respected by her students. I never remembered her scolding even the naughtiest students. Such attribute of love, kindness and patience in a teacher must have been part of her college training in Social Studies. It’s perceptible even at this time in her age of grey.

If I may have to account the good grades I earned in my college education subjects in Sociology, Economics and Finance, I am most indebted to Ma’am Montinola for the invaluable learning foundation that she had bestowed upon us in our high school Social Studies subject. When I think of the legacy she had bequeathed to us, I am also reminded of the many of our high school teachers who are still living and many now on the other side of the veil, by whose selfless and dedicated service and who, by the same token, have blessed us with such irreplaceable endowment of foundational learning---a heritage we carried in our intellectual bags throughout our academic journey.

Educator

She served as Social Studies teacher from 1967-1977. She was promoted to become the Department Head for Social studies from 1977-1994, then as a Division Supervisor for Social Studies from 1994-2002, DepEd Division of Surigao City, until she finally retired at age 63. During this period of times she further pursued a continuing quest for advanced studies and thus earned a degree of Master of Arts--- Anthropology from San Carlos University in 1982, and a Doctor of Philosophy---Educational Management from San Nicolas College in 1993. In the course of her service as an educator she received several awards foremost of which are:

* Innovator-Kapwa Award – Civil Service Commission – 1986
* Performance Par Excellence as Division Supervisor – 2002
* Leadership Award, Girl Scouts of the Philippines
* Regional Trainer of Teachers in Araling Panlipunan – 1989
* Outstanding Alumnus, Surigao del Norte National High School Class 1955

However, of all other awards and recognition that she had received, the one that really touched her heart, and which she treasured so much, was the award given by her students in high school---a cross-stitched 19” x 19” picture of a lady with children and books, labelled “TO THE BEST TEACHER WE EVER HAD”---given as a gift in time for Christmas in the year 2000. “This to me”, she said, “ was a heartwarming gesture in grateful acknowledgement perhaps of my humble contributions which leave deep imprints in their teenage lives, and of me being a part, in one way or another, in their life’s journey to success.” What made it even more touching to her is that the givers of the gift were once teenage boys of Batch 1970, who were not among the best students, but who were already successful in their chosen careers in business, banking, and government service.

During her tenure as an educator she was also given the appointment as Regional Trainer in Araling Panlipunan under the Secondary Education Development Program – Department of Education, Region 10.

In a reunion with SNNHS Batch of 1969

Her passionate academic nerves continued to yearn for more learning even past the age of employment and retirement. She never wasted the opportunity to add to her already abounding knowledge and wisdom, when at age 72 she was again conferred the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the San Sebastian College Recoletos Institute of Law, Surigao City in the year 2011. She even tried to take the bar, but admits that perhaps she is not meant to be a lawyer. In all these academic accomplishments, she’s been and epitome of what Shakespeare meant when he said, “Whate’er thou art, act well thy part.” She’s a paragon of diligence, persistence and love of learning. An excellent and consummate model for aspiring young men and young women. Indeed, a woman of noble birthright worthy of emulation.

Each time I personally met her, I found myself guilty for not having verbally expressed my deepest gratitude for her providing me the bridge to cross life’s deep ravine that somehow cuts the path of my journey to the future. Yet deep in the chamber of my heart I always felt an overruling sense of thankfulness and deep appreciation for those learning experiences with her, which helped me in my forward trail. In her I saw the characterization of what Brad Henry wrote: “A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.”

Her interest as a bridge builder---most noble teacher---however, did not end by her retirement. In her words she declared, “Teaching is my passion. God has sent me to be a role model for young minds---a teacher.” She continued to utilize her capabilities by accepting an employment as College Instructor at St. Paul University-Surigao. She then transferred to the Northeastern Mindanao Colleges as part-time instructor under the College of Teacher Education, which until now she is still connected even at age 80. Then she partnered with some associates and directed a kindergarten School, to provide learning bridges for little children in their yet long academic journey. She also takes this challenge as her way of fighting the deteriorating effects of aging by finding real joy in dealing with little kids which somehow she considers her grandchildren.

Family

Her mother---Basilia Bullo--- was a widow whose husband and children in her first marriage all died as a result of poisoning in Manila. When her father and mother married, two of them were born, her brother Manuel and herself. As part therefore of her collections is a genealogy of her maternal family lines, who were among the early settlers of the then Municipality of Surigao and now Surigao City and the Province of Surigao del Norte and its barangays.

She was married 57 years ago and was blessed with a daughter, but lost her of breast cancer in 2014. She’s now 80 years old but still at her best poise and bearing. At this time of her life’s December, she enjoys living with her husband, still creating memories of their own, perhaps looking back to those wonderful days when she had so many children---her students---who respected and honored her and who are now also in their seniority. While many among her students have now attained success, perhaps some economically and financially far beyond her own, yet she is most profoundly grateful that her efforts and modest contribution as a teacher in Social Studies, in their journey to the pinnacle of success, have never been in vain.

Socio-civic affiliation

By her interest in the social customs, traditions and cultural development of the people in Surigao City, in relation to her studies in Sociology and Anthropology, she was motivated to take part in the preservation of its historical legacies and evolution, and thus joined the Surigao Heritage Research and Studies Center Foundation of which she was one of its original founders. She keeps and maintains some historical information about the societal history of Surigao City and the Province of Surigao del Norte and the collective conditions of its populace as being part of her collections.

She also served and is still serving in some socio-civic organizations with service oriented projects in Surigao City and the Province of Surigao del Norte which include the following:

Present:

* Executive Director – Surigao Heritage Research and Studies Center Foundation.
   Project – Museo Nan Surigao
   Activities: Facilitated local, national, international conferences – writer, researcher, resource           

   speaker on history and culture. 

* Vice-Chairperson – Battle of Surigao Strait Memorial Council
   Project: Boss Memorial Shrine, Punta Bilar, Surigao City, to be inaugurated October 25, 2019
   Activities: Co-planner, commemoration of Battle of Surigao Strait every October 24-25.

* Co-Signatory – Japanese Cremation Shrine Historical Plate (SNNHS Grounds)
   Activities: Coordinates memorial service and wreath-laying every October 24.

* Chairperson – Culture and Heritage Committee – Provincial Culture and Arts Council.
   Activity: Wrote and developed the concept of the 111th founding anniversary of Surigao’s 

   historical  parade, May 15, 2012. 

* Chairperson – Communications Committee, Surigao City Tourism Council
   Activities: Bench marking in Singapore as member of the technical working group.

* Credentialed Trainer – Girl Scouts of the Philippines

* Commissioner on Program - Surigao del Norte Girl Scouts Council

* President – Association of Private Preschools Surigao City Division

Past:

* President – Soroptimist International of Surigao
   Club Awardee: Excellence Award – Soroptimist International of the Americas

Religion

Beyond all her achievements in life, she never faltered to remember the ultimate giver of the gift of talents and wisdom, and life itself, even God. Thus, in her lifetime she always remains to be an active participant in the religious community of which she is a participating member. At present she sincerely and humbly serves voluntarily in the following capacities:

* Vice Chairperson – Parish Pastoral Council, St. John the Baptist Chapel – Ipil, Surigao City
* Chairperson and Pastoral Head – Sr. Sto Niño Bioborjan Settlers’ Chapel, Bioborjan, Surigao City

Gratitude

As she now takes the time between sunset and evening star, and continues to delight in the glimmers of life’s twilight, she personally considers and looks at the hundreds of her successful students---their achievements and their contributions to nation building and economic progress and development---as part of her own victory. She rejoices in the fact that her love and kindness and profound interest for her students’ well-being during their formative years, paid off in the end. She feels deep gratitude to God for having been an instrument in His hands to help and guide these once youthful academic adventurers in crossing the borders to their ultimate triumph.

While this living tribute is written past the time when expressions of deepest and heartfelt gratitude should have been most welcomed and refreshingly heartwarming, yet this to me and my colleagues of SNNHS Batch of 1969, is an acknowledgement of our long and enduring homage and reverence of Ma’am Montinola’s influence and the memory of her goodness and love spanning and reaching over 50 years of being deeply carved in the tablet of the heart and which will ever remain for the rest of our lives.

Thus, on this our Jubilee Year for SNNHS Batch of 1969, we bind together, not a thousand beautiful buds of roses neither an adorable bouquet of scented flowers in bloom, but of hearts filled with deep and abiding gratitude and sincerest appreciation, evolving through the years, for our dear Social Studies teacher---Ma’am Montinola. As in the words of the legendary Shakespeare: “I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks” (Sebastian, Twelfth Night).

STRANDED ALONE

By: Norberto Betita

NELMA PARPAN-QUIBAN

She was born in an atmosphere of some recognized measure of prominence. Her father was an influential political figure in her hometown of Sison, Surigao del Norte. In fact, he once was the mayor of the town. The family was among the most prominent in that small municipality. Her parents were known to be among the landed residents in that farming community. 

However, more than the modest financial affluence and prosperous background which connotes living with particular standard of distinction, SNNHS ‘69er NELMA PARPAN, was given by her parents during her younger age, values that propelled her to succeed, which she appreciated more than the material comfort that the family environment provides. The discipline that was made part of her youthful life developed in her the virtues of diligence, persistence and passion toward achieving her goals. 

Despite her rural elementary educational background, she was qualified to be a part of the elite class at SNNHS. In such a competitive class environment she tried her best to maintain a pew until graduation. 

Attending the 2012 Alumni Homecoming

I have never seen her mother, but I observed that her physical makeup had only a slight reflection of her father. Perhaps, her chinky eyes and white skin tone must have been a genetic of her mother’s possible Chinese ancestry. Although she stands taller than many of our classmates in height, yet she’s a very simple young woman and a silent soft spoken communicator. Her countenance and personal characterization of herself did not even show a well-to-do background, but good sense and uprightness. 

Her prospects of obtaining a higher education was never an impossible avenue. Her parents had the means and she had the needed competitive brilliance. Her ambition to become a Nurse was more than attainable. However, upon graduation, her parents wanted her to be a teacher, hence, she enrolled at San Nicolas College in a course leading to a degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. After two years in a teaching course, she was able to finally convince her parents to pursue her ambition to become a nurse. Therefore, she immediately enrolled at the South Western University in Cebu City for a course in nursing. With virtues and good moral values inherent in her system, she fought her educational battles with brighter vision to succeed, and she did. She finally graduated in 1975 and with further dedication and devotion to her personal ambition, she eventually passed the board examinations and thus became a Registered Nurse the same year. 

With friends

As part of the government’s requirement for new nursing graduates to serve the country, particularly in the rural areas, she volunteered to serve in her hometown of Sison, Surigao del Norte. After which, she applied for permanent employment at the Surigao Provincial Hospital. But it was cut short after she decided to transfer to the Surigao City Health Office. Shortly thereafter, she got married in 1976 to one of my best friends---Jose Fuertes---who also worked in the same office. They were able to establish a young happy family, slowly building the foundations and nourishing the roots for a stronger relationship and setting up the building blocks of a happy home for them and their yet only 1-year-old son. 

However, a tragic and devastating adversity broke in and interrupted the gleaming sunshine of joy that sparkles in their yet vulnerable household and cast shadows of gloom upon the crown of their tender and affectionate family life. Her husband was diagnosed of cancer. It was a shattering and excruciating experience of pains and sorrow, witnessing the immeasurable anguish and agony suffered by a dearly beloved young marital partner. 

During those days of throbbing and harrowing encounters, her life and that of her only child became as the physical personification of “a wife” and one child standing ashore, “wet with rain and whipped by wind,” gazing “anxiously seaward,” as depicted in the “masterpiece painted in 1831 by Joseph Mallord William Turner, described by Thomas S. Monson as a “painting [which] features heavy-laden black clouds and the fury of a turbulent sea portending danger and death. In the foreground, tossed high by incoming waves of foaming water, is a large lifeboat. The men pull mightily on the oars as the lifeboat plunges into the tempest.” 

However, all efforts to rescue her husband from the tempestuous sea of prolonged anguish and suffering from a debilitating cancer finally ended up in vain in 1978, and she was eventually left stranded alone to rear and care for her beloved son. Her life started to digress and wander into the unwanted pasture of hopelessness and misery. But her virtual sense and consciousness of the paramount composite role she was to perform as mother and provider, left and ember of hope which inspired her to wrestle against the ills brought about by the tragedy, and therefore surrender all the pains and sorrow into the bin of oblivion. 

Mounting back her yoke of faith and courage on her burdened shoulders, she started to move forward with improved perspective. She took to heart the Lord’s invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). She understood then that “She has to have four arms, four legs, two hearts and double the love. There is nothing single about a single mother.” (Thechampatree.in). For 9 years she served faithfully as a public health nurse in Surigao City, even hosting the DXKS radio program Homemakers Variety with co-host Nene Copag. In her words she said, “I enjoyed my work in Surigao City because the people in every barangay are very good and kind to me.” 

Nevertheless, while it was true that she had loved and enjoyed her work, as she looked forward to the future possibilities of herself being stranded alone to solely support for her son’s welfare, her outlook captured another angle. The salary then of a Registered Nurse in the City was very much inferior to that of the Metropolitan areas. With optimistic vision to join the diaspora of Filipino nurses abroad, she resigned and seek for her fate and fortune in Metro Manila in 1984. While there she started working as a nurse reliever at the Manila Hotel. Then she became a private duty nurse, having registered as a member of the Association of Private Duty Nurse Practitioners of the Philippines, under the United Doctors Medical Center (UDMC) Chapter of the Association. Most patients at UMDC were affluent and prominent and usually hired private duty nurses to care for them. She earned more from this type of nursing work and thus enjoyed her life as mother and provider for her son, forgetting in time the sad and sorrowful experience of losing a husband early in her married life. She thus revel in the fact that, “Being a single parent is twice the work, twice the stress and twice the tears. But also twice the hugs, twice the love, and twice the pride” (Unknown). 

As a very young widow, however, she remained attractive to men her age. With added beauty that her nursing uniform and cap provided, she eventually caught the attention of another man, a former acquaintance in Surigao City---Al Quiban---an employee of the Philippines Airlines, a native from Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte. In 1985, just a year after she stayed in Manila they finally exchanged “I do’s” on the sacred altar of matrimony, giving her the new name Nelma Parpan-Quiban. Her only child from her first marriage was added with three more in her second marriage. For such she finally closed her plans to join the Filipino diaspora abroad. 

She had been the product of the old nursing curriculum wherein upon graduation she was given the Diploma as Graduate Nurse (GN). When the curriculum was upgraded into a Bachelor’s degree, she became second class nursing worker and was generally bypassed during promotions. It was her husband who convinced her to take the one year Nursing Supplemental Course for her to finally earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the De Ocampo Memorial College in 1987. Recognizing her good scholastic record, she was offered to work as clinical instructor for nursing students by the same school. 

While still working as a Nursing Instructor she was encouraged by her husband to take a graduate course of Master of Arts in Nursing at the Arellano University, which she successfully completed. She was then promoted as a Nursing Professor with an elevated salary. 

After eight years at the De Ocampo Memorial College, She transferred to the Department of Health, National Office. However, she eventually resigned to take full time motherhood responsibility to care for her ailing children. Knowing her inherent brilliance and devotion to her studies, she was again convincingly encouraged by her husband to take up Bachelor of Laws at the New Era University as a full time student, which she did, the school being just very near their residence. But unfortunately she decided to quit after her third year and went back to teaching, from which employment she eventually retired. 

They now live in their own house at Quezon City, simply enjoying life with contentment. The children are now grown up. Her eldest son in her first marriage is now a Mechanical Engineer. All three of her children in second marriage are now college graduates, two of which were Certified Public Accountants (CPA). The eldest of the four was already married and she and her husband now savors the joy of being grandparents. She declares: “Today I and my husband are still busy at home, doing housekeeping and caring for our unmarried children, although they are all gainfully employed. But the greatest joy we have is when our grandchildren---a grandson and a granddaughter---visit us and we are automatically compelled and obliged to prepare sumptuous meals for them. It’s so much fun and joyful for us to see them delightfully eating our special menu.” 

She now savors the entitlements provided from her retirement, rejoicing that life was not at all that cruel to her even as she had gone through the deepest struggles of life. She trusted the Lord and waited for the necessary tests and trials to eventually dissipate and run out. She might have yet to face the final tests of life attendant to age of grey, but she is profoundly grateful to the Almighty that she had been afforded the eventual freedom from being stranded alone in life’s thoroughfare and finally relish the laurels of a modest but glorious attainment. 

THE BANKER: A CAREER THAT ALWAYS PAYS

By: Norberto Betita

ALDA C. ALIPAYO

One of the few privileged young woman in our high school batch of 1969 is SNNHS ‘69er ALDA C. ALIPAYO. Her parents Mr. & Mrs. Rodulfo F. Alipayo were both teachers, with Mr. Alipayo then being already the Principal of Claver National High School. As teachers and school principal, both parents were earning the highest salary in government service during those times. As a matter of fact, they were richly favored to have built a modest apartment house with a commercial space in an expensive piece of lot---an inheritance of Mrs. Alipayo from her parents---located at Borromeo Street in the center of Surigao City, which earned for the family additional income. The property is part of the commercial district and by most recent actual market value, it is already a very expensive estate.

Alda, as she is fondly called by her first name, probably because of it being short, was one of the tallest female student in our class. She’d got her body build and height from her father, so are her siblings. What made her so distinctive and singular from among the young women in our class was her deep-toned voice which would mistake her to be a recently grown young man. But she was not even boyish, but a fair young lady with white fair complexion being a city girl. She was one of those blessed few who were best provided with school gears and academic tools.

While in high school she had not dreamed of any ambitious college degree or a superior future career. Yet she prepared herself best by developing her intellectual capacity with enthusiasm, looking forward with brilliant optimism to a more challenging academic battles ahead.  She had been earlier groomed to follow the footsteps of her parent’s teaching career, such being a very inviting and highly paid work opportunity at that time. Hence, it was only during the very moment that she left the portals of her Alma Matter that she finally decided to enroll at San Carlos University in Cebu City for a course leading to a degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Accounting. While the course may have been most common then, but it was and is even at this time, a tough and demanding degree course. However, with progressive perspective, worthier goals and firmly fixed determination to succeed, she finally graduated in 1974.

With two of her nieces she once mothered

She returned home in Surigao City with her graduation documents fixed in her achievement portfolio. She then applied at the Marinduque Mining and Industrial Corporation-Surigao Nickel Refinery (MMIC-SNP), a then thriving nickel refinery in the island of Nonoc. She was employed as accounting clerk. But the work was short-lived, because while in such employment, she applied at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), which branch was located within the company premises of the MMIC-SNP. With her inherent competitiveness and brilliance and being a graduate from one of the best universities in Cebu City, she immediately qualified and was employed in May 1974. Such was the start of her work as a banker, a career that always pays. 

She worked for two years at the RCBC branch in Nonoc Island as Accounting/Remittance Clerk. Then in 1976 she transferred to RCBC Surigao Branch and stayed until 1982. Promotions in the provincial branches were before aloof and remote, so with her parent’s suggestion for her to help watch over her younger brother who was still in college, she decided to request for transfer to branches in Metro Manila. Fortunately, her request was granted and she was given the position of Loans Clerk at the Caloocan Branch.

Her transfer to Metro Manila turned out to be a blessing and a success, like hitting two birds with one stone---she was able to support her rather spoiled younger brother to finish college and she gained the most needed promotions. Since then and until her retirement in the year 2000, she rose from the ranks to become a Cash Supervisor, Cashier, Operations Head-Assistant Manager, Senior Assistant Manager, Head-Loans Documentation-Manager at RCBC Metro Manila, and Operations Head back to Caloocan Branch; her last and final assignment.

With brother Diego, sister-in-law Louella, and niece and grandniece and grandnephew

Nevertheless, despite her very successful career growth and development as a banker, she still found the twinge and discomfort of life’s emptiness in solitude, such as are common to single women. But being a strong woman, she tried to fill the vacuum and endeavored to overcome her share of life’s vicissitudes, convincingly believing that each person has its own particular destiny. On her part, she said, “I am not sad being single” and admits, “I guess it’s the will of God.” She had provided the best things for herself from the abundant fruits of her labors, and enjoyed with gusto the fatness of its kernel.    

In the depths of her commitments and dedication to her banking career, she seemed to have missed the opportunity to find or to have been found by a possible life time partner and to create a family of her own, which is one common desire of women. Her beauty and charm were hidden within the dark precincts of a very busy career that winds up always at night. Indeed, she strived to be as attractive and gorgeous as she should be with her appealing bank uniform and slim frame. But fate consigned her to a life of a single woman.  Consequently, she accepted the verity that like several other single women, “…marriage and parenthood are the fabric of their dreams and the deepest desires of their hearts! But for some, there is no suitable opportunity, or they are single for other reasons beyond their control” (Happiness—There’s Not a Single Barrier, Ensign, March 1988, By Mayola Miltenberger.)

In her singleness and solitude, she found strength in the knowledge that “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be” (Abraham Lincoln). Therefore she admits that she is single, but not feeble. She exercises her faith and courage to give her strength to wait for what God has in store for her. Thus, she eventually found greater joy and gladness in helping to support two of her nieces, the daughters of her younger sister who died of Leukenmia at age 38, while the children were still young. Before her sister died, it was already arranged that the children will be supported in their needs by the family until high school graduation. Her commitment was to help and assist them in their quest for college education in Manila. While in her custody, she treated and cared for her nieces as her own daughters, thus molding a mother-daughter kind of bond which now remained unshaken. She was honored as to be their second mother. The two are now on their own, the one working in Dubai and the other in Virginia, USA. To them and their children, she was an angel of mercy.  

Upon retirement, she lived in Valenzuela, Bulacan on a house she owned, enjoying the company and visits of some extended family and relatives. She was only 48 years old, physically vigorous and healthy, when she retired from being a banker, a career that always pays. To fill life’s voids as a result of a very early retirement and to cover the permanent loss of necessary income from regular employment, she engaged herself in an aquaculture business in a rented fishpond in Hagonoy, Bulacan; raising prawns, tilapia and bangus. The business was purely her way of physical exercise and maintaining an active life, which is an antidote to solitude. It was an hour trip from her residence in Valenzuela, which she frequented only during harvest season.

It was a thriving business which provided for her productive yields and satisfactory return of investment. In fact, it helped her acquire a 400 sq. m. lot with a one-storey house in Fairview, Quezon City, which she termed as her “preparation to getting old” when her knees and limbs no longer could climb the second floor.  Yet she understood that, “The secret of happiness consists not of having but of being; not of possessing but of enjoying. It is a warm glow of the heart that is at peace with itself” (David O. McKay, The Instructor, Nov. 1960, p. 422). She finally closed her aquaculture business in the later part of 2007. She was invited to partner with the owner of the fishpond, but she declined for obvious reasons.

Eventually she sold her two-storey house and lot in Valenzuela and now lives in Fairview, Quezon City with her first cousin, relishing her single life in company with and visits of some of her nieces and grandniece and grandnephew and other relatives. She believes that God will not deprive her of the blessings that are in store for her beyond this life for as long a she remains faithful to Him. Should she, from her friends and batch mates, again bump the age-old question, “Why are you still single?” she now have a ready answer: “Because I’m too strong, too smart and too fabulous to settle” (Mandy Hale). Then she wrote in gist, “nothing much, just waiting for the final flight.”

IN PLEDGE OF LOYALTY AND PATRIOTISM

By: Norberto Betita

LAUREANO C. MANLIGUEZ

His youthful life is typical of a poor Filipino boy growing in a family battered by the inundating pressures of penury. His father, Pio Manliguez, is a native from Bacaug, a small town of the Province of Surigao del Norte, where doors of opportunities for career development are somewhat locked. Her mother, Felipa Comendador Manliguez was from Libuac, a small fishing island Barangay in Surigao City, which community is likewise characterized by poverty and destitution. While both were looking for employment opportunities in the City, they met and eventually married. They earned a living from their inherited coconut farms and fishing. They have eight children. They stayed at Navarro St., Surigao City, where SNNHS 69’er LAUREANO C. MANLIGUEZ, was eventually born and raised.

When Laureano finished his elementary from the Surigao West Central, which was formerly located in a place now part of the Surigao City Luneta park, he enrolled at the Surigao High School, which administration was later transferred to the National government and its name changed to Surigao del Norte National High School (SNNHS). 

With wife and grandchildren

He was one of those good looking boys in the first year Section 1, but in later years he transferred to section 2 until his graduation from high school. He is one of those diligent students who always carry with him his books. He was also observed always in the library reading books and found to have the zeal of following reports of national and international events in newspapers, especially the outcomes of sport matches, such as boxing and basketball. Like Epifanio Almeda and Rolando Biado, they were then fanatically in love with sports, whether it be basketball or boxing. He loved strolling in the City during weekends or sometimes spent the holidays either in Bacuag to help in their coconut farm or Barangay Libuac to go swimming and fishing.

While he looks to be a very healthy boy with muscular physical build, yet he admitted that he was suffering from asthma during his youth. But that did not bother him much in his desire to graduate from high school. He had always dreamed to be a teacher, which during those times was one of the highest paid profession in the government. He cherished the memory that despite his difficult life, he was able to eventually finish high school in preparation for his college education. 

With SNNHS 69'ers---Atty. Epifanio Almeda and Edilberto Laid

When his parents found opportunities for good employment with the Atlas Mining Corporation in Toledo City, Cebu, he went with them and followed his dream to become a teacher. He immediately enrolled at the Cebu Institute of Technology with enthusiasm. However, the harsh realities of their family’s difficult life, with his parents supporting 8 children, he completed only one year of his college studies. He decided then to instead work at an early age if only to be able to help in the family finances. He spent two years working at the Atlas Consolidated Mining Corporation as contractual worker after which time he was laid off. While waiting for opportunities, he read of a mass military recruitment in Cebu. He tried to apply and was qualified and finally enlisted into the Marine Corps. 

With Batchmates and their wives

His military service then commenced on February 20, 1973. During such time Martial Law was only six months since its declaration by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos on September 21, 1972. Insurgency was then in its height and the Philippines was somewhat in chaos. He was so familiar with the hazards being well informed of the current events as an avid newspaper reader. However, it did not dissuade him to give up his desire to serve his country, ever willing to offer his life, if needs be, for the nation and the Filipino people.

Indeed, his military career, had placed him and his comrades several times in the brink of death as they fought with courage against insurgents, even facing the dangers of ambuscade by the rebels which was very common during that period in the Philippine history. The marines are always in the frontline in battles which added much risk to their lives. There were times in heavy close encounters when he would realize that it seems only an informal prayer to God could provide protection. When he saw his marine comrades lay dead all the more that he and his fellow marines became even particularly aggressive to fight their common battle and be willing to die for their country and fellowmen. In their exposure to the attendant risk of dying while in the battlefield, there echoed the message of the final lines of the Philippine National Anthem with its meaning becoming even clearer as it rings into the ear of their minds:

“Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati’t pagsinta,
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo;
Aming ligaya, na pag may mang-aapi
Ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo.”

During those extremely hazardous tours of duty and military operations, when scanty food provisions are left to be the only means to survive the grueling tests of physical exertion in the jungles, the concluding lines of the Patriotic Pledge we recite in first year high school, before it was translated to the Filipino dialect, reverberated:

“I will perform the duties of a patriotic law abiding citizen
I will serve my country, unselfishly and faithfully
I will be a true Filipino, in thought, in words, and in deed”

While he did not waiver in his commitment to serve his country, he lamented and bemoaned the fact that in the frontlines of battle, he was facing his own Filipino brothers standing brave in support of some misunderstood ideology. He grieved to even imagine that those descendants of the victims of the foreign tyrannical rule, of which we Filipinos were, in our centuries of national history, were now becoming the tyrants, fighting against the government and the Filipino people. To him it brought to mind the words of Dr. Jose Rizal, many years ago, “Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow?” (José Rizal, El Filibusterismo.) It is to him very sorrowful and melancholic that in the same land where they stood; in the same battlefield they fought, the same Filipino fighters are exchanging bullets against each other and shedding the same precious Filipino blood. 

With Atty. Epi and their wives

It was during this dangerous military career that he married Fely Hetmoso Manliguez on Dec 5, 1981 and they were blessed with 3 children: Eloisa, Lionel and Manilyn.

Whenever he carried a flag covered coffin of his marine comrade, he would asked the question within himself, “would I be the next?” “Would my family be subsequently deprived also of the tender and loving embrace from a beloved husband and father, as many of my marine comrades do?” It is even to him very regrettable to see those on the enemy side of the battle die without even their family knowing that they died for a misunderstood cause. Consequently, he feels that no matter how long this battle will end, there will never be a winner, for all that had been and all that will be lost---resources or lives---during the long and lingering fights were all and are part of the Filipino nation and the precious blood of the Filipino people.

After 23 years of risking his life in the battlefront and serving faithfully, in pledge of utmost loyalty and patriotism to his beloved country, he hanged up his military uniform and filed an honorable retirement as Master Sergeant and officially ended his military career in February 1996. While he expressed his most sincere gratitude to God for having preserved his life during those 23 years of active service, yet he revered with highest veneration and honor those of his marine comrades who had offered their lives and were laid in their cold and silent graves while defending the nation. He remembers with compassion those parents and families who have lost the grasp of their son, husband or father; of whose loyalty to the country where they serve as citizens, mournfully left sonless parents, widowed wives and fatherless children.

After retirement, in October 1997, he ventured to work in a private company for twelve years, ending his private career in 2009. While still a private employee, he tried his way into local politics and filed his candidacy as Barangay chairman in the community where he resides and thus served from 2007 to 2013.

In 2009 he was elected as President of the Philippine Marine Veterans and Retirees Association of Bataan Province and still serving at present. He was also appointed as honorary member of the Board of Trustees of the Confederation of Philippine Marines Veterans Association in 2016 up to the present. He now optimistically considers himself as still an active participant of society and not just and spectator. He still serves with his fellow retired marine soldiers and enjoying his membership in their organizations and attending social functions with fellow retirees.

He might not have been blessed with material abundance which the wise King Solomon described as “Vanity of vanities…, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2.) However, he considered himself a success, rejoicing with gratitude and contentment for having offered to risk his life, even unto death, for 23 long years, in pledge of loyalty and patriotism to his country.

Now he lives by what his minimal military service pension provides. He said, “We just live within our means.” He is enjoying his life with his beloved wife and three children and three living grandchildren.

SNNHS BATCH 69: LONG AGO AND TODAY

by: Norberto Betita

Behind the youthful energetic scenes of long ago are now lingering on display the greying weaknesses of today, described in the parody of a song by Julie Andrews’ “My Favorite Things” as: hearing impairment, false teeth, leaking pipes, creaking bones, bad knees, back pains, confused brains, thinning hair, shrunken frames, aching joints, breaking hips, and dimming eyes, plus bulging bellies, high blood pressure and leaping body sugar.

While most of these Achilles heels are now common among the SNNHS Batch 69er’s, yet the glow of once youthful smiles seemed to have remained even in aging, and as the favorite song of Surta---To Sir with Love---puts it, “They will still live on and on.” What adds beauty to the smiles of those present during our reunion of June 2, 2018 are the most common double chin, worry lines and sagging cheeks or jowls which symbolize years of struggles and stresses attendant to the ever present challenges along the path to success and the agony of failed attainments. 

I was worried of the deteriorating hearing capacity of my right ear, but relieved as I saw Jaime wearing a hearing aid on his left ear. I felt not alone. My bulging belly was matched by that of Jaime and Philip. I am envious of the shrunken frames of Florante, Delia, Fideceria, and Florida which kept their youthful mobility. According to Florante he still can climb the highest peak of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur at 68. The physical contours of our generous host Amelia, Jocelyn, Aname, Florpina, Josefa and Bobby seemed to have been maintained but with little transformations, yet they also have their own share of physical challenges. However, despite our deteriorating physical conditions which are generic to old age, we are grateful and happy that we remain part of the greatest minority of the populace totaling only about 7-8 million---those popularly labelled as seniors---which not many were given the privilege to become part.

It was clear that the once inexhaustible appetites are now diminished, perhaps by medical restrictions and physical restraints. Food and drinks are now personally controlled and limited to the barest minimum, despite the food-filled table. But the desire to enjoy together in love and camaraderie remains vibrant---we sing, we laugh, we joke, we converse and make memories through picture taking and videos. Witnesses to our enjoyment are Letty--my dearest; Emil---Aname's one and only; son of Florante; and of course Marlo---the handsome husband of the generous host.  

This special reunion hosted by Amelia was purposely organized for a get-together with Aname, who has long been residing in Vienna, Austria. She was on vacation in the Philippines and came to visit her relatives in Surigao. She wanted to meet her high school friends and batch mates because she could not make it during our golden jubilee year celebrations. With 14 of us present, we took the opportunity to discuss our initial preparations for our jubilee year grand reunion comes 2019. We talked about fund raising for the event. Commitments were made and suggestions were well taken for everybody to contribute voluntarily to the fund of whatever amount each could afford, no matter how meager it might be. This is to make sure that all will be counted; the least to be subsidized by the generosity and benevolence of the prosperous. Jocelyn reported of the initial contribution of Surta, Celia and Sandra and the commitment of Amelia to monthly donate a thousand to the fund. Aname on her part initially contributed the amount of P3,000.00. A bank account with Philip, Amelia and Jocelyn as signatories, was already opened for batch donors to deposit their contributions. The BPI account number was already posted on the Facebook group snnhs 1969.

Rolando asked how much he should contribute. I told him that a contribution that pains the wallet and make it frown is the most charitable offering. 

As to fun activities during the grand event it was agreed that the batch will have a tour and sight-seeing of the tourist spots in the Caraga Region. For the school memorabilia, it will be subject to how much funds will be raised. We will meet again this coming September for the SNNHS yearly scheduled high school reunion.

We are hoping that all to whom our voices and social media call echo to come and join with us in our Jubilee Year---50 years of personal choices and struggles; of failures and successes; and of defeats and victories. We raise the sound of our voices high and far in cordial invitation to the Honor Roll---Surtalicito, Celia, Perlito---and of course the successful graduates---Epifanio, Anita, Rosalina, Alda, Rolando, Nenit, Nelson, Edilberto, Nelma, Sandra, Florante, Florpina, Josefa, Alfredo and all those who are far from Surigao City whose names our memory could no longer hold. We ring the same cordial invitation to those who are in Surigao City and within the sound of our voices, to the one in the Honor Roll---Amelia---and the graduates---Susana, Catalino, Virginia [Esma], Victoria, Adora, Reynaldo, Willy, Edilberto, Jaime, Jocelyn, Delia, Florida, Agnes, Evelyn, Fideceria, Bobby, Juliana, Philip, Elvira, and all who are now beyond the grasp of our vintage memory storage. 

In acknowledgement and expressions of our deepest and heartfelt gratitude for the priceless heritage of knowledge and wisdom they have unselfishly bequeathed to us, we extend our most affectionate invitation to our still living teachers---Ma’am Montinola, Ma’am Rodriguez, Sir Rodriguez, and Ma’am Andanar. 

Indeed, again as Surta’s favorite song says, “Those school…days of telling tales and biting nails are gone.” During the passing days and years of our journey from high school graduation we had been through and were “taken from crayons to perfumes (see To Sir with Love by Lulu).” As we slowly move farther into the final laps of our race through life we began to shift from perfumes to liniments; from candies to tablets and capsules. Yet notwithstanding feeble knees and burdened physique, meeting together as classmates and friends after fifty years since those memorable happy days of high school, which is a blessed privilege, is ecstatic and delightful. It will lift our souls over the moon as we connect the sweetest memories of long ago and today.