THE PREFACE

by: Norberto Betita

These thoughts written in pages would perhaps open our hearts to some pondering of those most memorable past, and the inspiring achievements of the present.

In the ebbing tide of life’s lonely trek, reunions with people of the friendly past often reawaken the mind to a vivid memory of the brilliant, dynamic and youthful long-ago. The wonders of vibrant gatherings in venues simple transmit clear and profound reflections of the ups and downs in the long and rigorous journey to the present. The motivating legacies of lessons learned during high school life ring anew into our weary mind and soul, bringing each to a realization that, “Life”, indeed, “denies itself to people who will not give their all to it. Success does not come to the hold-outs. The individual who achieves is the one who believes he can and who throws himself into reaching his goals.” (Norman Vincent Peale).

As I look back to the memories of the classroom settings, I came to a bright recollection of the lines in a literary masterpiece,

“All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,”
(Shakespeare, As You Like It; sonnet 1600)

I guess many among the cream of the crop and the mental caliber of Surta, Amelia, Celia, Epifanio, Rolando, Perlito, Virginia, Florpina, Marlo, Joselito, Aname and many more of the brilliant minds could still repeat to memory the poetic line, which we often read in our English Literature class.

Surigao del Norte National High School (SNNHS) Batch 69 of actors and actresses playing on the immense mortal stage of life’s drama were led by such great performers as Surta and the rest above-mentioned. They all played award winning performances and so reach life’s star. Surta was given the role of an engineer and he ended up an engineering consultant. Amelia loved children and she chose to live a life of a pediatrician. Celia loves womanhood and motherhood so she took the role of an Obe-gynecologist and operates a maternity hospital. Epifanio once thought of being in the military, but ended up a Certified Public Accountant, took his way to a banking career retiring as Vice President of UCPB, and now a practicing CPA-lawyer. Rolando intended to be a bigwig in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), eventually earning a degree in Forestry from the University of the Philippines, Los Baños, However, the dreadful influences of government corruption made him think twice, eventually ending his bright opportunities in the Philippines in favor of his inherent virtue of honesty and integrity which like Sir Thomas More in the movie “A Man for All Seasons” he never intend to waste even if it would cost his life, thereby trading his most opportune role of a DENR Regional Director or even higher in favor of a most humble career in the land of milk and honey. He said he is not rich, but he usually spent his vacations in different parts of the world.

Perlito graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sto. Tomas and made it to the executive level at the Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines. The company closed and his last known role was of a businessman. Virginia had taken the role of a generous and very charitable Aunt. Indeed, she is. She sent her nieces and nephews through college in acts of generosity, and she usually serves sumptuous treats for friends and batch mates in acts of amity and goodwill.

Florpina, should have taken the role of the doctor, but ended up a Zoologist. She should have her role performed at the zoo, but she chose to play as a most noble teacher, a career of a bridge builder for the future of children. Marlo made it high in the Department of the Interior and Local Government as Director for Butuan City. He should have made it even higher, but he was pinned by an unwanted affliction into partial disability. Joselito should have played the role of an agriculturist having enrolled at UP Los Baños. However, for reason of homesickness he instead shifted to a law degree, played the role of a prosecutor before he took his exit from the stage of mortality. Aname thinks of herself as a poor young woman and should have chosen the role of a beggar, but she saw the flickering light above the darkened clouds of her life and with great faith and earnest desire moved her way up the ladder of success and took a special affluent role as an OFW in the land listed as No. 3 of the best livable countries of the world.

Of course, in our memories are listed the Golden Award models of yesteryear. Philip the “Day” in his earlier encounter with life performed the role of a manager for a copra buying business. He eventually established a business of his own and tried the role of a politician leading him to an honorable office of a Provincial Board Member. Nelson Martinez, that bashful kid we knew, kept his role in reserve. Later it was disclosed he dreamed an engineering career and made his way to become an Electrical Engineering Consultant. Catalino Uson made it to the overseas, and came back to start a business and find success.

Ring the bell to the ever beautiful Sandra. If I am to be the chairman of the awards body, she should be given the BEST ACTRESS AWARD. I don’t know if she ever had any other earlier role. But her eventual permanent role as a woman in the home made her ever more worthy of emulation.

The lyrics of a hymn read, “Time flies on wings of lightning, we cannot call it back. It comes then passes forward along its onward tract. And if we are not mindful our chance will fade away for life is quick in passing, ‘tis as a single day.”

Batch 69 best players were not spared the grueling tests of time. Most were driven to and fro by the winds of adversities that blow in their direction. The stalwarts faced their trials and survived life’s struggles with optimism high and faith strong. Some may have failed to aim high and got back stage roles. However, the words of Shakespeare we often study in high school ring always anew: “What E’er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part.” The thought best explained the fact that it doesn’t matter if you are a President of the Republic or a clerk in the government office; whether you are a corporate CEO or a company janitor, you just do the best you can and everybody will have the same opportunity for joy and happiness in this life. 

This SNNHS '69ers' Golden Jubilarian Commemorative Book is written to inspire, motivate, and stimulate the interest of the youthful SNNHS students to face whatever challenges and to persevere no matter how tough the mountains to climb. Each individual story is different but each teaches a unique lesson that, "Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved (William Jennings Bryan)." This will be a work of five years with the participation of the SNNHS '69ers from this day to the year 2019, our golden Jubilee from high school graduation.