Batch mates,
The Batch '74 USA group met yesterday [22 May 2011] at Luth's place. The following were present: Aureo Macaraeg, Luth Salonga-Van Dyck, Melita Besa Bartolome, Evelyn Dela Rosa-Atienza, Butch Escota and Edna Napalan-Padaon.
Aureo Macaraeg presided and the following events were decided by the group. Please provide any input you may have.
2012: TOGETHER AGAIN AFTER 38 YEARS:
Family Picnic at MCRD Recreation, San Diego, CA
Tentative Date (last week of July or 1st week of August). The Atienza's will reserve the place and will provide the actual date.
Cost: $50 per family will be the cost for the food and activities. Luth and Edna will be in charge of the food catering and activity for the kids and batch mates.
2013: Grand Reunion: Olongapo City, Philippines:
Date: January 25, 26, 27, 2013
Place: TBD by the PI Committee.
Fee: $$ TBD
Minutes taken by Edna Napalan-Padaon
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Behind the scenes: Reunion 30 April 2011
Hello OCNHS BATCH 74!
The planning of this Mini Reunion started when we had a gathering at Marissa Alcantaras' place on April 7, 2011. We were only 17 who attended that time; fourteen ladies and three gentlemen.
The next three weeks, everybody was busy contacting one another thru Facebook and we even went house to house to locate our batchmates.
The venue was set at the Knights of Columbus HQ in Kalaklan and we agreed to have potluck.
I invited Mrs Lucila Gramonte, one of our teachers in Jackson; to be there and she said "YES"!
And the day came...everyone was excited and it was really fun. Each section was introduced and each member was given the opportunity to talk about themselves. Some were crying because it was 37 years after seeing each other again.
We also prepared parlor games; like calamansi relay, egg throwing and palambutan ng talong.
We also gave special awards for some of our batchmates....
We also elected our officers [Philippines*]:
So... that happened in the span of three-weeks. In the coming days we will have a series of meetings for up-coming events and projects.
My special and heartwarming thanks to the members of the organizing committee who helped me to make this a successful reunion, special mention goes to batchmate: Criselda Santos, Felina L. Poserio, Norma Bandong, Bella Arca and Major Johnny Cabling.
MORE REUNIONS COMING UP... CHEERS AND GOD BLESS US ALL BATCH 74!
By classmate: Flor Sanchez-Abad [on Facebook]
The planning of this Mini Reunion started when we had a gathering at Marissa Alcantaras' place on April 7, 2011. We were only 17 who attended that time; fourteen ladies and three gentlemen.
The next three weeks, everybody was busy contacting one another thru Facebook and we even went house to house to locate our batchmates.
The venue was set at the Knights of Columbus HQ in Kalaklan and we agreed to have potluck.
I invited Mrs Lucila Gramonte, one of our teachers in Jackson; to be there and she said "YES"!
And the day came...everyone was excited and it was really fun. Each section was introduced and each member was given the opportunity to talk about themselves. Some were crying because it was 37 years after seeing each other again.
We also prepared parlor games; like calamansi relay, egg throwing and palambutan ng talong.
We also gave special awards for some of our batchmates....
Star of the Night ------- Major Johnny Cabling
Singers of the Night ---- Angelito Sulangi, Precy Dimalanta and Bien de Guzman
Most Behaved ------------ Susan Juaban
Best Female Dancer ---- Gloria Francisco
Best Male Dancer ------- Johnny Napalan
Best in Attendance ------ RUBY Section
We also elected our officers [Philippines*]:
President -------- Brando Geniza
Vice-President --------- Flor Sanchez Abad
Secretary -------- Criselda Santos
Treasurer -------- Felina Lugtu Poserio
PRO -------------- Aleli De Castro Santos
Business Managers - Curie Matawaran, Flor Avillanes, Andrea Tiquena Rosario, Loida Delfino, Bella Arca & Norma Bandong
Sgt. at Arms ---- Noel Famisan, Dan Marmeto, Francisco Dulay & Ambrocio Dumpit
Advisers ------- Henry Ruiz, Major Johnny Cabling, Dr. Arnel Rivera, Dr. Onie Toledo, Teresita de Guzman Payumo, Marissa Alcantara, Dorothy Balboa, Johnny Napalan, Max Gregorio & Ramir Mendoza
My special and heartwarming thanks to the members of the organizing committee who helped me to make this a successful reunion, special mention goes to batchmate: Criselda Santos, Felina L. Poserio, Norma Bandong, Bella Arca and Major Johnny Cabling.
MORE REUNIONS COMING UP... CHEERS AND GOD BLESS US ALL BATCH 74!
By classmate: Flor Sanchez-Abad [on Facebook]
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
OCNHS Batch 74 reunites…renews friendships
We could hardly hear one another. It was almost like a market place (parang palengke). Sudden shrieks of laughter from a group of girls (Ok, women) would burst in the room from time to time. But nobody cared about the earsplitting noise and the seeming chaos. A sense of “warmth and camaraderie” as Brando Geniza described the occasion, filled the air. Amidst cameras a-flashing, a lot of hand shaking, hands holding, kissing, beso-beso, buzzing, manly hugs, and a whole lot of chattering (talakan) transpired all at the same time among 71 [some count 72? Sana 74! Mario] souls that night in Knights of Columbus, in Kalaklan, Olongapo City. Parang fiesta talaga!
Tess de Guzman, of Section OPAL, sums up what was happening. “It has been 37 year since we graduated in high school. I really look forward to this reunion to see our batch mates.” Thirty seven years ago was 1974, the high school was Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS). The batch mates were the 71 “mature” men and women (53 and above, any objection?) who gathered together to reminisce the past once more and to re-capture and re-live the joys and pains of being in that most exciting state of existence – high school life.
It was a ceremony everyone in a reunion would want to happen:
• remembering the faces and associating the faces with the names;
• updating, who married who, how many children one has;
• rediscovering one another;
• where everybody is residing;
• what everybody is doing;
• who is single again for whatever reason or who chose to be single; and
• renewing friendships.
Nobody cared who came with what hot flashy car? Nobody cared who brought what food? Nobody cared what everybody else wore. Nobody cared who was more successful than who? It was plain genuine, mature and caring intention to reunite and to get to know and rediscover each other again.
The wacky group games added more amusement and hilarity to the reunion. Almost suddenly, everyone was a teen-ager again enjoying the egg game and eggplant game. Just wondering why all the games had sexual undertones and overtones. Smelling a sense of over-indulgence? Or deprivation, perhaps?
What’s a Pinoy celebration without food glorious food? Despite an expected high level of cholesterol, triglycerides, gout, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension and all corporal complaints associated with aging, er, maturing in age, almost everybody devoured the litson, grilled pork and bopis. There were also the all time Filipino favorites: pinakbet, pansit, pansit luglog, pansit palabok, lumpiang Shanghai, adobo, grilled bangus, tilapia, etc. Puto, kuntsinta and a whole lot of Pinoy chichirya were superb! A variety of drinks complemented the food. Of course there was healthy food as well for the vegetarian trying- hards. Where did all those food and drinks come from? Grabe talaga!
I took the liberty of interviewing some of the batch mates while everyone else was having fun. Here’s what they said:
“Happy. Excited to see each other. We could not recognize the others anymore. Feeling happy! Feeling excited! Nakakaiyak sa saya! Nagkakitaan ng bestfriend! We hope this will not be the last.” From the table composed of Precy, Liza, Curie, Erlinda and Grace, all from RUBY.
“ Honestly speaking, sobrang masaya. Maganda ring marinig na maraming naging successful.” Rolando Duaso, GARNET.
“Maganda ang pagkaka-organisa. Kumpleto! Super daming pagkain.” Flordeliza Avilames, AMETHYST.
“Feeling ko natutuwa at nanghihinayang. Kasi ngayong mga over-50 na tayo, DI NA TAYO MAKAPAGYUGYOG!!! “ Elizabeth Abutin, TOPAZ.
Dati, galing tayo sa hiwa-hiwalay na section. Ngayon sama-sama na. We are happy to be seeing each other again after 37 years. Excellent food and drinks. Super dami!” Angelina Ordonez of DIAMOND, Susan Ebalo and Susan Juaban of RUBY.
Gloria dela Paz Vista and Lilibeth Caseja Prepose shared almost the same occurrence. Gloria said, ““My family is in Iba now because we have a family outing. But I chose to be here.” Meanwhile, Lilibeth enthused that, “My husband and children are in another reunion of batch 76, but I am here.” He he he! I must say, I am in the same boat as these ladies. Having arrived from Mozambique two days before, I should have been with my family where they were checked in. But family can come later. This reunion happens only once in many years.
Mabuhay ang organizers. You all deserve a warm and sincere appreciation: Criselda Santos, Felina L. Poserio, Norma Bandong, Bella Arca , Major Johnny Cabling and Florencia Sanchez-Abad of SAPPHIRE who shared some of their experiences in organizing the event, “Walang mahirap kausapin.Lahat nagbigay ng time para makarating dito. Ang difficulty ay yung hanapin ang mga tao…kaya nag-house to house kami. Ganun!”
The surprise of it all was the special appearance of Mrs. Lucila Gramonte, our adviser. At over 70 she was still bubbly, cheerful, and humble as ever. At nag swing (ballroom) pa kami for a few moments. We love you Madame. Mabuhay po kayo! Long live and we hope to see more of you in the next activities.
The Star of the night was Martha Dalindin of OPAL. Grabe. Some joked, “are you the daughter of one of our classmates? Or maybe you belong to 80’s batch?” Matet was indeed a stunning beauty that night.
Best friend Brando and I shared the same feeling, “It was like from nothing, something exciting came out. Hindi naman talaga tayo nag-uusap-usap nuon eh.” The section-identification was very much still there. We could not do away with that. One was either an Opal, Garnet, Jade, Pearl, Diamond, Ruby, Topaz, Sapphire, Amethyst, evening class or vocational. But that night, everyone transcended section-affiliation. We were all batch mates. We were the 1974 Graduates of OCNHS.
We also thought this was the kind of reunion that we wanted, i.e., informal but meaningful, personal and inclusive in many ways. Nobody, as far as we knew, felt left out.
Brando aptly closed the reunion with a meaningful prayer to officially close the ceremony (the karaoke continued on). To paraphrase the prayer:
“Lord, thank you for making this reunion a successful one. Thank you for the opportunity and the space to renew acquaintances and relive our beautiful past. Please don’t let this be the final one for any of us. Let this be the beginning of more “coming together” and more fellowships. Bless those who organized this event. Bless us all for your glory…in Jesus name, we pray.”
Amen!
by Henry Ruiz
2 May 2011
Facebook pictures here, and here.
Tess de Guzman, of Section OPAL, sums up what was happening. “It has been 37 year since we graduated in high school. I really look forward to this reunion to see our batch mates.” Thirty seven years ago was 1974, the high school was Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS). The batch mates were the 71 “mature” men and women (53 and above, any objection?) who gathered together to reminisce the past once more and to re-capture and re-live the joys and pains of being in that most exciting state of existence – high school life.
It was a ceremony everyone in a reunion would want to happen:
• remembering the faces and associating the faces with the names;
• updating, who married who, how many children one has;
• rediscovering one another;
• where everybody is residing;
• what everybody is doing;
• who is single again for whatever reason or who chose to be single; and
• renewing friendships.
Nobody cared who came with what hot flashy car? Nobody cared who brought what food? Nobody cared what everybody else wore. Nobody cared who was more successful than who? It was plain genuine, mature and caring intention to reunite and to get to know and rediscover each other again.
The wacky group games added more amusement and hilarity to the reunion. Almost suddenly, everyone was a teen-ager again enjoying the egg game and eggplant game. Just wondering why all the games had sexual undertones and overtones. Smelling a sense of over-indulgence? Or deprivation, perhaps?
What’s a Pinoy celebration without food glorious food? Despite an expected high level of cholesterol, triglycerides, gout, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension and all corporal complaints associated with aging, er, maturing in age, almost everybody devoured the litson, grilled pork and bopis. There were also the all time Filipino favorites: pinakbet, pansit, pansit luglog, pansit palabok, lumpiang Shanghai, adobo, grilled bangus, tilapia, etc. Puto, kuntsinta and a whole lot of Pinoy chichirya were superb! A variety of drinks complemented the food. Of course there was healthy food as well for the vegetarian trying- hards. Where did all those food and drinks come from? Grabe talaga!
I took the liberty of interviewing some of the batch mates while everyone else was having fun. Here’s what they said:
“Happy. Excited to see each other. We could not recognize the others anymore. Feeling happy! Feeling excited! Nakakaiyak sa saya! Nagkakitaan ng bestfriend! We hope this will not be the last.” From the table composed of Precy, Liza, Curie, Erlinda and Grace, all from RUBY.
“ Honestly speaking, sobrang masaya. Maganda ring marinig na maraming naging successful.” Rolando Duaso, GARNET.
“Maganda ang pagkaka-organisa. Kumpleto! Super daming pagkain.” Flordeliza Avilames, AMETHYST.
“Feeling ko natutuwa at nanghihinayang. Kasi ngayong mga over-50 na tayo, DI NA TAYO MAKAPAGYUGYOG!!! “ Elizabeth Abutin, TOPAZ.
Dati, galing tayo sa hiwa-hiwalay na section. Ngayon sama-sama na. We are happy to be seeing each other again after 37 years. Excellent food and drinks. Super dami!” Angelina Ordonez of DIAMOND, Susan Ebalo and Susan Juaban of RUBY.
Gloria dela Paz Vista and Lilibeth Caseja Prepose shared almost the same occurrence. Gloria said, ““My family is in Iba now because we have a family outing. But I chose to be here.” Meanwhile, Lilibeth enthused that, “My husband and children are in another reunion of batch 76, but I am here.” He he he! I must say, I am in the same boat as these ladies. Having arrived from Mozambique two days before, I should have been with my family where they were checked in. But family can come later. This reunion happens only once in many years.
Mabuhay ang organizers. You all deserve a warm and sincere appreciation: Criselda Santos, Felina L. Poserio, Norma Bandong, Bella Arca , Major Johnny Cabling and Florencia Sanchez-Abad of SAPPHIRE who shared some of their experiences in organizing the event, “Walang mahirap kausapin.Lahat nagbigay ng time para makarating dito. Ang difficulty ay yung hanapin ang mga tao…kaya nag-house to house kami. Ganun!”
The surprise of it all was the special appearance of Mrs. Lucila Gramonte, our adviser. At over 70 she was still bubbly, cheerful, and humble as ever. At nag swing (ballroom) pa kami for a few moments. We love you Madame. Mabuhay po kayo! Long live and we hope to see more of you in the next activities.
The Star of the night was Martha Dalindin of OPAL. Grabe. Some joked, “are you the daughter of one of our classmates? Or maybe you belong to 80’s batch?” Matet was indeed a stunning beauty that night.
Best friend Brando and I shared the same feeling, “It was like from nothing, something exciting came out. Hindi naman talaga tayo nag-uusap-usap nuon eh.” The section-identification was very much still there. We could not do away with that. One was either an Opal, Garnet, Jade, Pearl, Diamond, Ruby, Topaz, Sapphire, Amethyst, evening class or vocational. But that night, everyone transcended section-affiliation. We were all batch mates. We were the 1974 Graduates of OCNHS.
We also thought this was the kind of reunion that we wanted, i.e., informal but meaningful, personal and inclusive in many ways. Nobody, as far as we knew, felt left out.
Brando aptly closed the reunion with a meaningful prayer to officially close the ceremony (the karaoke continued on). To paraphrase the prayer:
“Lord, thank you for making this reunion a successful one. Thank you for the opportunity and the space to renew acquaintances and relive our beautiful past. Please don’t let this be the final one for any of us. Let this be the beginning of more “coming together” and more fellowships. Bless those who organized this event. Bless us all for your glory…in Jesus name, we pray.”
Amen!
by Henry Ruiz
2 May 2011
Facebook pictures here, and here.
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