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.