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| High School Class 1978 |
| "BALIK ISKUL KASI KOOL" |
| As we welcome the New Year, we always look forward to the Grand Alumnae Homecoming held every last Sunday of January. This years homecoming was hosted by the Silver Jubilarians of High School Class 1978. Other honorees were Class HS 1938, 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968 and 1973. |
| Here is my account of this long-awaited event. |
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| L-R: Annabelle, Menju, Daisy, Malet |
| L-R: Joji, Maya, Cecile, Marirose, Lugie, Maritess |
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| L-R Standing:: Yuyay, Nancy, Malet, Cherry, Annie, Joji Seated: Evelyn, Malene |
| L-R: Lala, Aning, Angie, Cherry, Noela, Sandy |
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| The "Chocorats" as we'd call ourselves, would always find an excuse to get together, be it a birthday, Easter, Christmas... whatever, whenever - any instance is always justified; Malene, our mother superior Noela, the official taste tester, Aning, Ms. Desert Sandy, by appointment only Nani, Ms. Late or often nowadays Miss Indian, and myself, Ms. Provincial Chapter. In one of these get-togethers, we considered a HS reunion. It was definitely a bright idea, sounds cool, and with a good purpose. Enseguida, another meeting was planned not too long after. This time it was the union of HS '78 batch gangs. Ita, Nancy, Daisy, Lala, Menju, Zeny, Cecile..etc..etc.. Everyone came equipped with old phone books, letters, pictures, and a complete list of classmates. Taking it upon ourselves, the notorious gehls of HS Class '78 formed the Homecoming Committee. We grabbed the opportunity to prove otherwise, leaving the rest of the class with no other choice. (Talk about notorious!!!) It has been over twelve years now since our very first organized Class '78 reunion. Last January 24th, 2003, I flew in to Manila from Cagayan de Oro to attend another reunion. But this time, it was to celebrate our Silver Anniversary. I felt the thrill upon checking in. Another classmate flew back too, Joji Santos, whom as far as I can recall was always my seatmate in class. To top it all, she took the same flight and had a seat right next to me. That was just warming up. Well, months back, my big mouth suggested the batch present a dance number, (if only to take that opportunity to step on the stage of Fleur de Lis again after all these years) Little did I know, the Committee took me seriously and made it part of the program. Two hours before the 7:00 PM Dinner Party, Malene, Cecile, Joji, Nancy, Ita, Aning, Belay and I had to sweat it out. Practice, practice, practice...dropping, bumping, hustling, counting 12 steps and swinging!!! From a quiet provincial lifestyle I left a few hours earlier, the Night Life City certainly served a shocker. Our "honor" was on the line, we had to protect it, so somehow, we got our act together and our feet back to the groove that same evening. And so, the party began. Come as you please, casual and chic. We held it at Salcedo Park Condominium, through the courtesy of our Honorable Congresswoman, Sandy Ocampo, who remains gorgeous as ever. The "Smokers Club" served as security watchwomen by the non-aircon doorway. The hellos came naturally as if years were never between us all. The "codigo" mingling with the "bookish", Foreign-based Annie Ignacio, Maritess Marco and Malet de la Riva braved all the negativity and proved it was worth it all. It was a hint of an entertaining evening ahead. From a distance I watched and noticed lips chattering away, smiles, laughter and giggles, oh my...loads of memories of girlhood in SPCM, and so much catching up to do. |
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| Smokers Club aka Security Watchwomen |
| Seated L-R: Evelyn, Clara, Daisy, Maritess, Annie, Cherry Standing L-R: Menju, Annabelle, sandra, Belay, Zeny, Angie, Malene, Nani, Lala, Sandy |
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| Seated Floor L-R:Clara, Nancy, Maritess, Noela, Nani, Joji, Lala, Annie Center L-R: Sandy, Aning, Ita, Malene, Ms. Oblefias, Angie, Sandra, Marites, Maricel Standing L-R: Ana May, Yuyay, Malet, Cherry, Tess, Gina, Daisy, Belay, Evelyn, Lugie, Cecile, Zeny, Marirose, Menju, Annabelle |
| Didn't take long for my favorite part - Dinner. Took to the buffet table, taking advantage of an abnormal situation in Metro Manila, no traffic! But then suddenly, I realized I was stuck on a table filled with "diet"icians...what a dismay!! Yuyay, Cherry, Annie, my gosh! "Anong gagawin ko?..Nagpakatutuo ako".. I ate and ate..and enjoyed. Dinner was splendid, both healthy and fattening, a complete diet indeed. Music then of the 70's played on, majority remained seated until the five, yes girls...five, cinco, lima, 5, dance instructors reminded us to move our bu..s. And oh yes we did...the memory of Aldeguer Sisters!! Then on special request, the whole class got dance lessons to the beat of Acerege de las Ketchup.. Did we sweat? Need I ask? Close before midnight, a few began saying their good nights. These good nights could last forever, remember those just like our moms and dads? As we separated that evening, we felt the comfort knowing we'd all see each other in a day. The following day, Saturday, "Dancetus Troupektus" practiced again, may I remind you, "our name and honor", so did our emcees Nalini and Marietta practice. Thanks to our English teachers, Ms. Vendiola (GS) Ms. Paloma, Ms. Galang, Mrs. Fernandez, Ms. Vega, Ms. Oblefias, "Der fronouncement and ponix was the ferpect as eber". And so, here is the day we all waited for. Click below, for more GRAND ALUMNAE HOMECOMING |
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| January 24, 2003 Friday |
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