May 27, 2000. Saturday. My day started early: rising at 4:00 a.m.  I hardly had any sleep because my regular radio program at Radyo Veritas which started at 11:00 the night before ended at 12:15 a.m.   I reached home shortly after 1:00 a.m. and rested . . . but not quite!  My "moody" alarm clock caused me to fear no end at the thought that I would miss the trip to Nagcarlan, Laguna with my parishioners at 5:00 a.m. for our Parish Jubilee Pilgrimage.  The mass would be followed by an all-day swimming, rest and recreation at the fabled running water of Liliw.  My schedule would go this way:  I'll join my parishioners until lunchtime; then take the three-hour drive to Manila in time for the Preliminary Meeting of Torres High Batch '78 which I would be hosting at 6:00 p.m.

     While enjoying my beautiful commune with Mother Nature as I waded on the rivulet  which springs from the bountiful water reserve of Mt. Banahaw, my cellular phone signalled the coming of a text message.  It was from JESIE GUEVARA - Moran (E1) who was asking me what she would wear for the meeting.   It seemed that she was really excited to attend this first gathering of what would be the MANILA CORE GROUP of the batch who would take on the task of laying out the plans for the 2003 Silver Jubilee Homecoming at Torres High.  I myself was anxious. Would they come?  Could we plan?  Would there be an instant rapport considering that those who were invited come from different sections?  Will it click?

     My parishioners protested my leaving early.  But I had to explain to them:  I'll be meeting long, lost high school friends.  And they understood.  Thus,  I went back to Manila anticipating what would happen next.

     5:30 p.m. I was still fixing myself fresh from the shower room when my parish secretary announced the arrival of two early birds: ELEANOR DIRECTO - Fabie and LEONOR RIVERA - Piguing (both Cancer).  The two of them, who are still close friends and confidante to these days, look exactly the same as they were during high school.  They were quite frantic whether people would show up as there was a heavy rain and flooding all over Metro Manila earlier on. Together, we left my rectory and headed for my office at the Manila Cathedral College on the other side of the Church of the Immaculate Conception - Tayuman.  There standing in front of the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel and waiting for some action was a familiar face:  FELIPE "Boy" SAN JOSE (M1) who came all the way from Biñan, Laguna.  He exhudes some marks of a boy who really have grown up. Never mind if we weren't classmates.  He was just too happy to see the three of us. 

     Minutes later, as the meeting was scheduled at 6:00 p.m., two manly figures showed up as I was opening the class website in my office:  the "expanded version" of DANTE MANALANG and the ever-slim ARIEL NEPOMUCENO, both of M1. We haven't really gone through the usual routine of matching the familiar faces with the names when MARILOU CRUZ - Santos (Cancer) arrived.  The M1 meen readily recognized her as she has not really changed.  Still young-looking in her signature smile.  In no time, the representatives from E1 came:  the charming JESIE GUEVARA - Moran and one of the class beauties then, MERLIE SUGAY - Leocadio who came with her equally beautiful 18 year old daughter.  Suddenly, the M1 men felt young once more at the sight of a beautiful young lady.  They all wanted to stand as manager of the lovely daughter if ever she decides to enter showbusiness.

     Husband and wife tandem, NELSON and EVELYN CEÑA, came gasping for breath, after a difficult hurdle with the vehicular traffic from Novaliches to Tayuman. The group looked at them with envy as they evidently showed joy and fulfillment in their married state albeit Nelson's added poundage (in contrast to Beng who hasn't really changed). Nelson though maintained his boyish charm. We decided to start the informal meeting.  It was interupted by the noisy and boisterous welcome given to the equally noisy and boisterous EDNA ADRIANO - Galera (Sc 1) who turned out to be more beautiful in her late 30s.  She proudly announced that she has just given birth to her third child last January.  Edna, as it was in THS, was the life of the party with her funny antics and anecdotes. Her dutiful husband drove her to Tayuman.

     Midway through the meeting, EDMUNDO LIAO (Cancer) in his usual reserved manners came and in no time blended well with the discussion. He could still be remembered as a scouting buddy of the M1 boys during their freshmen year. M1 boys in almost blended chorus gasped "Ching!" when DR. CONSOLACION CABILDO - Albornoz (Cancer) arrived.  Still beautiful . . . still charming . . . still very "Ching".  He husband, Dr. Rodolfo Albornoz gamely brought her to the meeting and left to do some window shopping at the nearby Tutuban Center.

     And to complete the core group, OFELIA CELESTINO (Cancer) who is happily still unattached arrived and exchanged hellos and how are yous with the rest of the group. One would wonder how a natural beauty like her would remain single to these days. Ros Misa was sorely missed. He could have been trapped on the way to Tondo from BF Homes Parañaque. There was a flashflood after some heavy downpour earlier that afternoon.  South Superhighway was difficult to negotiate. 

     The first part of the meeting was the formal introduction of those present.  No, informal, rather!  Each one's self-introduction was met with giggly queries (for possible business prospects) and youthful comments.  Once again, we felt very young.  We were totally transformed to the late 70's as if we were in a time machine.  Whispers of  "A, oo . . . siya nga 'yun!" was heard all over. In no time, we were like one big family.  Merlie's daughter could actually relate to the fun we were having. Edna Adriano was the runaway winner as "pinaka-kwela at pinakamaraming istorya."  It was also further noted that the meeting was an inspiration borne out of the class website conceived by Rey Bisda (Cancer), Felix Parado (M1), Nelson Ceña (M1) & Val Buzon (M1). 

      But it did not end without any concrete fruits.  Each one committed to spread the news of this new contagious fever to other batchmates.  We resolved to use the internet, t.v., radio and other forms of media to foster awareness among batchmates.  And we further resolved to gather more often.

     Thus, there would be another meeting on August 19 at 3:00 p.m.  I would again host the said merienda cena as I am celebrating my birthday the following day.  The one who would tag along the most number of batchmates would receive a prize from me:  an overnight accomodation at a five-star hotel!  Nelson Ceña readily accepted the task of being the Overall Chairman of the first-of-a-series of pre-Homecoming activities: the THS BATCH '78 BIG FAMILY DAY scheduled on October 21, 2000 to be held tentatively at the Quezon Memorial Circle.  We would be bringing our families (a big problem
for me and Ofelia) and will have fun games both for the children, the youth and adults.  A parachute tent would be pitched. Edna would head the Committee on Food.  Ching will be the chief first aider. 

     Some quarters commented that August is still a long time.  It seems that they could hardly wait for another gathering to be held! 

     We vowed to do a total manhaunt for some batchmates:  Ross Misa, Olive Griarte, Joseph Gelito, Rey Medenilla, Moises Sta. Ana, Ferdie Lomibao, Joybelle Limasing, Ariel Ciego, Leah Espino-Ponio, Rogelio Isleta among others.  Marilou assured us of her victory: she would bring the most number
of batchmates.

     And as we savored the simple dinner (prepared by my H.E. teachers at the Manila Cathedral College) consisting of kare-kare, fried chicken, lengua estopada and brazo de mercedes (courtesy of Ching) and buko pandan for dessert, people milled around my pc and laughed at the pictures and write-ups contained in our class website.  Browsing at the old class pictures actually helped them identify one another.  The biggest hits were the pictures of Romeo Austria and Felix Parado at the Universal Studio.  The girls gasped at how Felix looked then and now. They feasted on how Felix was seated in the class pic:  the boys asking what the hell  his problem was.  Somebody asked, "sino ang nakatuluyan ni Felix?"  Another batted in, ""yung katabi niya."  He was actually seated besides Mrs. Bantay! The girls noted that Rey Bisda looks even younger in his family picture.  And everyone was asking as to who his wife is.  She was the night's  "Mystery Girl."  Questions like "Was she the one matched by Diana Lansangan with him?" were raised.

     Christopher Jornales new built elicited "ohs" and "ahs" from the girls. There was a debate as to whether Romeo Kabigting was a batchmate or not. Still others vowed to become cyberbuffs from then on so that they could access the website.  Not a few were copying the e-mail address of whoever. The girls were crooning at Florizel who according to them hasn't changed his looks. (Guwapo pa rin.)  Everyone else was looking for Val who was a perennial high school crush.  And there were querries on "sino 'yung namatay and bakit?"  Romeo Kabigting's letter to Val was read.  It was a total pandemonium.  "Si Aurora Valderrama napang-asawa si Manolo?!" No one would listen to anybody.  It was a riot! And of course, they recalled as to who was anybody's old flame in high school.  There were also actual plans of pairing those who aren't married yet!  Everyone marveled at how it all begun.  I could only recall with delight on
how I was surprised with an e-mail from Rey Bisda who scanned every nook of the internet just to find my e-mail address.  He wanted to have the group organized this early for the 2003 event. His NBI and FBI instincts was not in vain after all.  He connected me with Val and everything else came into place.

     It started at 6:00 p.m.  At around 9:30 p.m., no one would still call it quits.  There was not enough time to recall the good old days.  Jesie was being challenged to sing.  She claimed she has a better singing voice than before.  Edna almost recited her declamation piece, "A Glass of Water."  Eleanor and Beng rediscovered each other and talked lenghtily.  Former girl scouts called each other "ate." Even Edna's husband, Rosauro, laughed with us.  The session ended with the exchange of calling cards and contact numbers.  Those who did not bring their cars were generously invited by others for pooling. 

     There were only sixteen of us.  (Representatives from Virgo and Libra failed to attend).  But office was bursting out with laughter and giggles as if there were fifty. 

     Meanwhile, stories about this first inter-class gathering would be told and retold a hundred times.  It's always nice to recall the good old days and to realize how good the Lord has been to each of us.  We can hardly wait for the next meeting.  There would be more people: more stories and laughter . . . more blessings to count and to share . . . more commitment!