Straight from a student assembly that I attended at Holy Child Catholic School,  my driver hurriedly negotiated the morning traffic at Juan Luna Street.   I was supposed to be at Torres High School at 9:00 a.m. where Ronnel, Olive and Dolly were waiting for me.  Earlier on, they had a hearty breakfast at Jollibee Gagalangin. 

Upon arrival, I was ushered to the Principal's Office.  The three were already talking with Mr. Romeo Santos,  THS Principal and Angie Modesto, Alumni Coordinator.   Mr. Santos,  a good-natured Tondo Boy who went to Manila Cathedral School for grade and high schools, was his jolly old self.  I had a chance to collaborate with him when he was assistant principal at T. Paez high School in good, old Balut.  He and Angie were just too happy for our visit and our batch's prospect of being a support group to Torres High.  Yes, other batches have made similar visits asking for their wishlist.  He also mentioned the Canadian-based Torresians (certainly not Rey and Val) who are supportive of the school projects. 

And their wishes:  more monoblock arm-chairs for their classrooms and LCD projector for the students' audio-visual needs.  We never promised anything but it would always be good to know what they need. 

Then, we were led to a campus tour.  He showed us the new classrooms for the staff of "Ang Sulo" and "Torres Torch." They have better facilities for the school publications nowadays!  We also went to the THS Computer Laboratory.  There is an internet room where several computers are on-line.   They have really gone a long way, batchmates!  Mr. Santos jofully shared that Ayala Foundation paved the way for the new internet age at THS.

Then, the long walk to the different floors of the school.  It was a trip down memory lane . . . the classrooms,  the wide corridors,  the bleachers, the stage,  the proud, sturdy and shady trees of days long gone . . . the library,  the stairways.   Suddenly, we were transformed to circa '78.  It was a beautiful morning filled with happy recall of countless memories.

Before we bid the school goodbye, we had one last stop at the "Ang Sulo" room and found the old issues still intact . . . never mind if the pages have turned yellow and brittle.  Olive was too happy to rediscover her ageless poems . . . while I could only laugh at my file photo as editor-in-chief of the school paper!

Then, I turned to read the latest issue of "Ang Sulo" . . . THS was overall champion in the City-wide Mini Press Conference . . . Torresians: overall champion in the district athletic meet . . . Torres winning in various contests . . . ah, nothing has changed!  Just like the good old days.