Grand Alumni Home Coming

The grand alumni homecoming of my alma mater - St. Pius X Institute in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija pushed through last April 8, 2007 despite the extreme heat of the sun during the parade and the rain that showered in the evening causing the tables and chairs and the reception area all wet that night. Good thing it subsided and as the party continues, finally stopped at around 9 PM.

Former classmates and seatmates arrived. Everybody were so excited in meeting each other again after twenty-five (25) long years to be exact! Virgilio Sumalbag, my seatmate (from my left) arrived a day before the reunion straight from the USA, together with his wife, also our classmate, Arsenia. Imelda Ramirez arrived also from Australia with her husband, an Ausie who shared this great moment with us. Of course (Father)Jojo Tablang was there who helped organize this big event. He was also my seatmate (to my right) for 4 straight years! Elenita Sanchez was there who I thought was able to maintain her built and her youth (hehe!). Veronica de Gracia joined by her husband were also there with us. Contrary to Ellen, Veronica gained a lot of weight!! Well, I would say, I miss her songs a lot. She was our singer during our time and she really was very good!! She's now a dentist by profession. Nerissa Garcia was there. This quite and petit girl that I used to know is now a mother of, uh, am not sure...two or three. Laura Crisolo was there..Evangeline Osita, the only boyish looking classmate of ours is already a mother!! That's fate, he he! She was with her husband and helped her prepare our dinner (at Virgilio's residence) and the food that we took at the reunion party.. Good job, Eva!! I liked the papaitan very much.. That's one Ilocano exotic food I will always want my host to prepare everytime there is a party. More, please!!

Atty/Judge Liwliwa Hidalgo (just one of the 'beauty and brains' of Batch '82) was there. Bricio Casco, the 'hunk' of batch '82 and his wife were so sweet that night.. Peter Dolor, Edwin Evangelista, Tomas Guinto (who is now married to my Aunt Ato), Ralph Ysmael, Potenciano Servando, the other Virgilio Sumalbag (with a 'C' as mid initial), Renato Dar, Nestor Jacob, and a lot more!! And who did not enjoy the 'dramatic' arrival of Virginia Villacorte (or was it 'comic?) We all sure did!!

Gatherings like this should be made more often, we agreed. Another reunion on December was planned and we hoped to gather more of our batchmates this time. We expect the following to attend on December, hopefully: Raquel Tabara (U.S), Loreto Versola (Canada), Mila Aguinaldo, Rowena Bautista, Clarina Santiago (U.S.), Romeo Sibayan (Bahrain), Ferdinand Cabiling, Joel Rubio, Glenn and Glenda Gonzales, Amado Arcega, Rolando Alicante, Florida Alejo, Maribel CAiling, Vivencio Dagdag, FErdinand Sison, Artemio Otanes (U.S.), Corazon Ysaguire, Ferdinand Guiam (seas!!), Florante Mercado, Benjamin Olog (Mid East), Lauro SAnchez, Nerissa Lagmay, etc..

The night was just so short for all of us to hear each other's story...