64th ANNIVERSARY

A Christmas Reunion and Birthday Celebrations

Inspite of traffic woes and issues with old age, 19 “sprite, early octogenarians” make it 64 years after leaving school

Seventeen sprite and “early octogenarians” who braved the traffic gridlock all over Metro Manila are sitting l-r: Luz R. Ramos, Patsy P. Sison, Andrea E. Sarapuddin, Naning Bagabaldo, Paking Floro, Ophie O. Lagmay, Ely D.  Gomez and Mercia C. Aquino.  Standing l-r: Peping Laurel IV, Jess Disini, Omar Yapchiongco, Pons Bernardo, Tom Carunungan, Ikong Andaya, Amador Casiño, Johnny Sanchez and Nanding Campos.  (Not in the photo are Celia N. Padilla and Johnny Billote who had to leave early.)

Click here to view Reunion pictures.

By Patsy Putong-Sison

December 20, 2014 was an unforgettable occasion for both my daughter, May Dayag and me.  We experienced several nerve-wracking mishaps due to the ubiquitous Christmas-traffic rush in the Eastwood-C5 area, which had a milder effect on Ophie, Arnold and Meggie Lagmay who took a different route that enabled them to reach the venue before the 11 a.m. call-time.

From time-to-time, I updated Ophie about our transport predicament. I got frantic when she informed me that many classmates were already there and ready to eat lunch after Peping Laurel’s impromptu opening prayer (in lieu of Nanding Campos who phoned in that he was arriving at 1:30 p.m. from Cavite because his driver arrived late, again due to the horrendous traffic).  My anxiety worsened after learning about the presence of Jess Disini, who had angrily vowed that he would not attend our reunions anymore because I had allegedly misinformed him about the actual date of our December 27, 2013 63rd Anniversary Christmas Reunion.  Who would not be mad, when he arrived at the venue  December 28 he  was laughingly informed by the Legend personnel that he was a day late.  And true to his word, he did not attend our June 28, 2014 64th anniversary mid-reunion.

After an agonisingly long wait and two taxi-rides later, we finally reached the venue at 12:35 p.m., making our unintentional “grand entrance”.  I was greatly relieved when Jess Disini greeted me cordially. He admitted that he really made that angry vow a year ago to Delma and Ophie.  This time, he decided to be present presumably due to the Christmas spirit of reconciliation, which made him realize that it was an honest mistake on my part and not a deliberate misinformation.  Besides, he added, an unfortunate misunderstanding like that should not ruin our decades of friendship and camaraderie.  Thereupon, I relayed my apology in public and now call him “best friend”.

We waited for Delma Dojillo-Dungan to arrive with either daughter Madel or Maricar, and their “no-show” was  attributed to the current Christmas traffic jams, but Ophie was later informed by Madel that Delma had a restless sleep the night before and had to rest.  Heavy traffic also caused the arrival at past noontime of Luz Rodriguez-Ramos and debonair hubby, retired JAGO Col. Roger Ramos. We were elated to see that the couple had recovered from their freak accidents last month during Luz’s 80th birthday celebration. Exactly at 1:30 pm, as promised, Nanding Campos arrived.

Imbibing the sumptious food, I shared a table with Peping and Letty Laurel, Celia and Tommy Padilla, Tom and Raquel Carunungan, Andrea E. Sarapuddin and her young “apo sa pamangkin”, Doc Johnny Billote and Jess Disini. Our animated conversation covered several interesting topics, such as the therapeutic effects of okra and similar items, Celia’s regular afternoon walking around Rockwell Mall, and our consensus that the two well-preserved female batchmates who are aging  gracefully  are Andrea Estrada-Sarapuddin and Luz Rodriguez-Ramos.

The July to December birthday celebrators: l-r Ophie Lagmay, Naning Bagabaldo, Andrea E. Sarapuddin, Omar Yapchiongco, Tomas Carunungan, Mercia C. Aquino, Ely D. Gomez, Patsy P. Sison, Luz R. Ramos and Johnny Billote. (Not in the photo is Celia N. Padilla).

The first table  presided over by Paking Floro and Naning Bagabaldo included Lubang Mayor and retired Col. Johnny Sanchez and charming wife, Pilar (who were thankful that the recent super-typhoon Ruby had spared their island from its fury); elegant Mercia Crisostomo-Aquino (“crush ng bayan” during our high school years); retired UPLB professor emeritus Ely D. Gomez, Ph.D and her niece; eminent urologist Doc Ponciano Bernardo, Jr.; our Assistant Treasurer Amador Casiño; our Auditor and Rural Bank owner Enrico Andaya; and noted inventor Omar Yapchiongco and his wife, Alice.

The table behind us was occupied by other guests – namely, Ophie’s son Arnold (who should be commended for taking superb pictures of our reunions despite his hectic schedule as an IT executive) and his daughter, Meggie (who served at the reception desk and who has recovered from a previous bone affliction and is a “beauty and brains” student at the UERM); Paking’s lady-love, Ofel, with her niece; Ikong Andaya ‘s trusted aide; Naning Bagabaldo’s caregiver and his driver; Mercia’s daughter, Meya (who has helped the Secretariat considerably) and my daughter, May.

Enjoying lunch at the fourth table were Luz and Roger Ramos, Nanding Campos and Ophie Lagmay.

In spite of the prevailing Christmas traffic problem, our affair was well-attended by 19 classmates and batchmates out of the 22 confirmed attendees.  The traditional candle-blowing ritual ensued, as two caramel cakes were brought to the front for the July to December birthday celebrators present who proceeded forward as Ophie called out their names – hers included, Tom, Omar, Ely, Mercia, Patsy, Andrea, Naning, Celia, Luz and Doc Johnny. Meanwhile, the audience clapped and merrily sang the “Happy Birthday” song, while Arnold and other camera aficionados took candid shots of the auspicious moment.

What would have been his opening remarks became some sort of closing remarks for our prexy-for-life Paking Floro, as he delivered his Yuletide messages, thanking the audience for their presence despite the unwieldy traffic jams.  Moreover, he congratulated our super-efficient Treasurer Ophie for doing a great job in almost single-handedly organizing the Christmas reunion and ensuring its success.  He likewise expressed our joy in the recovery of the Ramos couple from their accidents and humorously quoted Roger’s quip that his survival was due to the longevity of “masamang damo”.  In conclusion, Paking urged our batch to organize carefully the arrangements for our 2015 reunions, particularly our 65th Grand Anniversary Reunion so that most of our members, both here and abroad, would be present during that milestone event.

Next came our informal meeting, with Ophie calling for comments from the group. There was a suggestion for a change of venue and/or dates of our 2015 reunions, not only to minimize the traffic woes of attendees, but also to encourage the attendance of more batchmates and their guests.

In behalf of the January to June birthday celebrators next year, Peping Laurel proposed a whole-day affair in Mount Makiling near Calamba, Laguna on a new date – March 27, 2015 – when the fair and cool weather then would add to the enjoyment of the event before the wet and rainy months.  For those with a transport problem, the suggested meeting place was Pancake House at Magallanes Village, Makati City, where a car pool would transport those concerned through SLEX and similar, excellent highways. The venue’s attractions consist of delightful facilities for swimming, golf, sightseeing, socializing and eating delectable cuisine.  It was also suggested that our Christmas reunion be held last week of November or first week of December to avoid the holiday traffic jams.

It was also stressed that we may have to get a general consensus from the class regarding our practice of  having two reunions yearly, considering that this may mean the depletion of our remaining funds without replenishment for future activities (to which the quip was we’ll continue  to get together even if we have to go KKB - “kanya-kanyang bayad”).  In addition, we need to seek the recommendations and suggested arrangements of our North America Chapter (NAC)  batchmates in this regard.

Before the group ended its discussions, Celia and Tommy had to leave ahead to meet their “balikbayan” son, thus missing the birthday and group pictures in the usual “kodakan”.  Doc Johnny Billote also had to go ahead. The optional exchange of gifts became a brief raffle. The remaining attendees had an extended exchange of Yuletide greetings as most of us hesitated to bid a final goodbye to one another.

The harrowing traffic hassles of the day were soon forgotten as we enjoyed each other’s company, and arrived home, safe and tired but happy.  All’s well that ends well!

Maligayang Pasko at Masaganang Bagong Taon sa ating lahat! Mabuhay ang U.P. High Class 1950 !!!