On February 16, Rey and I drove to Solano via the Concepcion, La Paz - Talavera Road to avoid the usual traffic at the Sta.Rita – Baliuag Gapan – Cabanatuan Road.
After checking at the Balai ni Oyah we immediately embarked on a hunt of our classmates. We started with Lucio Galapon who had to be bribed with a bagfull of clothes and two bottles of wine by Rey to drag him away from his wife’s sick-bed. We planned to visit Paulino Bolusan passing thru P.D. Galima to visit Avelina Molina Domingo who reside in their farm. The Baranggay Road we passed thru between rice fields scared Rey. The one way road was barely enough for Rey’s C.R.V. Adding to Rey’s consternation was Lucio’s sequestration of Rey’s favorite baseball cap because it was raining when we walked to Avelino’s house.
Mr.Domingo met us and told us that Avelina already left for the 6:00 p.m. meeting at Chowking.
Lucio said that we had another classmate by the name of Emiliano Dagdag who lived in nearby Barrio Mapaina. We had to brave the rugged, narrow dirt road to get to Mapaina meeting several Kuliglig’s which Rey parried on the road only to be informed the Emiliano does not live there anymore.
From Mapaina we exited to the BASCARAN Road to get to AGGUB to visit INO BOLUSAN. We found INO sitting looking sick and pitiful. He barely recognized me and Boy (Rey) only to smile when Rey gifted him with a bag full of signature shirts and two bottles of wine. INO is suffering from Prostate Cancer. We only hope he can still make it to our December 29 GOLDEN JUBILEE REUNION.
CHOWKING MEETING
On the way back to Solano we fetched Ambong Diego who was sleeping when we got to Yogad. He was brave enough to come with us despite his Emphysema just to meet our classmates.
Roger Tiongson, Jimmy Magalued, Lina Tiongson Purificacion, Feliciano Castillo Duro, Lily Antonio Fariñas, Remedios Bangad Bambalan, Josefina Dee Cerallos, Perlita Doles Flores, Carmen Pacis Casamonte, Avelina Molina Domingo, Lucita Ursua Villaserna joined me, Rey, Ambong and Lucio at the Chowking where Rey hosted the dinner. Sixteen of us were there.
Individual pictures of those who came were taken and we intend to send you copies thru email so you will try to recognize our classmates in their present appearances. With the exception of the boys, Rey was not able to recognize all the girls except for Chatterbug Feliciano Castillo.
March 21, 2009 – We advanced the meeting date from March 28, 2009 for two reasons.
1st – March 21 was our graduation day in 1959.
2nd Several classmates could not come on the 28th.
The March 21, 2009 meeting will still be held at the BALAI NI OYANG starting at 10:00 a.m.
To encourage attendance – no payments will be required courtesy of Rey Miranda who shelled out Php25,000.00 to cover the cost of the March 21 affair.
ATTIRE : CASUAL
The Lunch – Merienda meeting shall be interspersed with hourly raffle where Php500.00 per hour will be raffled plus other prizes which will be solicited for the affair.
KARAOKE SINGING, BALLROOM DANCING AND PARLOR GAMES will highlight the day.
As of our last count we have the commitment of 28 classmates. We are aiming for 35 to attend the March 21, 2009 “ GRADUATION BALL ANNIVERSARY”.
DECEMBER 29 Highlights
The group agreed to collect a minimum of Php1,500.00 from each member of the class to cover the 2 T-shirts and food for the December 29, 2009.
Boy proposed that during the motorcade, all of the Class 59 member ride in one (1) Bus to promote better acquaintance among ourselves who may have forgotten each other due to weathered faces and ageing.
PROPOSED DETAILS OF THE DECEMBER 29, 2009 REUNION
December 28, Monday - Hotel Check - In
Registration and Distribution of T-shirts, Programs and Welcoming of Local and US based classmates.
Registration starts at 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 2nd Floor – Chowking
Registration Committee:
1. Lina Tiongson
2. Lily Antonio
3. Remedios Bangad
4. Nena Apaga
5. Zeny Favila
6. Lucita Ursua
December 29, Tuesday
7:00 a.m. - Mass
8:oo a.m. - AM Tour of St.Louie High School Campus and School Gym ‘ Project. Courtesy call on School Principal, Director and Faculty.
9:00 a.m. - Motorcade around Solano and Bayombong
10:00 a.m. - Assembly at Balai ni Oyah
- snacks of local kakanin
- tupig, inuruban, tinudok, ginataan, suman etc.
- drinks-buko juice, sugarcane juice, yakcon tea, kiangan coffee, etc.
10:30 - Program Proper Balai ni Oyah Pavillion
Proposed Program
10:31 1. Invocation – Sister Teresing
10:32 2. Philippine National Anthem – Roy Tamani
10:34 3. Star Spangled Banner – Escil/Lydia
10:36-11:30 4. Self intro of each clan member present 2 mins. Maximum
11:31 5. Entertainment number (surprise number) the altar boys
6. Lunch - buffet –
Suggested menu for lunch – bisukol, liddig, birabid, paltat, igat, abalabal,
kinilaw nga lagdaw, papaitan, abuos soup.
- Main Course – kaldereta, pinakbet, lechon, chicken barbecue, ubod ti uway,
asucena-optional, sinampalukang kambing, etc. Suggestions shall be welcomed.
- Desert - local cakes like those listed above.
- Drinks - basi, tapuy, grape wine, bignay wine, lambanog, bahalina, tanduay.
- Karaoke singing to be moderated by Roy Tamani.
- Ballroom dancing to be led by Lina Tiongson.
- Presentation of the Saint Louis Gym Jubilee Project – Roger Tiongson
- Games led by Olive Saberano Padre and George Mamuric
- Exchange gifts – Nestor and Lydia Mercado, Rey Miranda
- Special Gift giving – Leopoldo Aliac, Escil Manriquez, Lina Tiongson
- Raffles – Lawrence Aliac
Proposed Committee
- Hall Arrangement and Décor – Jimmy Magalued, Lucio Galapon,
MiguelCrisostomo, Remedios Bangad Bambalan.
- Food Committee – Lina Tiongson, Lily Antonio.
- Mass – Church – Feliciana Castillo, Roger Tiongson
- School Tour – Roger Tiongson
- Motorcade – Jimmy Ambong, Rolando Barerro, Tony Mendoza.
Sidelights of our Chowking
- Would you believe that several classmates have never been to Chowking –
kaya they don’t know how or what – to order.
- Male idol of Class 59 Ambong Diego. He has four (4) children with four (4)
mothers. Can you beat that George and Pol.
- That Roy who made a disappearing act last year is finally back in
circulation working for the “Obama of the Philippines.” He is busy
organizing community based boy scouts. What we don’t know is if that
includes boy scout na babae.
Are you aware that of 50 ladies, 11 of our classmates and of 38,
5 of our male classmates have already gone ahead.
Please furnish us your birthdates. We are looking for the youngest and
oldest member of our class. Those without Senior Citizens Cards are
disqualified. They are fakes.
Welcome Linda for having joined the crazy bunch of 59ers you surely are fresh wind to the polluted environment of emailers. Be on line more often.
Here’s the picture taken in 1963 during the despedida of Escil in Solano. Please identify these guys in your next email to us.
Lawrence
