SoCal 2010 Reunion Memoirs

In the beginning was the Jubilee and the germ of an idea. Some people would react with bemusement to the idea of a follow-up reunion whilst celebrating in the middle of one but this is Class '5, Torres High School, the class that the sun, the moon and the stars fell on and showered with ethereal dust. The famous Golden Jubilee was celebrated in February 2009. Little less than 15 months later, they were together again but in a different venue and in another land. And after that, they looked at what they had done and it was good. And it will be repeated. Even now, exploratory preparations are underway. But first look at what happened in May 2010. In the following recollections, several other rapt 59ers -- Jorge Gonzales, Dolly Santos Pascual, Odette Ople Ong, Juliet Aguilar Santiano, Pining Cua Soriano, Cora Miranda Yuson, Abe Tuason, Orlando Cuasay, and Rolly Lampa express their various "takes" and insights into the 50+ 1 Reunion.

THE DREAM TEAM

Jorge --
It was on that late morning of Tuesday, February 10, 2009, while the attendees of the Class 59 Golden Jubilee Celebration Overnight get-together were enjoying the beautiful scenery at Balai Isabel Resort in Talisay, Batangas, that Pining Cua Soriano and a small group of mostly lady Jubilarians fell to talking about a follow-up get-together which could be held in the spring or early summer of the following year.

Those present, in addition to Pining, were Cora Miranda Yuson, Dolly Santos Pascual, Juliet Aguilar Santiano, Rodelia Ople Ong, and myself, who all agreed to have the Southern California area as the venue. Since it will be in my backyard, I volunteered to lead the effort. At that stage, we were just envisioning a private party, much like the various post-Jubilee get-togethers of small 59er groups all over Metro Manila in the weeks after our Golden Jubilee affair last year. I had even jointly co-hosted one of those at Saisaki in Mega Mall as a thank-you luncheon for the Jubilee organizers and Jubilation book editors.

Back to my day job in the States a few weeks later, I started thinking about the proposed post-reunion reunion. I could not seem to complete the party preparations blueprint to my satisfaction because every time I put a plan on paper, it did not seem to look right. After some nights of deliberation with myself, I knew what should be the proper approach.

If we were to have another reunion, it should be the continuation of the Golden Jubilee celebration: a 50+1 get-together, open to all 59ers and not just a group of close friends within the group.

With this in mind, I then drew up a plan and invited all the 59ers living in the Southern California area to have a meeting at my place. We had a very happy post-Golden Jubilee reunion and all expressed their feelings with regards to their experiences they had during the 50th anniversary celebration in Manila. Taking advantage of everyone's thirst for another exclusive 59er reunion, I presented my proposal to host the 50+1 jubilee celebration in our area. The response was positive and very encouraging.

I challenged the group to come up with a program that will surpass the success of the celebration given to us by the Manila 59ers and make this a very memorable reunion.

The Dream Team was born.



The Dream Team - Jorge and Ellen Gonzales, Abe and Amy Tuason, Cora and Ed Yuson, Dolly and Chit Pascual, Willy and Fe Leano, Juliet and Ric Santiano, Nora and Chito Hernandez, Fred and Libby Pecson, Chris and Bella Cristobal, Romy and Josie Florendo, Lita and John Dubski, Fortune and Sam Tubig, Norma Merza, Serafin Cardeno, Lee Mariano, Ading Estrella, Pinong Abrazado, Odette Ong, and Pining Soriano.

THE FIRST DAY

Dolly –
On Monday, May 10, the welcome and icebreaker party (held at the Parkhouse located at the Preserve in Chino, Ca) marked the start of the 2010 SoCal 59er reunion. It put everybody in the mood for a fun and exciting week. Opening number was the invocation by Orlando Cuasay, followed by Jorge Gonzales’ welcome address. Buffet lunch was served while the video in blu ray of the Class of 59 was being shown. It was however the exuberant mood of the attendees and the endless wonderful warm hugs and open embraces that dominated lunch time.

A program highlight was an Angklung Indonesian bamboo musical presentation by all the members of the Dream Team. Before the number was presented, Willy Leano introduced the DT members. Orlando, in his May 24th email to THS59ers, enumerated all the members and their very patient and cooperative spouses, but inadvertently missed Cris and Bella Cristobal and Romy and Josie Florendo. Special mention is due for the job well done by our treasurer, Abe Tuason, our secretary Norma Merza and our program coordinator, Willy who prepared the agenda for almost all of our meetings. Indeed, what was beautifully highlighted by Willy was the dedication of the Dream Team whose will and energy for this reunion were pre-eminent. Every member excitedly looked forward to the gathering, determined to form memories that would stay with the attendees for a long time.

Manolo Sy presented the plans for the 2011 Manila reunion after Juliet Aguilar Santiano and Conrad Estrella acknowledged attendees who came from distant places. We had 59ers who flew in from the Philippines, Australia, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Nevada, Virginia, Washington, and Northern California.

Party games, Trivia and Name that Tune quiz followed. It started off with the game I called Couples in Love. Couples danced on a newspaper holding each other tight and tighter as the newspaper they were dancing on got smaller and smaller. True PDA (public display of affection!). Now, remember our high school days when we knew the answer to a teacher’s question? We would stand, raise our hands almost smack on our teacher’s nose. Can you picture these contestants, 65+ year old kids who during these quizzes couldn’t wait to be called by the hosts Rolly Lampa ang Jorge G? Oh, such fun, playful demeanors!

After the group pictures, we had the after-party party at Jorge and Ellen’s place, supposedly for everyone to unwind. BUT the energy continued on – still electrifying. Ramdam na ramdam ang happiness ng pagkikita-kita. Totally!

Emcees were Willy Leano and me, Dolly P in short (Parton? Minus the awesome endowment!).

Orlando –
Who can forget the $18 maroon and gold shirts, around-the-neck name tags, the roses (courtesy of Jasmine Bermudez Sarmiento), the master of ceremonies, the invocation, introductory speeches, the parlor games, the quiz shows, the angklung Indonesian bamboo concert performances, the roll call of attendees from around the world, the acknowledgement lists, the paired dancing on newspaper and dance competitions, the prizes and gifts, the Tondo medical mission raffle, line dancing, the varied Filipino dishes, the after-party party at Jorge and Ellen Gonzales’ residence?

Rolly –
We had a few first time attendees. Lando Cuasay was unmistakably Lando Cuasay, as tall and soft spoken and good looking as he was back then. There was Flor Gianan of L.A. who whispered shyly to people around that she didn’t really know anybody, but was moved to attend because she had never attended a high school reunion and wanted some solidarity with her own graduating class. Shortly, she produced a tattered class photo of her third-year section which included some current attendees of the 50+1 gathering. Small world, huh? Also, there was a couple, both 59ers – Vic and Precy Macapagal -- who had travelled overland all the way from their home in Fairfax, Virginia. This time also, we finally got to meet Aning Gemino Navarro from Chicago. She couldn’t make it to the Jubilee last year due to pressing family issues, but here she was for the 50+1 Reunion, with husband Rod Navarro (no, not the movie actor but imposing enough to pass for one). Most pleasing of all for me, there was Sam San Pedro, larger than life and twice as impressive. Sam had so tickled the funny bones of the Jube Book editorial staff with his very witty emails that I simply had to meet him. He’s a fun guy, Sam.

Later on, we would also be joined by Monette Cordero Yee who had likewise been unable to join the Golden Jubilee last year.

Two non-59ers so active in the welcome/icebreaker party should be mentioned (thanks Dolly P for their names), to wit, the musical director of the wondrous angklung number – Licia Bernabe, a 1960 THS grad. Licia is the pianist and/or musical director of her parish choir. A flair for showmanship was also shown by our DI (make that a voluntary DI, too) in the name of Ted Mercado. Cris Cristobal normally hires him for DI jobs because he charges a very reasonable rate. And according to the Dream Teamers, he did give us a good rate.



Orlando - OPENING INVOCATION

Good morning, Lord.

Bless this assembly. We are here to celebrate our 51st class reunion. Bless the classmates who had envisoned and put into fruition this splendid gathering. Bless all of us in attendance from far-flung Philippine islands, down-under Australia, and different states of glorious USA.

Bless our classmates who are unable to attend, those who wanted to come but could not, those who did not want to come but later wished they had, and also those who never wanted to come for reasons known only to them.
Bless those whom we may have offended and those who have offended us so that we may mutually open our hearts to forgiveness and reconciliation.

Bless those who have gone before us. May their souls rest in peace.

Bless us all – your beautiful creation!

TODAY, we have been drawn together to make merry. We have cast aside our chores for the rest of the week. We are poised to rest our minds and bodies anticipating the sheer joy of everyone’s company.

Lord, enliven our conversations, renew our acquaintances. May the bread we will break feed our friendships and the wine we will pour wash away our differences.

Lord, as we spend the youth of the evening in our moments of happiness, awaken in us a deep appreciation of individuals who in the course of our lifetime had defined, influenced, directed, and enhanced our life – those who are close to our hearts: the beloved spouse, the loving children, the adorable grandchildren and our dear neighbors, the relatives and friends.

We will consume and imbibe. If and when we dance, we will sway ever so gently with the sweet melodious music and gyrate and convulse to thunderous rock. If and when we play, we will momentarily act out the silly thoughts and shout and mimic the absurd. We will make merry to our hearts’ delight until our bodies say: No more! Bless our victuals, libation and hilarity. Lord, all through this day and through each day of the week, during our travels and times beyond, shower us with your blessings. Thank you, Lord.

(We ask you to give us your blessings now as we pray together: BLESS us O Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen.)
(PHOTOS)

THE SECOND DAY

Odette –
The Los Angeles Tour, May 11. Still giddy from the excitement of the previous day’s event (icebreaker), the diehard, young at heart THS59ers embarked on an all-day tour of the City of Angels, aka Los Angeles.
The day started with us boarding the bus at 9 a.m. at the Holiday Inn parking lot in Diamond Bar. As soon as the bus started moving, the flow of goodies began too. From the delicious sandwiches to the juice and water and other mouth-watering treats brought or prepared by the very efficient Dream Team members. Naturally, the attendees who did not know what to expect were pleasantly overwhelmed.

First stop for the group was the fabulous Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. What an appropriate name to honor our Bless Virgin Mary. We were told that this church cost so much to build that even just one door commanded a whopping $1 million. I was told that this does not bode well to the impoverished people living around the area but, hey, it is what it is. It is neither our place to judge nor aim to be politically correct in this respect.

Next stop was the cultural center of LA. Everyone dispersed and went to check out places of their choice. There were the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Kodak Gallery and other points of interest. While waiting in the bus for one “lost” tourist, a member spotted from a distance Ashton Kutcher, so it seemed, strolling along sans Demi Moore. Some of us doubted that it was really him considering he is a very popular TV and movie star and quite cute, to boot. The “lost” one finally returned to the bus but the ones who were sent to look for him seemed to have gotten lost too. It took a few more minutes before everyone finally got together and for the bus to roll along again. Isn’t that the usual pattern? One gets lost and we send another person to retrieve him/her and then another one to search for the second one, and so forth. But Filipinos are known for their patience. This was evident when there wasn’t a peep heard nor any carping about the delay of the tour.

Griffith Observatory is a world-class space and science center. Its commanding presence offers a panoramic view of the Downtown LA to the SE, Hollywood to the S, and the Pacific Ocean to the SW. But its main tourism appeal is that it offers the closest and best view of that iconic Hollywood sign on Mount Lee in the Santa Monica mountains. This is one of LA’s most famous landmarks. Of course, the cameras never stopped clicking.

Along the way, we stopped to check out the famous Dodger Stadium. The stadium is the largest ballpark in the US in terms of seating capacity. It is also the third oldest ballpark in the country, behind Fenway Park in Boston and Wrigley Field in Chicago. There was no game going on at the time we visited so we just imagined how the LA Dodgers must have fared during their glory days. The team did have many world championships under its belt, in ’55, ’59, ’63, ’65, ’81 and ’88. Nothing of late, but c’est la vie.

We caught a glimpse of the Staples Center, a multi-purpose sports arena located next to the LA Convention Center. It is home to the most recent world basketball champion, the LA Lakers -- impressive winners! The arena hosts 250 events and has approximately 4 million visitors a year.

It was almost time for lunch, so on we went to the famed Farmer’s Market, an outdoor food plaza featuring different kinds of ethnic cuisine. The historic place features more than 100 restaurants, grocers, and tourist shops located at the corner of 31st Street and Fairfax Avenue. This place is a popular spot for foodies in search of different tastes to satisfy their palates.

After lunch, we proceeded to Santa Monica Park/Beach. There were a lot of picture taking which we Pinoys are wont to do. Imagine having 48 59ers, with practically everybody having his or her own camera except for one who shall remain nameless. Her daughter commented when she returned home after our affair: “Who goes to a high school reunion without a camera? My goofy mother, of course.” By the way, the weather was nice that day, albeit a bit nippy so light jackets were in order. We spent a few hours just milling around and enjoying one another’s company with some getting acquainted or reacquainted or simply reminiscing the good old days at THS.

Then off to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Unfortunately, the Chinese Mann Theatre was closed for renovation. We spent as much time as we could just walking around and checking out the celebrities’ names engraved on the ground. Of course, we got to see Sponge Bob Square Pants, Goofy and other cartoon characters just walking aimlessly around and greeting people. One can pose for pictures with them for a fee.

Perhaps for lack of time the bus continued on and did not stop by Olivera Street and Rodeo Drive, and we just caught a glimpse of the Beverly Hills homes, leaving us to fantasize how nice it must be to live like the rich and famous. We also passed by the Fashion District and then back to where we started. It was a long, exhausting day for the forever young 59ers, but a day worth remembering and cherishing in our collective memories.

Rolly –
LA Cathedral has always been mired in controversy. Aside from the exorbitant amounts spent during construction, the architectural design is not everyone’s cup of tea. The design is ultra modern, from outside looking more like a civic center than a place of worship if not for the very visible cross, a far cry from the traditional Gothic bluestone and richly stained glass windows of cathedrals in other major cities of the world. When it first opened to the public, I remember that some of my in-laws were taken aback at the non-traditional statue of Our Lady. Our Catholic eyes are used to Mama Mary in regal white and blue robes (Fatima, Lourdes, etc.). The statue outside the main door of LA Cathedral has our Lady in plain, short-sleeved working clothes, and her facial features, looking, well, kinda Latina. Very sensitive issue. Me, I like the Cathedral. I like the statue.

On Hollywood Boulevard, as some groups followed the Hollywood Walk of Fame, other groups checked out Highland Centre Mall and Kodak Theatre, where the annual Academy Awards (Oscars) presentation is held. On the footpath outside, tourists milled around with buskers, mimics and Hollywood types.
PHOTOS


THE THIRD DAY

Juliet –
On May 12, 2010 (Wednesday), our tour bus departed at 8:00 am from the parking lot of the Holiday Inn in Diamond Bar. Our bus driver Fernando was a very friendly guy, and we had his wife Sandra for our Tour Guide. We were 49 participants in this tour. As soon as the bus took off, distribution of cheese pimiento sandwiches and bottled water began. Each person was also given two bags filled with a variety of snacks like apple, chicharon, peanuts, cashew nuts, and other chips. Along the way, more and more goodies passed from one hand to another, compliments of generous 59ers. Cora Miranda Yuson for one handed out baggies of ready to eat Korean chestnuts. Delicious!

Our first stop was Barstow Station at 9:00 am for 20 minutes. Everyone got out of the bus to do whatever they had to do in that short stop. Back in the bus, Sanda, our tour guide initiated a guessing game. Whoever could guess the closest to the bus arrival time at the Stateline would win the collected bets of $1 per person or a total pool of $50. Everyone began working on their best calculations and estimations. As the bus approached the Stateline, Sandra started announcing the time. There was no soul that did not show an aura of excitement laced with the great anticipation of winning. The bus hit the Stateline and quite a few came very close to the exact time. Flor Guianan Verceles, feeling anything but fortunate, turned out to be the lucky winner with her entry of 11:42 am.
We also watched the DVD of the 59ers 50th Reunion in the Philippines, produced and created by Jorge Gonzales. Thank you Jorge. Most of us could not tear our eyes off the video. It brought back so many beautiful memories of the reunion.

Across the Nevada state border, we made a stop at Primm for six hours for free lunch and shopping at the Primm Valley Outlet. Some could not wait to venture in the three casino resorts to try their luck at gambling. As expected, there were losers as well as winners. I remember one funny incident. As I was watching the bustle and hustle around, I realized I didn’t have enough cash with me for the trip so I started looking for an automatic teller machine and Dolly helped me find one. The machine we found didn’t look like any ATM at all. I inserted my card and “asked” for $200. When the cash started coming out, everybody’s eyes around me flew open and I heard some 59ers behind me gasping that I won. I realized soon enough they thought it was a slot machine. Dolly saw the excitement and decided to pull off a joke and told everyone that I won. We were both laughing so hard it didn’t take long for the crowd to realize it wasn’t what they thought it was.

Come 5:15 pm, we left Primm to proceed to Riviera Hotel on the Strip to check in for the night. The evening was a free time for everyone. Some joined the optional night tour of the famous hotels and casinos in Las Vegas. Some went for gambling, and some watched their choice of show.

Orlando –
My travel journal for the date reads: Travelled comfortably on a bus on way to LV, leaving at 8:30 am. Guessing-time game on arrival at the state line. I missed the winning time by two minutes. Break at Barstow train stop, then a six-hour shopping at Primm’s direct factory outlet stores. Arrived at the Riviera hotel. 13 of us toured LV night life: Rio, Bellagio’s crystal garden/front desk/dancing water show, snack at California’s before watching the Fremont street light show experience. Slept at around 1 am.

PHOTOS

THE FOURTH DAY

Pining –
May 13, Thursday. Started at 7:00 am from Riviera Hotel so early so that we hardly had time to get coffee. Fortunately, the Dream Team as always provided very good breakfast and snacks. Stopped at Hoover Dam, the world’s longest dam, traversing the Colorado River which connects Nevada and Arizona. Its majestic height, size, and site combine the beauty of nature and man’s ingenuity in improving its usefulness to generate much needed water and power to the Southwest states. The lights and glitters of Las Vegas, for which it is known all over the world, is possible only because of this Dam. The high rise bridge, crossing Hoover Dam, now almost completed, will definitely be a man-made wonder of the world. The Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tilman Bridge is 1,900 feet long with supporting twin rib arch span echoing the elegant curves of the dam itself. Did a lot of picture taking to remember this magnificent structure. Passed by again at night on our way back to Vegas and the view is equally if not more impressive.

The final destination of the day was Grand Canyon. It is just as the name says it is and with all the grandeur, it is truly a site to behold. Because of the perfect beauty only Someone majestic and omnipotent could have created such a place. For the believers, this place is a testimony of God’s existence, according to its brochure. The Grand Canyon, a steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River, is 277 meters long, has a width of from 4 to 18 miles and attains a depth of 1.83 km. The red mountain terrain descending all the way to the river is so magnificent that one can never get tired of visiting it all year round and as many times as can be. Everybody took many pictures from all viewing points. Some of us who saw the Grand Canyon Imax movie for 30 minutes witnessed the activities to enjoy, like kayaking, helicopter rides, canoeing, horse back riding, kite-flying, exploring its gorges, mountain climbing, camping, and all sorts of nature adventures that one can think of.

Juliet –
Grand Canyon National Park is described as one of the seven “natural” wonders of the world. On the way to the Park, the bus curved around many circular bands in passing by Hoover Dam. Gazing out of the bus windows enabled us to see the different angles of the magnificent dam. It is so interesting to note that immediately past Hoover Dam is the Stateline to Arizona, where the time zone changes to one hour behind. It is like crossing an imaginary threshold into another space and time. Leaving Hoover Dam at 8:30 am, we proceeded to our 20-minute second stop. Kingman, then to Imax Theatre where we opted to watch the spectacular Grand Canyon movie in 70 mm Imax film. As Ric and I strode in the theatre isle with my vision struggling to adjust to the dark, we lunged for the first empty seats we found. The Imax experience was thrilling, exciting and exhilarating. We had just seen the most watched Imax movie ever. We left at 2:00 pm to proceed to the south side of the Grand Canyon National Park. As one can imagine, there were lots of “kodakan” – same poses taken a dozen times from a dozen different cameras. The imposing magnificence and grandeur of the canyon – one just could never have enough of. How can anyone refuse or deny the existence of God when he greatly manifests Himself in the beauty of His creation? We left Grand Canyon at 4:00 pm. Exhaustion must have compelled everyone to sink in his or her seat and doze off. It was a very quiet 4-1/2-hour trip back to the hotel.

PHOTOS


THE FIFTH DAY

Juliet –
May 14 (Friday). Check out; 10:00 am departure from Riviera Hotel. We headed to the Chocolate House and Desert Cactus Garden for a 20-minute visit. For lunch, we went to Buffet@Asia, a Chinese restaurant. What an array of food, from salads to appetizers to main dishes to desserts! I felt a sudden urge to eat and the glutton in me was such that I had to loosen my belt one notch or so! After the buffet lunch which ended at 1:00 pm, we stopped at Lenwood Factory Outlet Mall for another two-hour shopping spree.

On the bus drive home, there were many recollections about high school days. Some 59ers stood up by the driver in front of the bus and with microphone on hand, recounted their stories of how they met their soul mates; how they were labeled then – like for instance, Felisa Manimtim Lagatus recalling she was called “Cofradia” (remember the comics character?) by Francisco Co because her skin was very dark; counting admirers (I don’t think any gal could top Rufina Cua Soriano’s 50 and still counting); who had a crush on whom, and so on and so forth. One fascinating story is that of Vicente and Priscila Silang Macapagal. Vic narrated how Divine Providence took them to 40 or so years of waiting before they found each other in marriage. In 1982 (if I remember right), Precy’s friend introduced her to a coworker. It was a match up for two adults advancing in years and remaining single. They met and fell for each other and got married. Later on in their life, they found out they were both alumni of Torres High School and both graduated in the same year – 1959. Vic’s class was immediately following Precy’s first shift session in the same room, and they never knew each other then! I find their story astonishing.

Rolly –
An even more astonishing story came up. Lee Mariano stood up and asked if we would like to be clarified on her “close friendship” with Ading Estrella. That caught everyone’s attention, including those nodding off on their usual afternoon naps. Well, there were no juicy revelations (yet) but Lee confided that as an old and caring friend, she accompanied Ading on his self-proclaimed mission in Manila last year during our Jubilee. The mission was to find and meet again Ading’s old high school crush of 50 years ago. Wow! Why? What happened? Ading stood up and explained, tongue in cheek, that he wanted to see his “crush again,” look into her eyes and see if they still shone with the sparkle that had so captivated him ages ago. Ahrrmm! So what happened is they found her. He looked into her eyes. And was the sparkle still there? A regretful shaking of the head … Nah … gone, must have sparkled for someone else but not for him. By this time, the bus was so noisy it was hard to hear the various requests for names and “what about Lee” inquiries. So Lee reclaimed the mike and announced with big smiles – we’re just close friends is all, won’t go further than that, couldn’t really tell the future, who knows what could happen next, etc. Ading got back on. Is that a yes? -- he asked. Uproar and bedlam in the bus.

(PHOTOS)

THE SIXTH DAY

Cora –
Capping the festivities, a picnic was held in San Diego, Ca on Saturday, May 15 at the home of Fred and Libby Pecson. The Pecsons kindly and generously offered their beautiful place for the gathering.
Chosen for the festive get-together was the ever popular Hawaiian theme. Of course, the girls wore colorful long Hawaiian dresses and the boys colorful flowery shirts. Romy and Josie Florendo donated leis for the attendees.
The gorgeous weather on the day of the event together with the park-like backyard setting teamed up to make a perfect picnic atmosphere. Trees, a fountain, and various plants all around simply perked up the spirits of the attendees.

A sumptuous array of Filipino dishes, various desserts and fresh fruits (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melons, mangoes, cherries, grapes and pineapples) captivated the eyes and appetites of everyone: pansit palabok, dinuguan with puto, okoy, apritada, steamed shrimps, fried tilapia with atchara, seaweed-wrapped shrimps and the much-looked-forward-to lechon donated by Carmelita and John Dubski. Nobody could wait for the go-signal to eat when the shiny-brown inviting sight of the lechon was sitting pretty on the table. In no time, the lechon was skinless and fleshless; everyone was having lunch – talking, laughing, giggling any place anywhere there is a chair or space to sit and eat. Where did the lechon go? My last sight of it was mere shreds of meat on the serving tray.
We had to request Lando Cuasay to do the invocation after everyone had finished eating (going against traditional program protocol). Hunger happily satisfied, every word uttered by Lando hit the hearts and minds of the attendees.
To everyone’s delight, Belia Cristobal displayed her talent dancing the hula. After her solo performance, she led eager beaver ‘girls’and ‘boys’ in showing off their own version of the Hawaiian dance.

Chicken dancing followed. No coaxing or arm-twisting was needed to join the dance. There was no doubt the 59ers still had the energy and the verve to hip-sway tO the left, to the right, and execute a few rhythmic knee-bending. Hardly anyone remained seated to watch. Almost everyone joined the dance.

To add more variety to the activities, we had games, games and more games: musical chairs (I am not sure who won; I am sure it wasn’t me), ball shooting, apples stacking (Jorge was one of the winners), straw sucking M&M candies, piko, limbo rock (this one elicited so much applause for those who dared and succeeded in “conquering” the stick mounted on two poles. Rolly was game to attempt the hurdle and did impressively well. I believe Elvie Aranzamendez, Isabelita Maximo, Abe Tuason and Fely Manimtim Lagatus joined the game too.
The Dream Team would not have a party sans a raffle. Aside from the DT’s donated prizes, Monette Cordero was generous enough to donate several T-shirts and giveaways too. Many lucky attendees went home with multiple prizes from game winnings and the raffle.

Not to exclude singing from the activities, a few warblers headed for the Karaoke machine in the living room. After a few minutes of old familiar songs floating throughout the patio and backyard, a beeline to the microphone started to form. Onnie (wife of Manolo), Vic Macapagal, Rudy Gonzalez, Pinong Abrazado, and Rolly Lampa sang solo. Fortune, Cora, Nora and Norma did not budge from their comfortable places on the couch but sang their hearts out.
A singing contest ensued between the boys and the girls. Voices boomed throughout the whole house. Who won? The boys. That’s just my humble opinion.

There is no doubt everyone had a marvelous time that whole day and early evening. We were able to turn the hands of time back to our high school days. We were able to reminisce, play and simply engage in good fun. We were young again and full of joy, high spirits and camaraderie.

No one really wanted to say goodbye. Everyone wanted the merriment to continue on and on and on.

Rolly –
Into my dotage (probably said more in hope than in reality) I will remember this 50+1 reunion final day with wistfulness and mirth. Details stand out in the mind – Norma down on all fours after being accidentally shoved in a most unladylike fashion by another (was it Fely?) contestant in that Trip to Jerusalem game. Isabelita in a massive arm wrestle tug of war in that game involving breaking up and reuniting in groups of different numbers, and most of all, the running commentary from Sam during the various program contests – like a real, professional sportscaster (“There they go, they’re marching around and around and giving each other sly looks, now watch it, what’s happening, they’re scrambling. OMG they’re really going for it, my goodness, it’s a pity someone has to lose out, but ….”

Night falls softly in San Diego. When the time came, we broke off from the raucous karaoke songs to put arms around shoulders on either side to sing the Torres song. In English as in the old days. The last line is always emotive, the volume grows louder with every la of that tra-la-la refrain – Hail to thee, o tra la la la, hail Torres High School. We kissed and hugged everyone. And then we said our goodbyes.

Orlando –
CLOSING INVOCATION

Lord, you were with us from day one. Thanks to your safeguard, we are here gathered again to continue our sojourn of recreating if not simply recalling our nostalgic years in high school. Thanks to Fred and Libby Pecson, we have their abode and resources to rejoice in. With your abundant blessings, shower upon this dwelling all who live in it. Thanks to the Dream Team and their spouses. Bless them for all their final preparations that will enable us to continue our merry making. Bless our classmates who spent untold hours and boundless energy throughout the year to plan, prepare and execute the flawless sequence of magnificent unforgettable events that have been etched permanently in the inner recesses of our minds.

We are not aware of anyone falling ill among us during this period of merriment. In fact, we feel we have been made healthier in many ways. Our nodding acquaintances have become good friends. Old friends have become family. We have expressed willingness to forgive and forget our past and present ill feelings. We have humbly narrated our past struggles, trials and tribulations and the eventual triumphant outcome of gaining power, position, prestige and possessions, in the end. We have told stories of how our individual blessed marriages had their beginnings and how they continue to flourish. For all these, we thank you Lord.

Who can forget the $18 maroon-gold shirts, around-the-neck name tags, the roses, the master of ceremonies, the invocation, introductory speeches, the parlor games, the quiz shows, the aunklung bamboo concert performances, the roll call of attendees from around the world, the acknowledgment lists, the paired dancing on newspaper and egg dance competitions, the line dancing instructions, the quiz shows, the prizes and gifts, the after-party party at the Gonzales residence. For the events of the first day, we are appreciative Lord.

Who cannot be amazed by the timely allocation of refreshments and thirst-quenchers during our second day as we savored the LA City tour? Who will not appreciate the time spent to complete the laborious shopping at the outlet stores on the way to Las Vegas and the night life tour of Las Vegas? For the events of the second and third days, we are grateful Lord.

Who would not be astonished by the awesome sights and endless pictographic frenzy to memorialize the sights of the Grand Canyon and the contrasting views of the Hoover Dam at daytime and nighttime? For the events of the fourth day, we are indebted Lord.

Who would not be tempted by the sweets at the chocolate factory and enthralled by the botanical garden? How did we gain the strength to shop yet one more time at the outlet-shopping site? Why were we incessantly laughing at the hilarious individual narratives of the good old days in Torres High? Why were so captivated by the romantic story and enthused by the possibility of a wedding in the near future, possibly pre-empting and/or embellishing the projected February 5 2011 class reunion? Will this possibility turn to reality, Lord? All that happened on this fifth day, you have already willed!

Every beginning has an ending. By the end of the sixth day, when we begin to part ways, we will feel the void that will remain in us for some time.

We pray that we may be given the fortitude, courage and wisdom to face our vulnerability and accept the finality of our mortal lives. We implore you to give us another decade at least to remain mentally alert, physically strong, emotionally stable, and spiritually-enhanced to plan, join and enjoy as many class reunions as we can put into fruition.

As we rejoin our family after this hectic class reunion, give us the grace to remember and keep alive the flames of camaraderie we have developed and to anticipate the next time when you will it, we will gather for our 52nd class reunion.

Good day, Lord

(PHOTOS)


AFTERWARDS

Abe –
The 2020 Reunion – a SCENIC VIEW. What a reunion it was. The feeling was awesome! All in all, the reunion’s ambience reflected the images of the beautiful and happy lifestyle of that generation we were once part of. Amazing!
At the start of the ice-breaker, almost everyone was just quietly looking around for some friends supposedly present and then was totally surprised to be able to recognize an old buddy after all the years. Upon meeting, a loud “Hi” with a broad smile was followed by a brief handshake. And after some short pleasantries filled with laughter that almost drowned out the DJ music. It was pretty obvious that the old friendship was renewed fast, right then and there. The above scenario was repeated many times as the search for more friends continued on.

When the last “Hi” was over and everyone was well reacquainted with each other, it didn’t take long before the kid in us began to kick in. Whoa! Suddenly, we started acting with abandon like the high school teens we were. And this youth-like behavior lasted through the week. Could this feel-young again phenomenon only happen and prevail because of the comfort food that the Dream Team tastefully served us for this occasion? Okoy, kare-kare, dinuguan, puto, lechon, ginatan, pinakbet, shrimp rolls, cheese pimiento sandwich, mechado, etc. Or was it because of the angklung performance, the name that tune contest, the line dancing, the daring limbo dance, the egg contest, the piko, the karaoke singing, etc? Or maybe because of the exciting LA tour, the astonishing LCD and neon lights in the Sin City or the breathtaking view of the Grand Canyon? Or the Hoover Dam at night? I’d say all of these with the entire etceteras. The whole shebang!

So who needed the Fountain of Youth, hah? Senor Ponce de Leon, donde quiera que estes – eat your heart out. You should have pursued a reunion with old amigos – Cortez, de Gama, Pizarro, Ferdie and others, instead of that myth. And Ferdie could have avoided Lapu-lapu and lived longer too.

From day 1, I felt that we all came to this reunion ready to party with full gusto and there was nothing that could stop us from doing so. Not even the common oldie’s maladies – back pain, hypertension, arthritic aches and pains, diabetes, high cholesterol, cataract and gout (ouch!) – could wilt us and our enthusiasm. “Happy days are here again” seemed to be the slogan throughout the whole week. And with that, we let Father Time take us to a perfect and wonderful place and time, So Cal in May of 2010, to continue our travel that was interrupted after that graduation day in 1959. And, oooh boy, did we all loooove and enjoy the journey.

This reunion proved one thing for sure – give this lively group of fun-loving 50ers a week off, and they’ll show you a hundred ways to spend it. Believe me.

The cruel part of many reunions is when the Scottish-sounding man presents himself. And true to his usual old trick, Mr. Auld Lang Syne, the tear jerker and the KJ, appeared and summoned us to “beat it” in a song while we were having so much fun yet. Well, he couldn’t get any crueler than that. So we simply gathered around and, with heavy heart, bade each other “goodbye.” No tears fell, but teary eyes abounded.

I can happily say that no other feeling of joy could compare to the uniquely great joy that this experience brought to everyone’s heart. The joy of joys! Sure, many sunrises and sunsets will come and go, but the memories of our 2010 reunion will always linger on, if only in our hearts, forever.

If I may ask one thing from all, just one for the road, “Smile one more time for me, pardner, will ya?” Keep that smile 24/7 and you’ll stay young, and that’s no myth. Thanks. It’s me – Abe.

The success of the 50+1 Reunion was beyond my expectation. Every day of the celebration was very memorable especially the last day when everyone in the parting crowd had misty eyes.
My sincere thanks and appreciation to the dedication and cooperation provided by the whole Dream Team, still having that age-old Filipino tradition of bayanihan that gave us this once-in-a-lifetime and unforgettable weeklong experience.

Needless to say, the Dream Team also thanks all 59ers who came from many parts of the world without whom this get together would not have been as it was.