Physical Appearances Change in 50 Years?

BHS Class '63 Faces Changed a Bit

Do physical appearances change in 50 years?  That’s the basic question, and the answer is, yes, indeed, our physical features do change in five decades.  Proof?  Well, last September 12^th, the Golden Jubilarians of the Batanes High School (Class 63) had a roaring “reunion” at the Marina Seafood Restaurant at MOA, courtesy of classmates Anie Balles-Escalona and Linda Ablaza-Temeña.  As Linda put it, Anie was the event-organizer and manager, of course, with the able assistance of Anie’s hubby, Boy Escalona.  But the point is, we hardly recognized one another when we converged at Marina’s.  The quotation of the day came from Delia Alconis-Santiago, who said when asked by Linda who I was.  Delia managed to stammer, “Matanda na kasi ako e” at the same time covering her face with both hands.  Well, of course, all members of Class 63 are SCs now.  But, make no mistake, they’re still a rowdy bunch.

Sitting (L-R): Logia Manzo-Salamagos, Linda Ablaza-Temeno, Pressy Yadan-Enciso, Anie Balles-Escalona; 

Standing (L-R): Meding Castro-Lamsen, Bro. Boni Mergal (O.P.), Lex Librero, Olga Addalid, 

Delia Alconis-Santiago, and Lud Mirabueno.

  

The surprise of the day was that Boni Mergal, who used to be very naughty in high school has been for a long time now a “Brother” of the Dominican Order.  As he explained, the Dominican Order bifurcates to the Brotherhood and the Priesthood. Bro. Boni belongs to the Brotherhood order, hence is called “Bro.” rather than “Fr.”  The Brothers focus on non-pure religious activities.  Hence, it was nice knowing from Bro. Boni that he used to be Vice Rector for Administration of the UST.  He said, that was a difficult job for him. 

Olga, on the other hand, is a cancer survivor.  Because she wanted to live longer, she made a pact with the Lord and promised that if she survived she would pray at the cathedral in Manaoag, Pangasinan every month.  And she has been doing that for the last 18 years.

“I have the simplest and shortest journey,” insisted Linda. She says, she finished her BS Accountancy at 20, got married at 23, and had her first and only child (boy) at 27.  Wow, complete life at 27.  That’s a record of some sort.  Pero boring, di ba?

Those no longer with us today include the late Jun Batallones, Tulit Abad, Aleth Nuñez, Delfina Antas, Edmundo Mina, Joe Bastillo, Jr., Serg Castro, Lydia Camacho, Waldo Castillejos, Jun Gacias, Jr., Leonor Bastillo, Bonay Fajardo, Greg Berongue, Enrique Rodriguez, Eping Viola, Salomia Adami, Adriano Gabotero, Johnny Cartaño , and Melchor Poncio.  That’s 19 of 74, or a mortality rate of about 25%.  May their souls rest in peace.

Our reunion organizers, Anie and Linda, did a great job.  My wife, Jegs, who teaches  tourism event organizing at Della Salle Lipa, said, “if I have to rate such event, I’d rate it ‘excellent,’” noting that such reunion must have been difficult to organize given that all those that Anie were able to contact and invited actually arrived.  That was great effort.  A successful one, too.  Imagine getting these people together in one place at the same time: Anie (Parañaque), Linda (San Pedro, Laguna), Pressy (Ermita, Manila), Logia (San Jose del Monte, Bulacan), Bro. Boni (Manaoag, Pangasinan), Olga (Baguio City), Meding (Diliman, QC), Lud (Novaliches, QC), Delia (Bulacan), and myself (Los Baños, Laguna). 

Great job, Anie and Linda.  Now, start planning and organizing the next one.  And you’ll also need the assistance (again) of Boy Escalona, who, I suppose, is now adopted member of Class 63.

I like crabs, and I feasted on one during lunch.  Interestingly, members of the BHS Class Jubilarians apparently didn’t relish eating crabs, especially the alige.  I understand they’re all scared of cholesterol.  Good thinking, good thinking.  Next time, pass those crabs, will you?

 Perhaps with the exception of a few, members of BHS Class 63 experienced hardships during their college education years.  Many, including this writer, were working students.  Some perhaps worked in offices, but I worked as gardener in the nurseries of the UP College of Agriculture, under the wrath of garden mosquitoes and sometimes bees and wasps.  But one had to sacrifice to achieve one’s goals in life.  As Anie said, in her brief remarks, “poverty is not a hindrance success.”

Hindi nagpapahalata, pero guton na mga 'yan.

Pinipilit huwag kumain.  Napapahiya sa iba.

 

Anie was testing if I could recognize those who have just arrived.  I failed miserably.  Nagbago na kasi mga itsura, e.  Pinag-palit ko sila Olga at Linda.  Nakalimutan kung tingnan ang kanilang mga mata.

Extreme left is Boy Escalona, hubby of our host, Anie.  He's now

adopted member  of BHS Class 63.

I was the first to arrive at Marina's.  Nagshopping pa pala sina Olga, Pressy, at Linda bago sila dumating. 
Si Anie, medyo worried na baka hindi matuloy kung walang darating.  Sabi n'ya, "huwag silang magkamaling
hindi dumating.  Kung sakali, sila ang magbabayad ng mahal na reservation dito."

SC na pero pa-tweetums pa rin itong si Pressy.  Di pa rin siguro graduate sa pag-muse-muse ito.

 Kaya ganyan ang orientation n'yan para hindi kayo mainggit sa kinain namin.

See you all next year.  Thanks for coming.  It was nice seeing you all after 50 years.  Nag-iba na nga ang mga itsura n'yo.  Magaganda pa rin, kahit papaano.