Author Estrella Reyes

December 23, 1998 was the date when I moved from the East Coast to the West Coast, in San Jose, California. A week before this date, I spent some time with Norma Afable Grajo’s family in Anaheim, California. During my stay in Anaheim, Norma made arrangement that I should meet all the L.A. alumni (such as Nydia Mabalay Tinawin, Luisinia Labios Uytingco, Cecilia Yamsuan Rodriguez and Emmanuel Pablo) with their spouses.

We had a heavy dinner since everyone brought something (potluck). After a long conversation, we sat down and talked about the year 2000 reunion. The group asked me to share with them what when Chit and myself hosted the New Jersey\New York reunion in 1997. The group proposed and made plans for the July 2000 reunion.

Time flew and the reunion has arrived.

Once again, I was invited by Frank and Norma Grajo to stay with them during the 4-day reunion. I arrived on July 12th with my daughter Eileen (and her two sons). I also invited my younger brother Romy (from New York) to join us on this most awaited event.

The reunion participants arrived on Friday the 14th from all over the States. From Chicago: Rolando & Erlinda Siwa; Esperanza Magbitang Tanghal (Jess could not make it); Benedicto & Dina Siwa (with son, daughter-in-law & grandchildren). From New jersey: Mernilo & Annie Dionisio, Fort & Conchita dela Pena; and Efren & Vicki Pascual. From Maryland: Horatio & Violy Lotuaco. From Chesapeake, Virginia: Rodolfo & Lina Mariano. From San carlos, California: Rodolfo & Teresita Alvarez. From San Jose, California: Victoria Malgapo and hubby Conrad. I was so happy to find out that Victoria is also a San Jose resident just like me.

The arrival of the Philippine residents such as Gen. Romeo A. Padiernos & Letty; Oscar & Myrna Vallarta; and Manuelito & Teresita Matias added excitement to the event.

Frank and Norma put up a simple but warm “Welcome” party for all the participants at the Quality Comfort Inn where every out-of-towners registered to lodge. We were already having fun just talking to one another, sipping sparkling wine and nibbling on yummy finger foods that delighted the participants. The hostess then announced a merienda cena invitation at their house the following day, Saturday.

Teya holding court in the kitchen.
Come Saturday, it seemed that everybody’s time clocks were ahead of ours because people started arriving at lunchtime. I was caught by surprise since Norma and Frank were not yet home at the time. My worries faded when I saw the guests enjoying our “famous” dinuguan and garlic shrimps.

Some time later that afternoon, it was time for the business meeting of all alumni held in the rec room upstairs. The most important agenda in the meeting was the next U.S. reunion. After a long discussion, the majority voted that the Class’ 44th Reunion will be held at Chesapeake, Virginia in the year 2002. Hosts will be Rudy and Lina Mariano. It was also decided by the group that the “Grand Comeback Reunion” to the Philippines will be in 2003.

The U.S. residents suggested a cooler month to hold the 2003 reunion to avoid the hot summer in Gapan which we experienced in May 1998. The participation of the Philippine residents, during the business meeting, gave us a clear view that we should go on doing our reunion. I could still remember that Benedicto Siwa quoted clearly that “We are not getting any younger, nobody knows how long we could meet again. So why don’t we do it while we still have the chance to see each other”.

After a long period of exchanging, proposing and suggesting ideas, we finally agreed with Benedicto. At that point an announcement was made by the chef that dinner is set with gourmet foods catered by Meding, a relative of Norma, who is also from Gapan.

We had lots of fun conversing, singing and dancing. The dance expert Rudy Mariano headed some line dancing and “train dancing”. We also mastered the famous “chicken dance”.

The next day, July 15th, was a Sunday. Everyone wanted to go sightseeing. But first we went to attend Sunday church. After church, everyone went on their own to different directions like Disneyland, Universal Studios and other places of their choice.

Monday, July 16th, was agreed to be a “free day” for each person to do what they wanted to do in the morning, but should be back for the 6:00 PM highlight of the reunion. For my family’s “free day”, my brother Romy insisted to travel quite far to have a new lunch experience at the San Pedro Seafood Place. The restaurant prepares your choice of live crabs, shrimps, lobsters, fish, etc. and dine in an open deck by the sea. There were souvenir stores where I decided to pick-up the send off gifts, courtesy of the U.S. residents, for the Philippine residents.

We, the L.A. group came much earlier to the hotel’s venue hall for the 6:00 PM dinner-dance affair. Cecilia Yamsuan Rodriguez was in charge of the flower arrangements, Luisinia Labios Uytingco with the balloons, and Nydia Mabalay Tinawin also has an assignment.

By 6 o’clock, everyone came on time. Everybody looked great in their best outfit. The toastmaster, Norma, allowed everyone to enjoy the sumptuous dinner with lively music playing, before she started the short program.

The program started with the playing of the U.S. and Philippine national anthems. This was followed by a shot invocation. Everyone was given a few minutes to share in. There were also games participated by everyone. There were also some “Thank You” speeches from the U.S. residents led by Ace Lotuaco and responded by Philippine residents led by Gen. Romeo A. Padiernos. The speech of Linda Baguisa Siwa was very touching, inspiring and unforgettable.

The music was non-stop. Almost everyone was on the dance floor. The time did come that we have to stop. But the fun did not end there.

...Dance to the music! ...Line dancing for all

From the function hall, we all moved to Ace and Violy’s suite to continue the happening. At the suite, we again set the tables with cakes, pies, lots of other things and wine to celebrate Annie Dionisio’s birthday. Tessie Pangilinan entertained the group with beautiful songs from the Broadway play “Phantom of the Opera” and the movie “Titanic”. She also sang a song dedicated to her beloved husband, Rudy Alvarez.

I could not remember what time we ended the evening but I clearly recall that we are going to meet again in the morning at breakfast time in one of the banquet halls of the hotel. The group breakfast is a treat to everybody by the Northeast group and my brother Romy.

...A man-sized breakfast ..."Ladies Only" table ...Ben Siwa & Company

“Goodbye” is always a sad part of our reunion but in any story there is always an end. Like the saying “parting is a sweet sorrow”, but we will always reminisce the wonderful memories we have ahd during our 4-day reunion.

Farewell, so long friends and classmates. Until our next reunion in 2002 in Chesapeake, Virginia. See you there …!
...A picture for the memory album

Good evening, friends and colleagues.

Two years ago, in 1998, we were in the Philippines for the celebration of the NESHS Class of 58’s 40th anniversary reunion. A historical tidbit: Some U.S. alumni were originally disinclined to attend the reunion because of apprehensions over the Philippine’s July heat.

The heat during the Philippine reunion was indeed oppressive: the ladies from the U.S. were sweating “buckets of sweat”. But even that was not sufficient to deter the alumni, even those that were originally disinclined to attend. From this historical tidbit could be read one reason for the success of this alumni group: the strong magnetism of the NESHS Class of 1958 among its alumni.

Here today, the Year 2000, we see that magnetism in full bloom again. Six individuals from the Philippines, out of an original number of twenty-seven, subjected themselves thru the rigors and unyielding bureacratic process of the U.S. Embassy in Manila so that they may acquire a U.S. visa and be with us here today.

To our Philippine colleagues and their spouses …, Romy and Lety Padiernos; Efren and Vicki Pascual; Oscar and Myrna Vallarta; Manuelito and Tessie Matias …; thank you for showing us how much you care to be with us here today.

Another reason for the success of this group is its applied philosophy that the alumni is the foundation of the group. Thus, the interests and wishes of an alumnus or alumna is supreme. Demonstrating that, an alumna who is not present but who wanted to be here today, Leonora Antonio Singzon, requested that her message be read to all of you today. Thus having been requested, the request becomes my command. (Editor’s Note: Leonora’s letter was read to the assembly at this point).

A third reason for the success of this group is that it is more than an association of alumni members. Rather, it is an association of the alumni and their families. I personally believe that without the participation of the alumni’s spouses, this group would not be where and how we are today. Having said that, I would like to request the alumni to give the alumni’s wives and husbands a “big hand”. (Editor’s Note: Audience responded with an applause). An aside: I wonder what would happen if the alumni did not give the alumni's spouses a “big hand”.

We are at a very historic moment: The start of a new millennium. As a group, what do we do for the rest of the millennium? That is a profound question that I will not venture to answer for the group.

However, let me share with you a personal outlook. I look at the future as if I am standing before a blank board. I have three options before that blank board. First: Write nothing on the board. Second: Write something negative or harmful on the board. And third: Write something positive or helpful on the board. I will leave these options for the group to ponder.

Lastly and on a personal note: A week before our flight to LAX, Violeta and I were having dinner with our children Alessandra and Xavier. Alessandra asked me if I was excited to see my classmates again. I answered my daughter, in my own “cool” way, that my excitement is always within limits. Violeta, my wife, then said … “Your Dad’s excited! You know how your Dad and his classmates are when they get together …”, she said smiling and in a kidding way. “ … they tell the same high school stories to each other every time they meet”. My daughter and my wife were really having fun then.

I just smiled and told my daughter and my wife (who did not go to NESHS) the following: “Don’t you see … that is the magic of being a NESHS ’58 alumni. We tell our high school stories over and over again … and each time we do … the stories are always new”.

So let us keep the magic going … for the remainder of this new millennium.

Thank you very much.

January 20, 2000 - Sunday

Author Vicky M. Pascual
The meeting of the NESHS Metro Manila group to formalize strategies for first time U.S. visa applicants – who were planning to join their overseas classmates in the Los Angeles reunion -- was held in our place in Pasig City. It was a well-attended meeting. During the meeting, Class President Romy Padiernos designated Sol Ligon Inocencio and Eli de los Santos as the Metro Manila and Gapan Coordinators respectively; and my husband, Efren to be the liaison between the Philippine and the U.S. Groups.

While a few class members and their spouses (who are U.S. visa holders) encouraged and motivated their visa applicant peers, the apprehension could not be masked on the faces of those who are planning to appear at the US Embassy. I was somewhat sad for not being able to actually be there and extend moral support to the group during their interview preparations. My second daughter Cherry and I were to depart for the United States in five days to visit my other children who resides in New Jersey.

After my daughter and I arrived in the U.S., electronic mails from my husband kept me updated in the ensuing months on the progress of the group's venture to acquire the coveted U.S. visa.

June 20, 2000 - Tuesday

After months of preparation, the first group of visa applicants were given their interviews at the American Embassy. I prayed and kept my hopes up that they would get positive results. To my dismay, none of the three applicants for that day were granted a visa. The second group suffered the same fate. By this time, Efren's e-mails were no longer encouraging. The other applicants’ morale was very low (to the extent that one applicant chose not to appear for their scheduled interview).

After the 27 applicants completed their interviews, only three couples -- Romy and Letty Padiernos, Oscar and Myrna Vallarta and Manuelito and Tessie Matias – were granted with U.S. visas. A fourth couple, alumna Norma de Guzman Camaya and husband Herminigildo, were also granted visas but the delivery of their passports by the American Embassy couriers was too late for them to make it to the scheduled reunion.

Despite the disappointing low number of representatives from the Philippines, Reunion Coordinator Norma Afable Grajo and the other reunion organizers’ spirits were not at all dampened. The U.S. Group were happy that there are four couples (Efren & myself being the fourth couple) from the Philippines that would be attending the four day class reunion in Anaheim, California; and deeply felt that the reunion would be a success.

July 14, 2000 - Friday

I checked-in at the Newark Airport for my Continental flight to Los Angeles 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time of 4:15 PM. My kumpadre, Nilo Dionisio and wife Annie (booked on the same flight) were already at the departure gate waiting for me. It was boarding time, the airport was packed and flights were delayed. There was a storm in the mid west.

Passengers were instructed to notify their families of the delay. People lined up to the pay phones. I had my turn to call Efren in Los Angeles (he flew to California from the Philippines two days before the reunion) and informed him of the change in our arrival time. After a 90 minute delay, we were finally on our way. With plenty of time to catch-up, “We will still make it to the Welcome Party”, Annie and I mused.

Meanwhile at the Los Angeles Airport, Efren was traversing from the Continental Airline arrival terminal to the PAL arrival gate to meet the group from the Phil. The group arrived on time and as soon as Efren and Frank Grajo (husband of Norma Afable) met them, Frank whisked them from the airport to the Welcome Party.

Finally, at 9:35 PM we landed at the LAX airport. A sigh of relief for Annie and me. We will definitely be at the hotel by 10:30 PM, at the latest. With Efren on the wheels of our rented car and Nilo navigating, we saw no reason for another delay. Just when we thought we were on the right track, Efren missed our exit and we went in the wrong direction.

After ricocheting the roads, we finally made it to Quality Inn Hotel in Anaheim. Just then, we met Thea Reyes Aguilar, Norma and husband Frank leaving the hotel premises. They were being escorted by Rollie Siwa. “What? The party is over!” we gasped. “It is 12:30 AM!” Rollie announced. “The guys are still partying but the ladies had to call it a night”, Rollie added. So up to the 7th floor Rollie lead us. To my delight and pleasure, Letty and Myrna were still partying with hubbies Romy and Oscar. Rudy Mariano, Ace Lotuaco, Rudy Alvarez, Fort dela Pena (husband of Conchita Palomo) and Ben Siwa completed the group.

Having one drink too many, the usually quiet Rudy Mariano was so highly-spirited that he invited everyone to their beautiful home in Virginia. My kumpadre Oscar repeatedly reminded Efren that they should stay together during the duration of the reunion. Antiquated stories were told by everybody. Romy showed no sign of jet lag; Rudy Alvarez reinforced his claim of being the youngest and the most handsome of the lot. Efren, Nilo, Ace and Ben peppered the group with their jokes and the ever thoughtful Rollie and Fort saw to it that our gastronomic needs were met. The quaint simplicity of the evening compensated for the many hours of delay. We had so much fun, and the small group party lasted until 3:30 AM. (Editor's Note: Day's photos, click here).

July 15, 2000 - Saturday

The late lunch hosted by the Grajos was an occasion for the four gentlemen from the Philippines (Romy, Oscar, Manuelito and Efren) to rekindle friendship with their classmates who are now residing the U.S. After 42 years they reunited with Emmanuel Pablo, Nydia Mabalay Tinawin, Luisinia Labios Uytingco, Victoria Malgapo Mogan and Teresita Pangilinan Alvarez (classmates who were unable to attend the 1998 Philippine reunion). For the graduates traveling from the EastCoast and the Midwest, it was yet another joyous moment to re-acquaint with classmates from the West Coast.

For myself, it was a time to make new friends. There is nothing more flattering than to be approached by a person whom one has not met before and have them introduce themselves. I cannot forget how in the 1998 reunion, Esper Magbitang Tanghal did that, and the same gesture was repeated at this year’s reunion by an equally charming person, Tessie Pangilinan Alvarez.

The gracious hostesses, Norma and very able assistant Thea, were like two magicians concocting sumptuous dishes to complete this diverse Filipino and American smorgasbord. At another table was a variety of desserts provided by the other Californians. As it was our practice in the Metro Manila group to have a common celebration for classmates born on the same month, Efren and I decided to surprise birthday celebrants, Myrna Vallarta, Annie Dionisio, Norma A. Grajo and Rudy Mariano with a birthday cake. After dinner, Thea took on yet another role as she and Frank set the tone for group singing, dancing and merrymaking. She led everyone to the dance floor to do the Rumba, Cha-cha and other Latin American dances. (Editor's Note: Day's photos, click here).

July 16, 2000 - Sunday

Being an agenda-free day, most participants made arrangements to meet relatives and and friends living in nearby towns. With the Philippine group wanting to cover and see as much attractions and amusement parks as possible, some of the U. S. alumni needed to decide where to go and who to join. After much deliberation, a "Universal Studios Group” was formed. Romy,Letty, Myrna, Oscar, Tessie, Manuelito, Efren and myself were escorted by Annie, Nilo, Chit, Fort, Victoria and husband Conrad for a day tour of the famous tourist destination.

At the Universal Studios, we walked the grounds where well-known films were shot. We rode the bike with “E.T.”; went “Back to the Future” with “Doc”; fought our way against the “Terminator”; escaped from “Jurassic Park”; and got all soaked in the “Waterworld”.

Heading back to the hotel, plans for the next day’s activities were already being mapped. Too exhausted to stop by for dinner, we headed back to our hotel rooms. Not too long after we got to our room, Tessie Alvarez came with fresh California fruits. Then Rollie and wife, alumna Linda Baguisa Siwa and Esper dropped by delivering a variety of Mexican Tacos. When Esper and Linda learned about the next day’s planned activity, they graciously offered to join and host the Disney tour. (Editor's Note: Day's photos, click here).

July 17, 2000 - Monday

Starting early on the last day of the reunion, the same "Universal Studios Group” , joined by Esper, Erlinda and Rollie, headed for Disneyland as early as 8 AM. On this outing, Fort and Chit, who needed a much deserved rest day, begged for time off.

At Disneyland, we traveled to the “Fantasy Land” where we watched excerpts from “Beauty and the Beasts”; participated in the Disney parade; ate cotton candies and ice cream; took a boat ride with “Huckleberry”; shrieked as “Honey Shrunk the Kids”; and fought with Darth Vander in “Star Wars”.

In the evening the formal dinner party was held. It was a first in a U.S. reunion. At the helm to welcome the alumni, their spouses and guests were Cecilia Yamsuan Rodriquez and Violy Lotuaco (wife of Ace). The evening was formally opened by singing the Philippine National Anthem followed by the Star Spangled Banner. It was the most poignant moment of the reunion. It was a display of how high a person can soar and still have roots planted firmly on the grounds from where he/she grew up from.

After Ace's welcome address, the Philippine constituency responded and thanked the organizers on making their trip a very memorable one. As the next reunion’s venue, which is Virginia, was announced, designated Reunion Coordinator Rudy Mariano and wife Lina, promised to make the next affair equally a great success. Dancing, picture-taking and gift-giving followed the evening’s dinner segment.

Before the culmination of the evening affair, Ace invited everybody to their suite -- to celebrate Annie Dionisio’s birthday which happens to be on that same day -- for desserts. (Editor's Note: Day's photos, click here).

July 18, 2000 - Tuesday

The reunion activities were extended for an extra half-a-day when the Northeast Group (the Dionisios, Lotuacos, dela Penas and Marianos) hosted a breakfast for all reunion attendees the following morning. After this last affair, it was check-out time from Quality Inn. As goodbyes were said, mixed feelings were in the air. Some were sad that it was parting time once more; while others were already planning for the next reunion in Virginia. Still others were busy coordinating the hosting of classmates Romy, Letty, Oscar and Myrna for their extra days of stay in the U.S.

July 30, 2000 - Sunday

Back with our children in New Jersey, at dinner time one Sunday, Efren was telling interesting tidbits about the reunion. One of our daughters asked “Were you that close to each other when you were in school?” Pausing for a moment, Efren said, “No, just like other high school students, we each had our own barkada (peer group) and as a matter of fact, even classmates from the same section may or may not have been that close. But now we are like brothers and sisters”.

There was so much truth to what my husband said. During the four days reunion in Anaheim, I saw how much the class is like a big family that grew up “under one roof” (of the Nueva Ecija South High School). Like brothers and sisters, each is unique with individual differences. Growing up in the same school, they learned the same values and discipline. Like other siblings, they moved on and found their own lives. As with any family, one wonders why at times a joke is taken as a joke and other times, when the same joke is cracked, it is not taken as such. When there is a misunderstanding between siblings, they confer to resolve differences.

The NESHS Class '58 is a unique class. I salute them for still learning how to improve the relationships they have started in their formative years. Truly it is this ability in each one that makes the NESHS Class of '58 a “class act”.

https://members.tripod.com/~NESHS1958/index.html
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