Farewell Paul

from Pastor Viloria, Paul's brother-in-law:

Dear Family, friends, church family...

Many of you already heard that Margie's brother, David's father, Paul Salvatus, passed away Sunday night. We were all shocked by the unexpected news. We will appreciate your prayers and support.

Many are asking where and when the wake will be. In respect to the request of his son, David, we will only have one day for the wake/lamay. I know this is not normal for our culture, but we ask that everyone would please be supportive of this decision that we as a family is honoring.

Trying to manage funeral preparations and visits to the police station simultaneously, etc. while dealing with the emotions is not easy considering how Paul passed. In all aspects it is very difficult, but we know with the support and prayers of everyone and by the grace of our Lord Jesus, we will come through in victory because GOD IS STILL GOOD ALL THE TIME!

So the wake/lamay will be on THURSDAY JULY 25 starting 9AM at FLORES MEMORIAL SERVICE and the CREMATION will be the next day FRIDAY 9AM.

Please pray for Mama Ludy, Papa Bob (parents); Anfer, Marilou, Gerty, Len, Kenneth, Thaddy, Margie and Jane (siblings); Sarah and Dave (children) and Terry (mother of his children).

Again thank you for your support and prayers. God bless us all...


CONDOLENCE to the Salvatus family.

ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING TEACHERS OF THE PHILIPPINES is an OLONGAPEÑA

She brought pride to the city of Olongapo, an inspiration to many, specially those in the education sector. She is a pride of St Josephs's School, Batch of 1980. 

The ‘good news’ was recently received by Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. from Metrobank Foundation, Inc. After conducting a rigid evaluation, Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara emerged as one of the two winners in this year’s Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers of the Philippines’ for the Higher Education category.

Dr. Guevara is a native of Olongapo City. She has been practicing her teaching career for twenty-six (26) years at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman and is considered as one of the finest professor in ‘’Digital Signal Processing’’ as her Field of Specialization at UP-Diliman College of Engineering.

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. recognized the numerous accomplishment of Dr. Guevara, one as the proponent and program leader of the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) Program.

Having been served as dean of the UP College of Engineering, she has convinced the university to open freshmen block sections to give freshmen a peer support system and help them adapt to college life. As a result, the percentage of freshmen who graduate improved specifically on the passing rate for Math 17 for students enrolled in the block sections, higher than those who were not in the block sections.

Another notable achievement of Dr. Guevara is the breakthrough Inter-disciplinary Signal Processing for Pinoys (ISIP) Program that started in 2007.

With her expertise on Digital Signal Processing, Dr. Guevara redesigned an engineering subject in UP—Signals & Systems with the idea that the mathematical formula will look less formidable if students will hear, see, and play with them first in the laboratory. The passing rate then for this subject went from 70% to 90%.

By winning in this year’s search, Dr. Guevara joins the elite group of outstanding teachers of the Philippines honored by Metrobank Foundation.

She will receive a gold medal, a trophy, and a cash prize of P300,000 from Metrobank Foundation, Inc. The medal will be conferred on her by President Benigno ‘’Noynoy’’ Aquino III and the foundation’s top officials headed by its president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña. Mayor Gordon will also witness the awarding on August 31, 2010 at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang.

Dr. Guevara will also be presented to the top caliber leaders of the business community in an awarding ceremony as the highlight of the 48th Metrobank Anniversary Celebration on September 3, 2010 at Metrobank Plaza Auditorium, Makati City.

The winners were selected from 156 nominees coming from various public and private educational institutions in the Philippines, of which 40 qualified as regional finalists.

The regional finalists underwent interviews and teaching demonstrations before the members of the preliminary board of judges identified for each category. Twenty (20) national finalists then were selected to become the national finalists.

The national finalists then faced the Final Board of Judges for this year’s Search co-chaired by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri and Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura.

Also serving as judges were: Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Francisco T. Duque III; Australian Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Rod Smith; San Beda College President Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. A. Maranan; and Shell Companies in the Philippines Country Chairman Mr. Edgar O. Chua. 

(copied from Subic Bay News Blog, this article posted on August  27, 2010)

She comes from our batch, BATCH 80. 

A Tragic Loss

It is not easy to lose something, more so, someone, specially a son. Our batchmate lost a son through a tragic senseless killing at San Diego. The man identified in the NEWS is the son of our batchmate Abdon Pugal. Abdon's family is facing a challenge of epic proportion. It is our duty as schoolmates and batchmates to help each other out in our times of need. And this is one of those times.

Here is the link to the News at 10 at San Diego you can see it for yourself.

Here is chanel 8's link:

Man Killed At Mira Mesa Party Identified - San Diego News Story - KGTV San Diego

MIRA MESA, Calif. -- A 20-year-old man was shot dead at a party in Mira Mesa, a police lieutenant said Sunday.
The victim, identified as Aris Pugal, was at a party in the 10900 block of Martinque Way about 11 p.m. Saturday when he stepped outside for an unknown reason. Upon hearing gunshots, friends ran outside and found him lying on the street, San Diego police Lt. Kevin Rooney said.

This message came from our Chairman Iit Penaflor who is a God Mother to AJ

My heart has been aching since the day i was told of this tragic event & has pulled my hair trying to figure out how to help. I know it is important for them to give Aj a decent funeral service...i have done my part as his ninang but it is not enough...so i am asking you to open your heart and help our fellow batch 80.

Donations may be mailed to:

 Susan Caluza's home address or to me at 14378 Augusta Dr., Valley Center, CA 92082

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact susan or myself. Abdon has asked me to make the announcement re: funeral services & i posted it on my wall or send it to some or most of their friends in & out of sjs.

A Massage From Ron Fabular

What happened to Abdon and his family is tragic and after finding out more and listening to the news, our batchmate can really use our help.


I think we need to gather everyone and see if we could help their family financially. News 8 reported that their house is in foreclosure and that the burial expense will be a challenge. How do we get everyone to help and pitch in? How can we help as a group? Abdon is a family to all of us. SJS is a family. We are family.

Let's get this rolling. It does not have to be right away. Any help we can give them will go a long way.

thank you all.

Alumni Initiative

Every year the Alumni of St. Joseph's School and now a College, were meeting for a Reunion of some sort. We meet, dance, eat and talk of old times. We were happy just to see each other again and talked of old times back when we were in high school. We were having fun, but then after the party it feels that something is missing, some of us feels that it should not end when the party ends. An idea come about, "what if while having fun on the reunions we are making a difference to someones life" A young life that we can give a better chance for facing the future through education. Would it be doubly nice that while having fun we can leave a legacy. Knowing that while we're enjoying ourselves, we are helping someone for a hope of a better tomorrow and a productive life.

The Class of 1980 would like to begin or float an idea that we the alumni as a whole body can make a difference not as an individual or a batch but as a group. Wherein we can make a sustainable commitment to make a difference to someones life. We like to call it the ALUMNI INITIATIVE not by our class but by the Alumni as a whole. Meaning, we as an alumni of SJS -SJC on our own initiative is willing to commit and support to make a difference to someones life.

In order to do a "giving back" to our school we need to be organize. Our school is in existence since 1948 how many alumni were there since that time. Some of those alumni ended here in the USA, we do not know how many but based on the turnout of the last reunion (2010 Grand reunion) there were a lot of us. Perhaps too many, yet we do not have an alumni organization here is the USA.

In view of this, our batch is proposing for the creation of an SJS-SJC Alumni USA. We do not know how this will come about, but Louie Sena researched what it will take to form one. At this time, we wonder how many of you alumni were thinking about it. We are all willing to help our school in way way or another, but if we have an established organization this help will be more focused and be on the terms that we the alumni wanted. Just a thought.

Message From SJS

It is time to hear from your Alma Mater, St. Joseph School.

FYI: Current facilities you do not have before: Fully air-conditioned library, home economics room, computer lab, internet lab, audio-visual room, chemical and physical lab. Facilities under construction: Bigger canteen cum student lounge, two-floor library, bigger audio-visual room to ... See morehouse 2000 plus students;

BADLY NEEDED: More scholarship grants to poor but deserving students-almost two sections have not enrolled yet due to financial constraints but these students do not wish to leave St. Joseph. At the moment we have the following scholarship grant breakdown: School's scholarship grants: 11 for working students, 50 for academic excellence, 5 for athletics grant, and tuitional discounts for children of employees and more than two children enrolled at SJS; 400 DepEd grants for students coming from public schools;

ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS DIRECT TO THE SCHOOL: 3 for Batch 67; 7 from Batch 79 including personal grant by anonymous 79; other batches have scholars not directly addressed to the school.Please inform the principal's office if you have any. PAASCU ACCREDITATION PROCESS is underway.

I am appealing to all alumni here and aborad to support the school fulfill its vision of producing more Christ-centered, dynamic and effective graduates,

GO GREEN! GO SJS!

Imelda Tulio-Lampaso
5/24/2010 at 17:51

repost by sjsbatch80

San Antonio de Pala Asistencia

The San Antonio de Pala Asistencia was founded on June 13, 1816 in what is today the Pala Indian Reservation located in San Diego County (some twenty miles inland) as an asistencia ("sub-mission") to Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, upstream from the mission on the San Luis Rey River. Its official title is now Mission San Antonio de Pala. Pala (a derivation of the native term Pale, meaning water) was essentially a small rancho surrounded by large fields and herds. The Pala site had been noted by Father Juan Mariner and Captain Juan Pablo Grijalva on an exploratory trip in 1795, when they went up the San Diego River, and then through Sycamore Canyon to the Santa Maria Valley (or Pamó Valley) and into what they named El Valle de San José, now known as Warner Springs. Once Mission San Luis Rey began to prosper, its existence attracted the attention of large number of mountain Indians, dubbed the Luiseños by the Spanish.

The site for the Pala Mission was selected because it served as a natural gathering place for the native tribesman. Father Peyrí oversaw the addition of a chapel and housing to the granary complex that was constructed at the spot in 1810. The chapel (whose interior wall surfaces featured paintings by native artists, and which today is the only mission facility still serving an Indian tribe) originally measured 144 by 27 feet. Workers went into the Palomar Mountains and cut down cedar trees for use as roof beams. Pala is unique among all of the Franciscan missions in that it boasts the only completely freestanding campanile, or "bell tower," in all of Alta California. By 1820, some 1,300 baptisms had been performed at the outpost. The Mexican Congress passed An Act for the Secularization of the Missions of California on August 17, 1833 (the Act was ratified in 1834). Father Buenaventura Fortuna surrendered Mission San Luis Rey and all its holdings, including Las Flores Estancia and the Pala Asistencia, to government comisianados (commissioners) Pío Pico and Pablo de la Portillà on August 22, 1835; the assessed value of "Rancho de Pala" was $15,363.25. Fearful of the impending "conquest" of California by the United States, Pico sold off all of the holdings (including Pala) to Antonio J. Cot and José A. Pico on May 18, 1846 for $2,000 in silver and $437.50 in wheat (the sale was later declared invalid by the U.S. Government). Through the years, priests from San Luis Rey continued to visit Pala and conduct baptisms, marriages, and worship services.

On Christmas Day, 1899 the San Jacinto Earthquake shook the Pala Valley, causing the rook over the church sanctuary to collapse. In 1902, a group calling itself the "Landmarks Club of Southern California" (under the direction of acclaimed American journalist, historian, and photographer Charles Fletcher Lummis) purchased Pala Mission. The following year, the Club returned ownership to the Catholic Church and "...saved the Chapel and a few rooms from complete ruin with a timely work of partial restoration...". Pala is alone among the California missions in that it that has ministered without interruption to the needs of the Indians for whom it was originally built since its inception. It is also the only sub-mission still intact. The traditional Corpus Christi Fiesta has been celebrated every year since its founding. Though it lacked a resident priest, Pala nonetheless served as the "mother" mission to chapels in Cahuilla, La Jolla, Pauma, Pichanga, Rincon, Santa Rosa, and Temecula. On August 9, 1942 MGM motion picture actress Ruth Hussey was wed at Pala Mission.

From 1948 to 1991 the Pala Mission was entrusted to the Comboni Fathers who in 1954 began an ambitious rebuilding program, with little money but much cooperation from the local parishioners and friends of the Mission. The effort received considerable publicity and attracted the help of individuals and groups from throughout Southern California, and by April of 1959, the structure was completed as it stands today

In May of 1991, the administration of the Mission was returned to the Diocese of San Diego. Then in June of 1993 the Franciscan Friars, OFM Conv. and the Franciscan Sisters of Philadelphia accepted the pastoral care of this very special Mission. As of June 1996 the Barnabite Fathers are in charge of the Pala Mission.

Mission San Antonio de Pala offers many unique Tourist Attractions. The original simple structure is a fine example of Mission Architecture. The long chapel, which displays Native American paintings on its walls and the original floor, offers the visitor a prayerful and reflective atmosphere. The bell tower, modeled after one in Juarez, Mexico, differs from all others in the 21 California Mission Chain in that it stands apart from the main structure. The old cemetery, the Mission Courtyard garden, and shrines have the strong appeal of peace and meditation and are reminiscent of the past.

History

1810. The first recorded mention of Rancho de Pala appeared in Padre Antonio Peyri's Mission San Luis Rey Mission annual report appeared. He recorded building a granary at that location. Six years later a chapel was built and...

18 June 1816. Padre Peyri dedicated the Pala Asistencia. It became prosperous and up to 1,300 converts were ministered to from dedication to the time the mission system went into decline.

1818. A town started to take shape around the Asistencia and after three years Padre Mariano Payeras noted that all that was lacking to make Pala a complete mission was a resident priest.

1827. The Asistencia was at a peak of prosperity. In a report José Maria Echeandía wrote that Mission San Luis Rey "has a station called San Antonio de Pala with a church, dwellings and granaries and with a few fields where wheat, corn, beans, garbanzos, and other leguminous plants are grown."

Late 1830s. The Asistencia underwent secularization. This started a time of decline for the property

14 November 1845. Pala, along with Mission San Luis Rey, was sold to Jose A. Cot and Jose A. Pico. That sale was later nullified but it started a process of sales of various mission properties. Fortunately, Pala was located away from the main lines of travel at the time so the Indians were able to keep the chapel and some of the grounds in repair.

1899. An earthquake damaged the chapel. It was repaired by the Indians with the help of the Landmarks Club. Likewise, when a flood damaged the campanile, it was rebuilt by the Indians.

1902. The U.S. Government decided to remove Indians from the Warner's Ranch area. Property near Pala was purchased and used for this move in the Spring of 1903.

1903. The Asistencia was returned to the Catholic Church through the Landmarks Club which has been able to purchase it from a private owner.

1954. Father Januarius Carillo started a restoration program where original bricks would be made and used to rebuild the original quadrangle. Cedar logs were brought from the Palomar Mountain for this reconstruction.

1959. The restoration of the original quadrangle was completed.

1992. The chapel underwent extensive restoration due to termite damage in the roof.

Location

Along Pala Mission Road (just North of California 76) in Pala, 23 miles from Interstate 5 along California 76. If coming from Oceanside turn left from Highway 76 just at the Pala Casino and proceed through the town to the Asistencia. GPS 33°21'40"N 117°04'45"W.

Pala Mission write up is here because you will pass this place as you go into the site of our reunion site, which is Pala Casino.

February Celebrants

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

all february celebrants

February 2 Erlinda Amarilla

February 2 Lindberg Macomb

February 2 Marites Medina

February 4 Corsina Sison

February 5 Beth Rendorio

February 5 Fidel Medina

February 5 Sylvia Yabut

February 5 Jocelyn Valdez

February 7 Ma Adelaida Layug

February 7 Ma Alicia Layug

February 7 Ma Aurora Layug

February 8 Renato Zuniga

February 8 Claudita Reyes

February 9 Enrique Ortigera

February 10 Rowena Salvador

February 10 Dolores Frias

February 10 Nevilla Campos

February 14 Hart Lacanilao

February 14 Evangeline Pili

February 14 Fanny Atanacio

February 15 Luz Capuz

February 15 Ronald Marcelino

February 15 Fe Padilla

February 16 Emmanuel Albano

February 16 Juliana santos

February 18 thomas Artap

February 22 Eduardo Paz

February 22 George Antes

February 23 Maribeth Dela Pena

February 28 Cliff Ruel Roma Malig

February 29 Benette Yumul

THE GREATEST ADVICE

by Rick Warren

from the book The Purpose Driven Life

To make yourself happy, pursue your passions & be the best of what you can be.

Simplify your life. Take away the clutter.

Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends, nasty habits, and dangerous liaisons.

Don’t abandon your responsibilities but don’t overdose on duty.

Don’t date because you are desperate.

Don’t marry because you are miserable.

Don’t have kids because you think your genes are superior.

Don’t philander because you think you are irresistible.

Don’t associate with people you can’t trust.

Don’t cheat. Don’t lie. Don’t pretend.

Don’t dictate because you are smarter.

Don’t demand because you are stronger.

Don’t sleep around because you think you are old enough & know better.

Don’t hurt your kids because loving them is harder.

Don’t sell yourself, your family, or your ideals.

Don’t stagnate!

Don’t regress.

Don’t live in the past. Time can’t bring anything or anyone back.

Don’t put your life on hold for possibly Mr. Right.

Don’t throw your life away on absolutely Mr. Wrong because your biological clock is ticking.

Learn a new skill.

Find a new friend.

Start a new career.

Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only a price to be paid for some of life’s more hasty decisions.

To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless.

To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy.

To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get a puppy.

Don’t bring another life into this world for all the wrong reasons.

Don’t live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family.

Be true to yourself.

Don’t commit when you are not ready.

Don’t keep others waiting needlessly.

Go on that trip. Don’t postpone it.

Say those words. Don’t let the moment pass.

Do what you have to, even at society’s scorn.

Write poetry.

Love Deeply.

Walk barefoot.

Dance with wild abandon.

Cry at the movies.

Take care of yourself. Don’t wait for someone to take care of you.

You light up your life.

You drive yourself to your destination.

No one completes you - except YOU.

It isn’t true that life does not get easier with age.

It only gets more challenging.

Don’t be afraid. Don’t lose your capacity to love.

Pursue your passions.

Live your dreams.

Don’t lose faith in God.

Don’t grow old. Just grow YOU!

When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back.

Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give to someone is your time.

Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is T-I-M-E because the essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves.

God is good all the time!

January Celebrants

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to all batch 80 celebrants for January

January 1 Romelito Jose

January 4 Alexander Pineda

Januray 4 Geanwel Diaz

January 5 Virgilio Lucena

January 5 Gina Marie Rhodes

January 6 Edgardo Ibarra

January 6 Jeanette Fredeluces

January 9 Luzviminda Duran

January 10 Danilo Layson

January 10 Renato Manabat

January 11 Amber Elomina

January 11 Ramona Rosemarie Juth

January 13 Nona Robles

January 13 Nerida Gerona

January 13 Robert Scheinhost

January 13 Ma Thelma Bayani

January 15 Joel Laurea

January 15 Luzviminda Tanudra

January 18 Virgilio Ebalo

January 18 Rolando David

January 20 Jerry Mondonedo

January 21 Ronaldo Cando

January 21 Judith Levita

January 23 Paulino Ticsay

January 23 Eloisa Matias

January 24 Joelene Paudan

January 25 Philip Santos

January 26 Ma Fe Quitangon

January 26 Joseph Cajipo

Janaury 29 Francis Rivero

January 29 Cynthia Constantino

January 30 Jose Ariston

January 30 Thelma Galvez

Thank you, SJS Community

Is there any superlative higher than MOSTEST FUNTASTIC? If there is, then THAT should be the description of our reunion event last Saturday night in Vegas,,,,,

We had GOOD TIME. That's for sure. We were united once more by that great force called High School. As for me, I giggled all throughout the fellowship with my gang of hungry for stories gfs. Ah, those pig-tails memories of Happy Feet, & first bfs, & the J-S prom that was missed (due to a firecracker incident @ the Rectory. Darn Rey & his band of Marijuana-crazed thugs,,,, & Darn them for making themselves missed by us last Saturday).

A litany of gratitude is now in place:

Shirley, thanks for offering us the comfort of your house,,,, You are the best hostess ever for allowing us to be the way we were in your home! Despite your seemingly domesticated nature in-the-now, you will still give me a good fight for the throneship of the Second Wind Ago-go Girl! Your spirit for fun (& your boobs) rock, girl!

Susan, thanks for being the life and the matriarch of the group, as you always are! Your snacks are the healthiest; your stories- the wackiest; your spirit of one-ness with everyone- awesome.

Iit, thanks for your usual lovely company & for the lunch treat yesterday, it was sweet of you. I shouldn't be surprised by your consistent sweetness, it was inherent,,,, You have the name Elizabeth for good reason. You are a queen, in fact- The Queen of Tea! Amen.

Alex, did you notice that even without us planning or talking about it, we end up sitting in one table- side-by-side? How cool is that. We are meant to be a pair in remembering our high school memories. No, no, you can't take that away from me,,,,

Amber & Offie, how do you mix both being hilarious & nice? Thanks for taking care of me, always,,,, (But this I want to say you, Offie~ Stop fantasizing that I will grab your husband from you, okay? I don't accept depreciated merchandise,,, and I can even speak on behalf of the Class of '80 women population,,, wahahaha,,,,)

Butch & Rose, you are the ultimate couple when it comes to the expression of godliness & love for each other! Thanks for the ride & for inspiring me with our shared stories on the drive back home,,,,

Emma, thanks for your warm company and your Frederick's tales! Your charming American twang titillates my ears.

Ron & Irma, you two glitter together with your remarkable pizzazz! How do you do that?

Annette & Chuck, you two look so adorable & elegant together,,,,, I am a fan,,, & Annette, if your husband has a brother, it's never too late to hook me up,,, hahahaha,,, kidding.

Beth & Ferdinand, you are so unassumingly perfect for each other,,,, How can you two be so quiet at one time then become the Dance-O-Rama king & queen the next? Your presence is soothing.

Amanda, your real name has a goddess ring to it & it is just right that we call you by this name- & not 'Mhandy.' That night you bloomed like a spring flower, with or without a man beside you,,,,

Anthony, I didn't have the opportunity of meeting & chatting with your lovely wife as it was a busy evening. But by the looks of you (you look sharp), I am sure that she is nice company.

Dahlia, By George! (Pun intended.) I hate you, I hate you, I hate you. That's 3 'hates', for 3 reasons: 1st, you managed to exude incredible poise & grace under pressure; 2nd, you are well-loved by your classmates & well-applauded by the rest of us, & 3rd, that night was your night- it was indeed, successful. Congratulations, once more.

As for me, I just had fun. And that was enough for me.

Jen Velarmino

Hollywood Tour

A video summary of our Hollywood tour of Jen with Hollywood sign and Lake. Followed by dinner at Barrio Fiesta with Rey, Mylene and her daughter. Finally we dropped by at Wild Card where our "pambansang kamao" Manny "pacman" Paquiao trained during his fights in the US.

A day in Jen's Visit: Los Angeles

This was written in December and was only posted later.

It is only a day in between after the Oceanside Reunion when the Los Angeles people of Batch 80 gave Jen a tour of the City. This was headed by Amber as he knows the City better than anybody (he needs to know shortcuts for there were a lot of women looking for him). It was monday when Mylene picked Jen up from Norhridge and gave her the 1st tour of the day. As usual, when women where together they end up at the MALL on this day happens to be Northridge Mall. They call me up and got ready too (i'm suppossed to be from duty that day). Amber passed by our house and pick me up with the women in tow at almost 4 pm. We were rushing because we need to be on the 1st part of the afternoon tour before the sun sets.

The 1st part of the 2nd tour of the day lead us to the Hollywood sign (the actual one, not the one at Universal). The road going to the sign was narrow and tight but Amber is very familiar with the place and knows every rock and turn of the road (there is woman involved again). He was able to drive his big truck with out hitting anything. When we reached the place we got our pictures taken. Since I forgot my camera tripod we beg somebody to take our pictures. We were enjoying our tour and talking out loud that some people who where filming at the area told us to be quiet (we do not know that there was filming going on). OK, so we left the area.

The 2nd part of the tour was still around Hollywood. We went to a place I never expect at Hollywood, Hollywood lake. I have been living in the area for the last 8 years and I never knew that there was a lake on top of Hollywood Hills. The place was nice and peaceful overlooking Hollywood area. On top of the vista and we got our pictures taken.

We went back to Mylenes' house and waited for Rey (he wanted to throw a dinner with the batch, in honor of Jen). We then went to Barrio Fiesta at Glendale and ate. During the dinner the stories were told over the meal and by 9:30 we decided to go home and be ready for another meeting the following day.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the West, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery.

The holiday is named after two, among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine.
The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae). Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who suffered martyrdom about AD 269 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. Valentine of Terni became bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) about AD 197 and is said to have been killed during the persecution of Emperor Aurelian. A third saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early martyrologies under date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him.

The Early Medieval acta of either Saint Valentine were excerpted by Bede and briefly expounded in Legenda Aurea. According to that version, St Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this, he was executed. Before his execution, he is reported to have performed a miracle by healing the blind daughter of his jailer

Legenda Aurea still providing no connections whatsoever with sentimental love, appropriate lore has been embroidered in modern times to portray Valentine as a priest who refused an unattested law attributed to Roman Emperor Claudius II, allegedly ordering that young men remain single. The Emperor supposedly did this to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers. The priest Valentine, however, secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young men. When Claudius found out about this, he had Valentine arrested and thrown in jail. In an embellishment to The Golden Legend, on the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he wrote the first "valentine" himself, addressed to a young girl variously identified as his beloved, as the jailer's daughter whom he had befriended and healed, or both. It was a note that read "From your Valentine."

The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages. Some claim the first recorded association of Valentine's Day with romantic love is in Parlement of Foules (1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer this may be the result of misinterpretation. Chaucer wrote:

For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make

This poem was written to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia. A treaty providing for a marriage was signed on May 2, 1381. (When they were married eight months later, he was 13 or 14, and she was 14

An alternative theory from Belarus states that the holiday originates from the story of Sain Valentine, who upon rejection by his mistress was so heartbroken that he took a knife to his chest and sent her his still-beating heart as a token of his undying love for her. Hence, heart-shaped cards are now sent as a tribute to his overwhelming passion and suffering.

The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines." Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards. The sending of Valentines was a fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain, and, in 1847, Esther Howland developed a successful business in her Worcester,
Massachusetts home with hand-made Valentine cards based on British models. The popularity of Valentine cards in 19th-century America was a harbinger of the future commercialization of holidays in the United States.

HAPPY VALENTINE

New Year

Every December 31st all over the world people from all walks of life celebrate in their own way to usher in the New Year. It is a time to remember that we humans can renew our life and seek a new beginning. In places where there is no specific day for thanksgiving, It is a time to give thanks for all the blessings we have from the passing year. Some of us may not have a very good year but a year full of challenges and suffering but we can still think of something to give thanks for. It is a time to rekindle the simple warmth of family kinship and friendship. A time to bury the hatchet and old grudges and begin a new year with a lighter heart and new friendships (watch out the friendships it might be the beginning of something new). Most of all, it is a period to appreciate the virtue of humility for being one that lived to see the dawn of the New Day in another New Year.

To My Batchmates

HAPPY NEW YEAR

and may we all have prosperous fruitful year ahead of us.

alex pineda

Christmas Party sa Gapo 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL BATCH 80. Here are comments about the just concluded Christmas Party in Olongapo attended by 21 members of the batch with Anna, Sol, and Jong comming from out of town just to be with thier batchmates to celebrate the Christmas.

Oo nga Rica grabe talagang saya ng ating christmas party to the max, kahit napuyat ako at kinabukasan pasok sa trabaho okay lang sulit naman, I felt sorry sa ating mga kabatchmates na hindi umaatend sa ganitong gathering they always missed a big part of their lives. I hope everybody who are still in gapo or yung mga nagbabakasyon dito will join us next time para mas masaya wag po kayong mag alala dahil wala pong discrimination na nangayayari succesful ka man o hindi, mayaman o mahirap, from higher or lower section, kapamilya or kapuso lahat pantay pantay. Lahat po tayo ay anak ng Diyos. Masaya talaga promise. To our president slamat for posting our pics. Hey lola myrna nagwala ka na nanaman talaga itong aming friend hindi mapigilan but we truly enjoyed your ago go go dancing part. Salamat din kay grace sa kanyang masasayang palaro s uulitin ulit. Syempre kay Susan who keeps her house open sa lahat ,salamat mama susan and husband ronald for being hospitable wag kayong magsasawa. Rica salamat din pala dahil ikaw ang matiyagang nag organize kung anong food ang dadalhin namin. Salamat kay Lord at sa lahat for making the party possible. Cora

Weng, salamat sa comment. Sayang, wala ka sa gathering, miss na rin kita. Sa sobrang laki ko nga walang nakakilala sa akin except si Cliff. Super enjoy ang reunion, para bang ang feeling ko bumalik kami sa high school days kaya lang for adults only ang mga games. Sabi nga ni Mr. Prez, matatanda na tayo kaya puro green na ang theme ng games natin. Enjoy pati husband ko sa mga happenings. Kaya lang, next time I have to diet na kasi di na daw niya ako sasamahan pag ganito pa rin ako kahealthy! Susme! Di ako magkasya sa plastic rope. But I admire Myrna the most upon learning about her condition. Di pa rin nagbabago ang grace ni Dersie sa pagsasayaw, pati na iyong ibang dancing partners ni Raf. You have to see their entries sa YouTube. To all the beautiful and handsome batchmates I met again, thank you for making the occassion memorable for me. Anna Sumeracruz-Dimapilis

Hi Weng, Thanks for the comment. Sana your're here para enjoy ka rin. Ang gulo namin hehehe.... I really enjoyed a lot di nasayang ang pag-uwi ko. Thanks to everybody. Hoping to see you on our next reunion. Sol

Dear batchmates sa Gapo, ang saya naman ng party nyo.... happy to see you all enjoy..... good to see you anna, I didnt recognize you sa salamin mo, bagets ang dating, sana mapadalas ang pagsama mo sa gatherings ng grupo.... and to the boys, kahit konti lang kayo, kitang kita ang saya, all the girls..... walang kupas.... can't wait to see you all in you tube, don makikita ang gulo nyo..... kakamiss, .... Weng

We are 21 all in all. memory gap na yan kapatid. sign of old age nah. wag ka naman pahalata. hehehe.... nabubuking eh. sabi ko sau member pa tau ng "SK" (SOBRA KUARENTA). we had so much fun and enjoy talaga to the max. ANG SAYA NG MGA PALARO NI MAMA GRACE... sobrang saya!!! grabeeeeh!!! sa muli mga kabatchmate. .. kitakitz uli tau. Rica

Thank you sa lahat ng dumating, Rica, Susan , Nona, Myrna, Mercy, Bunny, Grace, Dersie, Cora, Thelma, Sol, Anna, Amy, Erlinda, Jean, Ed, Raf, Jong, Cliff, Arlie, at Francis at kung meron man po akong di nabangit, paki bangit nyo na lang po...pacensya na po at tumatanda na. Yung ibang pictures, paki post na lang nina rica , susan, sol, anna, nona, mercy at cora.yung pong video ni myna, paki abangan sa you tube. i po post ko po. kay rica naman po yung video ni raf at ni dersie, paki abangan din po yun. ( parental guidance recommended) marami pong salamat. Francis Rivero

Rizal Day

Dr. José P. Rizal (full name: José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda) (June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino polymath, nationalist and the most prominent advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is considered the Philippines' national hero and the anniversary of Rizal's death is commemorated as a Philippine holiday called Rizal Day. Rizal's 1896 military trial and execution made him a martyr of the Philippine Revolution.

The seventh of eleven children born to a wealthy family in the town of Calamba, Laguna (province), Rizal attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree sobresaliente. He enrolled in Medicine and Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas and then traveled alone to Madrid, Spain, where he continued his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid, earning the degree of Licentiate in Medicine. He attended the University of Paris and earned a second doctorate at the University of Heidelberg. Rizal was a polyglot conversant in at least ten languages. He was a prolific poet, essayist, diarist, correspondent, and novelist whose most famous works were his two novels, Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. These are social commentaries on the Philippines that formed the nucleus of literature that inspired dissent among peaceful reformists and spurred the militancy of armed revolutionaries against 333 years of Spanish rule.

He was known as a hero, author, and an eye doctor. As a political figure, Rizal was the founder of La Liga Filipina, a civic organization that subsequently gave birth to the Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo. He was a proponent of institutional reforms by peaceful means rather than by violent revolution. The general consensus among Rizal scholars, however, attributed his martyred death as the catalyst that precipitated the Philippine Revolution.

December 30 is also the day that Olongapo celebrates its Fiesta every year. It is held in december probably due to the fact that Olongapo was converted into a municipality on December 7, 1959. Olongapo was reconverted to a chartered city on June 1, 1966. Olongapo usually celebrates its fiesta by having the Miss Olongapo pageant, Olongapo sportsfest, several times with battle of the bands contest, and culminating to a parade on the 30th.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day in The Philippines is primarily a family affair. Prior to the stroke of 12 midnight on the morning of December 25, the Misa de Aguinaldo is being celebrated. It is usually attended by the whole family. Misa de Aguinaldo is the Holy Mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Roman Catholic Church and Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan) in the Philippines' main means of celebrating Jesus Christ's birth.
Misa de Aguinaldo is also celebrated at dawn or in the morning between immediately after sunrise and 10 a.m.; this schedule is preferred by Filipinos who choose to celebrate Christmas Eve with a night-long celebration of the Noche Buena.

Preferably in the morning, Filipino families visit members of the extended family, notably the elders in order to pay their respects. This custom of giving respect has been an age-old tradition in the Philippines called "Pagmamano"; this is done by touching one's forehead to the elder's hand saying Mano Po. The elder then blesses the person who has paid respect. "Aguinaldo", or money in the form of crisp, fresh-from-the-bank bills is given after the Pagmamano, mostly to younger children.

A Christmas Lunch usually follows after the "Pagmamano". The lunch is heavily dependent upon the finances of the family. Rich families tend to prepare grand and glorious feasts that consist of Jamon de Bola, Queso de Bola, Lechon and other Filipino delicacies. Some poor families choose to cook simple meals, nevertheless still special. When the family is settled after the lunch, the exchange of gifts is usually done. Godparents are expected to give gifts or Aguinaldo to their godchildren.

When nighttime falls, members of the family usually take part in family talks while listening to favorite Christmas carols. Some may opt to have a glorious Christmas feast for dinner.

St Joseph's, alumni usually see each other during the mass at St Joseph's church on 11pm of the 24th. The mass often becomes a mini reunion of sort.

Oceanside Reunion

The day begins like any other day, except that for a Batch 80 like me it is special. Today is the day that we've agreed to have a small reunion at Butch Paz house at Oceanside in honor of a visiting classmate, Jen Velarmino. The batch has been silent for a while, but the arrival of Jen triggered a flurry of activity. It started when Butch sent email to everyone asking who is interested in having a reunion to welcome her in his house. The batch responded by agreeing to have a potluck December 6 at 1 pm.

I was very excited to go because the last time I met my batch mates was in 2003. At that time I only got a few pictures coming from Butch camera, and this time I promised myself I will take all the pictures I could get and document the event. It also falls on the day of Pacquiao's fight and I can't wait to watch it there live (i do not have cable subscription), with my batch mates (how nice that could be), and that makes it even more exciting.

I arrived at 1:30 with my share of the potluck and a couple of camera's to record the event and then one at a time my batch mates came. So I met Bennette and Ces for the first time since high school graduation, not knowing that the 3 of us where in Los Angeles. Then Abdon came, since it is past 2 pm we agreed to start lunch (me and Butch started eating at 1:30). Then Elmer came followed by Susan and Jun bringing in the fresh lumpia together with Shirley. Again we started eating the lumpia and here comes Ron and Irma bringing in the wines and beer (we are improving, I don't even know what a wine look like back in high school).

The stories begun with Susan leading the pack. Then Noel showed up ridding his magnificent bike (i wish i know how to ride one). The fun and stories continued, we where just wondering where our guest of horor was. We called Jen and she said that she was on her way, they just passed Los Angeles (Jen came straight from San Jose up north, near San Francisco that day, a travel of almost 8 to 10 hrs) and that she will be arriving within the next 2 hours.

The batch continued with our stories. I was so excited to meet my classmates from 1R,2O and 3U days (Susan, Bennette and Shirley) talking about the old days. Jen finally showed up together with her fraternal brods at 5 pm. She looked very exhausted from the trip, but that did not stopped the excitement of meeting her classmates, "barkadas", and neighbors in highschool and gradeschool. Amber and Ofie showed up at 6:30 pm, (he came straight from work in Los Angles) bringing a whole new set of food, good for 50 people and a pail of "gulaman at sago" (and they were soooo good, i decided to eat again). So the stories and wine continued until it is time to watch the fight. Amber collected 5$ to start a pool, and guess who won? The guest of horor Jen in her striking red outfit! After the fight the Karaoke begins with Butch and Ron trading songs and the laughter and stories go on. At 8 pm Mike showed up also straight from work but refused to missed being with his classmates.

The feeling was so nice to see your old classmates again, and the stories never end. Stories of challenges that our batch mates overcame with flying colors (that as a member of the batch, it make you feel proud that you were given a chance to know them). Stories of success that I think should served as inspiration to a lot of people (only thing is, that it is our story and need not be published). Each one has a story to tell and before you know it, It is midnight. A few people started to leave but we still continued with our life's stories and singing our hearts' out (we were actually thankful that it is cold and all the doors and windows were closed or there might be cops knocking on the door). Ron invited everyone for a breakfast at his house if it reached 6 am and we're still there. We decided to call it quits at 2:30 am as each one was beginning to wear their eye bags (lower than necessary), although you would not noticed any tiredness as the stories continued.

We left with heavy hearts but planned to meet again once time permits. We also talked of plans for the future as batch 80 would be part of the organizers for 2010 reunion of SJS. At this time, Jen is still here and our batch mates in San Diego is planning another get together. I think we just do not want to let go of a good thing.

agpineda

Christmas Eve

For Filipinos, Christmas Eve ("Bisperas ng Pasko") on December 24th has the much-anticipated Noche Buena – the traditional Christmas Eve feast after the midnight mass. Family members dine together around 12 midnight on traditional Noche Buena fare, which includes: queso de bola (Spanish: "ball of cheese"; this is actually edam cheese), "Tsokolate" (a hot chocolate drink) and jamon (Christmas ham), and some would open presents at this time.

In different provinces and schools throughout the Philippines, Catholic devotees also reenact the journey of Joseph and the pregnant Blessed Virgin Mary in search of lodging for the soon-to-be born Jesus Christ. This is the traditional "Panunuluyan'", also called "Pananawagan" and "Pananapatan".

This street pageant is performed after dark on Christmas Eve, with the actors portraying Joseph and Mary going to pre-designated houses. They chant wika wika bang bang, a traditional folksong that is meant to wake up the owner of the house as the actors ask for lodging. But the couple (actors) are turned away by the owners, also through a song. Finally, Joseph and Mary make their way to the parish church where a simulated manger has been set up. The birth of Jesus is celebrated at midnight with the Misa de Gallo, together with hallelujahs and Christmas carols. Everybody celebrates this tradition happily yet solemnly.

Naalala ko pa ang simbang gabi sa St Joseph, madalas ay na uuwi sa daldalan dahil nagki-kita kita ang mga mag ka-kaklase. Kasabay ng misa ang kamustahan at chikahan. Pagkatapos ay uuwi at kainan na.

Oceanside Reunion 2008: Chairmans' Note

Dear Batchmates,

Everyone is quiet, trying to recover from Saturday's get together..Maraming salamat sa mga umattend ng potluck, it was a pleasurable evening and it's really good to see everyone again, it's been a while since our last gathering.

I especially want to thank Jen for spending time with us, hindi ka pa rin nagbabago, mabeauty pa rin and still kalog just like I remember you way back when..

Alex thank you for bringing your high tech gadgets to capture the moments, your officially the Director of video and photography, thanks again.

Also, besides a lot of catching up, eating, singing and watching the fight, we talked about the upcoming SJS (U.S.) annual reunion in 2010, batch 80 is going to be one of the sponsors for that year. We elected a group of people that will lead us for that event,
namely:

For President - Abdon Pugal + Co Chair
We have 3 Vice Presidents
For San Diego - Susan Caluza
For L.A. - Alex Pineda
For the North - Vic Tisuela
For Secretary - Cecilyn
For Treasurer - Shirley
Ambassador to Batch 80 PI - Jen

Also in attendance:
Elmer
Noel
Michael
Bennette
Amber with wife Ofie
Jun Caluza and Susan, Ron with Irma and Jaron
Butch with Rose, Sean and Stephanie

Each region has a point of contact, for better communication.
Kung meron kayong question, please e-mail and stay tune.

Happy Holidays!

Butch