I have taken so much pride to have been a part of the M1 class.  To be honest, I did have a hard time coping with my classmates’ IQ or level of thinking.  If I tried to recall who was the most talented boy or girl in class, I couldn’t really tell because all of them were.  In our Geometry class, there were times (or most of the times) when I had not understood yet what Mrs. Rodriguez was teaching us, but I was completely amazed how the majority of the class responded to her as it if the lesson was so easy.  Some of my classmates were quiet and too shy to participate in class recitation, but when their names were called, they were able to give right answers to the questions.  I remember Wilma Lansigan-DeChavez who always gets a perfect score every time we had a test in Algebra.  The only remark that Ms. Crisostomo could ever think of and write on top of Wilma’s corrected paper was “excellent.” I used to sit beside Evelyn Sison-Ceña since our last names both start with S and I found out that this lovely girl was not only blessed with beauty but with brains as well.  Who could forget Josefina Santos-Olais? Penn was the expert in our English class.  She was very good at it that she could follow the footsteps of Mr. Bala or our other English teachers.  Now, Penn whose profession is law has widely practiced her expertise in the courtroom. 

There was also Cecille Panganiban, one of our classmates who had an acting talent.  She played as Mila Bascara's mom and and co-starred with Leigh Garrido, and Val Buzon in a play entitled, "Basketball Fight."  If my memory serves me right, the play was directed by Chris Jornales & Ate Gigi Carpio (SS-Cancer '77).  In addition, Cecille was gifted with a good sense of humor and I would say that life in and out of the classroom was a lot happier when she was around. People say, "it is hard to say goodbye to someone you know and love,” but I felt that it is even harder and lonelier not to say goodbye at all.  Too sad, none of us knew when Cecille passed away.  How about the boys? The M1 boys were all intelligent plus the fact that they were more popular than the girls in the eyes of other Torresians because of their good looks.  Some boys chose to be on the low-profile corner but believe me, this other group of boys were pretty smart too.  We are very thankful for Mrs. Sagun's motherly love, patience, encouragement, and confidence in us.  I'm sure you have heard this phrase, "to teach is to touch the future" and indeed, all our teachers especially our class advisers have touched ours.

High school memories won’t be complete without including the times I spent with my buddies.  We were practically “triplets” - if you see one, you see us all in one place.  Remember Marcie Mateo-Gregorio, the happy and cute gal and the late Mila-Bascara Dagal? We used to hang around with each other even after school or on weekends – shopping, eating out, laughing, sharing secrets/crushes, etc.  After so many years and despite the distance that separates us now, we still manage to keep our friendship.  In 1998, Mila at the age of 38 lost her battle to cancer.  She was hospitalized months before her final days and many of our friends and classmates in the Philippines and abroad helped out with her hospital expenses.  I then realized that my friends and classmates are not only the brightest people I’ve ever met in my entire life, but these are the same people who have so much love and joy in their hearts to share with others. 

I thank God for Dana, Beng, Dante, Val, Nell, Ariel, (and for their spouses) Inia , Boyet, Kuya Vic and the rest of our friends.  Lex and I are so fortunate to have some common friends…friends who always find ways and means to be there for us both in good and bad times.

Let me share this with all of you, "many people will come in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart."

Lex and I wish you all the best – in family life, career, and all the rest... God bless!

Tess Santiago-Parado
 

Naalaala nyo pa ba ang theme song ng M1?  Kinompose in Pareng Felix ito at laging kinakanta kapag buo ang barkada.  O, ang high school days !! All of our high school friends are all living with their separate lives right now.  But every time we have a chance to meet or contact each other, we still have one binding thought - the “UNFORGETABLE HIGH SCHOOL DAYS”. 

I started my life at THS in Faustino Annex for my sophomore year.  Section SS3 ako, but I always admired the guys and gals in M1 esp. during meetings with the Math Club.  I already knew most of the M1’s like Tony C (+), Beng N., Beng S, Cecille P. (+), Wilma L., and of course Ms. Crisostomo (to name a few), even though they did not know me yet. I promised to myself that I would be an M1 come my junior year, and fortunately it happened. 

My M1 days – the beginning.  For a start, I tried to blend with the originals.  WOW, unbelievable I am an M1, what a feeeling!! (parang kanta ano?)  First period, Chemistry under Ms. Ongjoco, I sensed it right away that there is a continuous flow of IQ (intelligence quono) and FRIENDSHIP inside the classroom, since most of them knew each other for a long time.  Introduction time – I finally learned about their names & a little bit of their personality.  Myself pang-lima yata akong nagsalita dahil alphabetical order.  I did not see my wife(our very own Dana B.)  yet since she came on the 2nd week ng start ng klase at nasa likod pa ng chemistry class.  M1 always suffered some hearing problem every flag ceremony, siguro kasi laging nagma-malfunction ang PA system sa stage. Remember, we were at the back of the stage and for heaven’s sake we didn’t know what’s going on.  So we didn’t know what the other sections are doing, basta tayo last minute look up sa homework o long glances sa mga crushes either sa likod, sa gilid, across the other wing, down in the bleachers, or just below the practical arts or PE rooms. Everyday, different challenge but same outcome, M1 always excelled at their own right.  We were not the sociable type (at least some of us) who mingled around the bleachers for a nice afternoon chat.  M1 always hanged-out along the HE bleachers o kaya sa library daw (o loverary kaya) in groups. Are we a solid class (nyet)?  How come we have groups like MAFCREW, McCoolHits, VABEJOWIDA, etc?  Now, I finally understand it means nothing and it was just part of growing up like politics baga -  but for sure we are always to be friends and best-est of friends.  Maraming marami pang istorya at baka matapos na ako sa next year issue (maybe) kung aking isusulat pa.

M1- continued.  Although, some of us went to other Math sections, we still consider everybody as a big Math Family during our senior year.  Senior year was the time that we want every moment to count because of our inevitable break-up as a THS M1 and the start of the Never ending M1 – Class of  1978.  Our activities were highlighted with a lot of group discussions, hanging-out with each other or at least with a group, tampuhan, iyakan, for the boys gathering (like over a bottle (s) of beer or beer-gin).  Men !! the section had started to mature. Ligawan na nauwi sa mag-syota, ligawan na natapos as friends, walang katapusang ligawan na nauwi rin sa simbahan, others started to see partners from other section or batch, and so on and so forth.  THS Life – ang lahat ng ito ay natapos nuong graduation.  Wait!! It was just the start of a brand new and more mature THS M1 legacy – our Future.

M1 – a closer look.  M1 have all the traits that, we can be represented in all the school functions and activities.

1. Music & Arts – Lex is a great orator. He won, as far as I know, some oratorical contests (not to mention many of the girls attention, too.).  We have performed the most applauded drama of our contemporary time- The Basketball Fight.  Unfortunately, we lost two of our classmates – Mila B and Cecille P, who starred on that play to sickness.  Val and Leigh were outstanding and of course the captain – Chris J & Gigi Carpio.  M1 boys loved to sing and sa sobrang kapal ng face, we opted to perform on some major programs (volunteering ourselves baga) – like the rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, JC Superstar, Boz Scagg’s Forever More and many rock and roll songs.  Special mention to our greatest musician/composer – Val B, our guitarists – Ariel C, Nell C, Jollo S, Mon S, Felipe SJ, and of course the cho-cho-wahs – Tony F, Rodel B, Ren G and yours truly.  Meron din namang tayong mga writers tulad ni Roger I – who won in an Essay writing contest, ang inyong linkgod – na naging sports Editor ng “Ang Sulo”, at sa mga iba pang pang hindi ko na maalala.  Dancing, teka, meron din tayo. M1 boys took a very personal dancing lessons with Mr. Velasco during our overnight in his own hometown in Baliwag, Bulacan.  What happened over there boys?  How come nobody wants to sleep on the edge of that very big bed (of course beside Mr. V.)?

2. Leadership – We have good leaders that came from our ranks.  Mila V – our Girls’ CAT Corp Commander,  Tony C – our CAT company Commander,  Lex P & Tet C were very active officers in  SCA, Jaime T, Cora G and Robert M – members ng Model CAT Troops, Val & Lex were members of the famous THS Troop 85  and many more that represent our section in different clubs and organizations.

3. General Knowledge – Special mention to Bien C who was our walking almanac, who knows every detail about the world history and coupled that by being a winner in History contest. He is also our Associate Sports Editor of “Ang Sulo”.  I still remembered him having a picture of Olivia Newton-John and chasing Siony Anoche.

4. Sports – Our class had its own basketball team with a yellow and green uniform. We always played against the big guys of M2, M3,SC1 & E1.  Tony F – our Bogs Adornado during that time, Gerry T and yours truly as Centers, Mel G, Roy I, Willy R, Willy T, Ariel C, Ariel N, Rodel L, Ren G, Tony Arcadio, Nell C, Chito A, Cesar B are all great players.  I knew there were still some of us that I was not able to remember that in their own recognition are good sportsman.

5. Serious Team Players – Our class really has the necessary ingredient for fun, amusement & at the same time poised pa rin in terms of academic excellence.  Marcie M. – our baby in the class was really a striking figure in M1.  She got the 2 M’s in M1. We have serious studes like Tata Rainier V, Yolly W, Solly D, Dante M (who was a 7th placer in the ME board Exam), Penn S, Ester T, Edith A, Estrella V, Tess S, Ramon A, Fernando F (where are you?), Fely T (, Arnilo DG, Libby R, Minerva E , Olive O (nasaan ka na rin?), Inia A – and I know everything paid off for all those hardwork we have done.

6. Very Special Mentors – A tribute to all those who molded us to become a proud M1 not only in THS grounds but anywhere we are standing right now.  Special thanks to: Ms. Crisostomo (2nd year – Algebra), Ms. Rodriguez (3rd year – Class Adviser, Geometry), Ms. Ongjoco (3rd year – Chemistry), Ms. Sagun (4th year - Adviser, Trigonometry), Ms Alejandro (Music), Ms. Anatalio (4th year – Pilipino), Ms. Sales (4th year – Applied Science) – boys, with emphasis on Ms. SSSS, Ms. Ale (4th year – Physics),  Mr. Pecatoste (4th year – Adv. Algebra)

M1 – Aftermath.  A new dimension in our life.  High tech communications, our own web page, etc. can be attributed to us & the elective that we have – mathematics.  I don’t want to mention all our accomplishments.  For I know, we are all successful in our own special way.  I still have the idea about our theme song – we can count with each other.  Sorry, at medyo mahirap tapusin ito, because M1 has the infinite factor – Love and Friendship. 

God Bless my fellow class/batch mates. 

-  Riz