Rachel Arellano-Abonita reports what happened during the 25th reunion held December 28-29, 2002.

SUCCESSFULL is the single word to describe the reunion and the sentiment of our Alma Mater is best describe by Miss Albina Tuazon - she did not only shed a tear or two, but she cried a bucket full for sheer happiness and pride!

If there is a motto to best describe the spirit of Batch '77 according to Mrs. Olondriz, it is "if there is a will, there is a way". Mr. Pura, the incumbent principal, said that PGCHS is indebted to Batch '77 for this highly commendable project but modesty being our trademark I countered by saying, Batch '77 is the one indebted to PGCHS and this is our way of saying Thank You!

The affair was very informal and the presence of the lower section speaks for the success of the affair. And the doubting Thomases are now coming forward to give their full support.


Ms. Albina Tuazon with her heartfelt message.

The attendance in the morning was 36 but a lot more attended the evening affair in Jojo's place. It was a garden setting with Ballroom dancing on the side. And would you believe that Emma Reario was hailed as the dancing queeen ?! And the very shy Romeo "Moyo" Ebonite was the master of ceremony. And aside from the singing talent of Arthuro Remoral, he sampled us with his solo standup comedy act.

The general consensus of the group is to continue and bring the project to completion. So, from Jan to Mar of 2003, we will continue our fund raising and complete construction by April in time for the Turn Over and Thanksgiving Ball scheduled for either Easter Sunday or Monday.

So this is one affair that we should all look forward to and try to make time for it. Because the next reunion could be our Golden Jubilee. Blessed New Year to everyone!

Below are some of the jokes and anecdotes during the affair to give you a "feel" about the reunion.

I arrived in Polangui on Dec. 26 morning and had a meeting with Lynette & Gilbert in Legaspi in the evening to discuss last minute problems.

Simple lang naman ang problema - walang makuhang pari at wala pang kahit isang faculty member ang naimbita !

But we had a pact that we will not allow anything to ruin the occassion. So with this in mind, we set to work looking for a priest as far as Naga City. And the last minute invitation was the caused of the low faculty attendance. Nevertheless, those who matters most were there - Mr. Pura, Mrs. Encisa, Mrs. Olondriz, Miss Tuazon, Mrs. Mella, and Mrs. Chavez.


Fr. Cecil blessing the new chapel.

With konting diskarte, we were able to convince the Polangui parish priest na isingit ang affair. And Fr. Cecil brought the house down during the blessing when he said - "uunahin kong i-bless itong mga tao dahi nandidito ang mga herodes at demonyo", and everybody where pushing Patrick to get the most of the Holy water. Biyong nagkiri-kiti si Patrick nu ma-basbasan.

Lynette shared her experience about keeping close touch with Efren Rossana (project engineer) that she was afraid na mag-selos na ang wife ni Efren. But Efren advised her to put the word "chapel" in all her messages as a pass word. So we now wonder what other passwords Efren has for the "other projects"?!

And after 25 years - Togi Remoral expressed his hidden feelings to Emma Reario. Same thing happened to Lynette. Ng dahil sa reunion, nalaman namin na marami pala siyang "SA" (secret admirers).

Patrick was bragging about auctioning a very memorable handkerchief but Joseph stopped him by saying "huwag at may mga batang kasama". So Agnes was teasing her husband. Inawat lang namin at baka hindi matuloy ang reunion ng dahil sa panyo ni Patrick!

At ang ganda ng party kina Jojo. Very private and the ambiance was very nice. Solve ang lahat sa parlor games at sa sayawan. And of course sa inuman.

The upper sections were so modest and the lower sections were so at ease that you can feel the unity and support of Batch '77. Ito lang ata ang reunion na hindi pinagusapan ang professional achievements ng mga members. Walang palitan ng calling cards. Walang payabangan. Tawanan at hagalpakan lang.

It was such a happy affair that the teachers stayed for quite a time (hangang hapon). May nagsabi nga na sa Batch '77 lang daw nagbabad ang mga teachers. They were so proud and happy.

On the serious side, our teachers noted the significant difference of batch '77 from the other alumni "... walang mga ere... simple lang... others will have their reunion, make pledges, and forget about it... but Batch '77 nauna ang project kaysa sa reunion... the project is very timely to the spiritual needs of the students these days... your efforts will serve as an inspiration to other alumni".

A lot of people were thinking that most of the funds are available that when we told them that we started this 1.2M project with 70K COH and a lot of guts, lalong silang na-shock at humanga sa Batch '77.

That is why when I said "Ours is a story of sheer determination" they all said "Amen"!


Joseph, Agnes, Myrna and their kids traveled together with Joseph driving all the way. They arrived in Polangui the night before the reunion. Kahit pagod na pagod, we still managed to have dinner at Bastian to have a good laugh with Maritess, who came with her kids; Lally, who put all her patients on hold; Lynette, Mila, Patrick, Romeo, Efren, Gilbert, and myself.

With the ladies trying to bring the evening to a close for the much needed beauty rest, Gilbert was trying to prolong it for obvious reason. So when he said that Ing is already in Matacon with the reunion T-shirt, we all agreed to stay and wait. After an eternity, we found out that Ing is still in Sipocot (apparently on his way back to Manila because he forgot to bring the T-shirts). You can imagine tears on Gilbert's eyes laughing all the way - for pulling our legs and much more for prolonging the night!

Maritess gained a few pounds but still the beauty that she is. And her kids, what can I say - mana lahat sa Nanay.

We seek medical advise from Lally (anesthesiologist) para sa sakit ni Joseph sa nervous system. Doktora prescribed anesthesia for Agnes to keep her sedated all the time !!!

Romeo is now an instructor in Industrial Education sa PUP or TUP, wherever, lang liga na !

And Gil, still so soft spoken and of few words but the Chapel he designed will speak for him. We are so proud of you, Gil - and Thank You!

Patrick as usual ay parang kabuti - now you see him, now you don't. But one thing I'm sure, all the diamond boys are accounted for when he goes missing!

And Don was my partner in inviting our teachers. Solve kami sa Ligao because it was the day after the town fiesta so kami ang nagsawa sa kain. Mrs. Ramoso is attending a wedding in Manila and Ms. Aban's in-law is sick so they did not make it. Mr. & Mrs. Ragas ay may pabinyag ng APO nila. It was nice going around Ligao, Oas, Libon, and Polangui but most particular sa subdivision. When I mentioned to Don that the place changed so much that I will get lost he countered by saying that there is single place there that he can go to blindfolded - pati taas ng bakod kabisado niya ! During the roll call, there was only one representative from Sapphire but Don also raised his hand and said - Sa Fire Man ako!

Jojo's place is very nice. Ang ganda na ng mansion niya but we miss his kaligaan. Masyado na siyang siryoso ngayon. But during the reunion, we would see him laughing, kaya sabi namin we should hold a reunion more often!

And Jessie is not only the Barangay Captain in Centro but also a Board Representative. But I missed talking to him during the cocktails because he was sound asleep - plastado!

Julio is one of those doubting Thomases but we are very glad that he is contemplating on the paint works required. Pag-nagrelease na si Julio, on the bag na ang project ta!

Arthuro's stand up comedy and the immortal Pandora brought the house down. And guys, take note he said, makapal pa ang buhok niya.

We are so lucky to have Lynette as our financial controller. She really took her role to the heart. Lahat ng aabonohan, sagot niya ! Wala siya inuurungan maliban sa apple dance with one of her SA's!

But seriously, having Gilbert, Lynette, and Efren supervised the project is one of the gems of the project. Their decision making is way above that sisiw ang mga problema - which are numerous.

On the day that the P60 thou check for the roofing was presented to the bank, we already have a negative balance. I told Gilbert to take a photo right away habang idi pa babakbak ni Engr, Levina so atop. But as we always believe, God will provide, and He did just in time to save the roof!

I can not believe her when Emma said that she is nursing a two months old baby. Ang seksi pa niya but then when I saw her on the dance floor, I knew why. Kaya man si Togo, TL na TL pa!

And Mila was with her new love. What can we say? Memories are there to cherish but life must go on.

I personally went to Cornelio's place to invite him and some of the boys did as well. Let's give him some more time, who knows he might join us on April.

Melve was present in all the meetings but she was not able to attend the reunion due to a family reunion on her husband's side. Pina-didivorce na kaya muna - abo!

By the way, what happened to Jun? I thought he came home, did he?

And Mrs. Mella remains the same - kiti kiti pa rin. "Talagang aatend ako ng reunion na ito, because I want to see for myself this much talked about chapel. My God, may Batch '77 have more blessings so that they can share more".

Now it was my turn to say "Amen"