“There are two types of genius. Ordinary geniuses do great things, but they leave you room to believe that you could do the same if only you work hard enough.   Then there are magicians, and you can have no idea how they do it.” 
Those who know Mark would know where he belongs.  Surely, he’s a whiz kid.  When everyone’s running amok looking for a Math solution, he just sits there and says coolly with matching hand gestures ”May technique kasi yan eh...” When everyone’s fooling around, he sits on his chair staring pensively at a Math problem that has not been discussed for two days.  Who knows this wonder kid will be the next Bill Gates?  Whatever amount of talent Mark has, he compliments it with the same amount of humility.  He is humble indeed, and very silent.  But as they say, “silent waters run deep” so his silence really figures.
 

 Karina will always be remembered for her loud speaker-like voice.  Her sudden moments of laughter bring the rest of the class laughing with her.
 Her simplicity and beauty makes her a likeable person.  But behind those innocent eyes and smiles is a mind full of knowledge---dominated by the latest news, the newest and oldest TV shows and the hottest “chika” in and around the campus.
 Nevertheless, she’s not a kiss-and-tell person.  She may drop some hints but she’ll never tell you what she has up her sleeve.
 She is also known as the Kate Abad, Nanette Medved and Christine Florendo look alike.  But she need not live by the shadow of these women for she already has made a name for herself as a heartthrob.
 

 Meet the “boy-next-door” (yung may “girl” sa next room?!).   The guy who never runs out of signature things (rich kid kasi!).  The heartthrob (and sinasabing kilabot hindi lang sa Zone 4).    Meet the Jason Webb-Romnick S. look-alike of the batch, Christopher Nino Ducut “Cande” Candelaria. 
 Cande, although only an accredited student from SSA (School of St. Anthony), didn’t have a hard time getting along with his fellow Scientians (madali kasi syang utangan!). 
 He loves to play basketball and is actually the guard of the school’s varsity team  (watch him play and you’ll really be amazed with his moves). He listens to alternative music and does malling (lakwatsa), and writing poems during his free time.
 He may seem to be a very innocent “totoy,” But, girls, don’t be fooled.  “Stamina Boy” din yan. But generally, Cande is truly a sweet, loving guy (says who? . . . T___).
 

 A simple yet very intelligent girl and the Literary editor of The Electron---this is Rhodora.
 With her deep sense of understanding and wide vocabulary, her group was able to top the `98-`99 Quiz Bee contest during the English Week. Be amazed at how she manages to keep up with the load for if she is not absent, she is late or at some extra-curricular activity.
 Doray is a good friend and a cool companion but beware, for according to some, she can be a very dangerous enemy.  Some people may see her as that silent girl sitting in front of the class, but guess again; she’s the gal of a thousand words and stories to tell.
 Bonnie, as some of her closest pals call her, is also a bookworm.  She loves books about science fiction and those classic, vintage types, which shows her love for beauty and sense.  Starting her freshman year as an Einstein student, she worked her way up to the fun-loving section of Edison.
 And oh! Have we ever mentioned that she is hopelessly addicted to the Internet? You could always find her in some chat room in the mIRC and ICQ channels whiling away her time in front of some website.
Way to go Rhodora!
 

 A soccer varsity team player, a virtuoso when it comes to drawing and, a Pugad Baboy comic-book lover, the guy whose motto is “The sky is crying when it is raining, helps when I’m thinking” (for whatever that means).
 Marx or Mark (so which name is right?)  is one arcade fanatic.   But at school he spends his leisure time playing chess, dribbling a soccer ball or slugging it out with friends Geoffrey and Adrian when boredom strikes hard on him. He is one unique staffer of Ang Banyuhay, for he spends more time inside the Electron staffroom instead of meeting with Sir Casas. But watch out cause he’s got a short fuse (pikon). But mind you, he’s good company when you really get to know him. 
 Despite this, Marx is a good friend and confidante (ask Mark Cabacungan for this), someone you could always depend on even if he himself has problems of his own.  Let’s just say that when you need someone to lean on and believe in you, you can always turn to this soccer fanatic.
 

 Nara is a born English PRO, a homeroom position she has served since her sophomore days. And of course, she is also known for her mannerism of sticking out her tongue. 
 Zynara is also one of those gifted left-handers, not to mention one of the prettiest faces in Scientia. But despite of all these, she remains a humble and down-to-earth person. 
 Every second with this “crazy” girl is a second of tons of excitement. She always has a happy disposition, with a ready smile to give (showing her cute set of dimples), a refreshing sight indeed.  And beneath that beauty is a bubbly spirit, a deep thinker, quite mature in her outlook in life.  She is also fun to talk with, for every word that comes out of her mouth is full of sense and is very significant. 
Aside from that, Zynara is also a very caring and loving friend. 
The pretty, responsible and intelligent, that’s who the able Circulation and Finance (wow! rich) manager of the Electron is. 
 

 Just move out when he passes by
 for you can do nothing when he kicks you high
 hold your breath and behold this guy
 Adonis and Narcissus, just eat your pie!

 To whom do you think this limerick is pertaining to?    Well, it’s none other than Gavin Rossdale’s twin brother and Liam Gallagher’s half cousin, Jhonald Nueza Cruz or Jograd, as his batchmates fondly call him.
 This 5’11” Michael Jordan fan is the adrenaline-filled forward of the school’s basketball team and the vocalist of one of the most popular bands in Scientia. 
 Cool, funky, wild, outgoing, and at times, out-of-this-world, he’s a bona fide “Stamina Boy” as their batch mates named their group.   But expect the unexpected from this guy. He may look careless and easy-go-lucky, but don’t be fooled.   This goon is a real GC that tops his education among his priorities and is always included in his class’ top students. 
 Well, what else can you ask for with this guy?  Good looks, athletic type, great voice, brains, just name it, Jogs got it!   But, girls (hmmm . . .)  watch out, he’s taken! 
 

 If we were to vote for the most virtuous student in the class, it would have to be Hannah.  Hannah sits and studies unceasingly from the start of the day until dismissal time.  But the most virtuous classmate of ours turns out to be very cheerful and simple in her ways. Her favorite subject is obviously Math and she does well in this discipline. She studies consistently, never gets late and doesn’t seem to get sick as attested to by her perfect attendance. One of the two non-Filipino citizens in the class, she tolerates the ways of her more “gregarious” or naughty classmates and gets along with everyone. 
The only thing that could be of harm is that her virtuousness is sometimes contagious.
 

 Aurelio is a musically inclined person.   He loves to play the guitar and is a superb pianist.   Although he was not voted as the class escort, he sure deserves the position with his looks that could melt a girl’s heart, not to mention his to-die-for lashes.
 At first glance, Auie (er, Tristan as he would like to be called) seems to be a quiet person.   He just sits there in class and appears to be intently listening to the teacher.   But when you get a chance to talk to him, you’ll surely be surprised to find that Auie is a good conversationalist.  He also enjoys charades and chasing or being chased.
 Tristan is a also the type of person who could offer a piece of good advice whenever you need it.   All it takes is for you to reach out to him and you’ll  discover someone who could always understand you, no matter what.   So if you need someone to lend his ear just call Aurelio Tristan---the ever-famous Guidon bearer of the Bravo Company. 
 

 Melissa, or Mele (don’t forget the ^), has an inborn talent in dealing with academics.   Though she spends endless hours on the phone, she manages to assess and accomplish her priorities.
 She has also left her mark in QueSci as a member of the chess varsity team and as the Bravoy (oops! it’s Bravo) Coy Commander of CAT-1.
 Mel loves “senti” music and can easily be brought to tears by the song “Sana Maulit Muli” (sorry Mel, everything should be out in the open now, and we are not rubbing it in).
 Being a responsible and dependable student, she is the famous “takbuhan” for undone assignments and other school requirements (parang 911). But aside from that, she is also a cool and a loving friend, not to mention a huggable one. Mele --- all the good things wrapped up into one great package.
 

 Here is the tallest guy in the room who instead of joining basketball joined the soccer  varsity team of the school.  Stephen is also that guy who loves playing the guitar and the violin, and he’s really good at it.
 Dul (his Korean name), is also very respectful when it comes to everything related to the Philippines.   If observed, he even stands straight during the flag ceremony.   And he does not use his citizenship as an excuse to avoid studying hard in Pinoy.  In fact, we find him more Filipino than most of our batch mates --- just watch him come flag raising day (or retreat) --- considering that he hails from the land of ginseng, kimchi and Samsung. And hear him speak in Filipino---better than many homegrown talents in QueSci.
 This bass singer in Himig Scientia is also a gifted mathematician, a cool friend, and a gentleman mommies would like to have for a son-in-law. Whenever you need something, Stephen will be there for you (right, T!?)
 

 Cyri is one cool girl who believes that on cold days, a man could make her feel warmer than a coat or sweater. 
 She may seem liberated and too much to handle for a guy but she is not.  She just has this habit of speaking her mind out, in short, trying to be frank.  But at least, she doesn’t speak nonsense. 
 According to her, her asset is her long and curly eyelashes.  But actually, that’s not all. She has a gift for drawing and for healing throbbing temples.  She also has a good mind about things that are happening around her. She is not easy to judge people and her heart always goes out to the oppressed.
 She is very affectionate and likes hugging people - for comfort or for fun.  She also likes calling people dear which makes her a more loveable person.
She has a quick temper though, and she easily flames up that had she been a real fire, everything would’ve been burnt out by now.  But one can easily put that fire out with a few words of repentance.
 

 Ask him anything about terms and programs concerning computers and he’ll answer it the way a computer literate person would. Ask him who his crush is, and he’ll tell you.  But ask him when his birthday is and he’ll mislead you.
 This computer wizard is not your typical geek. He has a sense of style, eyes for girls, a heart full of jokes but a mind for business.
 Aids is full of surprises. Only this year did he take up Computer Science as his elective. Yet he has proven himself worthy of representing the school to the Computer Meet where he won second place in the division level.  During the first grading, he was just any other student in the class, but come the second grading period, he was tops among students.  And those jokes of his which seem to come out of nowhere (and oftentimes mean nothing) still deserve your heartiest laugh. 
 But he is not all of the nerdy stuff.  He enjoys soccer, listening to music and imitating people. Give him a chance, and he could turn himself into a shoulder to cry on than a person to laugh at.
 

 Renkanaderops is a woman of a thousand sentiments. But she doesn’t want to admit that she already is a woman (meaning mature) and that she has a thousand sentiments.
 She is always conscious of her poise. You can never see her legs apart except when she is in an Indian seating position. She never forgets to comb and powder her face and she always walks in style, although, that is as far as she could get. And oh, she doesn’t try lipstick or blush-ons. 
 She’s very good at giving advice. And where does she get all these advices?  From experience and from her reading of pocketbooks.  Her being an idealist and a romanticist makes her the perfect companion for the lovesick.
 And who else can you meet who is not happy when she doesn’t have a problem to brood on?  Only Karen is that person.
 She also has very good writing skills that she shares only with her diary.  Lucky are those who get to read it for aside from the writer is very good, it reflects exactly your thoughts. 
 

 He is the person of turns, twists and curls (curly hair, that is).   He is the Joko Diaz look-alike of the batch.  And he drives everybody crazy.  Ted is almost always in the middle of things in Scientia which earned him the title “The guy of “extras” (as in extra-curricular activities).
 When you talk about curricular activities, count on Ted’s.  Read:  he is a bass member of the Himig Scientia, the forward center of the basketball team, a member of the Drama Guild, the bass player of their Kada’s band, and Ma-Anne’s favorite boy companion.  (Ted, nagkaklase ka pa ba?)
 Tedow may seem to be just a “funnyman” to some, but you can also count on him for good advice, and worthwhile conversations
 

 Do not be deceived by the way this lady appears to be. Her looks might give you the impression that she is carefree but that is the exact opposite of what she seems to be. 
 Myra, who is neither a music fan nor a pocketbook lover, is a deep thinking person.  Her words may mean nothing to others but to those who need the wisdom it brings, it is something close to a gem. 
 She also takes joy in watching the PBA and takes pride in defending the team she vies for which is  Barangay Ginebra.
 She wants to be a good follower of God but not a nun and a good citizen but not a politician.  She dreams of nothing else but to become a true blue engineer.
 As a friend, she is very sincere and whenever her friend goes astray, she makes ways for friend to get back in the road again
 

 Everyone teases him because of his height.  He is the smallest of the batch but he sure uses it to his advantage. 
 Leboy is a hot-headed Calculus genius. Jokes about him could send his tongue lashing unsavory words. But he too likes joking about other people, the only way he could get back at them. 
 Surprise, surprise!  He is a member of the popular Stamina boys.  Like the rest of the group he has little fears (of teachers, of classmates, of the big guys in the campus) and he is strong at his stand. 
 Levy is a simple person. Simple in the sense that he runs after no girl but mind you, he has high standards in choosing his them.  He once had a crush on M.S. 
 

 The ever Miss Sexy and Beautiful of Calculus time is also Edison-IV’s Miss Congeniality. With her amiable traits and likeable personality, Kristina earned herself a lot of good friends.
 Aya, as often called is also Miss Hidden Talent.  With her mermaid-like voice, she could really make boys fall under her spell.
 Tina (another nickname) is also good when it comes to academics.  She could also excel in other fields like dancing and volleyball.
 This is the girl who is in for everything . So if you’re craving for clean, intelligent fun, Ma. Kristina is the one for you! 
 

 A Himig Scientia bass singer, a soccer varsity team player, the Vice President of Zone IV, not to mention Chen-Chen’s better half . . . Mr. Carl Roque.
 Carl is the kind of person you would want to be with when you’re down and troubled, but he’s also exciting, funny and nice that makes him a great companion.  One of his hidden gifts is his being “generous.”   He’s always ready to spare his time, effort and even his money when his friends come up short.
 The eternal  “serviceman” an all-around student and the guy you should call whenever you need something . . . Mr. Carl R. (R for responsible).
 

 A rock-band lover, a hard-working student, a guitar fanatic and a loving friend---this is Cristine.
 She’s fun to be with, loves joking around and has thousands of stories to tell. She enjoys hanging out with her barkada, but still socializes with other people.  She is very dependable and is always willing to share some of her ideas to those whose minds weren’t made as creative as hers especially for the gimmicks in Filipino.
 Tin-tin, is the kind of person who doesn’t try hard to appear cool, because it comes naturally for her.  She is the girl who proves the statement, “What you see is what you get.” 
Nevertheless there are still a lot of surprises whenever Cristine the “cute” is around. 
 

 Jacq, as she is fondly called, is the assistant features editor of The Electron.  This pretty and petite girl is the “Princess of Combs and Mirrors” because she is never seen without them.
 Since her first up to her third year days, she was voted as the class muse.  And in her junior year, she also won as the Zone’s muse.  This is the reason why many people say she is considered to be born in a muse’s throne. 
 But never say that Jacq is all looks and style, and little of anything else. For one, she is an able conversationalist--- be it in written or spoken modes. Plus, she is also good in class, although it seems to us that she refuses to bring out the best in her---for one reason or another.
 Jackie, admits when asked, that her mom and Jhonald are the persons who have the greatest influence in her life.  And this shows how emotional and loving she is. She is the perfect kind of companion when you want to have fun, and the friend who epitomizes a shoulder to cry on.  Sometimes, even if you are not really that close she is still willing to share your burden. This is Jacqueline P. Fragata-toot!,  the Kate Gomez and Natalie Imbruglia look-alike of Batch 99.
 

 Cesai (or whatever spelling you prefer) is the girl whose hair never seems to grow.  And that’s the reason why every month it appears as if she follows the rule of the guys’ haircut (at least it’s not 2 x 3, right?).  A certified Ranma and Sailor Moon fanatic, she is also a hopelessly romantic pocket book lover.
 Clarence is also admired for her seemingly perfect handwriting, which is why she always gets to be the Secretary of her Homeroom, or at least the assistant. She also adores Jerry Cordinera, making her the toughest rival of Geraldine (see Geraldine Geronimo’s description for verification).
 With her looks that exemplify her name, she sure has captured the heart of her knight in shining armor, don’t worry Princess, we won’t tell.
 

 Kuya, as most people address her, is the eternal basketball fan.   Being athletic, active and vibrant landed her a spot in the first ever all-girls basketball varsity team of QueSci.  This is one of her fervent wishes as she hopes to be in the same league as that of her idol, Purefoods cager Jerry Codinera.
 Je is one of those “fortunate” accredited students who came from St. Mary’s College of Quezon City.  But in her junior year, she already made waves by being the class president of Edison and the Zone Cleanliness Officer.  And in her graduating class, she was also voted as the class president of Edison and Security Officer of Zone-IV. 
 As a student, Geraldine is very patient, diligent and responsible. Whenever a task needs to be accomplished, everybody “volunteers” Kuya to lead the group.
 This charming “Estadistika girl” is also approachable which gives her dozens of chums.   And for those who need a friend who could be honest and loving, Geraldine is the girl for you.
 

She never gets angry---that’s what they all say---and it seems she never will.  But guess again. Lena, when furious, really seems to drain all the blood from her face, with matching trembling and clenched fists, she’d shout to make the earth rumble. 
Lena Fleur (as in flower) is the type of friend who gives whatever it takes especially when it comes to her relationships with her pals.  She’s always there to help and defend the people she loves, no matter what.  She is also one of those persons who hate misunderstandings and she’ll do anything and everything to get things settled.  If Mona Lisa is known for her mysterious smile, Lena is famous for her weird laughter. Sometimes it’s really hard to know if she’s laughing or if she’s in tears.
Apple, as she is sometimes called, is also the Ms. Business Manager.  She seems to have made it clear that this position is entirely meant for her, and she’s good at it that’s what’s important. And outside the Edison classroom, she transforms into the hardworking, devoted Circulation and Finance Officer of the Electron. Sir SD considers her the X factor---the unsung heroine of the batch’s Electron and Ang Banyuhay contest issues. Do you know that Lena stayed up late in the printing press for a week during the construction of the paper (no other member of the Electron 99 sacrificed as much for the school paper(s) mind you!); and she did it even at the height of a super typhoon.
And of course, she “extorted” reams of bond paper from her Mommy so that the Electron’s newsletters will be published. It’s no mystery to us why she had very few write ups in the paper. 
The lady with a tongue-twisting name, and the so-called “Iranian” girl is the best friend one could ever wish for.
 

 One of the most silent and the most generous members of the class is Zoraya.  Silently, she works on the class accounting and auditing (she’s the treasurer) and carefully writes down assignments and notes, never gets late and never gets absent. She has studious friends. But what makes her special is that she is probably the most conscientious of the class.  Once you meet her, you’d wonder what humongous inspiration she has got... maybe Bal David or the whole PBA.  But whether basketball really is inspiring her, her gentle nature is really inherent.  The only thing that would make her scream and abandon her “meek-as-a-lamb” stigma is an exciting basketball game.  Days later, her saintly attitude would again resurface.
 

 Three cheers for our class muse, the tallest among the girls. 
 Meet the Electron’s Literary section editor.  Her being a good storywriter earned her a place in the story-writing contest during the English week.
 Dolly has a very strong personality and her quick words and glances can make you give in to whatever she suggests.  She also enjoys listening to songs of the heart that shows how sensitive she is.  She may be touchy at times but she doesn’t wait for those who hurt her to ask forgiveness.  She makes the move herself and is always ready to admit her mistake, forget about it and go on living.
 She always is in a smile but nobody can actually predict what is running in her mind.  She could change moods as the weather changes. 
 Nevertheless she is one good friend.  Whenever you are near tears, she’ll always come running towards you and ask what is wrong and she’ll see to it that the problem is resolved.  For those who need someone to lean on to, Dolly’s the one for you
 

 Lyra Marie is the “bestest” of all the best friends in the world.  She is the “giver,” ready to sacrifice anything and everything for the people she loves. She’s a good adviserm, compliment giver, and a fair critic . . . simply, she’s an honest pal.
 Ly, as called by her friends, has the Golden Voice that earned her a spot she deserves in the Himig Scientia.    She also seems destined for the position of treasurer or at least the  assistant as she has won the title in her homeroom  classes and in her junior year when she was the zone treasurer.  Academics wise, Ly also fairs well as she had almost been a consistent Darwin student (Sayang, walang Consistent Darwin Award).  She’s game for any sport and is no iffy when it comes to death-defying amusement park rides.
 Being a loyal follower of boy bands such as Boozy and the Moffatts, she aspires of becoming Mrs. Ronan Keating or Mrs. Lyra Moffat.   She likes to spend endless hours of blabbering about her and their lives together.   (Hello, Ly wake up to reality!)
 Still one will always remember Lyra Marie for her being a near perfect (of course, nobody is perfect) friend one could ever long for! 
 

 Equa has split personalities.  One moment she’s the cultured maiden of speech and music, the other moment she’s the culprit of subtle pranks.  One moment, she has the oats, the other moment, she sits in melancholy on one corner of the room.  Whatever triggers this personality change doesn’t really matter.  If we were to vote for “Most Likely to be Famous,” Erika is a likely winner.  Erika is talented indeed, but above all, she bravely does things her way.  Everyone who knows her would attest to this trait of hers.  Strangely, she’s still liked by everyone because she really does things in her own original way
 

 Watch her punch, watch her kick, and watch her in Science Made Easy!
 She doesn’t do stunts on the show however. Rather, she acts as a child who is overly inclined to science that every week she goes over the airwaves just to impart information about amphibians, reptiles and the likes through the help of a teacher-host.
 J-ann does the stunts off-screen as she battles her equally childish friend Sheilafel.  They could start pushing and ruining each other’s hairdo simply because of anything. 
She really is a born athlete.  She can send a volleyball flying way above the net, a shuttlecock tumbling past the court and the jackstones’ rubberball hitting the roof while she picks the pieces.  But despite all, her success has never sent her feet off the ground. 
Aside from listening to the Moffatts sing (if you can call their acts singing), she also enjoys watching Bal David commit mistakes and lead his team to another frustrating outcome.  Instead of enjoying pocketbooks as most of the girls do, she is content with opening her math book and reading it from cover to cover.
She also is a devout Catholic and has pledged to see no evil, hear no evil, think no evil and feel no evil.  But of course this is only an exaggeration
 

 This die-hard PBA fan is the youngest of the class. 
 A very good storyteller she is, she can web tales in a wink of an eye and convince you things happened otherwise in another. 
 To those who are interested, she has eyes for those whose looks range from hamsters to horses---the very reason why she likes the Moffatts, 911’s Lee Brennan and San Miguel Beer’s Olsen Racela. 
 She is forever at war with classmates who claim they have the affection of Scott Moffatt.  She doesn’t want to give him away, yet still, she insists on having caught the heart of the other two members of the band - Bob and Clint.  Never mind Dave. 
 If ever there will be a WPBA; she plans to take her chance in it.  No doubt she’ll make a good player because aside from being a sharp shooter, she doesn’t mind (or maybe even enjoys) getting physical. 
 She is not hard to please but she is not also hard to annoy.  She can shed tears without warning.