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Torres High School Batch '78 News Page
"Our aim is to link us together as we prepare for our 25th Grand Anniversary Reunion in the year 2003."



 
 

MINI-REUNIONS: TAKE THREE

     Just when we thought that we never had enough of the fabulous mini-reunion of Ang Sulo Staff at Glorietta-Makati (Saisaki and Hotel Intercon), we gathered for two more important occasions:  the last night of the wake of Helen Roque-Pandy's mother, Adoracion at Dulce Funeral Parlor along Abad Santos - Tondo and the visit to batchmate Philip Mangay in his Gagalangin home.

     Friday, 12 October, I celebrated a funeral mass for the mother of Helen Roque Pandy and brother, Virgilio, my Troop 85 colleague.  It was a mass highlighted both by light and emotional moments.  Helen could not hold back her tears when she had to read the prayer of commendation to the Lord for her mother.  Brother Vio tried to complete the prayer when Helen could not finish it.  Soon after, the whole family was crying while each of them aspersed holy water to their beloved mother's coffin.

     After the mass, E1 group gathered in one corner:  Helen, Olive, Merlie, Jessie, Beng, Tess (Samson), Dolly, Perlie and Arnela (Villalon).  On one corner sat quietly three E1 hunks:  Elmer, Dodie and Rolly...  the mood suddenly change to festive as the former classmates told and retold stories from high school.  They were still at the peak of enjoyment when I had to say goodbye as I headed for Quezon City to catch up with my scheduled late Friday night program at Radyo Veritas.


From L to R - Matet Mangay, Edna Adriano Gilera, Merlie Sugay Leocadio (partly hidden), Moises Sta. Ana,
Olive Griarte Seña, Dolly dela Cruz Ramos, Sir Jun Narvaez (partly hidden), Fernando Celis, Erick Santos, Philip Mangay

     14, October, Merlie, Olive and Sir Jun Narvaez (Cancer '77 and a Troop 85 veteran) attended my 6:00 p.m. mass.  We then proceeded to 2329 Tirso Cruz Street in Gagalangin where Philip Mangay and wife Matet have their simple, yet elegant abode.  When we reached the place, Edna Adriano Gilera was already there togtehr with her eldest son who is my "inaanak."  Fernando Celis (Libra '78) was also there.  Philip, still in crutches after an opeartion on his broken leg bones, and his wife Matet were excellent hosts.  She prepared a sumtuous dinner for the group.  I would learn later that Olive, Philip, Merlie, Edna and the elusive Moises Sta. Ana were actually classmates in Grade School at Mechora Aquino.  They enjoyed looking at their grade three class pictures.

     Later, during dinner, Moises mad a surprising entrance.  He was the wackiest student both in elementary and high schools.  In my first to third year classes, he was the undisputed match wizard.  The girls shared how happy they were in grade school each time Moises would be absent.  He had this special fondness for picking on his girl classmates who would end up crying at his antics. Moises' sharp memory could still recall his own mischiefs to both classmates and teachers.  And they had good laugh.  But he has mellowed a lot; but still a much of a joker.
     Later, Rey Mednilla tried to catch up for dinner.

     It was a week of reunions and travels to memory lane.  And it's always nice to be with friends of old.  The bonding remained through the years.


THE BOYZ - Fernando, Sir Jun, Moises, Erick and Philip.  (Not in the picture - latecomer Rey Medenilla)
 


 
 
 
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