JRI Class 1963 Orion Bataan

Evite R S V P's and Comments

1. JOSEFINA JAVIER- MACALUA : "Of course, I will be at the reunion."

2. PILAR VILLEGAS CUEVAS: "Of course, I will be there to see you all, guys!"

3. ANNIE NAVARRO BENJAMIN: "Yes, I'll be there. I will not miss it for the world."

4. OFELIA REYES REYES: " No comment, but coming".

5. ERNESTO DEL ROSARIO: "I don't want to miss this. I will be there."

6. FRANCISCO HERILLA and GUEST: "We will be there to see you all."

7. LUCILA QUICHO: "Who would like to miss that day? I will be around,classmates."

8. ANSELMO LABRADOR: "Yes, I will be joining all my fellow classmates of '63, and looking forward to catching up with all. Take care and see you soon."

9. NELIA AMPARO: "Now, I'm coming for sure. I just found my passport in the garage, after praying to St. Anthony. We had a big fire in 2003 that we had to evacuate. I didn't realize that I never put it back with the important papers. I've been looking for it for more than a week. I don't want to miss this very special event."

10. BENRUBEN BALUYOT: " Yes, I will come to see the beautiful and the handsome of class'63 after four decades. I will be alone, because Rhodora has been tied up with our 5-year old Grandson. Pogi katulad ng LOLO."

11. ROLANDO SAN JOSE: "I will certainly be there. Wouldn't miss it for all the world. I will print this Evite and distribute this to others who have no access to the internet. See you all".

12. MIKE CRUZ: " Ako pa, of course I will be there 101% to see you all especially Ernesto (Carias) Santos. ha! ha! ha!"

13. ERNESTO SANTOS: " Sure, I will be there".

14. ARMANDO REYES + 3 Guests: " Yes, I am coming. I am always just around Bataan."

15. EDITA ALMAZAN: " I will be there. I won't miss this special event. See you all."

JoGJMAC 07

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Hi Manny and Debbie,

Just a quick note to express our thanks for the nice dinner. The menu was excellent. So many choices, and so hard to choose! From the appetizer, to the cocktail and finally the main course - they were great. The servings were too big for one person. So we wound up with bagged lunch to go, what a bonus!
Great food, great conversation and great company. Thanks again, Manny and Debbie. We really have a nice evening.

Your classmates,
Pilar and Annie

Monday, April 9, 2007

AN ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING YOUR BLOGSITE, JRI CLASS 1963

Friday, February 9, 2007

BEST FRIENDSHIP

"The best friendship does not come when you are together,
but when you are far apart and busy;
and you realize that despite the distance and the busy times,
friends just never stop caring."

JoGJMac'07

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Batch 1963 Reunions 2007 & 1999

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Our Families

Ernesto, Cecile, Paul and Niki Del Rosario

Paul and Niki Del Rosario

Josie (Javier) and Pete Macalua with Myra, Marc, MicMac and Mon

Eddie and Annie Benjamin and family

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Howdy! from the US of A

Sunday, February 4, 2007

Pilar and family

Saturday, February 3, 2007

Tubo Sa Puhunan

Leian de Chavez, 3 months. Fely Reyes' 3rd

Aida Mendoza Sison's Sean Lawrence (TJ) Ostani, 3 months

David Navarro and Alyssa Noel, Eddie and Annie's Darlings

Sean and Tara de Chavez, Fely Reyes' apos

Monday, January 29, 2007

Ms Lazaro and the gals

The Ladies of Batch 63

Annie, Belen and her Romeo

Benruben and Rhodora Baluyot with Pilar in Sydney Australia

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Partners and Lovers

Mike and Linda Lita and Rollie
Pete and Josie

Ernesto and Cecile

Eddie and Annie

Manny and Debbie

Apos Galore

Blythe Leandro Cuevas & Listen Joseph Hart

Jazmyn Ramirez Whyte

Laura Sophia Macalua-Hynson

Listen Joseph Hart

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E-mail between Pilar and Luz

Luz

Thank you for the update on the latest batch meeting. I really don't know if we can hold our meeting at our house. We may be able to hold it outside as the ground is big but there is nothing to sit on there, unless everybody doesn't mind standing while the meeting is held.

I cannot offer to hold it in the house as the heat inside will be unbearable, especially if there are many attendees. Maybe it is better to hold it at our hulo as we have a nipa hut there with a picnic table and cemented area as well as gripo and toilet. Tuloy mini picnic na rin natin. What do you think?

Please let me know so I can advise my brother and our caretaker. Regards to all and take care.

God Bless,

Pilar

******************************************

Dear Pilar,

I just arrived from the meeting. About 20 came to attend, 11 males and 9 ladies, Belen, Rosa, Perlita , Ofelia Reyes and Ofelia Angeles, Luz Torres, Julie and me, Mike, Terry, Rolando Reyes, Alfredo,ArmandoReyes, Juanito, Ramon, Reynaldo Diolola, Ruperto Bagtas and Jose Mariano. Rolly was not able to come as he is in Cavite and most of the ladies may mga bisita sa bahay.

We were able to discuss the activities for May 9 and 10. Masaya pa rin panay biruan at balik tanaw sa nakaraan. Mike brought pancit , suman and ice cream for merienda. We assigned tasks for the activities, the kitchen cabinet, those who will canvass the venue for the dinner dance, and those who do the marketing and of course those who will still contact other classmates.

We will meet at your place 0n May 4 for the status of the assigned task. Mike told us that you will be in Orion that time.If it is okay with you let me know so we can confirm.

After the meeting we visited Ursulo and promise him that we will be back on the 4th kasama na kayo.

This is all, classmate. All are so excited for the reunion.

regards!

Love,

Luz

Ernie Writes to Nelia

Dear Nelia,

Personally, I am so deeply touched by your life sharing. Anyone in your shoes, who went through those series of trials and difficuties could easily walk away and give up. But you perdured. Your strength of character has prevailed over seemingly insurmountable odds. You have demonstrated faith in God par excellence!

I cannot imagine any other way to express one's love for parents and siblings than what you have exhibited. You have arrogated unto yourself a distinctive role of provider for your less fortunate sisters. You have gone beyond what a typical daughter or sister could have done in the situation. Your supreme sacrifice is worthy of emulation! For this, I honor you, and I stand proud for having a classmate like you!

Your life sharing is much more inspiring and so enriching of one's soul!

You deserve honor and great respect!

Ernesto

I was kind of hesitant to write the story of my life, but I'd like this to be an inspiration to some of our clasmates who like me experienced some unbearable heartaches that only people of strong faith and character can handle. First of all I would like to thank God for possibly sharing this coming reunion with you just the way I thank God for the whole class for being a part of my life even for a short time. It was a beautiful experience, something that I would like to experience all over again.

I would like to thank my parents who inspite of being poor worked so hard to send us to college, for the good genes that we inherited from them (intelligence and strength of character that we used as a tool to pursue our dreams and to overcome the wolves around us.

I'd like to thank our beloved teachers who never got tired of our mischiefs, who unselflessly shared their knowledge with us. They gave us a very good foundation of what we have become.

1963,graduation day, a day of mixed emotions I was both happy and sad; happy because I can start a new chapter in my life; sad because I'm going to miss my classmates who have grown so dear to me. After graduation I stopped for one year to help my parents. My mother had a small grocery store in Balanga Market which helped my older sister in college. My oldest sister also helped us a lot . After my sisters graduation from college(bsnutrition), I went to UST to take up Medical Technology. My sister went to the USA as a student at Loma Linda University. She lived with my uncle in L.A. but she didn't go to school right away because she was helping put us through college. I also have a brother who went to a college of engineering. So my sister started working already in a hospital close to L.A. Later on she found a job in Pomona Hospital where she worked for 17 years.

I graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology. After a year of job hunting,I found a job at V .Luna Med Center ,training the newly graduates from different universities. After 2 years, my sister decided that I go to the U.S. on a tourist visa . She was hoping that she could do something so I could stay. I quit my job in V. Luna and headed for the states. That was 1971. I only stayed for 6 months because they put me under docket control . If i didn't go back to the Philippines, I would be deported. My sister could't do anything because she was not a citizen yet. There were 2 americans who wanted to marry me but i didn't love either of them and besides my sister won't let me anyway. So my sister decided to send me back home instead of me hiding from the immigration. It was heartbreaking for both of us. We were both crying at the airport when I left. I was crying the whole trip. When I got home my father cried. He felt so sorry for me.

I went back to V. Luna to see if I could take my old job back but they already found a replacement. It was so hard to look for a job as a technologist because hospitals only hire one or 2 techs. I went home so depressed. 3 months later my father passed away. He suffered a massive heart attack. It was a blow to our family. My sister came home from the U.S. It was so hard for her because she haven't seen him for a long time and she wanted him so much to go to the states. My mother had a nervous breakdown and everything was thrown at my shoulder at my young age. I took my mother to V. Luna to be checked. With a combination of a good doctor and a lot of prayers my mother got well.

Five years went by and finally my eldest sister found me a job at Makati Medical Center. I rented a room in one of my friends' house where Pareng Mike would bring me those large shrimps that he used to export to Japan. I was still living in that place when I came to the province one weekend and I happened to see Ernesto. On our way to Manila he asked me if i wanted to ride with him. I was so excited as we haven't seen each other for a long time so I rode with him and we talked to each other the whole trip. I can still remember his car,a red lancer.

In 1976 my sister petitioned my mom and in December 1979 ,my sister, my youngest brother and I went to the states. My brother after me was working in Brunie at that time so he could't come with us. We were so happy to be together again after long years of separation. My sister would take us to places and we had so much fun together. My sister liked me a lot because I have a good sense of humor. That happiness only lasted for a year. GOD took her away from us too soon. She was killed by a 14 year old boy who lived just opposite her house. She had known that boy when he was only 7 years old. She would ask him to mow the lawn and give him money. She even helped him buy a horse. One day he went crazy wanting to steal her car. When my sister refused to give him the key, he went home, got a baseball bat, came back and bashed my sister on the head until she died. His three friends who were with him couldn't stop him. At that time she was by herself. The day before it happened we were together the whole day shopping. Little did i know it would be the last time I would see her. When I came home from work, the sheriff was there explaining what happened. I felt like the whole world crumbled in front of me. I started screaming and screaming for I don't know how long. I refused to believe; I refused to accept that it was true.

My mother had another nervous breakdown. She wouldn't eat, wouldn't sleep and started throwing things at us. When she broke the apartment window, I had to call the police and she was taken to the hospital. I took her out after 3 days because they put her with drug addicts. I was able to get my brother from Brunie to attend the funeral but I could't get my sister from the Philippines. From that time on I stopped dreaming . I wanted everything just to stop. I felt like i couldn't go on. From 98 lbs. I went down to 85 lbs. I was skin and bones but GOD has a plan for me, something that I didn't know at the time. I had to keep going for my family I could not die yet. So many things to do.

Years went by, I passed the board exam in med.tech. which would have made my sister so happy. She had wanted it so much for me. I got a decent job in a hospital which gave me a chance to take care of my family including my sister in the Phil. In 1988 she had a stroke that left half of her body paralyzed. We went home to see her.I was so shocked when I saw her. She didn't look like my sister at all. She was skin and bones and she looked so sad. She told me that she couldn't get over the loss of our sister. She wanted to see her even for a brief moment. My heart melted to see her like that. Later on that day she got disoriented. She couldn't recognize any of us so i decided to ask for her to be transferred to a private room. The guy at Admission told me that she would be the last on the list and he doesn't know how long we had to wait. A few hours later I went back to the Admssion to see if there was a chance for her to be transferred that night. She couldn't sleep because the visitors of the other patient were so noisy. When the guy looked at the list her name was on top of it. I think it was Jesus who moved her name to no.1 on the list. How could it happen when there were so many ahead of her.

That night I called her doctor and she was referred to a neurologist. The following morning when she woke up she recognized me as if nothing happened. She told me that the previous night Jesus took her the mountain where GOD gave the ten commandments to Moses, then HE took her to heaven where he saw my grandparents my father and my sister all dressed in white but they were just staring at her. My sister was surrounded by little angels and she was teaching them how to sing. I was having gooze bumps while she was talking but she never mentioned anything about it afterwards.

Six months later, her only son got killed by a group of teen agers while walking back to the dorm after having dinner with his friends. He was walking behind his three friends when all of a sudden they were attacked. When he saw his friends fall he came to their rescue and he was the one who got killed. One and a half years later my sister passed away,- after another stroke. She never got over the death of her son.

1998 my brother afterme had a major heart bypass after 3 previous heart attacks. In 2003 my remaining sister had a massive stroke which damaged her short term memory. How can you take all these if you don't have a very strong faith in GOD? Now I just live in the present, from day to day. I don't dwell in the past, I don't worry about the future. GOD will take care of it. In this journey I'm not afraid anymore because JESUS is traveling with me.

Now I will explain to you about the title of my story. There was a very beautiful pot on a shelf. Everybody who passed by paused in awe because that pot was very beautiful and flawless but nobody knows the pain it had to go through while being moulded. Everytime the potter put it under intense heat it would beg," Stop, stop, it hurts" but the potter would not stop. He went on and on and each time the pot would beg for him to stop because it really hurt so much until one day the pot became so beautiful and perfect it was ready to be placed on that shelf for everybody to appreciate. My dear classmates we are the pot and the potter is our Creator. He wants us to be perfect so that when the time comes , we will be worthy of his kingdom. I know what Ernesto is talking about. The foundation of our civilization is morality and the center of morality is GOD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your patience, I hope you didn't fall asleep .

With all my love ,

nelia.

i'll see you all in may.

Si Ernesto (Karias) ay maka Pilipino kaya bilang pagbibigay sa kanyang kahilingan, sa wika natin ko ito isinulat. Siya ay nasa Amerika subalit ang puso at isipan niya ay nanatiling nasa ating bansang PILIPINAS.

Noong nasa mataas na paaralan pa lamang tayo sa “Jose Rizal Institute, Orion, Bataan” 44 na taon na ang nakalilipas, ang pagkakakilala ko kay Ernesto K ay isa siyang napakagulong kamagaral. Marami siyang kalokohan sa ulo na ang karamihan ay “BERDE” na kung babanggiting kong lahat ngayon ay baka kulangin tayo ng espasyo para sa mga iba pang dapat malathala sa ating blogspot.

Si ErnestoK ay palaibig. Sa katunayan nga ay hindi lamang iisa ang naging “crush” niya sa ating mga kamagaral. Mahilig siya sa mga mapuputing babae, kaya kung kayo ay maputi , malaki ang tsansa na kabilang kayo sa listahan niya ng mga “crushes” niya. Hindi siya nakapagpahayag o nakapagparamdam sa kahit kanino sa mga naging crush niya. Di naman masasabing “TORPE” kaya malamang ay natakot lamang siya sa “REJECTION.” Ayon sa kanyang pagtatapat, lagi siyang dumaadaan sa tapat ng bahay ng mga naging crush niya at talagang matanaw lamang daw niya ang bahay ng mga iyon ay naguumapaw na ang saya sa kanyang puso.

Pagkatapos ng ating graduation, minabuti ni Ernesto(K) na lumuwas ng Maynila upang makapagtrabaho. Isa niyang magandang katangian ang pagiging mababang-loob at ang maluwag na pagtanggap sa tunay nilang katayuan sa buhay. Minabuti niyang pumasok na sa U.S. Navy noong 1964 bagama’t di pa siya nakakapagtapos sa kolehiyo.

Noong nasa Navy na siya binalak sana niyang magpahayag ng pagibig sa isa kanyang crush subalit nanaig pa rin sa kanya ang takot sa “REJECTION”. Iba pala ang nakaguhit sa kanyang tadhana, dahil nakilala niya si Brenda na siyang nagpatibok nang matindi sa kanyang puso, na di kalaunan ay siya niyang naging kabiyak. Ang matamis na salitang namutawi sa labi ni Ernesto K ang sanhi ng pagsagot ni Brenda ng “Yes I do.” “HINDI KO MAAARING SABIHING IKAW LAMANG ANG MINAHAL KO , SA DAHILANG MARAMI AKONG MINAHAL. SUBALIT IKAW ANG GUSTO KONG MAKASAMA HABANG BUHAY, AT MAGING INA NG LAHAT NG AKING MAGIGING ANAK."

Ang pagiging magulo at maloko ni Ernesto(K) ay dahilan lang sa kanyang likas na pagiging masayahin. Siya ay isang ulirang asawa, at ama ng kanyang dalawang anak na sina Melannie at Jan-Michael. Siya ay may limang apo kay Jan-Michael na sina Jevon, 10 taon, Jezren 7-1/2 taon, Miriya 5-1/2 taon, Jan-Michael 4-1/2 taon at Jarian 18 buwan.

Sa ngayon si ErnestoK ay retirado na at masayang nagaalaga “by the book” ng kanyang bunsong apo na kanyang itinuturing ding bunsong anak. Pinagkakaabalahan din niya sa ngayon ang pagpapalaganap ng “Religious Movement” na kung saan siya ay isang kasapi pati na ang kanyang buong pamilya. Malaki ang naging pagbabagong naganap sa buhay ni ErnestoK sa pagsapi niya sa “Banal Na Pag-aaral” isang katolikong kapisanan. Nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong makausap siya simula ng isagawa ang ating planong magkaroon ng “grand reunion.” Sa tuwing makakausap ko siya, ang namumtawi sa kanya ay ang Panginoon na siyang lumikha sa atin. Si Karias na dating magulo ay naging isang maka-Diyos na tao.

Noong malaman ni Karias ang tungkol sa ating grand reunion sumangayon kaagad ang kanyang asawa na siya ay dumalo, bagamat kararating lamang nila sa bakasyon sa Hawaii at may plano ang kanyang buong pamilya (11 miyembro ng pamilya) na umuwi sa Pilipinas sa susunod na taon . “Ang mga kamagaral ko, 44 taon ang nakalipas ay naging bahagi rin ng aking buhay. Gusto ko silang makita at hindi ko alam kung mauulit pa ito.” Hindi mo rin alam baka may magandang plano ang Diyos para sa akin.” Para palang makata si ErnestoK, kaya napapasagot agad niya si Brenda. Sa totoo lang nanaig kay ErnestoK ang pagmamahal niya sa ating lahat sa Batch 1963, kaya nagdesisiyon siya na kahit ano ang mangyari ay uuwi siya para minsan pa ay magkasama-sama tayong lahat.

Ito si ErnestoK, NOON AT NGAYON. Nagkaroon ng magandang buhay kapalit ng kanyang pagsisikap at matibay na pananalig sa Diyos.

Pilar

Josie Confesses: My Other Love

I love my husband so much, that’s a fact. But at my age of almost six decades, I must confess I have 'another love'. We’ve been inseparable since the late nineties. My husband, 'my other love' and myself have been cohabiting peacefully ever since, and in the same bedroom at that. My husband is so much fun to be with, but then he is either in the office or abroad most of the time.

'My other love' keeps me company 24/7. He never leaves me. He is so helpful in so many ways. He helps me remember names, addresses, an infinite area of knowledge, important dates, even helps me get in touch with our children, relatives, friends, and business contacts, as well.

Why am I writing about 'my other love'? Call it 'separation anxiety'.I have no recourse but to leave him until the 31st of this month. For me, that would seem like eternity. I’m leaving for Manila and Orion, day after tomorrow. I feel like crying. I’ll be with my husband alright.But he wouldn't allow 'my other love' to go with us. It’s so sad, really sad!

You see, 'my other love' is quite heavy, by human standard. And he has to be placed in secured boxes for travel. That would really be cumbersome. Can’t blame my husband for refusing to tag him along.Know he's being practical, because we would have to shell out money for excess baggage, which will most likely happen if I insist on us being a threesome.

And so, I really have to say adieu, to you, 'my other love.' Please wait for me and welcome me back into your loving keyboard, ehrr, I mean,arms, when I come back. There, it's a slip of the tongue. aba, e bakit ka nagulat? Ano ba ang akala mong 'other love' ko? Ha? Grabe ka naman. Ang 'OTHER LOVE' ko ay itong PERSONAL COMPUTER ko. MY PC! kaya nga di ko pwedeng dalhin, dahil mabigat siya. o sige na nga, titiisin ko na lang ang paghihiwalay namin.

"MY DEAR PC, I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE 31ST, SO WE CAN BE TOGETHER AGAIN! "

Dear Josie,

Forgive my senior moments, but this is as far as I could remember.

We had a class with Mr.Bugarin and he got so mad at us because nobody did our homework. He started cursing and he was getting so red in the face as he spewed insults and verbal putdowns. All of a sudden Benruben stood up from the back with his sharp lawit in his hand, raised it up and declared for all to hear, “This is Benruben Baluyot, Commander of the 7th Fleet. I saw Mr. Bugarin’s red face turn so ghostly white. I think he got really scared because Benruben looked so threateningly serious.

Then Ernesto too stood up and declared, “I am Ernesto del Rosario, Commandant of the US Navy.” I’m not sure if I heard his title right but I guess the message was clear.

Then who else would stand up to join the distinguished duo but Rene Feliciano, Lieutenant Colonel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I can’t remember any more who else stood up but I think Pareng Mike was also one of them.

After a moment of stunned silence the whole class burst into loud peals of laughter. We just could not help it. It was so hilarious but Mr.Bugarin got SO MAD. I can’t remember if anybody got suspended afterwards.HA!HA!HA!

Regards to everybody.

Love,

Nelia

Galletas de Patatas

Josie recalls:

Di ko malilimutan ang ECONOMICS class natin under MR. ANGELES, not only because of his neatness in his crease-free pants, but also of the free-wheeling discussions and the way he would tell us of our inabilityto answer some of his thought-provoking questions.

One day, wala talagang makasagot sa tanong niya, so he delivered his often repeated dialogue. " Naku, ang simple ng tanong, wala ni isa mang makasagot sa inyo? Kaya nga ba ako, bago pumunta sa klaseng ito, umiinom muna ako ng isang truck na CAFIASPIRINA at CORTAL, pero sumasakit pa rin ang ulo ko. Papaano, kahit anong turo ko sa inyo, pagdating ng test, anong nakukuha nyo? GALLETAS DE PATATAS!

Ngayon ko lang na-realize, he meant ZERO pala, kasi bilog ang galletas. bigla na lang nakita niya si DANILO QUICHO na parang nakataas ang kamay. So biglang nagliwanag ang mukha ni MR. ANGELES! Sabi niya, "SIGE NGA, DANILO, IPAKITA MO SA KANILA, NA SMALL BUT TERRIBLE KA! SAGUTIN MO ANG TANONG KO!" Dahan-dahang tumayo si DANILO at sinabi niyang "I'M SORRY, SIR, I DO NOT KNOW."

It turned out, di pala nakataas ang kamay niya, nakasapo lang sa kanyang sentido. "BAKIT MO NAMAN AKO IPINAHIYA, DANILO?" sabi ni MR. ANGELES. So lahat talaga ay GALLETAS DE PATATAS ang nakuha noong araw na 'yon.

Hahaha! tawa naman kayo diyan, o!

The Green Mango and the Crunchy Chicharon

Mabuti na lang, hepa amoebiasis and other dreaded diseases transmittedthrough the saliva was unheard of pa in the sixties, when we were still in high school.

In our algebra class, as soon as MR. SIMEON turned his back to make his lengthy computations on the blackboard, a green (really asim) mango or a bag of crunchy chicharon would make its way round the classroom, pasa-pasa style from under the desks. One had to take a bite pag napasahan ka, to be IN, you know. The most difficult part was to be asked to answer a question when you had just taken a bite. Siyempre mahirap lunukin agad bago makasagot, especially when napalaki ang kagat mo.

The real challenge was being able to bite and munch a piece of the chicharon without making any sound. Young as we were, we dared and took on the challenge and were victorious at that! We were devious for sure but we wereNEVER caught. hehehe!

JoGJMac'07

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND YOUR 44th YEAR REUNION: – IT’S FUN - How often do you see your former classmates of 1963? Even if you happen to live in the same town, how often do you see each other say, in a year? This is the opportunity to see your former classmates all at once! How neat is that?

–IT’S ENTERTAINING: Just to check each other out, is amusing in itself. Who left, who stayed and who came back? Where did time go? What happened, when did it happen, and how did it happen? Inquiring minds want to know!

– IT’S A TRIP (and a half): Literally. Imagine your classmates who will come from hundreds, perhaps thousands of clicks (kilometers) away. Whether it’s by boat, airplane, ferry, private or public conveyance, THEY WILL COME. You should be part of the group who will greet them and say, WELCOME HOME, Classmates!

– IT’S REFRESHING: Both physically and emotionally. Wow, after all these years, and we are still around? Isn’t LIFE grand? Let’s talk about the good old days! You’ll probably wonder if one day is enough to catch up with “stuff”.

– IT’S MIND OVER MATTER: So, some of us gain a few pounds. Some guys have beer belly. Hair color isn’t what it used to be and the law of gravity is taking over some of our body parts. And the guys have basically three (3) hairstyles: hair parted, hair not parted and hair departed! Everything is relative. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter!

– PUT A CLOSURE ON IT: We all have some sort of “wish list”. A home project that’s been in the back burner, on hold. A place that you’ve read about and wish you could visit someday. How about your long lost friend(s) you haven’t seen in years? Please don’t pass up on this one… When you heard everybody really had a great time later on, don’t take the, ” could-have, should-have” guilt trip circling in your head. This is it! Get back into your good old self and attend YOUR REUNION! Guaranteed, you’ll have a blast!

Come on down. Have a great day! Enjoy your moment in time, May 9, 2007
Posted by Ed Benjamin 25 March 2007

Hi,

I have been so busy the past weeks, I do miss the chat sessions . Last Monday I was able to chat withJosie, Pilar and Ernesto. Yap, most of the guys here are really looking forward for that grand reunion. I was able to talk with Tuding Mariano and she will attend, so with Fely Florendo. I still have to get the contact info of Myrna Sto. Domingo, Felipa Villegas, LindaAquino and the other gals. I think Rolly is taking care of the whereabouts of the boys.

I always open the blog page and am glad Josie will find time to publish our funny moments in highschool.Oh, I still need to recall some happenings then. I know that column will be fun.

I have sent most of the photos to Pilar, but will still ask Emma or Fely for some copies of the ones they used in the Centenial celebration of the Orion Elem School. I will also dig into my file during the first reunion in Morong, 27years after we graduated. Am okay, so with Julie.

Last Sunday we,Violeta, Lagrimas,J ulie were in Penaranda,NuevaEcija. Siony Rivero's father in law passed away.Then we went shopping in San Fernando. Last Tuesday,Aida came over to my office...I helped her get her Permit toTravel to UK from the Dep Ed Regional Office. Aida told me she will miss the reunion, she is leaving last weekof April and will be staying there for six months. Well, am happy we can find time to communicate. Ihope you are okay too.

My regards!

Love,

Luz

Corazon writes to Josie:

Ernie's bio seems to strike a sympathetic chord in the hearts of our readers. We need more stories of grit , determination and perseverance; a never say die attitude; a strength of character that empowers one to face any formidable challenge with unfailing courage; a heart that gives and gives despite the misgivings. Overcoming trials with quiet, uncompromising faith.

Josie writes to Corazon and Pilar:

You're absolutely right about the beautiful feeling one gets after reading Ernie's bio. It is a must read, not only for the young people, but for us,as well. For the young, life's teachings in it would give them the inspiration to overcome obstacles, and realize that success is within reach of those who dream and work hard, no matter how economically underpriveleged one is. For us, who are in the twilight of our years, we need strength not of the physical kind, but rather of the spirit, as we need to be healed of thebruises and wounds inflicted on us by the struggles of years past. INSPIRATION to enjoy and look with a childlike confidence and anticipationto each day of the remaining years of our lives. At this stage, what better way to do that than to share our thoughts andmemoirs with one another, that made us better persons, after coming out ofour darkest moments unscathed.we all went through that, you and me and the rest of the batch.

Pilar, in one of our chats, you mentioned about sharing what you have done for the future of your loved ones. I was about to ask you about that, but the topic got lost somehow. AND SO, I AM ASKING YOU TO SHARE IT WITH US, YOUR BATCHMATES NOW. We will eagerly wait for its publication in our blogspot.

Pilar responds:

Ha! ha! Ha! I will be the last one to share. Let us wait for our batch mates first. They might have no space in our blog when I publish mine. I knew many who have beautiful stories to share which will inspire us compare to mine. I have only a simple story.

I just talked to Manny. Manny will be sending me his story for us to publish. Naku humanda kayo mahaba ito. I also mailed a letter to Rosa to share her story from graduating in high school. Rosa has really nice story too for us to share. She really passed those trials through prayers. Imagine she lost her husband at the age of 30 if I am not mistaken caring for 4 little boys when her trials started but in return at present she has a happy life. Nelia also has tragic story about her life the reason she was not able to get married, a good daughter, a good sister and a good aunt and a pious lady. But for sure the next episode will be from Manny. Huwag muna ninyo ako matikusin. Marami pa riyan.

Inocensio is already in the Philippines back from Japan. But I know he is residing in Manila. Will try to locate him. I told Mike to try his very best to locate all our batch mates when he come home at the end of the month.

Eddie Writes

Greetings Y'All:

Hello everyone! Hope all of you are doing fine. Annie and I are well, and currently going through a mild winter. We're looking forward for the coming of spring, which is just around the corner. The excitement is truly mounting here in New Jersey due to your upcoming 44th year reunion! All the articles coming in your electronic bulletin are truly impressive and fun to read. Articles, pictures, (old and new) post cards, funny stories, etc...

But on a personal note, this article coming in about Ernie's military journey and chosen profession really touched me. From a retired military to another, I salute you, Colonel! What a wonderful and touching story. Inspirational! **** Eddie Benjamin****

EPISODE 2 PART 2 - SOARING TO GREATER HEIGHTS

I was re-assigned to the Air Commando Squadron, a unit of about 40 combat Huey helicopters dispersed all over the country providing air support to ground troops during insurgency, as well as providing air services to military and civil operations.

About this time in our country’s history, we witnessed the growing student unrests and the bold moves of the communist insurgents, and which prompted Pres. Marcos to declare martial law in September 1972. Taking orders from my commander, I was assigned/attached to the PC Zone in San Fernando, Pampanga in support of police operations.

One bright day, our helicopter unit was called upon to provide close air support to police operatives engaged in a skirmish against NPA insurgents in Botolan, Zambales. The green horn got off to his first taste of combat! Completing pre-flight inspections and coordination with involved units, we dispatched two helicopters. I was flying “wing-man” to the lead heli flown by a Major. When we reached the battlefield I heard the exchange of fire between the police and the insurgents. Setting aside inherent fears and apprehension, I said this is the real Mccoy! We immediately established radio contact with friendly forces, identified the targets and made air strikes swooping down from the sky and firing at the enemies with our M60 machine guns. In the process, we also received counter fires but otherwise got away unscathed.

This skirmish lasted till afternoon and resulted in 8 enemies killed and 4 captured. On the police side, one was killed and 2 wounded. After assessment of the situation and consolidation of the forces, the helicopters landed in the battlefield, flew the wounded to the nearby hospital, airlifted the corpses to the town plaza so relatives could claim the bodies, and finally extricated everybody back to camp. Secured in the camp, I spent sleepless nights trying to recover from an unpleasant experience of witnessing people dying in my presence. This has haunted me in my dreams, and I could not fathom what ideals would inspire and drive people to kill and get killed.

Communism, socialism, dialectic materialism, and democracy are concepts I have learned from reading books at the PMA library and I was beginning to recognize the concepts taking flesh through my own experience.

My first combat sortie was followed by another, and another, and another until it became part of my life as an assault helicopter pilot. I got callous looking at bloody protagonists and cadavers. I became unperturbed by the crackling sound of gun fires, no longer flinching any single bit anymore. Fear had somehow dissociated itself from me.

I was assigned in the different troubled areas in the country assuming roles as wing man, flight leader, and later, commander of air support units. Aside from Central Luzon, I have been to Isabela-Cagayan, Digoyo Point, Palanan, Bicol Region, Leyte-Samar, Misamis, Cotabato, Davao, Zamboanga-Basilan, and Jolo, Sulu. In between these assignments, I would go back to school both locally and in the U.S. for specialized training in air mobile operations, intelligence, planning, logistics, and administration.

Through my extensive training and combat experience, I have contributed immensely to the establishment and development of the concept of air mobile operations which is unique to our country’s situation and conditions totally different from that of the US and other countries.

In most of the areas I was assigned, I engaged the enemies in support of friendly troops in a hair-raising experience as if one is watching a war movie. Typical of my combat experience in relation to my first was my flight mission on 7 September 1975.

I was then stationed at Jolo, Sulu when a directive from our commander was handed down to re-supply Army troopers engaged in a firefight with the Muslim separatists at Danag town about 20 miles east of Jolo. I was to take the lead of 2 Hueys to transport boxes of ammo, c-rations, water and medicines. I called the aircrew and involved personnel to a briefing, after which we performed the usual pre-flight procedures determining that it would take 4 trips for the 2 Hueys to complete the mission. The preparations took into considerations proper coordination with ground troops pertaining to radio communication frequencies, signals, locating the landing zone, etc.

We took the helicopters to flight with my wing man on my right rear. We climbed and maintained 2500 ft. which altitude is beyond enemy ground fire. In a few minutes, I established radio contact with the ground troopers. Then a visible white smoke signal appeared from a distance suggesting the location of the landing zone and the go-signal to land. I steered the helicopter into a rapid descent, and made a safe landing to a make-shift helipad wide enough to accommodate one helicopter in a small clearing among towering trees. Upon landing, the load master directed the unloading of cargo while the ground troopers gladly accepted them. In situations like this, it is preferred that the helicopter stay on the ground the least amount of time due to its vulnerability to attack.

While this was happening, the 2nd helicopter circled above me providing air cover, guns ready just in case I am fired upon. After the cargoes were unloaded, I took off and instructed the other heli to come in for landing, and we switched roles when I got up in the air. The first batch of cargo was delivered in the shortest time possible, and we were so pleased we did it the most efficient way. We were poised to do the same till completion of the mission. The first 3 trips were uneventful. Weather was fine, flight routing was normal, air-ground and air-to-air communications were crisp and clear, everything was perfectly coordinated, and all personnel involved in the mission did their respective parts. It was on the last and final trip that something unusual happened. As I was approaching the landing zone for landing, I lost communication with the ground troopers. I assumed the radioman switched frequency or turned their radio off to avoid communication jamming by the enemies. I brushed aside the notion that something was going wrong. I continued my descent to land to the same landing spot, and suddenly all hell broke loose! It was Independence Day! We were met by volleys of ground fire coming from every directions and the helicopter was getting hit. I could hear through my flight helmet the crackling sounds of gun fire both from the ground troops and from the enemies. My left and right gunners started firing their M60 Machine guns. I dismissed the option of aborting landing and going around because I know the resulting climb will be slow because of our heavy load, and we would be exposed to heavy enemy fire. Instead, I decided to land, maneuvering the heli in such way as to conceal it among trees. I radioed my buddy heli to circle above me and cover me with air fire power.

On the ground, firing seemed endless. I learned that the enemies closed in on the troopers while we were re-supplying them. I gave instructions amidst firings because the troopers were hesitant to take their supplies for fear of exposing themselves to enemy fire. While the load master was busy unloading the supplies, a bullet hit the helicopter door next to me, grazed my helmet and found its mark on the roof above me. Another bullet hit the left side of the helicopter and sent splinters on my gunner’s face but not life-threatening. I know there were other hits sustained by heli but I just didn’t pay attention.

We stayed on the ground for the longest two minutes of my life. After the cargoes were off loaded, I saw a number of wounded soldiers crawled into the helicopter clutching their wounded bodies, and still firing their weapons on the enemies. I failed to notice but there is such a force keeping us alive and the helicopter running. I managed to put the helicopter to a hover, and my co-pilot pointed to warning signals on the instrument panel. I simply ignored the warnings and focused on getting away from this perilous situation. I lifted off and took the “nap-of-the-earth” maneuver (flying close to the ground as safe as possible to conceal the heli among available trees and obstacles to avoid enemy fire). We got away from the area and still tracer bullets were racing past us. I ordered my buddy heli to watch over me from his altitude and be on the look out for possible untoward situation because I know our heli is quite crippled. I radioed the control tower to dispatch support vehicles to the airport and declared emergency landing.

As we approached Jolo airport, the helicopter engine suddenly went dead and the whining sound became silent. What remained was the flapping sound of the rotors, and the audible warnings from my helmet. Red and amber lights illuminated in the panels. Time to execute an autorotation landing which fortunately was emphasized and adequately practiced during our training.

Without engine power, I settled the helicopter safely at the end of the runway, immediately shut all systems down to prevent possible fire or explosion, and ordered everybody out of the helicopter. In a short while, an ambulance and fire truck arrived. The wounded Army soldiers and my aircrew were brought to the Sulu Provincial Hospital for treatment, and support vehicles were dispatched.

The other helicopter landed safely behind me and the remaining cargoes were returned. Post-flight inspection revealed 34 bullet holes all over the helicopter which includes the rotors, flight controls, drive shafts, fuselage, tail boom, fuel tanks, and fuel lines causing fuel starvation resulting to engine quit. It was quite a miracle how we were able to go through and come back alive amidst the heavy firefight. In spite of the damage, we were able to accomplish the mission, and turned the tide of battle in the area. The Army troopers were able to counter the enemy’s advance and regained control of the town.

This particular encounter has earned for me a gold cross medal which was awarded to me in a military honor and parade. The Gold Cross Medal is one of the highest award conferred to a military man in the performance of his duty in an exemplary display of courage and devotion. It was such a “feather in one’s hat” of which I feel very proud. I did not forget about my team, and I recommended that they too received an award.

This feat further emboldened me, and found me in numerous encounters with the insurgents, and in much similar life-and-death situations. There were two instances when the helicopter I was flying was shot down twice, one in Basilan, and another in Cotabato. In those accomplishments, the Command has not failed to confer on me the appropriate awards. In total, I received 14 medals, excluding letters of commendation and appreciation both from military and civilian entities and personnel.

In March 1976 during the PMA Graduation ceremony in Baguio, at a rank of First Lieutenant, I was conferred the most coveted award in the Academy, the PMA Cavalier Award for being an outstanding alumnus. Although this is an ego-booster, I tried to kept a low profile and simply did my assigned tasks. Later that year, I was promoted to Captain, and while I was in Cotabato as an Air Support Force commander, I was re-assigned to Nichols Air Base and assumed the role of the Wing Operations Staff Officer in-charge of plans and program. I performed my ground duty very well, and again received a Military Merit Medal for an exemplary service. Then, I was given a new command, the 505th Air Search and Rescue Squadron. The mission was to provide air search for downed military and civil aircraft within the Phil. Area of Responsibility and provide rescue operations and necessary first-aid medical services. I took responsibility of operating 12 helicopters, and bout 40 personnel including pilots, aircrew, and paramedics.

This assignment provided me the opportunity to exercise leadership, and the management of valuable equipment, and highly trained personnel, even at a low rank of Captain (knowing this Unit is normally led by a Lt. Colonel). At times, I would fly with my men to get hands-on on how we accomplish our mission.

In 1978, I was promoted to the rank of major, and was assigned to the Department of National Defense at the office of the Senior Executive Assistant to the Secretary. I was given the job of providing the department necessary advice on air operations both military and civil. It was such a far cry from my usual combat assignments, but it did give me a respite away from danger.

Note to Readers: Copy of earlier episode (s) available upon request.

From Rolando San Jose

From: Rolando San Jose ] Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 10:45 PMTo:

Subject: get together 03 mfeb. '07

Greetings,

We managed to pull a get together last 03 February 2007 at Terry Quicho's farm. The event was conceived during a tete-a-tete at Luna's place in Bagumbayan.

Present at the farm were 15 girls and 10 boys, a very good turn-out considering the hastiness of the preparations. Present were, Luna M., Violet F.,Juliet L., Lagrimas G., Aida M., Belen B.,Luz T., Luz Q., Lucing Q., Julie S., Mercy G., Rosa V., Emma R., Siony R. (I am quoting the girls' maiden name although some of them are still maidens).

Present among the boys were: Terry Q., the host, Boy E., Nanding S. D., Reny D., Danny Q., Pete M., Fredo G., Ramon L. and myself. There was plenty of food, some dancing exhibitions by Violet & Aida and later on karaoke singing. A lechon was provided by Luna who will be returning to LA this Monday 05 Feb.

During the discussion, it was agreed that our reunion in May be moved to the 12th as everybody will be busy for the fiesta preparation on 05 May. I myself will be in Dagupan city to attend the Rotary District assembly on that date. The date is still tentative as we would like to have some feed back from you guys. We will try to maximize the attendance and the presence of you people who will be coming from abroad is of prime importance. We really miss you guys, so we hope to make this reunion a success.

I will be posting some pictures of this get together on our website later on, so please visit the website. Hope to see you in May, everybody is anxious to see how much you aged.

Love you all,

Rollie

Cora, Josie and Pilar:

Just a few notes of THANKS to all contributing editors of the JRI, Class of 1963 electronic bulletin board. It was created in January 2007 in Brisbane, Australia spearheaded by Cora and her equally talented daughter. As a medium for all JRI Class of 1963, primarily to establish electronic communication to reconnect with all the classmates spread out around the world, in lightning speed. The blog was conceived and took off like a speeding train. Letters, articles and priceless photos of families and friends started to be published. And most important, the plan to have a reunion this summer is coming to a reality. The date is set on May 9th at the Quicho’s Farm in Bilolo. Your 44th year, Grand Reunion is underway.

Pilar, Josie and Cora, your tireless efforts and unfailing support to maintain the blog, is to be commended and will not go unnoticed. As a hobby, I started to learn how to post pictures and make entries to your blog. It was not an easy task! But you made it looked easy. I know firsthand what it takes to have just an article to be published. For your hard work, perseverance and unfailing support of this monumental task, my hat is off to you, Ladies! Annie and I truly enjoy reading and viewing your labor of love. I’m sure all your classmates share the same sentiment.

Thanks Heaps! Maraming Salamat po! Thank you so much !!! To all other contributing batchmates from home, please accept our sincere appreciation, too! The simple pleasure we get as we visit this site on a daily basis, is like a breath of fresh air. It’s invigorating! Keep up the good work, everyone. We wish you all continued success with this great project. Annie is looking forward to see you all at the reunion!

With prayerful thoughts and appreciation,

Eddie

From Pilar Villegas Cuevas

It just makes sense.
With ideas conceived, thrown around for discussion and thoughtfully considered (ahem!) during chat conferences via the Yahoo Messenger by a small group of Jose Rizal Institute, Orion Bataan Class1963 alumni , a website, jriclass1963.blogspot.com, was created in January, 2007.

The site aims to provide a venue for batch members who are now scattered in various places both at home and abroad to re-establish contact, share photos, news and updates, ideas, and current events ABOUT US, to recapture the joys and relive the treasured memories of our high school days, and to foster renewed closeness and friendships.

We who are now aware of this site, batch mates in Orion, the Visayas and abroad, are pooling our resources to locate our long unheard-of batch mates (about 40 ) by communicating to one another through e-mail and telephone calls ( international and/or domestic). We can be very thankful that it is never too late for us to avail of the marvels of technology, the computer, the internet and the telephone. We believe that the effort spent on the search for all of our batchmates will ultimately pay off and we intend to persevere until we achieve our goal.

Some of us have already retired and some are planning on retiring soon, but take note: “DON’T THINK WE ARE OLD”. We are only as old as we think we are. Our web site will enable all of us to share one another’s joy as we read our posted news and view pictures of us, our families especially of our beloved and precious "APOS”, and also to show the world that technology is not the prerogative of the generations after ours.

OrionJRI Batch1963 have always had for its main goal to help those members who are in need and to give aid to the financially disadvantaged. Another idea being considered is "Bantay Bata" whose goal is to organize regular get –togethers with as many members as are able to come. The grand reunion will be a good opportunity to discuss this.

Today, JRI Batch 1963, with the grace of our LORD, and our participation can become family, "OUR SECOND FAMILY."

Pilar

JRI Class 1963 Orion Bataan

Graduating Class JRI 1963

CHANGE OF VENUE

IT'S HERE!!!

Evite R S V P's and Comments

For Ursulo

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Monday, April 9, 2007

Friday, February 9, 2007

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Sunday, February 4, 2007

Saturday, February 3, 2007

Monday, January 29, 2007

Sunday, January 28, 2007

N E W S .~.F L A S H

Rollie

Belen

Alfredo

Violeta

Lagrimas

Batchmates - Classmates - FRIENDS

E-mail between Pilar and Luz

Ernie Writes to Nelia

NELIA'S HEARTBREAK and the BEAUTIFUL POT

Si ERNESTO SANTOS NOON AT NGAYON

Josie Confesses: My Other Love

My Latest Love Affair

My Other Loves

From Annie and Eddie's Album

YOUR BLOG'S EDITORIAL STAFF

j

p

c

Orion Elementary School 1959

THIS IS OUR LIFE

WE KNOW WHAT YOU DID IN HIGH SCHOOL

Our First Entry in the Competition

Galletas de Patatas

Josie

Do You Remember the Story of the Green Mango and the Crunchy Chicharon?

The Green Mango and the Crunchy Chicharon

MORE FROM OUR PHOTO ALBUM

Luz Writes

A Dialogue Between Friends

Eddie Writes

Ernie's Reply

Colonel Ernesto del Rosario

EPISODE 2 PART 2 - SOARING TO GREATER HEIGHTS

From Rolando San Jose

Thank You Ladies

From Pilar Villegas Cuevas

Josie Writes: DOUBLE 4