St Paul College of Manila High School Class of 1975's Best of 2001 : www.Paulinians.com

The Best of 2001!

2001 MAIN EVENTS

Rock and Roar Christmas! Dec 01, Los Angeles. Mae Cendaña headlined SBCHS75 Ball. Ching & Marissa were there!

A November to Remember! Nov 01, Alabang. Pita, Sunny, Sherry, Malu, Beth, Zamby welcome SFO's Cecile Lozada.

Vegas Thanksgiving Fun! Brenda Martinez, Mae Cendaña, Maddy Zamora visit Ann Arellano in Las Vegas. All-night fun!

Congratulations, Marie Sciple! Marie re-upped with the US Naval Reserves in Nov. An 18-year vet, she serves with VR-59 in TX.

Michelle So in SFO! Oct 01, SFO CA. Mae and Lisa Cendaña and Geo Sityar SBCHS75 welcome Michelle So '78.

Welcome home, Alice Dizon! 14 Aug. Tierra Nueva, Alabang. Alice visited from Bahrain + it was Mona's birthday!

Ann Arellano in Vegas News! Aug 01. Ann Arellano in the Las Vegas Sun; Ana in Race for the Cure.

A Heartfelt Thank You! Jul 01. Fr Reuter and Sr Eva Maamo of the Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission visited North Am.

San Fran BABES' Summer! 15-16 Jul. Fun eat-togethers with REBAP's Janette San Juan and NJ's Shella Navarro.

Ditas Santos' SFO Stopover! 6 July. Ditas gets an all-night San Fran welcome from The BABES and Pita Revilla's Lisa.

Welcome home, Adie and Ann! Jun 01. Sydney's Nadine de Villa visited Manila, Ann Rabe moved to Vancouver CAN.

Welcome home, Susie! 11 Jun. Dencio's at the Fort, Makati. Guest: FL's Susie Crisostomo. 4 doctors, 4 nondoctors!

Halo-halong Salo-salo sa SF! 30 Jun, hosted by Michelle Cendana '80. 19 May, hosted by Audrey Cendaña '79.

Karaoke Nite! 15 May. IO KTV, Makati. Erika, Florian, Marisa, Sunny, Beth, Daisy, Malu, Janette, Myrns!

Palawan Adventure! 8-10 May, Dos Palmas. '75ers & Glecy Cuaso '73 bask in the sun - days before Abu incident!

Manila Summer Reunion! 6 May. Tierra Nueva, Alabang . Sunny Escareal hosted batchmates and their families.

Back-to-back welcome for Rocky Yupangco. 14 Mar / 9 Feb, Makati. Rocky came home from Chicago.

BABES Birthday Bash! 16 Feb, Belmont CA. Marlou Huibonhua celebrates her day with Mae, Dae, Lisa, Cecile, Erika.

Nilo Nequinto's Birthday! 3 Feb. Celebrity Plaza, QC. Florian Nuval hosts a '70s party for her hubby! Loads of fun!

Instant Kapelikula Party! 29 Jan. Kapelikula Restaurant. Host: Pita Revilla. Special guest: San Fran's Cecile Lozada.

Welcome home, Ms Valera! 25 Jan. Casa Jovellanos. Special guests: Ms Valera, Pinky Marquez, Zamby Arnaiz.

BABES Reunion Express! 01-05-01. Belmont CA. NSYNC video! MIA filmstar found! Malu visits from LA via Chicago.

Una sa Manila! 01-05-01. Tierra Nueva, Muntinlupa City. Host: Sunny Escareal. First reunion of the millennium!

SAINT PAUL COLLEGE OF MANILA HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1975'S BEST OF 2001 HEADLINES

Newsflash! Before anything else... scoops on the on-campus 2002 SPCM General Alumnae Homecoming! Hosted by SPCM HS'77, it will be held on 27 Jan 02 and the sked will be as follows. 1 pm: Registration - 2 pm: Mass - 3 pm: Group Photos - 4 pm: Merienda - 6 pm: Homecoming Show: OPM (Outstanding Paulinian Moment) at the Fleur-de-lis!

Produced by SPCM HS'77, OPM will feature Maximedia stars Regine "Asia's Songbird" Velasquez, Richard "Prince of Jazz" Merck, Jon "Impersonator Extraordinaire" Santos, "Asia's Queen of Soul" Jaya, Rico J. "Total Entertainer" Puno, Marco "International Balladeer / Student Canteen Champ '77" Sison, and Golden Jubilarian world-class pianist Natividad "Nena" del Rosario Villanueva, the Philippines' first piano prodigy. Special numbers will also be performed by Jubilarians (Silver '77, Ruby '62, Golden '52) and surprise guests. Emcees: Malu Maglutac-Chiongbian '77 & Richard Merck.

Ticket prices: Pph 150 - 200 - 250. For tickets and more info, call Veronica Villanueva (SPCM Alumnae Office) at 523-4259 / email alumnae@spcm.edu.ph. SPCM HS'77 can also be contacted c/o Class President Ayie Cruz-Aligada (garp88@pacific.net.ph), Egroup Moderator Clarissa Carreon (spcm_hs77@hotmail.com) or through their website at www.geocities.com/spcm_hs77. To all our 2002 Jubilarian friends, we wish you all the best! End of newsflash.... :o)

Happy new year, Paulinians! Below is our journal of SPCM HS'75 events and batchmates that made big news in 2001. It's far from comprehensive, being limited only to what came through our egroup ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spcm_hs75 ). Accompanying pictures and complete narratives can be viewed by following the links to the SPCM HS'75 website at www.paulinians.com.

In case of corrections and omissions, please email SPCM HS75 Web Admin at spcm_hs75@hotmail.com. Thank you!

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ACHIEVERS AND NEWSMAKERS

JANUARY

Pinky Marquez (UP BSCN '80) spent late 2000 and early 2001 on the street, fighting for what she believed was right. A fearless political activist, she was one of the original handful of showbiz personalities who rallied mass support for People Power / EDSA 2. Throughout 2001, Pinky's illustrious showbiz career flourished. A mainstay at GMA7's Aawitan Kita and PTV4's Lutong Bahay, she guested in popular TV shows including IBC13's Lunch Break, ABS-CBN/TFC's Magandang Tanghali Bayan and Eight-Tin where she delighted an international audience (including Paulinian classmates in the US!) as Kristin Hermosa's Mom. In August and September, she earned rave reviews as lead in one of the world's most acclaimed plays: Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues. The play's director was so impressed, she said "Pinky Marquez drove all of us crazy with laughter and moved us immensely with her interpretation of the monologues. If you need personality and talent you can't go any further than Pinky!" The play the was so popular, it got extended for one week at the Music Museum! Likewise, her super-talented globe-trotting music-comedy quartet "The Angfourgettables" thrived -- Pinky, Isay Alvarez, Bimbo Cerrudo and Jorge Javier attracted SRO audiences at Strumms and Hotel Rembrandt in August, and again in Ocober and November 2001. They also starred in corporate events like San Beda's Centennial Red And White Ball, Insular Life's "Hot Stuff @ Hard Rock", and Lungsod ng Makati's "Miss Makati 2001 Beauty Pageant", among many others. When Pinky wasn't entertaining, our Ulirang Ina Awardee indulged in her love for creative aromacandle-making. Her mood candles -- each one a unique wax-of-art -- are hot items in Metro Manila stores and bazaars like Treasures of the East at Gremel Bldg on Makati Avenue, and Garden Blooms at Rockwell Powerplant, Makati City. (www.pinkymarquez.homestead.com )

APRIL

Gina Pedro (UP BS Community Nutrition '79, Michigan State University MS Human Nutririon '83) received her Ph.D. in Nutrition and Health Policy from UP College of Home Economics in Diliman. Gina is a Nutritionist at the Department of Science and Technology's Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Philippines in Manila. (http://paulinian.homestead.com/files/scjune.htm )

JUNE

Susie Crisostomo (UPLB BS Bio '79, Univ of Newcastle upon Tyne M.Sc. in Applied Entomology '84, Purdue Ph.D. in Entomology '91) flew to Manila as one of five US Department of Agriculrture specialists invited to give a seminar on Agricultural Biotechnology Facts, Fears, and Future Directions to ranking Philippine officials. She visited Bacolod later that week to advise local sugar industry leaders. A well-published agricultural scientist, Susie is concurrently a USDA Research Entomologist and Adjunct Associate Professor at Florida A&M University's Center for Biological Control in Tallahassee. (http://paulinian.homestead.com/files/scjune.htm )

Janette San Juan-Hernandez (Philippine School of Interior Design), incumbent National President of Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines, hosted the highly successful Philippine real estate exhibit booth at the 13th Annual Filipino-American Trade Show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California. She owns and manages International Property Network Inc in Manila and specializes in selling, buying and leasing (including joint venture transactions) all types of real estate properties (residential, commercial, office, and warehousing). Her primary areas of operation are San Juan, Mandaluyong, Ortigas Center, Pasig City and Murphy side of Quezon City (White Plains, Greenmeadows, Corinthian Gardens, Valle Verde, Acropolis, Libis) and with her REBAP connections, she can strongly refer interested parties to reputable brokers anywhere in the Philippines. (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/sfjul15.htm )

JULY

Mariechelle "Ching" Llagas (UP, AB Econ '81) coordinated, publicized, hosted and moderated a successful fund-raising fellowship with Fr James Reuter and Sr Eva Maamo at the Philippine Consulate in New York City. Her hard work handsomely paid off -- the event raised more than $8K for the Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission's Hospital for the Poor in Paranaque. (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/olpmny.htm )

AUGUST

Rocky Yupangco (St Scho, AB Psych / English '80) was promoted as the new Marketing Services Manager of Tetra Pak's BACC Communications in Chicago. A multibillion-dollar company, Tetra Pak has four business areas -- carton chilled, carton ambient, plastics, and processing. Wherever you are, next time you drink fresh milk or OJ from the carton, think of Rocky -- she's now in charge of marketing all carton-chilled packaging products worldwide. Really awe-inspiring, especially considering that Tetra Pak is the #1 food and beverage packaging systems company on the planet. Any idea on how many Tetra Pak containers were distributed worldwide last year? 200 million in 150 countries -- daily! (http://paulinian.homestead.com/files/rock2901.htm )

Angela Arellano (ADMU, AB Comm Arts ' 79) was featured in The Las Vegas Sun, 8 Aug 2001 edition. A HYATT Regency Lake Las Vegas Resort Senior Therapist, she was hand-picked to demonstrate latest techniques during an open massage therapy clinic at the upscale hotel. Ann owned and operated a spa business in Monterey CA before relocating to Henderson in late '99 with her family. (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/annsun.htm )

SEPTEMBER

Louella Albornoz (Maryknoll, Comm Arts) started her new job as an Instruction Assistant at the South San Francisco School District in CA. She was chosen from a good line of candidates and had to pass tough written tests and rigorous multi-level interviews. It was the first time the district offered such a job because it was also the first time it took on the challenge of placing a child with Down syndrome in the regular school system. Louella's job is to help the child cope with the demands. As Mae wrote, we were all so happy for Louella especially because the position is her first full-time job now that her four sons are bigger. (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/sfjul15.htm )

OCTOBER

Our Alma Mater was accredited as Level III -- the highest any school can receive -- by the Philippine Association of Accreditors for Schools, Colleges and Universities. The Commission on Higher Education also granted autonomy to SPCM, SPC Quezon City, SPU Tuguegarao and. SPC Dumaguete. Autonomous schools are exempt from many administrative requirements and can offer new courses without special orders. The Paulinian schools' autonomy started from the second semester of SY 2001-02 and will be in force for five years. (Sources: www.paulinianglobal.com and www.geocities.com/spcm_hs78 )

NOVEMBER

Marie Sciple (Gemological Insttitue of America, Los Angeles) could have gotten out but instead, chose to re-enlist in the US Naval Reserves in Nov 2001, out of sheer sense of duty and inspite of the terrorism-induced apprehensions of friends and family. An 18-year vet, she serves as an Aviation Ordnanceman (bomb loader!) with VR-59 "Lonestar Express" Flying Squadron, NAS Forth Worth Joint Reserve Base, TX. The formal ceremony took place in one of the unit's C9 jets, the "Spirit of New York City". When she's not deployed or training with the Reserves, Marie is a full-time Preferred Customer Programs Coordinator at Service Experts, a division of Lennox International, the world's air conditioning/heating industry leader headquartered near Dallas. (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/serve.htm )

Mae Cendana (UP AIT, BS Tourism '84) hosted the Fil-Am Club of the Most Holy Rosary Parish's 14^th Annual Black & White Ball at the Hilton Hotel in Concord, CA. The heavily attended event turned out really well -- parishioners said it was their best one ever! (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/sbcxmas.htm )

DECEMBER

Mae Cendana, our San Francisco-based Ambivalent Crowd and Balahibo Rock Band alumna, headlined the San Beda High School Class of 1975's Christmas Ball at the La Canada Flintridge Country Club in Southern California on 1 Dec 2001. Also present were our SPCM HS'75 batchmates, New York City's Ching Llagas and Los Angeles' Marissa Maceda. The unanimous Bedan feeling was so articulately summed up by class coordinator, Joseph Yu: "The Holiday Ball would not have been such a great blast if not for the performance of your Mae Cendana. We wish we could adopt her as one of our own! Thank you Mae for gracing us with your presence. " A star is reborn! (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/sbcxmas.htm )

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2001 SPECIAL CARE-AND-SHARE EVENT

Foundation Of Our Lady Of Peace Mission Fundraising Fellowship

23 July 2001, 6-8 PM, Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center, 556 Fifth Ave., New York City

Coordinators: Mariechelle Llagas Marbella SPCM HS'75, Lett Llagas Dayao SPCM HS'65

Ching's Recap:

Dear classmates and friends,

I'm very pleased to inform you that Our Lady of Peace Mission presentation at the Kalayaan Hall on Monday, July 23, went very well and was very successful. All in all, we were able to raise a total of more than $8000. Fr. Reuter and Sr. Eva Maamo were very happy. Fr. Reuter even commented that the quality of the group who attended was excellent. We had about 96 people as counted by the concierge of the Philippine Center. I think it is one of the best fund-raising events ever held in the local Filipino community.

Believe it or not, we got so many blessings during the preparation. It's apparent God was with us the whole time. Marie Reyes (wife of Virgilio Reyes, a diplomat in the Philippine Mission) was my guiding light. We were able to waive the rental fee of the Kalayaan Hall and also borrow a VCR from the Philippine Tourism Board for free. We got press coverage before and after the events. We also received 2 cases of wine free through Lett Llagas Dayao (SPCM HS'65/College '69) which were served during the cocktail reception. Even Fr. Reuter enjoyed the red wine. Mitzi Ambion Hocson '75 who traveled all the way from upstate NY was there for moral support and donated rosaries to give the attendees. The people stayed and mingled during the reception. Fr. Reuter graciously stayed by the lobby doors to bid good-bye and to say thank you to each person who attended the event. We finished promptly at about 9PM, including cleanup.

Yesterday (Wednesday), Fr. Reuter, Sr. Eva, Mr and Mrs Mario Salazar plus myself paid a courtesy call to Consul General Linglingay Fonacier Lacanlale. Fr. Reuter presented the project to her and she promised to pass it on to the Filipino medical associations in the Tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT).

The FOLPM's Hospital for the Poor project is not really done yet. In fact, they have a long way to go. The Foundation still needs medical equipment and cash to maintain the charity hospital on a continuing basis. But the fact that we were able to help when we were called upon is such a wonderful feeling. I thank all of those who contributed to this event, in terms of money and/or in kind. To our friends from SPCM HS'76, who also sent monetary contribution, thank you very much. To Marisol Soler Lopez, SPCM HS'78, who relayed to us Fr. Reuter's request for help in New York City, thank you.

Let's keep the support going... we are all proud to be Paulinians. Take care, everyone.

Love -- Ching

(http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/olpmny.htm )

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REUNIONS AND GET-TOGETHERS

MILLENNIUM'S FIRST PAULINIAN REUNION: "UNA SA MANILA!"

01-05-01. Sunny Escareal-Velasco's Home. Tierra Nueva, Muntinlupa City.

Attendees: Dettie Tesoro, Yeyette Hernandez, Winifred Medina, Zamby Arnaiz, Alice Dizon, Mona Albar, Beth Reyes, Corby Balda, Dolly Tesoro, Sunny Escareal.

Sunny's account:

Talk of the town: "Impeachment! Siyempre hanggang sa get2deger, may talk about the impeachment pa rin. Too technical. Para kaming mga abogado or abogago. Basta, sabi ni Winifred, loyalty check daw siya sa mga katulong. Kung pro-Erap sila, talsik agad!"

Talk of the day: "Cheaper by the 10s! We had fun listening to Mona relate her stories about her 10 children - 8 boys and 2 girls. She is also a grandmother 4 times now. She says her older daughter is as feisty and strong like her. She has to be so she won't be bullied by 6 older boys. The other daughter is 11 months old while her eldest boy is 22. Her kids are all trained to do household work such as doing the laundry, washing the dishes, cooking and taking care of their younger siblings. Wow!" (http://paulinian.homestead.com/files/sf111.htm )

BABES REUNION EXPRESS: DALY CITY TO BELMONT!

01-05-01. Marlou Huibonhua-Litton's Home. Belmont, CA.

Erika Miranda's report:

Hello classmates!

I think it's best if "biglaan" ang get-together just like this whole-day thing we had last Friday, the 5th of Jan. Cecilia, Mitzi, Malu and I had late lunch at Goldilock's in Daly City. As usual, Mitzi went ballistic and ordered more than she could eat. Ganun din si Cecilia. Ako, I just ordered gulaman and sago cuz I knew I was gonna end up helping them finish the food. Pano ba naman, eto ang pinag-o-order na akala mo walang kinabukasan: Adobong Manok, Pancit Palabok, Fresh Lumpia, Guinataan halo-halo, Pork Asado and Adobong Pusit. O diba pang FIESTA 'yan? Buti pa si Malu Santos, one "putahe" only..pero hindi pa rin naubos...sigh* Malu's son, Joseph was with us, too.

At this point, natawagan na namin si Mae sa Oakland and she was still undecided. Louella was MIA naman. We kept getting a busy signal when we were trying to call her kaya we decided to drop in on her biglaan sa South San Fran. Sabi ni Andrew nasa DayCare across the street kaya we went ahead and surprised her. Imagine, people entrust their kids kay Louella??!! J/K sweetie! So we take her back to her house to make paalam to Andrew. Eh one of her boys had to see a doctor. Being a good mother, they did exactly that. Pero, teka, wait.....hanggang sa clinic, sinundan namin siya kasi baka makawala pa! We asked Andrew if it was alright for us to "kidnap" his wife and you know what he said? He goes, "Please, wag niyo nang ibalik!" He was getting Louella's housekeys na nga para maniguradong hindi makapasok sa bahay si Louella, LOL!

Then off to Belmont we went to visit Marlou Huibonhua. "Impromptu" dinner was great especially with Louella around to make us choke, gag and spit out our food sa kakatawa. How she managed to talk and eat at the same time, God only knows. Bobby, Mitzi's husband, and Hillary, their daughter came by and joined us for a while (kakain pa daw sila sa Barrio Fiesta). Na-witness nila yung antics nitong si Albornoz. Shocked na shocked si Hillary when Louella let out a big burp as a reply to one of the questions asked her. Sabi namin, "What else is new?"

Mae, Dae and Jae (JR actually) finally arrived at Marlou's. So did Manny, Cecile's husband, and Kathy, their daughter. We watched the video of the NSync special on HBO while Louella (de ville) danced and made sabayan the video. Hindi mo mapintahan ang mukha ni Iselle, Marlou's daughter. In her head, she must have been asking, "Who the heck is she?" or "Does my mom really know this person?" Kidding aside, life of the party na naman si Albornoz. Buti nalang day off niya nung Friday.

Baboo guys!

Erika

(http://paulinian.homestead.com/files/sf111.htm )

WELCOME HOME, MS. VALERA! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PINKY AND ZAMBY!

25 Jan 2001. Lia Jovellanos' residence, Dasmarinas Village, Makati City.

Our teacher, Ms Deng Valera, was home from Denmark to attend the SPCM HS76 Silver Jubilee, and our classmates, Pinky Marquez and Zamby Arnaiz, were celebrating their birthdays...a happy, extra-special post-EDSA 2 celebration indeed!

Attendees: Beth Reyes, Pinky Marquez, Ditas Santos, Lia Jovellanos, Cookie Yap, Bina Melwani, Myrna Soriente, Janette San Juan, Zamby Arnaiz, Sunny Escareal, Ms Valera, Dolly and Dettie Tesoro.

Sunny's report:

Food, as usual, was overflowing. Palabok and cake (Beth, Sunny and Dolly), Chicken Curry (Bina), Mechado (Pinky), Tuna Belly (Janette), Spareribs (Dettie), Dilis and chocolate cake (Zamby), softdrinks and lumpia (Lia), softdrinks and icedrop (Ditas), 4 seasons juice (Sunny), bibingka (Myrna).

I wanted to surprise Zamby whose birthday on the 19th I completely forgot and was not able to greet her. So I decided to buy her balloons and a small cake with Happy Birthday Zamby on it. Problem was I was not able to brake at a hump and the cake fell to the floor. Ayun, Ha B..d... Zamb na lang ang natira. Bastus na Dolly pa, when she cut the cake, she took out the Zamb. Eh di walang natira. L

What I completely forgot was that it was also Pinky's birthday on the 23rd. So you could imagine what I felt when nagtampo si Pinky. Kasi when I told Zamby to blow the candle, I brought over the baloons and Pinky asked me whose balloons they were for. I said Zamby. She pouted and said "The least you could have said was 'sa inyong dalawa'" So I said, "You want me to lie?" She laughed and said "No!" So she gamely posed with Zamby and her balloons and then they both blew the one candle on the chocolate cake. Well, I was able to give Pinky one rose in a box and that helped ease my guilt of forgetting her birthday. Because of this, I decided not to give my gift to Zamby cuz I'll never hear the end of Pinky's sama ng loob sa akin. So I decided to wait for Pinky to leave so as to buy me time to prepare my gift for Pinky (utang ko pa).

When Pinky left, I gave the gift to Zamby. It was a small album of pictures taken during our meetings and reunions. Ang dami ko kasing extra copies. I thought I was out of the woods until Lia said "Ay! Bakit iyong kay Zamby naka-album? Iyong binigay mo sa akin, walang album?" Naku! Patay! Para akong nanay. Napakahirap talaga ng madami ang anak..:o)

We asked Pinky about her involvement in the EDSA rallies cuz her name was always mentioned on television and radio. Imagine nagsisigawan sila ni Dettie who was on the flyover and Pinky who was on ground level. Dettie said, nakikipagaway si Cebuana doon sa isang driver and she was hitting the car. Pala, both Mari and Pinky were trying to stop Pinky's mother from fighting with a guy who made a thumbs up sign while passing EDSA. Sa dinami-dami ba naman ng tao sa EDSA, nagkita pa sila ni Dettie during that first night. The next night, Pinky say Yeyette and Alice D. Nakapulupot daw iyong dalawa sa poste ng Meralco shouting "PENKE! PENKE!" (Sama ng tunog!) "Tawagin mo naman kami when you are on stage!" Kapal..... mga showbiz talaga.

She texted us nga pala the week after the Sabado de Gloria and said "Boring na. Wala ng rally. Rally daw ulit para ibalik si Erap." Loka-loka!

Iyong ibang text message naman said "We should return Erap to Malacanang para may Erap jokes ulit." Wala talagang magawa ang mga Pinoy! Niloko nga namin si Pinky na when she gets married, "Text na lang ang invitations natin, sa EDSA shrine sila ikakasal and the EDSA na lang ang reception". Cheap pa, diba?

We got to talking about Beth Reyes. Deng asked Beth how she met and married Ces Lugtu. Nilasing daw siya ni Ces and hindi na pinakawalan. (Or was it "Nilasing daw niya si Ces..." ) Sabi ni Deng, "Sigue na Beth! Iyong totoo!" Say ni Beth "Ganun nga. Nilasing ako." Deng: "Hindi! Iyong totoo!" Sigaw ni Beth "Bakit ayaw niyo bang maniwala sa akin?!!!!!" Sigue na nga.

Asked Beth, "When we were in high school, kaya mo bang sigawan si Deng ng ganyan?" Beth: "Hindi! Takot ako diyan eh." Which brings me to the point, that our age, our teachers do not seem so old anymore the way we thought of them when we were still in school. We can even tell them our kalokohans.

The party ended at around 5 p.m.

(http://paulinian.homestead.com/files/25jan01.htm )

SPCM HS'75 INSTANT KAPELIKULA REUNION!

29 Jan 01, Kapelikula Restaurant, Makati City.

Attendees: Janette San Juan, Zamby Arnaiz, Sunny Escareal, Ditas Santos, Pita Revilla, Cecile Lozada, Lia Jovellanos; that's Ditas' pal beside Zamby in the top left photo.

Erika Miranda's scoop:

"Cecile was in Manila for a whirlwind visit from Northern California. Actually, 'buntot' lang kay Manny, her husband, when he went on a business trip. One week lang. They arrived on the 28th of Jan. and were back in Fremont last Sunday, the 4th of Feb. It was a sudden and short trip so there was no time to coordinate with other friends. In fact, urong-sulong sila cuz of the situation then. They finally pushed through with the plans when Erap stepped down...takot yung mga American execs na kasama ni Manny sa trabaho. Kung alam lang nila...FIESTA atmosphere nung PPII...! Looking at their smiles, classmates attending the get-together had a grand time... Actually they just ran into Ditas and her friend and asked them join the group for lunch at Kapelikula... Inabot daw sila doon hanggang 5PM!" Was it the company or the setting? Must be both! (http://paulinian.homestead.com/files/kapelikula.htm )

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NILO NEQUINTO!

3 Feb 2001. Celebrity Sports Plaza, Quezon City.

Attendees: Dolly Tesoro, Sunny Escareal, Lia Jovellanos, Zamby Arnaiz, Gina Pedro, and Dettie Tesoro of course. Hubbies present: Tom Carunungan, Bani Arit and Kiko Velasco.

Sunny's coverage:

We got a sort of a mabilisang invitation from Florian who just called us to attend the party. It turned out she was so busy entertaining her foreign guests that she only had time to call us once and then off she went na to the beach. Well, we were still able to gather quite a few classmates.

What made this night so fun was that Florian got the Spirit of the 80s band to play that night. Eh puro 70s songs. We really missed Mae Cendana and Pinky Marquez who would have just loved singing with the band. Galing nila! And of course, missed Malu Santos, Beth Reyes, Alice Dizon, and Erika Miranda, who know this band very well since they play at Kiko's Bar in Makati.

Highlight of the show of course was Mr. Nilo "Birthday Boy" Nequinto who sang with the band. Give na give siya! Say kasi niya, "Ngayon ko lang magagawa ito at birthday ko...." He did several disco songs with them and I tell you, Nilo was a revelation. Kaya pala niyang mag-banda....

Eto na, in between the sets, they played 70's songs pa rin. And your galing classmates couldn't help but dance in their seats. Sabi ni Zamby..."Ayan,nagsasayaw na ang mga disabled!" During the second set, nagwala na ang mga kaibigan niyo. Dettie said "Basta, hindi kami aalis dito kung hindi tutugtugin ang Rock the Boat." So due to popular demand, the band played it. Akala niyo ba umupo na si Dettie? Hindi.... sayaw pa rin sila ni Tom. When it came to that song from Bagets, iyong erase the blackboard step, dinagdagan namin ng mop the floor, wash the dishes, do the laundry, and iron the clothes. Finale.... eh di ano pa... YMCA! And we were all there in front of the band, doing our usual YMCA. We stayed until 12 mn. (http://paulinian.homestead.com/files/nilo2301.htm )

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARLOU HUIBONHUA!

16 Feb 2001. Belmont CA.

Attendees: Mae Cendana, Pita Revilla's Lisa, Mae's Dae, Erika Miranda, Cecile Lozada, Marlou Huibonhua, and Marlou's Iselle.

Mae Cendana's notes:

Cecile who lives in Fremont, 40 miles away, volunteered to pick me up and my daughter, Dae. Unable to drive because of surgery done two weeks ago, I was so grateful to get out of the house. It was a beautiful but chilly day. We were to rendezvous with Erika, Lisa (Pita's daughter) and Marlou who was celebrating her birthday. Marlou's place was another 40 miles away and the traffic didn't help much because it took us a good hour to get there. By the time we did, the three ladies were already waiting for us at the door. We didn't even get to go inside the house because Erika said "GUTOM NA GUTOM NA 'KO! Let's go!"

So, we proceeded to downtown Belmont where we had dimsum at Marlou's favorite Chinese restaurant. As soon as we got seated, we took almost anything offered at sight: siomai, tofu, spareribs, shrimps in bellpeppers, eggplant, sesame balls, fried rice and HAKAW (our word for the day). For dessert, it had to be the famous mango pudding. Overall rating: SUPER-SARAP! We went back to Marlou's to have coffee and guess what? Munch some more. We went through two cakes, a box of mango squares, a bag of chips and leche flan.

So, what did we do aside from eat? TALK, of course! Oh what fun! See you at the next BABES reunion! (http://paulinian.homestead.com/files/marlou1.htm )

BACK-TO-BACK WELCOME FOR ROCKY YUPANGCO

9 Feb 2001. Lia Jovellanos' residence, Dasmarinas Village, Makati City

14 Mar 01. Kapelikula Restaurant, Greenbelt, Makati City.

Attendees: Gina Pedro, Florian Nuval, Marisa Martinez, Dolly Tesoro, Cookie Yap, Lia Jovellanos, Yambi Yambao, Malu Santos, Sunny Escareal, Rocky, and Zamby Arnaiz.

Rocky was taking a much-deserved breather from her job as Chicago-based Marketing Services Manager job of global packaging systems leader, Tetra Rex Inco. Sunny wrote: "Zamby decided to play hostess during the bienvenida at Lia's house by bringing most of the food. kare-kare, plapla and ginataang shrimp. Lia naman prapared lumpia for one whole baranggay. Buti na lang I scaled down to siomai and buchi. Florian brought a cake and Marisa, sans rival." Yum! (http://paulinian.homestead.com/files/rock2901.htm )

MANILA SUMMER REUNION 2001!

6 May 01. Sunny Escarea's Home, Tierra Nueva Village, Muntinlupa.

Attendees: Zamby Arnaiz, Evelyn Angeles, Corby Balda, Sunny Escareal, Yeyet Hernandez, Lia Jovellanos, Erika Miranda, Marisa Martinez, Winifred Medina, Florian Nuval, Beth Reyes, Malu Santos, Janette San Juan, Dettie & Dolly Tesoro, Joyce Tioseco, Yambi Yambao plus husbands, Bani Arit, Tom Carunungan, Tony Diestro, Dave Froelich and Kiko Velasco, kids, Louie Diestro and Alexa J. Ramos and siyempre, Mikey and Enzo Velasco.

Sunny's report

Total of 16 classmates , 5 hubbies and 4 kids. Plus of course my mom, sis Chiqui and kids plus several nephews.

Not really sure how we all fit into my living and dining room but we did squeeze in. First time for Joyce and Dave to attend a reunion in my house so it was a good thing they had the good sense of humor to survive Yeyet and Erika.

Lunch was served and we had lumpiang bangus shanghai, barbecue, fried pancit canton, embotido made by my ever-faithful, ever-true Yaya Alma. Bina could not come but she sent over (or rather Malu picked it up) chicken curry. Zamby brought her signature dilis and (nag-doble) buko-pandan. We had a total of 5 cakes - 2 chocolate cakes (one was baked specially by Cecilia Revilla-Schulz), one carrot cake, one pine-apple upside-down cake (again by Cecilia) one refrigerator cake (prepared by Yeyet's daughter) and one mango creme pie. On top of that we also had my buko pandan with sago (which Ta-da!!!! I made), sapin-sapin and my yaya's guinataan. Malu S brought turon while Marisa brought pastries from Dulcinea.

Eto na! Yeyet's refrigerator cake was right smack in the middle of our table. Louie wanted to taste it but Mother Erika warned him that Yeyet brought the cake. Despite Yeyet's protest that her daughter made it, Erika said "Louie! Remember the stories about your Tita Yeyet! Remember!!!!" So we said "Oo nga, baka may laway yan ni Yeyet." We didn't know that Alexa, Lia's daughter, was already eating it. And when she heard us talking about it, she froze and just looked at all of us cuz we were all staring at her. Anyway, Louie knew we were just teasing Yeyet so he decided na tapusin ang kaniyang inumpisahan. So he got a "small" piece. Ewan ko nga lang if he ate it.:o)

Yambi arrived and talks shifted to the EDSA TRES rally. FYI, Yambi was right smack in the middle of the crowd at EDSA. So she gave us a narrative of the "surrender" or was it an "arrest"? She also told us that what you saw on TV was not precise cuz when the soldiers came to "arrest" ERAP, that was just the tip of the iceberg. The whole Ortigas Aveue was filled with troops. Di daw natin nakita iyon. She was in EDSA until someone told her that they were marching to Malacanang. She doesn't know who gave the order but everyone just followed. And you guys already know the rest of the story. I left them for a while to make coffee and when I came back, Yambi was appealing to me cuz "Sunny!!! Pinagtutulungan ako dito!" Well, I did warn her before she came over. Siyepre may die-hard anti-Erap dito no. So I said "OK, no more discussions about politics. Tama na." Sabi ni Dolly, "Di pwede! She has to answer my question first." Never found out what that question was cuz I really didn't want a continuation of the rallies in my house. :o)

Before Joyce and Dave left, we had another picture-taking and this time, Erika wanted an "ugly-face" picture. So some of us did as requested but bungisngis Joyce just couldn't do it and she said "I don't know how!!!" Erika shouted "Don't worry, Joyce! Just don't do anything, OK ka na." Buti na lang Dave didn't hear it. Well, Joyce was taking too long to say her good byes and Dave was already waiting for her outside. So told Dave he had to go back in, pull Joyce out and leave. Then we remembered we didn't have a single picture with Dave so we all "ganged up" on him. But he ended up with Joyce on his lap....

The party ended at 10 pm. Nagsisigawan na naman sa kalsada. You know, I am still eating the left-over dessert until now. Must have gained back all the weight I lost last month. Oh well.....

Lastly, Dave mentioned to the guys that he has never seen a group come together after so many years and still have as much fun as we do.

Couldn't have said it any better! (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/may01.htm )

PAULINIAN PALAWAN ESCAPADE!

8-10 May 01. Dos Palmas Island Resort, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Three days, two nights in an exotic tropical island -- two weeks before the Abu incident! "Survivors": Beth Reyes, Erika Miranda, Malu Santos, Zamby Arnaiz, Alice Cuazon, Glecy Cuaso '73.

Erika's coverage:

Hello friends and classmates, it's me, Erika! It may be a little too late but I've decided to "bore" you guys with kuentos about my trip to Manila (with Tony and Louie of course) last May. I was asked to be "ninang" (sponsor) to one of Tony's nieces wedding...waaah!!! I almost choked! Ganun na talaga ako ka-tanda! Imagine me wearing a gown..yuck!!! It was a good thing the color motif was blue so I kinda looked smaller or at least that's what it felt like. The wedding took place in Tagaytay.

Next was that trip to Dos Palmas in Palawan. We really enjoyed that trip. Just look at the photos naman. Pati yung asawa ko, enjoy kahit mga "whales" and "dolphins" ang kasama. At first I didn't want to wear a bathing suit. But after some coaxing, I just had to wear one. I actually didn't take one with me simply cuz I DON'T OWN one. With a body like mine, would you even dare buy one? But it was just my luck cuz Malu Santos had 2 extra swimsuits. Why? Ask her nalang. Balak yatang mag fashion show doon. Unfortunately, walang nagkasya kasi malaki siya sa akin.

Pero, teka, wait, for a while and a minute, sandali! Zamby also made baon an extra swimsuit. ALAS! Nagkasya sa akin. It's not that Zamby is as fat as me. It was actually her sister's daw. So in all fairness to Zamby, my good friend (sip-sip..baka wala ng Gourmet Tuyo!), malaki naman ako kaysa sa kanya! I had to wear the bathing suit pero covered na covered naman ako a la Muslim.

Come to think of it, we were there 2 weeks before that Abu Dos Palmas kidnapping... waaaahh!!! I was actually recommending the place to all my friends and relatives when I got back to Manila and back to SF, too. LINTEK... that could have been us! Good if Alice D was there; she could at least "negotiate" for us.... :o) (Hi Alice! Asalaamalaikum... peace!) (http://paulinian.homestead.com/files/palawan.htm )

PAULINIAN KARAOKE NITE!

15 May 01. IO Karaoke TV Bar, Makati City.

Sunny's story:

Last night, we discovered a new way to harness the talents and energy of our batch. We went to IO KTV, a karaoke bar on Jupiter St in Bel Air.

Erika, Florian, Marisa, and I had dinner first at La Taverna with Nilo and Kiko. Then Daisy and hubby, Ted, dropped by. We (except for Marisa) then proceeded to IO and met up with Beth R, Malu S, friend Glecy Cua So (SPCM HS' 73). Janette followed and finally Dr. Myrna. Since it waso ur first time to do this thing, mali-mali ang pindot sa controls. I was tasked to study that darned thing and finally got the hang of it after deleting everything we entered into the "jukebox" several times. Wow, noong una, nagkakahiyaan pa. But noong nag-init na, hindi na maawat ang mga songers. :o)

Nilo was his usual crazy self. The "Rocker", the "Band Singer" (cuz of his choice of songs na puro jamming and pang-banda). What many of us did not know is that he does a mean interpretation of a gay. Talagang totoong-totoo. He even did a bakla dance complete with giling and face the wall. Teka muna! Florian, sabihin mo na ang katotohanan. Anong ginawa mo kay Nilo ang biglang nagladlad. Well, I guess being closely associated with our batch (Nilo being present in a lot of our affairs), something had to give.

Kiko, my one and only ever-faithful, ever-true hubby, finally came out of his shell and crooned to us. Kung si Nilo iyong Rocker, si Kiko naman iyong Balladeer. So sing siya ng songs ni Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Ric Segreto and Nonoy Zuniga. Ika nga nilang lahat "Ang lamig ng boses." Haping-hapi ako na napakanta niyo ang asawa ko.

Janette is no longer just the disco queen, Karaoke queen na rin siya. Dr. Myrna not only sang, she even danced. Florian, maski shy (she would rather have Nilo as the center of attraction) also sang softly. Sayang, Daisy was singing Simply Jessie, nasira iyong song but she was still humming sa sidelines. Malu is also a revelation. Give na give. That's what happens when you hang around Manong for so long. Beth asked me to look for Cocomo, nasa letter K pala. Ay! Foor sa sfelling si Sunny. Kaka-text KC.

O ayan! Meron na naman tayong na-discover. We had so much fun, that we ended up at 2 a.m. That's all for now. Mae, bukang bibig namin...."Sayang ! Wala si Mae...."

(http://paulinian.homestead.com/files/erika01.htm )

HALO-HALONG SALO-SALO SA SAN FRANCISCO!

30 June 01. Michelle Cendana-Bond's home, San Francisco CA.

Attendees:

Batch 75 - Louella Albornoz and Mae Cendana

Batch 78 - Lisa Cendana, Kathleen Niguidula and Sofie Rola

Batch 79 - Susan Fernandez, Lisa San Andres, Dada San Andres, BeeAnn Kabigting, Carol Sevilla, Eleanor Francisco, Roxanne Lagdameo and Audrey Cendana

Batch 80 - Michelle Cendana and Ching San Andres

Mae Cendana's review:

Paulinians do know how to party. Absolutely!

It was a fun-filled day last June 30 when 15 members of SPCM HS Classes of '75, '78, '79 and '80 met for the first Bay Area All-Paulinian Reunion in San Francisco. BeeAnn Kabigting '79, Ching San Andres '80 and Dada San Andres '79 came all the way from LA to attend the event.

Hosted by Michelle Cendana '80, the party started at 2 PM. Katkat Niguidula '78 observed that Ms. Aguila's cooking lessons were not given justice because none of the girls cooked food for the party. :o) Nonetheless, the food was plentiful and delicious; it surprisingly lasted till past midnight! Michelle's hubby, Cafe Riggio Chef Dave Bond, prepared roast beef, chicken tarragon, macaroni salad, calamari salad and fresh fruit salad. The rest of the specially-ordered food included deep-fried spicy shrimps, chow mein, Chinese fried chicken, pancit palabok, poppy seed loaf, German chocolate and pineapple upside-down cakes. Eleanor Francisco '79 looked like cooking show celeb Pinky Marquez '75, a very young Martha Stewart in her apron -- she donned one to prep the spring salad greens. :o)

Music was provided by the San Andres sisters, Lisa '79 and Ching '80, who sang songs from vintage Jingle mags. Ching gave away custom CD-Rs filled with 70's songs like "Terminal", "So Far Away" and "Afternoon Delight" as party favors to everyone. Soon enough, the former glee club members led by party organizer Audrey Cendana '79 sang the Paulinian Hymn a cappella. While some singers were concentrating on their alto notes, the others tried to hold back tears. Later, I sang "It's the Real Thing" while carrying a 2-liter Diet Coke - a legacy I have to live by but had to revise, just like Madonna. ;-)

As always, Louella Albornoz '75 brought the house down with her antics and impromptu stand-up act. Sofie Rola '78 fell off her chair when Louella recalled scenes from her first "real" job at Pizza Hut - cooking pizza without cheese, getting stuck in the walk-in freezer, filling the kitchen with bubbles when she poured too much detergent in the dish-washer, trying to stop her workers from shooting each other ("Stop or I'll call Immigration!"). Carol Sevilla '79 and Roxanne Lagdameo '79 kept asking Louella why she looked so familiar to which Louella answered, "Oh yes, my latest film was Erin Brockovich but you probably saw me first in Basic Instinct!" (Actually, Louella's latest film appearance was in an NSYNC music video. Click here to visit our LAFF page.)

Of course, there had to be dancing - El Bimbo, Salsa, Swing, Grind, etc. While Lisa Cendana '78 and BeeAnn Kabigting '79 beamed with pride as their daughters (Jackie and Holly, respectively) danced, the feeling was not apparently mutual when the moms hit the dance-floor. Typical? :o)

Susan Fernandez '78 kept disappearing during the pictorials; we had to wait for her each time before her hubby, Bugsy, took the pictures. Although they admitted having fun, guess we made the husbands Bugsy and Jed (Eleanor's) rethink their fantasies of being the only two men in a room full of women... :o)

It's funny how some of us who did not cross paths in high school can relate to the same stories. It must have been the pleated uniform, the individual qualities of the nuns, the horrible movie about abortion, the different mannerisms of our teachers, the perverts lurking outside the school or the smell of fish balls at the cafeteria... Whatever it was, there was something that bound us together; something unique, something we can say is ours alone -- something distinctly Paulinian! To find out, I guess, we'll have to do it again...

And we will. See you at the next reunion!

Kathleen Niguidula's recap:

In any Paulinian party the food is always great, and the June 30 reunion was no exception. The professional chef-husband of Michelle Cendana '80 prepared the mouth-watering main entrees and the girls even brought in more. There was so much on the table -- eating was non-stop from 2pm till 2 am!

Louella Albornoz '75, the veteran movie comedienne, is as funny as ever! Among her many Louellaisms, she said she's presently an "oncallogist". A full-time wife and doting Mom of 4 young sons, Dr L (for laughter!) loves being always on-call, just waiting for her part-time work to phone and beg her to go in. :o)

The Glee Club girls brought their guitars and they sang and brought back so many memories from our high school days. They can still perform and do a very nice blending of voices, you would think they are in a competition...!

The dancing can't be scratched out too. All the steps of the late 70's and early 80's are so well remembered!

We would like to thank Michelle for hosting this reunion and of course the rest of the Cendana Sisters for making this reunion a memorable one, the San Andres Sisters and BeeAnn Kabigting-Avecilla for flying in from Los Angeles, the rest of the girls from South San Fran, Richmond, Pleasanton, San Jo and Hercules for being there and contributing to the fun. Thanks also to Ching San Andres for putting together a wonderful cd of the 70's and 80's hit songs and giving each one of us a copy... Thank you, everyone!

(http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/audrey.htm )

WELCOME HOME, SUSIE!

11 Jun 01, 630pm. Dencio's at the Fort, Makati City.

Guest of honor: Tallahassee FL's Susie Crisostomo

Attendees: Susie Crisostomo, Myrna Soriente, Zamby Arnaiz, Sunny Escareal, Gina Pedro, Beth Reyes, Malu Santos, and Florian Nuval (who came with hubby Nilo Nequinto).

Report #1 (Thanks, Myrna!):

We had a casual dinner in honor of Susie Crisostomo yesterday evening (June 11) at Dencio's at the Fort in Makati. It was a night of good food, good fun and great laughter -- especially with the comic antics of Beth, animated stories of Zamby on their recent sojourn to Dos Palmas, the funny quips and punch-lines of Sunny, and orig quips of Malu Santos. To top it all, Malu almost choked on sago syrup, and Florian was all blushy as "Texas" was mentioned -- causing more laughter!

A US Dept of Agriculture research scientist and Florida A&M University associate professor, Susie was in town as part of the USDA team advising the Philippine Secretary of Agriculture and other local officials on biotechnology. Big honor -- congratulations Susie!

Speaking of big honor, congratulations as well to Dr. Gina Pedro (UP BSCN '79, Michigan State MSHN '83)! She just received her Ph.D. in Nutrition from UP. Wow!

Report #2 (Thanks, Sunny!):

We were 8 all in all plus 1 hubby, as Myrna mentioned above. Dinner was at the newest addition to the Dencio's chain at the Fort in Makati. They serve Filipino food and their specialty - SISIG! If you have balikbayan friends, bring them to Dencio's.

We all trickled in cuz traffic was, as usual, bad in Makati area. Took Myrna 1 hour from Ayala to the Fort. Iba naman ang rason ni Zamby. She was covering the books of her pamangkins daw kaya sila na-late.

Anyway, Beth and Zamby took turns in relating their experiences at Dos Palmas (about 2 weeks before the Abu Sayyaf abductions at that same resort). Turns out that Zamby, Alice, Malu and Beth were roommates. One banyo lang. And since Beth was the unofficial hostess of the affair, siya ang palaging huli sa banyo. Ang mga bruha daw, ang iniwanang towel sa kaniya eh "twalyita." I guess bimpo lang ang natira sa kaniya.

"Eh tingnan mo naman ang laki ng katawan na ito. Twalyita ang pangtuyo." Alice became the queen of the banyo cuz she filled it up with all her beauty paraphernalia. So Malu's ended up on the floor and Beth said that the only thing she was able to squeeze into the banyo was a toothbrush. Believe it or not!

Zamby nga said "Sabi nila travel-light. Tig-aapat ng swim suits ang dala. And you would think na mag-swi-swimming sila? Hindi! Pang-picture taking lang." And since she brought only 1 swimsuit, siya iyong iisa ang hitsura sa picture taking. Anyway, thanks to the many sarongs they brought, nagkaroon ng variety din si Zamby. "Imagine. Toothpaste lang, ang lalaki pa ng dala ni Malu. Travel light ha?"

The #1 funny thing, si Zamby lang daw ang talagang nag-swimming. The rest were there sa beach. Ayaw siguro mangitim. "Sila pa iyong madaming swimsuit." :o)

BTW, congratulations are in order. We have a new Doctor in the batch. Gina P successfully defended her dissertation and now has a Doctorate in Nutrition. So we took a picture of the 4 Paulinian doctors that night - Dr. Susie C (Ph.D. Entomology from Purdue), Dr. Myrna S (MD from DLSU), Dr. Gina P (Ph.D. Nutrition from UP) and Dr. Florian N, (DVM from UP -- "hayop na doctor/doctor ng hayop", joked hubby Dr Nilo N, UP DVM). Sayang, dapat lima sila if Dr. Annabelle Isaac (MD from UPCM and Harvard) was with us; she had to rush back to her medical director job in Massachusetts earlier that morning.

Not to be outdone, nagpakuha din ang mga "Kundoctors" - Beth, Zamby, Malu and me (middle photo). Oo nga pala, DVM din pala si Nilo N. pero wala siya sa picture kasi hindi siya Paulinian.

Sinabihan nga ni Chiching, sis of Beth, si Beth na iyong i-didinner namin umalis na (referring to Annabelle). Say naman ni Beth, "May isa pa kaming i-di-dinner. Doctor din." Hindi tayo nauubusan niyan.

All for fun, fun for all -- simply love being a Paulinian! Till next time, ladies.

(http://paulinian.homestead.com/files/scjune.htm )

WELCOME HOME, ADIE!

15 June 01. De Villa home, Manila.

Sunny's scoop:

Nadine, or Adie de Villa was our classmate in Grade School. She was also our Grade School Student Council President. If she hadn't transferred to St. Scho for high school, she would probably have been our HS Student Council President, instead of moi...

She was in town for 2 weeks to take care of her mom who had an eye operation. Over the phone, she sounded serious being an operations manager of a big Australian government institution engaged in housing. Anyway, Marisa Martinez and I met up with her and had fun reminiscing about SPCM and De La Salle days.

She lent me a picture of our Kindergarten play that showed the Siamese dancers which included Maisa Enriquez, Regina Goni and Lia Jovellanos. She also lent me a Field day Presentation picture that had Annabelle Isaac, Patty Hidalgo, Marilen Reyes, May Gaite and Edith Rianzares. Nakakatuwa.

Then we got to talking about La Salle. There was this guy you decided to tell our fortunes. He said that one of us will not marry, one will marry and the other one will marry twice. So Adie and I looked at each other and said "O sigue, Sino sa atin and dalawa ang asawa?" Adie said "Ikaw siguro. I just got married." And I said, "Iyang mga late bloomers nga ang dalawa ang asawa." So we told Marisa "Sigue na Marisa, Get married na so that the hula will not happen."

Funny thing was that more than 5 years ago, I took a picture of the three of us in Adie's house and then I took another picture of us in the same spot. Alam n'yo bang, halos walang pinag-iba? So, does that mean na we didn't age or does it mean, walang improvement? See for yourself. (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/nadine.htm )

ANN RABE IN CANADA!

24 Jun 01. Surrey, British Columbia.

Ann Rabe and family recently relocated to the Vancouver suburb of Surrey. As luck had it, her new home was a short walk away from that of Mona Trinidad and family. Mona wasted no time in inviting Ann to her only daughter, Monica's 5^th birthday celebration. So now SPCM HS'75 has two VIPs: Mona Trinidad-Millena and Ann Rabe-Zulueta - Vancouver's Incomparable Paulinians! (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/nadine.htm )

WELCOME TO SAN FRAN, DITAS SANTOS!

6 July 01. Erika Miranda's home, So. San Francisco CA.

Attendees: Mae Cendana, Louella Albornoz, Erika Miranda, Lisa Palanca, and Manila's Ditas Santos,

Mae's morning-after report:

Hello gehls,

Ditas will be leaving for Manila this Sunday after more than a two-month stay in the US. Yesterday, Louella, Erika, Ditas and I were joined by Lisa (Pita's eldest) and Erika's family for a TGIF night at Erika's place. Lisa, who is celebrating her birthday tomorrow, baked an apple cake; it took Ditas and Louella about 5 servings before they finally figured the taste of it... ;-)

Do you know that Ditas wears two watches? The on her left wrist has US time, the one on the right has Manila time. Good idea, di ba? She videotaped part of the evening's raucus which features Erika on the guitar and the rest of us singing the SPCM song "Here We Are" and other 70's hits like "Best of My Love" and "Killing Me Softly". Sunny, you have to get a copy; it'll be another keeper for our archives!

Mae

Erika's kuwento:

... I found out that Ditas Santos was in town and we were fortunate enough to get together... Anyway, as Ditas was telling her about her buhay-buhay, I noticed she was crushing the soda can with one hand. I quickly gave her a squeeze ball para yun nalang ang i-squeeze niya! Then it was Mae's turn, then Lisa's....oh boy! It was a good thing I gave each of them something to squeeze to release their stress/galit....hahahaha!!! Sunny, remember that turtle na pillow with matching baby turtle I got at the tiangge at the Fort? I gave the large one to Ditas, the small one to Lisa and Mae ended up with the ball. Why do you think I have a lot of those things handy? Hmmmmmmm...... :o) (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/sfditas.htm )

SAN FRAN BABES SUMMER REUNIONS '01

15 Jul 2001. Erika Miranda's Home, South San Francisco. CA.

16 Jul 2001. Mae Cendana's Home, El Sobrante CA.

Attendees: San Francisco Bay Area Beauties Cecile Lozada, Erika Miranda, Carol Gochoco and daughters Kaitlyn and Alyssa, Janet San Juan, Mae Cendana, Shella Navarro Louella Albornoz and Janette's colleague, Vangie Yia. (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/sfjul15.htm )

WELCOME HOME, ALICE DIZON!

14 Aug 2001. Sunny Escareal's home, Tierra Nueva, Muntinlupa.

Attendees: Yeyette Hernandez, Sunny Escareal, Mona Albar and Alice Dizon.

Alice just got home from Bahrain + it was Mona's birthday a few days earlier + millions of stories to tell = perfect reasons for an instant party of four! (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/mona.htm )

SURPRISE -- MICHELLE SO IN SFO!

Oct 01. Fenton's Ice Cream, Piedmont CA

SPCM HS'78 valedictorian and prominent pathologist Dr Michelle So was in San Francisco for a surprise visit. She was warmly welcomed by Mae and Lisa Cendana, and SBCHS'75's George Sityar (our SPCM HS Glee Club's choreographer when we won second place in the San Beda Choral Competition in '78). Mae wrote, "George visited (me) at the same time Michelle was in SF. After a spicy Thai lunch, we cooled off at legendary Fentons's Ice Cream in Piedmont. We were watching our diets and so, ended up splitting a banana split! ;o)" (http://spcmhs1975.homestead.com/spcmhs77.html )

A NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER!

Nov 01. Alabang Town Center / Beth Reyes Lugtu's AA home.

Attendees: Pita Revilla, Sunny Escareal, Sherry Fernandez, Malu Santos, Beth Reyes, and Zamby Arnaiz entertain vacationing San Francisco residents, Cecile Lozada and daughter Kathy. (http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/ag.htm )

VEGAS THANKSGIVING 2001

17-25 Nov 01. Las Vegas NV.

SF's Golden Girls and London's Spice Girl Visit Las Vegas Showgirl: Thanksgiving Celebration/Reunion in Las Vegas with Mae Cendana, Maddy Zamora, Brenda Martinez and Angela Arellano!

And now Ann's story...

Brenda flew into LV Sat/17Nov all the way from UK. We hooked up on Tu/20Nov and spent all day shopping to the groans of our hubbies: Paul, Lady B's Texas-born hubby who speaks w/ a vedy-vedy propah English accent & Jes, who ended up chauffering all of us throughout!

Unang stop namin was Costco where she bought a Wine Book -- they're wine connoiseurs and harbor a wine cellar at home. Tapos we had lunch in a Thai Rest. Jes left us after lunch dahil he'd to get da kids from school & was to be home to receive our scheduled table delivery. Next was Borders Bookstore for more books...kita nyo, hanggang ngayon, libro pa din ang trip ni Lady Brenda. Punta kami sa House2Home, a store dat was going out of biz kase I wanted to see if there were some home furnishings I cud buy on sale. Meron nga... at da item was a basurahan! Yung type kong trash can was white opaque dat I needed to buy for da guest rm w/c Mae & kids were going to use in 2days time! Kase, nasa topmost shelf at parehong bonsai kami ni B so naghanap ako ng tulong. Sa tagal dumating, I got a shepherd's hook to pull down the basura & I told B to be ready to catch it! Dumating naman in da nick of time yung store associate who got it for us. Sabi ni B sa 'kin "So this is what you do on your days off!" Sabay tawa dahil I looked so ridiculous holding the metal hook trying to bring down the trash can -- nang dahil kay Mae C yan para may basura yung room nya.

Now since we just moved to our house, di pa complete yung furniture ko, noh at I'd scheduled the Dining Table 2B delivered in time for Tksgiving. Nagkaroon ng aberya dahil sabi ng Furn store nabiyak sa gitna yung mesa ko in their warehouse. I freaked out dahil saan kami kakain lahat & I was going to have 15 for sitdown dinner. Well, I dragged Sir Paul & Lady B w/ me to da Furn Store at naglamig ang mga fingers ko dahil I went from calm to livid. Talk about being cold-blooded. Sabi ni Paul, don't act calm, scream bloody hell! Make sure daw alot of people can hear me rant about my dining table. Eh di nagamit ko yung British accent ni Paul coz syang nagsalita una dahil I explained I've guests who flew all da way from London & I insisted I need a table...I don't care kung anong laki sya, basta I need a loaner Dining Table NOW till my replacement table comes in. To make more drama, si Paul umupo sa gilid ng isang kingbed, bouncing up/down & I think B sat beside him. He made a charade of slicing invisible turkey and scooping gravy at tinanong sya ng salesman

"What are you doing sir?"

"I'm practicing for Tksgiving Dinner, my man."

"Oh no, we've got better beds than this!"

"Oh no, this is my table."

Natawa ako kase Paul helped me w/ da drama of it all. Bottom line, I got my loaner table delivered noon next day & Tksgiving Dinner was saved. Sabi nga ni Paul, "It pays to have a British accent!" So, B, daming salamat at I owe Paul a lot -- I think I'll call it "THE Sir Paul Table" when I get my real one.

Being around them, well, napa "bloody table, bloody delivery," bloody, bloody everything na din ang expression ko!

Th/22Nov: Dating na ang unang Golden Girl, si Mae & kids, Dae and JR (with Ann at the Bellagio, left). Jes picked them up nd sa bahay na sila muna where they napped a bit. Nagkita na kami after I got home from work then we had our Tksgiving Dinner later. We went to the Strip after to walk out our kabusugan.

Fr/23Nov: Mae & Brenda go out to the Strip all day long while Ann worked. Buti na lang Jes was available to drive for them & they had time to catch up w/ ea other. Punta sila sa Caesar's Palace at Venetian after a Buffet Lunch in Sunset Station. They wen't home kase si Dae got a little fever & her throat was hurting. Sabi ni Mae, galing daw mag-drama si Dae kase sya ang biglaang na-masahe ko instead of Mae! The 3 of us talked non-stop & I was able to unearth the older yearbook where Brenda had a chance to look at our batch's faces. Mae updated her on everyone naman. Tawag naman si Maddy at kinausap kaming lahat -- wait daw for her kase she's flying to L.A. Sat/24Nov & will fly to LV to join us.

Later, we took JR w/ us to Sunset where he played some slots while Mae & I went to watch/listen to a lounge act. Memories si Mae dahil the band coincidentally sang a song w/c summarized her life kaya ayan, feel nya ang song, start to finish... Talk about very impromptu happenings - we just went where our feet would take us & stay up late till 4AM. Eh I'd to go to work pa, noh?

Back to Maddy: During the phone conversation, sabi nya kay Mae, "Don't leave LV, that's a direct order!" Si Brenda naman, nanghinayan dahil she doesn't want Maddy to spend too much just to come to LV & leave shortly. Sabi ni Maddy, "She doesn't know how I operate, well I'm coming." Bilib naman ako, she did everything to come & see Brenda. I came home from work Sat evening & called Brenda to tell her na I'll take a shower & nap before Maddy flies in. I ended up sleeping longer & Jes picked up Brenda & they both picked up Maddy from the airport coz Jes didn't know how Maddy looked like. Ginising na lang ako ni Jes mga 10pm when they were home na. Sabi ko kay Maddy when I saw her, "Dyos ko, wala na akong dugo! Di na ako sanay ng late nites at sunod-sunod ang late nites ko, aba, I need a transfusion na." Kodakan na naman kami siempre w/ Maddy at home. Eh she'd to fly back to LA at 6am Sun/25Nov so u gehls can imagine she spent a couple of hours in LV (10pm/Sat till 5am/Sun) just to see Brenda...talk about friendship. Bow ako kay Maddy who would go to great lengths to see her dearest friend.

Mga bandang 4am (ulit?!), I started to fade at sabi ko sa kanila, "Matutulog na ako dahil may pasok pa 'ko mamaya. Bilisan nyo ang kwentuhan ng 26yrs dahil 1Hr na lang, hahatid na si Maddy sa airport." I fell asleep on the couch while nagkwento ng juicy kwento (I swear!) ang dalawang misteryosang colegialas. Gehls, Sis MaryGeorge & Bernadette will have to bring in Fr Reuter to bless these 2 kids! Since I was asleep, I couldn't tell you what they talked about, chaka in confidence yon & my lips are sealed. Ay nako, scoop yan mga 'day pero secret muna for now! Teaser ba?

Napa-allnighter 'tong si Lady B dahil she ended up accompanying Jes drive Maddy back to the airport 5am dahil tulog, pagod at puyat na 'ko by then. I'd told them na when I get home Sun. from work, I'll just crash & all I want to see is the back of my eyeballs. Kaya, eto, ngayon pa lang ako bumabawi ng tulog & I couldn't appreciate my days-off more. Jes took Brenda back home at 6am na. (That's Jes with Mae and JR at Bally's, above.)

Now Brenda is definitely returning to LV next year, arriving Saturday before Tksgiving & departing Monday after Tksgiving. 1 year ahead pa lang, I'd like to arrange a reunion of sorts in LV around the time Brenda is here. If we are to stage a CA reunion w/ her, let me know so I can make plans to take her to SFO and/or LAX, most likely 1 place lang, either No. or So. Cal, kundi hectic 'to flying and/or driving LV-SF-LA during Tksgvng Week.

Sya, haba na nito...abangan nyo na lang yung mga fotos ni Mae. I'll make dagdag mine later.

Ann A.M.

(http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/lvthanks.htm )

A PAULINIAN REUNION IN A BEDAN BALL

1 Dec 01, Bedan Xmas Ball, La Canada Flintridge, CA

Ching's Scoop!

Dear Classmates,

The San Beda Ball was a big success, a warm congratulations to their organizers, most especially to their over all director, George Sityar and manager, Joseph Yu. All I can say is Marissa, Mae and I felt like 16 again, twas like preparing to go to a soiree or a party, but this time to a ball. A week before, we were discussing via email what to wear since it's formal and two days before, we were talking about having our nails polished during our lunch hour at work. We exchanged emails probably 6 to 8 times the day before I left for LA.

Saturday, Dec 1. Mae and I started dressing up for the ball at about 2 PM since we have to be at the venue early. We are riding with George, the overall producer and director of the show. Like 27 years ago, Mae and I checked on each other's make up, hair and garb but this time we also have to check on flabs and some wrinkles on our faces. Mae looked fantastic in her black gown. If you like to lose pounds, ladies....think of Mae. You have to wonder how she maintained that youthful figure after all these years. Then you get mad and say you can do it, too! Tell me if it works. Let her be our inspiration.

At the ball, it was nice to see the "boys" and their spouses all dressed up. The "boys" were in their tux and the ladies in beautiful gowns. Marissa Maceda came with her husband Romy. It was our second time to meet since our Silver Jubilee ball at the Polo Club in 2000. This time we were all more familiar with each other and we joked all throughout the night. All I know is we all danced to the sound of Electric Slide altogether with gusto.

Regarding Mae's performance.....she hasn't lost her touch! Mae just charmed the audience with her voice, stage presence and especially her endearing personality. She sang 4 songs. The first one is Captain and Tenille's "Do That To Me One More Time", then followed by a recent hit called "Hit 'Em Up In Style by Blue Cantrell" (which delighted the teenagers in the audience) and then the Donna Summer Medley. Sa Donna Summer Medley, there were 4 couples who danced a choreographed number while she sang. It was really a very entertaining number. Her last song was with the Bedans and it was a Christmas song, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". Sa last song, wala na ang cape, the gown was now accentuated with a pair of long black gloves. Very dramatic ang dating and very touching ang song.

All in all, the Bedans did a great job. My achievement of the evening...I was given general absolution by Fr. Ed Africa so now I can receive Holy Communion without having gone to confession. :o)

So that's it for now... Hope you all have a nice holiday. Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat.

Mariechelle

(http://paulinians.homestead.com/files/sbcxmas.htm )

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New Year Greetings from Sister Mary George, SPC

SPCM IN 2002 -- OUR ALMA MATER IS 90!

Sr. Mary George, SPC

SPCM was born in 1912 and will be 90 years old come the New Year, 2002. And she continues to stand tall and proud. Not only was she given a 5-year accreditation status by PAASCU and Level III by FAAP for the Nursing, Commerce Accountancy and Arts/Sciences Programs; she is one of the Higher Education Institutions given a status of autonomy from the CHED together with other Paulinian schools: SPU, SPCQ, SPCD. SPC, Iloilo was given a de-regulated status.

Thank you to all of you, Sisters, teachers (current and past), alumnae, parents, benefactors, for having helped make SPCM what it is now! A part of the year-long celebration is the search of the oustanding/distinguished alumnae who have made a difference, the Paulinian way, in the different fields. Recognition will be given them at the end of the celebration in December.

Please come and get nomination form from the Academic Afairs or the Alumnae Office. Deadline for submission of nominees will be on or before September 15, 2002.

May your New Year be full of blessings! (Source: www.paulinianglobal.com )

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SPCM HS Webring

www.paulinians.com (SPCM HS'75) - www.geocities.com/spcm_hs_1976 - www.geocities.com/spcm_hs77 - www.geocities.com/spcm_hs78 - www.geocities.com/spcm_hs79 - www.geocities.com/spcm_hs1980 - www.spcm82.artshost.com - www.groups.yahoo.com/group/SPCM-HS65COL69 - www.pinkymarquez.homestead.com !

Have a safe, wonderful 2002.

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(Note: The above recap file was sent to our Paulinian batchmates and friends on 5 Jan 2002.)

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