LOGARTA
Reunions, homecomings have recently brought me in touch with students I had before. I had to be at the wake of Elaine’s father — all of the children in this family had been my students. I had a conversation with Mary Ann who has been one of the leaders in the training of the less privileged young people so they could have gainful and fulfilling employment.
To Elaine’s batch of our provincial health officer, Rene Catan belongs. UP recognized him with a Tatak UP award for his research on knee cap replacement. Early in his medical career, Rene has been doing research. It disturbed him that we had to import metal plates and orthopedic shoes when we have the resources to produce these things.
Soon after, the batch called for a reunion and included me in the invitation.
This was a welcome home for Suzanne who had come home after having just been widowed. In the U. S., she has been a teacher.
When she came across useful teaching materials, she had provided me with these.
When she heard that Lutz, their Math teacher, had cancer, she sent her father to UP to provide financial assistance. On the other hand, Lilu, who is into campaigns, gave us golf umbrellas!
Throughout the evening, we were waiting for Greg and Jovito.
I had to give Fides a special goodbye.
I was her adviser in I-Benton when she just entered UP.
Perhaps it was partly because of this that we always had her assistance when she became a journalist, and Madz and I were coordinating the Cebu Association of Social Science Educators.
Ria Lidia called twice to make sure that I could be with UP High School Batch ’87 for the Pearl anniversary of their graduation. It was good to see them having so much fun despite their having become matured and successful.
That may have inspired their scholar in UP High who was there and recited a poem especially prepared for them. Of course, I was glad that Glenda is working to keep our air clean.
When I was studying in Diliman and trying to look young as I walked on the corridor, out of a class came Mark — who asked permission from the teacher saying his high school teacher was outside!
More memorable, of course, was his faithful support for the high school in the struggle to keep it in the UP system. The batch provided each of the teachers in appreciation and remembrance pearls still on the shell, framed.
The past year, I had attended the quarterly gatherings to celebrate birthdays of the STC class of Nora, Carmeli, Joy, Angeles, and Lita. Judith and Elma have always fetched and brought me home.
This was a special batch for me since I was teaching all the sections: World History, Social Graces, and Christian Living and was the Homeroom Adviser of the Honors Class. These had been evenings of fun due to the creativity of each group of birthday celebrants. More of the girls came on July 23 for this was the first day of alumni week for STC. They were Sapphire Jubilarians.
When Lani Echavez was asked to speak, she encouraged them to gather their memories in a memory bank. This reminded me of the unique prom the batch had.
Done in the early 70s their prom was in the form of a protest, they were bearing placards opposing the departure of the seniors.
They sang a song following the anti-Vietnam war: “The cruel war is raging, Johnny has to fight; Oh I want to be with him from morning till night.” This batch had supported the struggle of the faculty-staff union for better work conditions.
It was not surprising that Nora and I found each other in the recent anti-Marcos burial march.
On the same evening, Lani and I also joined the Ruby Jubilee celebration of UP High School Batch ’77. Gillie met me with a tight hug; Jackie felt she had to ask permission for the hug. I offered my face for kisses from Nelson.
It was such a joy to see all of them having such fun — viewing the video presentation prepared by Romulo, dancing, exchanging updates, savoring the warmth of their togetherness again after many years.
Romulo, Fr. John Therese, explained that he prepared the video as a way of urging his batchmates to come home for their Ruby Jubilee.
He had also gathered his classmates for a retreat. In the party, he danced with them, leaving his Roman collar as he stood to do so. The jubilarians gave us a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates as give aways!
After UP High, Romulo studied in UP Diliman. Here he participated in the protest movement. In one of their activities, he got arrested. His classmates called me by long distance to tell me about it. After Diliman, Romulo studied medicine. As a doctor in the US, he got the call. As a priest in the UP campus, he was able to attract several UP High students to the religious life.
As a doctor in the US, he got the call. As a priest in the UP campus, he was able to attract several UP High students to the religious life.
Because Rey G. of Batch ‘78 came home for his mother’s passing, I was able to have wonderful conversation with him at the wake. It was truly moving to have that exchange on love and happiness. From the same batch, Lida invited me to lunch with Alan, Rey Gavino and their sons, Cristabel, Ven, Adele,
From the same batch, Lida invited me to lunch with Alan, Rey Gavino and their sons, Cristabel, Ven, Adele, Jojing and Thad. They have begun to prepare for their Ruby celebration.
The joy and the love of those interactions are a real source of energy as I continue being a teacher.
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