2009 Reunion

 

The Nabua National High School Class of 1989 held its 20th year alumni homecoming on April 30, 2009 at the Nabua National High School Alumni Hall.

The reunion can be considered generally successful. Attended by some 50 members of Class '89,  the total attendance, including families and guests for both the day and evening event  reached about 200.

April 29: the afternoon before the reunion, officers and some members were already at the venue to finalize things, and decorate the hall. We got some help from NNHS students who were on practice for the Bowa-Bowaan festival, their gesture we all appreciate. Had it not been for them, we wouldn't know who would dare climb the 7-step ladder that in order to stand, it has to be physically supported by about 4-5 members to hang and fix the decorations set by Pablo Gastilo, who did a marvelous job from a  limited budget. I would like to note and also appreciate the presence and active participation of Ramon Patiga, Eduard Estiller, Jojo Llorin (Acila's husband) and Anthony Baladia (Ligaya's husband). The ladies, headed by Acila were also there to get all the souvenir items ready for sale.

April 30: reunion day started at around 8:30 AM with the registration of members, taking charge was the group of Amabella Bolivar, Amy Argarin and Ligaya Abonal-Baladia, then a delayed motorcade headed by a Police Car which was coordinated by the Sernal couple Julito and Ruth, took the NNHS Alumni Hall-San Isidro-San Francisco-San Luis-San Juan-San Antonio Pob-San Esteban-San Roque-San Nicolas-San Miguel-Santiago Young / Lourdes Young-La Opinion/Paloyon-and back to the venue route. At that time, rain has started.

It was already way past the schedule when the motorcade ended; a quick snack of siopao and softdrinks followed then a Thanksgiving Mass, officiated by Rev. Fr. Carlo O. Villaluz and another priest whose name I have honestly forgotten. The special prayer made by our very own, Fr. Manuel H. Zagada for our departed batchmates was also read. A tarpaulin similar to the one on the home page was also hanged at the left side of the stage.

After the mass was the group picture-taking. Everyone experienced how it was like to be hunted by paparazzi and blinded by the flashes of cameras. It seemed endless, we all were quite tired from constant smiling!

Parlor games, highlighted by 2 "pabitins" followed which were enjoyed by the kids and adults alike.

 Then came the hearty lunch provided by the caterer, CHABEA's, c/o Jasmin Sano. The food was abundantly delicious and the service was excellent! Everyone was full.

Municipal Kagawad Junfel Fortuna came, but was already late for the lunch. He then greeted everyone, hopping from table to table, though I do not recall him coming to our table. I was at the registration table with Acila, Amabella, Ligaya, Jojo.

 At lunch time, the rain had started to pour. The men also started to group into a circle and to "tagay",  initiated by the unusually long-haired Antonio Hermoso, along with Julito Sernal et al. It was interrupted for a while to give way for  the business meeting .

The business meeting started with the election of new set of officers for 2009-2014. Almost all of the nominations for the different positions were acclaimed, thus the election was over in no time at all. Elected President was Silvino Bagasbas, Vice Presidents: Leo Bolivar and Junfel Fortuna. What took a considerable amount of time was the lengthy discussion about the project of the Class '89. Everyone was free to talk, some were vocal which was good, but most chose to keep quiet and just be a silent follower of what the group agrees upon.

The discussion focused on what project the Class can collectively make as a unified group to help others, and I initially suggested to start  with extending financial assistance to at least 1 child of a Batchmate since we are just starting and also of the fear that we might not be able to fully sustain to get the financial help from the group. It is in this discussion that we differentiated the term "scholarship" from "financial assistance". We decided to use financial assistance in order to clearly state what we can only offer.  The group agreed that the term scholarship is too broad and that financial assistance is just a part of the whole scholarship which usually covers tuition and miscellaneous fees, books, uniforms and cash allowances or stipends.

Of the 3 new officers mentioned above, Leo Bolivar was noted to be the most active. Kagawad Junfel, had said a piece of advise that was not as optimistic as the rest and seemed like he was not attentive to what the discussion was about. The President-elect Silvino Bagasbas was surprisingly silent. Most of us hoped he would stand, be active and voice out whatever plans he has and  to become the leader, or the President of the Class that accordingly elected him. Unkown to all of us, the deafening silence and lack of enthusiasm from him were just the start of more very disappointing actions to follow later on.

The discussion ended with the decision that the outgoing officers headed by Acila Aleman - Llorin will initiate the financial assistance thru a one-time payment of enrolment fees of about Php 1,000 each to TEN High School students who are children of Batchmates who are financially challenged. The 10 will be determined by a panel to be chosen by the outgoing and incoming officers based on the criteria that will be set. Updates of the progress will be known and posted here as soon as available.

After the meeting was the continuation of the drinking session of the men and the chika-chika of the ladies. I stayed a while for few shots then excused myself for a break. The rain continued on.....it never stopped.

April 30: Evening event, the Induction of new set of officers and Ball. I thought I was already late when I arrived close to 9:00 PM, but I wasn't. I didn't want to be late because I was tasked to emcee the program  with Charito Pacardo-Ilarde. Because of the heavy rains, most of the Batch 89'ers arrived after 9:00 PM. From that time until 10:00 PM, Acila decided to wait for the rest, specifically  the two officers, Silvino and Junfel who were to be inducted. Mrs. Adelina Hermoso and Mr. Luis Boquiron who was the inducting officer, were already present. I believe the two guests even arrived before I came and I feel sorry for that.

At that time while waiting for other members to come, I initiated selling raffle tickets priced at Php 10.00 each, or a discounted 12 pieces for Php 100.00 for the fund-raising 50-50 draw. The mechanics I explained to the group was that whatever amount we will raise, 50 % will go to the NNHS Class of 1989 fund and the remaining 50% to be split equally by the winners. After raising about Php 5,000.00 in  ticket sales, it was  determined that there will be 5 winners of 500 pesos each. I myself bought Php 1,000.00 worth of tickets, Leo, Jonathan, Antonio etc. bought Php 500.00 each. I asked them that if ever they will become a winner, to just donate the amount to the fund and they all agreed.

A little past 10, Acila told me to start the program. In her message, Ma'am Deling talked about the chance of the Batch to re-connect again, reminisce the High School life , the experiences that molded each and everyone of what we are now, and the unity of the group. Sir Luis reminisced about how he initiated the drive during our time to fund the construction of the "old" stage in the NNHS quadrangle. He expressed disappointment that the said project was destroyed to pave the way for a much bigger stage.

The Induction was supposed to take place after the short messages of our guests and the intermission number of Charito's daughter. The two, Silvino and Junfel were still unaccounted after these numbers, that's why we altered the original succession of the program numbers.  We then decided to raffle some prizes and opened the dance floor for the group. Snacks was also served around this time.

Despite the heavy rains, Marilyn and Pablo then decided to go to the Nabua Social Hall where the Zona Libre  Ball was being held to get Silvino and Junfel. From what I learned, they were told by Silvino's wife that he was already tipsy and cannot attend the induction anymore and that they actually planned to attend the Zona Libre program only. I have no idea where Junfel was at that time or if Marilyn and Pablo were able to speak to him. I understand that these two are members of the Zona Libre, Silvino being a past president and their desire to attend the said occasion too.

It is a fact that the Zona Libre occasion is more "social" and well-attended than the NNHS Batch '89 reunion, but I firmly believe that the absence and the total disregard of Silvino and Junfel to our own occassion is a great insult to each and every one of us who voted them to their positions. During the election, both of them did not object the election to their positions. They accepted the positions. To me, that was their best time to let the group know that they cannot fulfill the responsibilities and obligations of their positions and thus passing them on to whoever are ready. The formal acceptance of duties and responsibilities  commences with and is confirmed by the oath and induction to the position you were elected to. The induction speech of the newly-elected President, sharing the plans, the programs, the projects,  the activities and into what directions he will lead the NNHS Class of 1989.  It was supposedly one of the highlights of the evening program, but it never happened in this case.

To Silvino (Bags, Bet): I was one of those who rallied for you to be the next president. My impression of you is that you are an active member and has a great potential to be the leader of our Batch. Your actions, proved otherwise. You are not ready.  I feel sorry ang regretted that I was one of the misguided members. You failed us all. Take it this way, how would Zona Libre members feel if you were also a no-show in your induction as president years ago? You cannot blame us for feeling this way.

To Junfel (Ramiro, Kagawad): Has your position in the Municipal Council gone to your head? As a person in local politics, you should have exerted more effort to win all of us. 2010 is election year, how can you bank on the solid support of your batchmates when you "abandoned" us, when you ignored our occasion, thus insulted us too. This just goes to show your true color. I hope Nabua will wake up and know you now as what your batchmates sadly discovered who you really are.

 No apologies or excuses were received from both of you. You may explain your side, but to me the damage has been done. Besides the fact that you were not inducted to your positions, I'd like to initiate the call for both of you to just quit your positions because NNHS Batch '89 deserve active and true leaders, a whole lot more of  what you can both offer.

To all the members of Batch '89, this is the controversy I am talking about. I am writing this to reflect the feelings of our group about the issue. I do not know of anyone who would openly talk about this issue so I am taking the risk. I am just verbalizing what most members feel when this happened.

Continuing with my narrative report of the evening program, the induction went on with Leo as the top official in attendance and Mr. Boquiron as the Inducting Officer. After picture taking, the program continued with more raffle prizes --shirts, umbrellas, grocery items, flat iron, stove, stand fans, cash etc. were given away. Jonathan, Nympha and Preciosa donated their cash prizes to the Class '89 fund. Others like Acila, Leo and myself gave away their prizes for other members.

Some members only attended the day affair; few like Jonathan who drove from Laguna during the daytime to be able to reach Nabua and attend even for just the evening affair. Most attended both the day and the evening affair.

Glenn Tosoc and wife Clarissa De Villa-Tosoc's arrival in the evening affair totally caught us by surprise. Although they did not stay long, we totally understand and appreciate the presence. We were then told that they urgently came to the Philippines primarily to attend to the then worsening health condition of Glenn's father. Mr. Tosoc passed away few days later.

I felt nostalgic that Glenn, Jonathan, Leo and I were reunited once again. I cannot even remember the last time we were all together. It would have completed the STEROLC group if John was present.

The treasurer, Ligaya opened the financial book with itemized statements of collections, expenses and the amount of fund the group have. A copy of which is noted on the home page.

In her closing remarks, Acila thanked all those who have helped in whatever way to make the occassion successful.

Despite of the heavy rains, of the late start of the program and of what have caused the delay, the occasion was still a very successful memorable event for the NNHS Class of 1989.

 

May 10,2009

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Please note that Silvino (Bags, Bet) has expressed his apologies in his post at the message forum. He also decided to step down from his position as President. I do not know who will decide on this matter as our group does not have by-laws to follow. Can we please get the reactions of each member on what's the best thing to do? Please feel free to post your comments and suggestions in the message forum. Thanks.

 

 Senen