Elma Villanueva Flores

What happened after high school?Graduated 1964 with honors then went to PNC graduated 1968. Before graduation, passed Civil Service,started teaching in a very remote place somewhere farout of Bambang and lasted only a day. Transferred me to Aritao,(1 day) Malasin,(1 week) then to Barat, Bambang... where we have to wade a river and ride a kalesa for miles and miles but I stayed for 2 years then married to a Lagon who brought me home to San Luis,Solano for 8 years, did not work out so moved back to Bonfal, my birthplace,and 2 years in Bonfal Pilot School as a floating teacher/admin/librarian before I left for US in 1980. Worked in Jacksonville, Florida, was too hot, moved to LA, CA worked 2 years, too busy and fast pace, moved to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, worked for 4 years,saved every penny then went to Seattle, WA bought my first house, got my daughter from Phil. and went back to school finished Computer Science, Med.Billing & Coding, CNA, Human Services. Coordinator in Food and Entitlements in Seattle, WA for 9 years CNA second job then married Alex in 1995, moved to Salem, Oregon, sold the Seattle house and bought our first home in Salem. Worked in Silicon Co. with him for 9 years (Alex worked 20 years there)then both of us were unemployed when company closed down in Dec. 2004. Converted our home to homecare , started home business , while Alex found another tech specialist job in Portland. Bought our second home in West Salem in 2005 and in a year time we moved to Portland, rented our 2 homes in Salem and purchased 2 care homes in Tigard. Business had been good and hopefully be retiring in 2010, go home in P.I. 6 mos. here & there to relax and enjoy social security. My husband and I enjoy fishing, crabbing, bowling, and there would be more than enough time to relax without worrying about bills, mortgage payments, going to work at our age of 62. My only daughter Ivy is now 2 months pregnant, my first grandchild and you bet, she/he will be spoiled rotten( in a good way)by me. I will make sure her/his future will be bright and financially stable. I have worked hard along with my second husband, Alex, (he is a very patient man)and before we leave this world, we made sure our love ones will not be burdened. We lived a full life and we are happy. Alex had been attending the school reunions with me and he expressed that his high school years were not memorable (V.Mapa High, Manila)and not active in reunions. He is an "adoptee" of my class 1964.

When I was in the Elementary, was so playful and never liked studying. My sister was always in the honor roll and she got the gifts, the special treatments, new clothes, shoes, perfumes and I envied her. I do not like hand -me-downs! especially from her!! I vowed that in high school, I will show my best to get the best things as a prize. I enjoyed my High School days. I excelled in my academic classes, was serious in my studies because I was challenged by my father but I had lots of fun with girlfriends, my barkadas... Jean Dulay-Tadeo, Precy Ebalo,Estela Gacad,Dalisay Manipol, Tessie & Araceli Galam, Cora Afalla. It was fun hitching a ride (we pile up) at Mr. Genato's white jeep in the morning rush to school and saved me 25 cents for the tricycle ride for the snack at Aunt Lucing's little store infront of the school. We had slumber parties, study-stay-overs, jam sessions, picnics, fights & crashes and these 4 years of HS life was so full and memorable.Summer vacations were not meant for loafing around but helping around the house and extra classes, had typewriting class, piano lessons, steno class and most of the time, we "escape" to go to the movies, go swimming at the dike (almost got drowned). Those were the days when I joined the HS drum and bugle corp, neat in our white uniform. I was a drummer and with the hawky supervision of Mr. Ganacias and Mr. Jerusalem, we headed the school parades around town. I am truly grateful to all of my teachers, Mrs. Borromeo, Mrs. Caquioa,Mrs. Jacinto, Miss Eugenio,Mr. Genato, Mr. Jerusalem, Mr. Ganacias, and pardon me coz I cannot remember all of their names, the Filipino teacher, which I can vividly picture her in my mind but the name cannot go to the tip of my tongue, Physics teacher, the beautiful, glowing face, hmmmmm and to all the boys whom I had fought because they passed little notes, crashes/crushes, and to the girls whom I fought and loved... all were part of the memorable fun of the high school days. I can still forge Mr. Genato's signature whenever we do excuse slips and do knock-knock on the head (Katus!!)but he is the best teacher in History. Kudos to you Sir! Love you!