I graduated from SCS in 1974 and went to Univ of San Carlos for my Pre-Nursing, and then to Southern Islands Hosp- Cebu State College for my BSN. I graduated in 1979 and came to San Diego, CA in Nov 1980 where I have lived since then. I have 3 daughters, 3 grandsons, and one granddaughter. I finished my Masters in Nursing in San Diego State University and have worked in the San Diego Veterans Affairs Hospital since 1987. I have been a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in the Community Living Center. From 1998 to Aug. 2013. Currently the Nurse Case Manager for Veterans with a history of Acquired brain injury (ABI) and Polytrauma.

I lived in Carcar/ Cebu from 1958 (birth) until I immigrated to the US in Nov. 1980. I have lived in San Diego, California since then.

Culturally, I am as Filipino/ Carcaranon as I am a San Diegan. It helped that my parents lived with me from 1982 to 2001. My own neighborhood in San Diego has an abundance of Filipino establishments. And there is TFC and Carcaranon USA (CUSA) to keep my Tagalog and Cebuano language skills in check.

My bout with kidney cancer in October 2006 turned me around spiritually since then. I have learned not to take anything or anybody for granted. I have learned to live in the present instead of regret the past, or fear the future. I have learned to put work several rungs below myself and my family. Above all, I have grown to have increased faith in God.

My grandchildren make me happy now. I cannot live without my family, especially them. My three daughters are my best friends, confidantes, advisers, and beauty consultants.

I have no real regrets. The Libra in me makes me over cautious and even indecisive for the most part so that I am less prone to do things that I would regret afterwards. I think I even count beyond 10 before I do or say anything.

I want to travel more. Australia, and more of Europe. I also still need to see many places in the Philippines, Asia, and in the US. I want to bring my daughters and grandchildren in my future travels. I want to have more time to write personal memoirs, or about any light topic.

In chronological order:
Kindergarten: I was tricked by Miss Cui so I would enter SCS grounds and start kindergarten because I was previously told that nuns have horns. However I loved school so much after that so I would sneak back in the afternoon even if classes were only half day in kindergarten.

Grade 2: I would sometimes go to school without my school bag.

Grade 4: I started to become more serious with school and started earning merit cards. Considering I started school at age 4, my mental age probably started to catch up with me in Grade 4. I loved Miss Mena and Miss Becbec Abellana in grade school.

Other elementary memories, good and bad: Charity fairs, declamation contests, the whole class getting spanked or made to squat under the sun because one or two classmates were bad or noisy. Being hit by Belgian sisters for not having ready answers during Religion class. Paying fines for not speaking in English.

High school memories, good and bad:
"Monitor" duties (waxing and scrubbing the floors) was fun while watching cute boys play basketball. Biology field trip in Daan Bantayan was our first experience with "coed" sleepover. Having my first cousin Leo Lao as my Prom date. Wearing micro mini skirts going up the stairs while the boys were under the stairs. I remember how our male classmates all shaved their heads and called themselves "The Morons." I never seriously thought that conjugating, math, geography, Pilipino and Spanish would be useful later in life.

I fit well with the younger generation. I had my three daughters in my early 20's and three of my grandkids before I turned 50. Got lots of first-hand experience that way.

I love social media so much and I have two carpal tunnel release surgeries to prove it.

To get to know Catherinians from different classes, including those who attended SCS even before my lifetime. Reconnect with Catherinians that I have lost touch with through the decades. Know Catherinians on a more personal level and see what places they like visiting, foods they like to eat, what makes them cry/ laugh, what is their stand on various issues. See how they look decades after.