Batch 1971 Reunion, January 10, 2004 / SPA compound.

This year's reunion was not only to come together and reminisce about the high school days, REUNION 2004 was to celebrate a milestone. YES, Batch '71 turned the big 5-0. Most of us are turning golden this special year. Time had rushed by with the speed of light(ning), inya (kasla katno laeng makikin-namat tayo kenni 'koneng').

The reunion was held on Saturday, January 10, 2004. Although the party wasn't until 3:00 p.m., the day started in the morning for the early birds: Jovi Bautista, Nona Pacites, Nida Tandoc, Julita Calpito, Teresita Imperio, Dimna Macalanda, Jorge Estaris, Rafael Pasalosdos, Osmundo Songcuan, my wife Debbie, and yours truly tapno agi-inniliw kami. In the midst of all the babble and the tattle, we also got busy in preparing the program and hanging up the banner and the streamers. Then Myrdo Argañoza, Jun Sandoval, his wife Annie and daughter Makayla Adelaida, Tessie Juquilon, Estelita Salcedo, Nida Tandoc, Julie Siblag, her husband Dr. Catbagan, and Dominador Matias all came in later. Lunch was served around 1:00 pm. (Despensaran yo kakabsat ta maiden names laeng iti malagip ko).

It was inevitable that while the cat is away, the mouse will play . . . so when the ladies left to buy things for the parlor games, the men started drinking to partake of the whisky, courtesy of Jun Sandoval (thanks for the extra bottle you gave Jun, for my souvenir). During this time, Eddie Laguit and wife Noemi Banda arrived to join the fun and at around 3:00 p.m., more "locals and balikbayans" started trickling in. As the night wore on the mood became warmer and the atmosphere became noisier.

The program was officially started with an invocation by Jovi, followed by the singing of the national anthem led by Dimna Macalanda. Ms. Obejera, the current SPA principal, delivered heartfelt welcome remarks. Nona and Julita then called all batch members to form a circle and with hands joined together we all sang "Auld Lang Syne" and "If We Hold On Together." It was obvious everyone was touched by the tender lyrics. Dinner was served followed by games (with valuable prizes for the winners) and lots of dancing. Ocho-ocho, the current dance craze here in the Philippines, brought out a lot of laughter as the young ones (esp. the young once!) showed off their dancing skills.

Mugs filled with goodies were given away as souvenirs to all attendees, and plaques of appreciation were awarded to those who worked hard in making the reunion a great success. After two years of organizing the Batch '71 reunions, Jovi relinquished her crown to Ave Gramata who cheerfully accepted while announcing there will not be a reunion next year. Whew! Thank goodness he was only joking. I'm sure plans for Reunion 2005 are already underway as of this writing. As expected, a night full of fun and surprises was had by all. We all went home filled with mixed emotions but mostly happy and content.

As usual, everyone didn't want the reunion to end in one night so on Sunday following the reunion, everyone gathered once again for lunch at Jun Sandoval's childhood home on Tavera Street.