BATCH 78
UST HIGH SCHOOL
Hi Batchmates.
Last night was one GREAT night! A great night for Batch 78, because of all the bonding, support and camaraderie we had.
All 78s performances were very well applauded. Some comments that I received were:
1. the modern dance with the mini-skirt and very sexy & beautiful dancers was a delight to watch; sexbomb dancers daw
talaga. Say hello to the original sexbomb dancers !
2. the HAGIBIS was a fun presentation and truly very HAGI-BEERS-like. -J (except for Sonny
Francisco kasi hindi manginginom ang kapatid nating ito. So this really only applies to Neil Obligacion, Jess Sonza, Rey Mesa
and Teddy dela Costa)
3. the MISSION number was nothing less than fantastic and sooooo inspiring. In fact, a lot of inquiries about where to
buy the particular tape or CD of the song was asked. (The singer should give Batch 78 commissions for the increase in the
sales of his album). Also asked were " who did the interpretation, how did you do this, who organized it, etc. etc."
4. The UST HIGH GRADUATION SONG performance was very touching and inspired the audience to sing along.
5. The emceeing of the Batch Representative (thats me, my friends) was not so bad
6. The kinship of Batch 78 and the excitement we were all feeling was so contagious.
This is just to mention a few.
I regret that I didnt really get to watch the show in full. As all of us who attended the affair knows I was not really
able to watch as I was working/emceeing the whole time. However, if I am to believe the comments from all the other batches,
including the more senior ones (meaning 53, 63, 54, 68. 70, 73 etc), the faculty, and the Parent Association, it was one fantastic
show. The comments: it was never like this before; your batch obviously prepared for this, no other batch has come up with
as many performances as yours did, wish all reunions were as entertaining as this, it was like an awards night, this is the
best in the many years of the USTHSAAetc).
Now is the time to say thanks to some very special people of 78 who helped tremendously in the success of the Grand Alumni
Homecoming.
Gina Obligacion-Escalona, for gathering together the sexiest of our batch and for organizing the modern dance number. (Pero
bakit hindi kami kasama ni Gigie sa sexiest?)
Dr. Merly Awit, for suggesting THE MISSION, a hand interpretative number, and for organizing it.
Bernie Lavares, Lisa & Rina Ordonez and Ruth Ora for leading the audience to sing the UST GRADUATION SONG.
Neil Obligacion, Rey Mesa, Sonny Francisco, Ted dela Costa and Jess Sonza for doing the Hagibis number even if they were
so shy to perform in front of an audience of about 500+ (mas nag-enjoy sila sa practice kasi San Miguel beer ang kaharap nila).
J
Tina Canda, for talking to her friends from the press to announce the Grand Alumni Homecoming.
Maribel Cusi (sorry Maribel, cant remember your married name) for being the official "call center" for the Grand Alumni
Homecoming.
Gigie Galang-Barlaan, for being the official "call center and messenger" for all Batch 78 meetings.
All the performers of batch 78 who put in hours of practice, gumastos para sa costumes and choreographers.
All of Batch 78 who have been attending the meetings and helped spread the word around to other 78ers.
All the non-performers who provided unqualified support to me as I was emceeing and made me forget to be nervous.
All the non-performers who provided unqualified support to all the performers.
Gerry Catama who sponsored the video coverage of the event. (Said coverage will be made available for sale to everyone
who wishes to avail himself/herself of a copy. This will be a fund generating scheme for our batch).
Helen Panaligan (oooops, forgot your married name too. Sorry talaga), Gogo Concepcion and Rally Batallones, (to name a
few) for coming home to attend the Reunion and be with all the Philippine-based 78ers. If I failed to mention others who came
home to attend this affair, sorry if I dont get to mention you. I dont have the final list of registrants for the night yet.
Janet Macabasco (now more commonly known as Janet Basco), who rendered quite a few songs to the delight and pleasure of
the audience, gratis et amore. Batch 78 is grateful and so proud of this 78er.
All of batch 78 who sold raffle tickets, solicited advertisers and who will still solicit for the Souvenir Program just
so Batch 78 can raise funds. Remember, the highlights of the GAH2003 weill be included in the Souvernir Program. That should
make the alumni want to have a copy of this.
All of batch 78 who came to be with all other 78ers for a night of reunion, reminiscence and fun.
And to all 78ers who are based outside of the Philippines but prayed for the Philippine-based ones and wished for the best
for all of us here.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. But then again, to God belongs all the glory! Thank you Lord for making it a successful
show and a great night for the 78ers to bond.
Batchmates from the US, dont you worry because Helen is coming home with lots and lots of stories to share with all of
you there, probably a few pictures to show around too.
As for you, batchmates based elsewhere, we do have the video coverage of the event, again courtesy of Gerry Catama. We
will get this edited and reproduced so everyone can have his/her own copy. Well let everyone know when this becomes available.
Just give us a little time to work on this. Let us know if you want your own copy, well work on getting it to you too.
Some scenes seen during the night:
Eileen Danganan, singing with the Goldies 67 band and myself. Naks naman Eileen. Professional ang dating mo ha.
Tina Canda, earliest arrival. Grabe ka sister, fully made up ka na nang dumating. Alas kuwatro pa lang yata. Talk about
being the epitome of promptness.
Teddy, ang laki ng bote na Johnny Walker na dala mo. Talagang kailangan niyong mga HAGIBIS boys ng pang-patay ng nerbiyos
ha.
Cecille Silverio, hataw sa practice kayo na mga SEXBOMB dancers ng Batch 78, kahit muntik nang masira ang hair-do mo. Saludo
ako sa iyo.
Gina, SusieRose, Arlene, Lisa, Rina, Wattie, Hermie, Malu, Maribeth, Wattie, grabe kayo sa practice. Nakailang run kayo
ng sayaw niyo, pawis na pawis na kayo. Palagay ko naman naligo kayo before magbihis ulit. Ang babango niyo eh. Pero, super
kayo sa galling! Sabi nga ng ibang batches, may "asim" (meaning "youth or sex-appeal) pa rin daw tayong mga Batch 78.
Oca Roncal from the UK and Neo Comia from Hongkong who advertised in the Souvernir Program just so they help Batch78-Phils
raise some funds.
At ang mga 78 girls, ang gaganda niyo! Mukhang dumaan kayong lahat sa parlor para magpa-beauty. Ang mga 78 boys naman,
naku! Ang gaganda na mga bihis, akala mo manliligaw ulit. Meron ba kayong gustong ligawan???? J
Si Felix, si Donggie, ang mga kapatid nating based naman sa probinsiya. Okay ang mga attire natin, mga sir.
Ninoy Rollan, ang lakas mo namang mag-cheer para sa performers natin. Muntik na akong mabingi nung mapa-tabi ako sa iyo.
Salamat sa suporta mo, kapatid. Pero next time, wag naman yung muntik nang mabasag ang ear drums ng mga katabi mo. J
Joey Cruz, na-reach mo ba ang number of attendance na hinahabol mo from 421? Hindi ko na na-check. But if you were able
to gather this many from your section, papalakpakan kita talaga.
I became one of the emcees for the event (with 2 gentlemen, batch 58 and batch 68) because Gina Obligacion suggested me
to the Board of Directors, USTHSAA. And because I received congratulations and good comments from the USTHS Admin, Faculty,
Parent Organization and from other batches, I can only say this: The only reason I didnt do so badly was because I was confident
that I had Batch 78s support behind me. Madapa man ako or mabulol, sure ako that Batch 78 would still have applauded me kasi
ka-pamilya ako.
And for that, Im thankful. Salamat, mga kapatid.
Overall, batchmates, it was one FANTASTIC night! From a 78er to another 78er, I say I am proud to be a part of this family
and I truly feel theres no other batch better than ours. Because, even if we were not organized before we became the Silver
Jubilarians, we certainly ARE now, and how!!!!. Kaya mga kapatid, ang drama natin: Hail UST High School, Hurray Batch 78!!!
The magic of UST High goes on, but the magic of Batch 78 has only just begun..so watch out, heto na kami!
Leebai Esquivias-Gamboa
UST HighSchool
BATCH 78
ps: pictures to follow soon
