Hello Everyone
Im sure you all are now eagerly awaiting our kuwentos about the USTHS reunion here in the U.S. Here are snip-its of the event (from a party-animal non-attendee fly on the wall).
Our day begun really early with most of us exhausted and sleepy from the gift bag set-up and room layout planning the
night before, not to mention the horrendous traffic that most encountered on their drive from California. We were either running on pure adrenalin or just plain excited. Imagine
getting a call at 5:00 am and 7:00 am Marissa, you are forgiven for interrupting my morning exercise (and Mike forgives you,
too, for waking him up iba naman ang isip nyo ha!)
Lina Ora-Santos, Tibo Santos, Daisy Delgado-Vergara, Clem and Eden Baal-Tagle, Janet de Castro-Narag, Ferdie Agbayani,
did a great job during the set-up. Thanks to them and some volunteers (Adjo Gonzalez,
Gogo Concepcion-Gonzalez, Ge Ruiz-Gandingco and Frances Tanglao), the place looked spiffy and ready for the event. Thanks to them, the rest of us were able to do our last dance rehearsals.
Altho na-conscious kami with them watching our practice, thanks to their critique we were able to adjust some things
to get through our numbers, especially, wearing the right shoes with the unexpected traction from the dance floor. After the setup, came the challenge especially for the ladies, i.e. getting ready to look their very best in less than 2 hours (make-ups, hairdos, wardrobe changes, etc, etc, and etc) for one of
the most prestigious event ever to hit Las Vegas. For the guys, eh! They were
all pumped up and ready to go in less than an hour.
Registration was a breeze with Lina and Daisy working at the table. Clem
and Eden were the ushers for the night, who showed everyone to the photo area for their event photo. Thanks to our crew of photographers and printer operators, Reynald Ticsay, Andy Narag (Janets hubby), Arman
Soriano (Jackies hubbby), Ferdie Agbayani and Jojo Salvador, everyone has a souvenir photo from the event parang prom night.
We hope that everyone had a chance to look at some of the memorabilia we prepared which included: a shadow box of memorabilia items from the Phil. Reunion last February; an old Aquinian issue (circa 1980);
Veritas yearbooks from 1978 and 1980; a scrapbook/album of Aquinian articles (circa 1978, photocopied from archives), courtesy
of Ms. Cruz and Fides Galang, HS pictures from Joel Aquino (who was unable to attend) and yours truly, and a newspaper article
written by a 68 alumni for the February reunion in the Phils. Thanks to Gogo for bringing her pictures from the Phil. reunion
and to Norma Aliado-Degamo (57) for bringing a page of pictures from her album from USTHS over 40 years ago.
The montage prepared by Lito for the event was played/shown during registration
and throughout dinnertime. Lito, by popular demand, you might get requests for
copies of that impressive montage.
All alumni got a souvenir pin and a copy of the souvenir program, while all attendees
got a gift bag which included a personal CD from Tibo and Lina, candle, picture frame, wine, wine glass and t-shirt with USTHS
logo. Finally, these surprise items can now be divulge it was hard to mention
them in the minutes of our meetings without spilling the beans altogether. We
hope everyone liked what they brought home, aside from the precious memories of coming together after so many years. Ferdie, thank you so much for all your hard work on the souvenir program (pero bat
wala ako sa list of attendees, buti na lang I sent my clone to scope the event kundi walang write-up.) Seriously, thanks for getting it done with all the late submittals youre a pro!
The registration hour was packed with his and hellos from all attendees and lots of picture taking. Again, our beloveds
were hard at work as our paparazzi. To those who took lots of pics, make sure
you email us some of your choice photos so we can include them in our official album.
Among the early arrivals were Adjo Gonzalez, Ge Ruiz-Gandingco, Ebong Labarda (a classmate from way back in 4th
grade at UST Elementary, who came from Canada), Fides Galang (from the Philippines).
Wattie Reyes-Molina came from the Philippines, Jeanette Lorenzo-Paul from Canada, while Manny Wright was also acknowledged
as a non-mainlander attendee. A contingent from the East Coast, South and Texas
include: Audrie Lagrimas-DeJesus, Peanut Bautista-Carandang, Tes Bernabe-Casumbal,
Mona Lisa Cruz-Esteban, Adjo Gonzalez, Mike Mora, Joy Corre-Orig, Ge Ruiz-Gandingco (aka 411s version of J-Lo), Melissa Burdeos-Amores
and Belinda Santos-Castro. Another contingent from Northern California was also
present which includes: Frances Tanglao, Pauline Ong-Buencamino & Jojo Salvador. Thanks to all of you who made the trip
for this memorable event. Others who made the trip from California include: Emma Calangian-Tuason, Gogo Concepcion-Gonzalez, Val Gonzales, Tessa Halili, Carnette
Hilario-Arenas, Agnes Morales-Lemke, Leucine Verzo-Lacsamana, and Marita Vizcarra, not to mention all those from other batch
years. To all the sexys and guapos who attended you all looked beautiful and
dashing!
Dress-to-kill ang aming main host for the evening, Tibo, who did a superb job.
Lina, of course played a major role during his practice and the cue cards were key to his success. They really make a great team very impressive. Lina, I hope
you had fun after all the work you did. Marissa also did a great job as the Vanna
co-host bilib ako mare sa hair stylist mo. Great job, Lots ang tiyaga mo, nag-moo-moonlighting
ka ba sa Vidal - may nakapila na for the next event.
The program for the evening began with Tibo calling all batch 78 to the dance floor to introduce us as the host-batch
for the evening. The singing of the national anthems Star-Spangled Banner and
Bayang Magiliw - and the UST Hymn, was led by our very own SCAG-member, Lito
Pangan. Thanks to Lito and Evan del Castillo (74) for providing us with the videoke
for the UST Hymn.
Very effective yung pakulo ni Tibo and Lina during the singing of the UST Hymn that was pure creative drama! Im sure everyone was touched by that surprise dramatic flair, especially the ladies who got the yellow
roses. Hats off to Tibo and Lina for coaxing the gentlemen from 78 (committee
members & volunteers) to participate in pulling it off. Thanks to Tessa Halili
and Lots Pascual-Diaz for helping to keep me from balling my eyes out during that nostalgic moment.
Thanks to Joseph Ocampo (63) for the opening prayer and to Margie Molina-Tolentino for stepping in for the inspirational
address due to last minute changes in the faculty attendance. Margie, thanks
for living up to the Lo part of your aka name parang TCCIC yan, remember we LOL? Great
job, Joseph & Margie!
During dinner, various attendees were called as door prize winners for being the
1st, 25th, 50th and 75th registrants, Adjo Gonzalez (78), Agnes Morales-Lemke
(78), Melanie Tiu-Moy (77), and Mon Nadres (71), respectively. A prize was also
awarded to Elisa Natividad-Santos, for the best dressed attendee and to Gregoria Greg Tuazon-McKinney (49) for the most senior
alumni in attendance. All jubilarians and other batch years were also acknowledged
before the entertainment program.
Thanks to those who purchased raffle tickets for our fundraising efforts for a donation to our Bookworm Project for the
USTHS library. Thanks to everyone who donated prizes for the raffle Leo Verzo-Lacsamana,
Val Gonzales, Manny Wright, Jhevid Palma (Jackies nephew), Jackie, Tibo & Lina, Clem & Eden, Reynald and Marissa,
for the grand prize. Fides was our grand prize winner well worth her trip from
the Philippines.
The acknowledgements from our Kuyas and Ates from the USTHS Alumni of America
took us by surprise. That was truly a surprise for each committee member to get
a silver medal with the USTHS logo that we greatly appreciate. Thank you very
much.
The entertainment program was a showcase of talents (hidden & otherwise) of
USTHS alumni willing to participate. We had our very own, Lito Pangan (aka Basil
Valdez), and the original Eden Baal-Tagle (Himig-Tatsulok winner) who sang and wowed the crowd with their song renditions
of Ngayon at Kailanman and the Way We Were, respectively.
Then came the medley of era dances from committee members and spouses, which we hope everyone enjoyed - in this order:
Ferdie and Marissa who did the tango dance. Say nyo, the drama goes on. Ferdie, our great tango dancer, ang galing mong mag-lead; and Marissa, surprise ba si Lots with your tango dance? Your
choreographers are very proud of you for pulling it off!
Yours truly and my hubby, Mike for the boogie (or as Mike calls it jitterbug).
Buti na lang naka tatlong glasses of wine na, kaya malakas na ang loob (si Mike yon ha, di ako). Tulog na ako non, if I had the 3 glasses, as Tessa could attest.
Jackie and Val Gonzales for the Cha-cha dance.
You were the perfect pair for that dance. Im sure Cristina (Reynalds wife)
was very proud of you as well. Youve got that Latin groove (kembot, I meant)
down.
Reynald and his wife, Cristina for the Reggae dance. Reynald, you're a suave dancer and Cristina, thanks for being one of our choreographers and one of our
resident DIs. Its fun to see you two dance.
Margie & Lito for the Manila swing dance.
Ang galing, of course, for the final dance of the medley from our Dance King and Queen.
You two were having too much fun there, brought back lots of memories.
Another entertainment number was a hula dance from Marita Molina (77). Thanks
for participating in our entertainment program.
And finally, our surprise Jello, oops J-Lo dance pala, from Margie, Daisy, Marissa, Marian Villanueva-Reyes (76), Jackie
and yours truly. Thanks to Christiana (Margies daughter) and friends for the
choreography. It was a lot of fun & were all glad its now over with
no major mishaps. (To those who noticed, secret na lang natin yon, wala naman
sa tape I think.) Versatile at walang-kupas daw ang mga J-Lo dancers.
The announcement of the homecoming king and queen, Clem & Eden, for being married for 24 years, ended the entertainment
program and began the dancing until almost midnight. Na-in-love daw all over
again si Clem after 24 years naks ha, parang prom night ba? Silver wedding anniversary
naman nila next year saan ba ang celebration?
The dance floor overflowing with people dancing was a sure sign that everyone enjoyed the reunion. Even Greg (49) was game, dancing the twist. Alumni from batch
82 and 79 (and of course, 78) were having fun with the disco dances. Who said
Tibo and Manny didnt dance, naka-ilan bang T&T or G&T effective yon at they let their hair, ay their guard down pala. Mon Nadres, Chola Flascha, and Veronica Cabuco (71) were also seen on the dance floor
a lot. Audrie and hubby Ferdi, showed-off their dance moves effective ba yung
dance lessons? Ferdi, OFW, as long as you had great time. And to the party
animals from 411, hindi na kami on library detention, as Tibo would call us say nyo well-represented kami with 12 attendees. Ang daming magagaling sumayaw including Reynald
& Cristina, Joe Ocampo (63), Adjo Gonzalez (di ka na kailangang mag-lessons ha?), Rose Labarda-Aquino (68) &
partner, Manuel. Thanks to our DIs Cristina Ticsay, Mona Lisa Cruz-Esteban &
Carnette Hilario-Arenas for making sure all the ladies are on the dance floor for the line dances which required no dance
partner. So ladies, happy tayo kahit walang dance partners. And guys, if you dont want to get bored, take those dance lessons para ready kayo for the next event. Music was played for various line dances such as the todo-todo, Mambo No. 5, electric
slide, and much more. Richard Fujita, Tessas partner (who doesnt normally dance,
but was right in front of everyone else) loved the Macarena as Im sure someone else did and caused him to paint the town a
certain color the next night, you know who you are!
We all hope that everyone had a great time and we thank you for your support and participation. We hope that this wont be the last time we will come together to celebrate our alma mater.
Thanks again to all who helped and participated in this most memorable occasion.
We hope we can all keep in touch and as one alumni said see you in the next 25 years!
Your fellow alumni,
Helen Panaligan-Crist
On behalf of all USTHS Reunion Planning Committee Members (USA):
Ferdie Agbayani
Eden Baal-Tagle
Janet deCastro-Narag
Daisy Delgado-Vergara
Margie Molina-Tolentino
Lina Ora-Santos
Jackie Palma-Soriano
Lito Pangan
Marissa Pascual-Latuno
Tibo Santos
Clem Tagle
Reynald Ticsay
