To:   ArellanoHi58@yahoogroups.com
CC:   "Ed Passi"
From:   "Liberty Garcia"
Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:59:13 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [ArellanoHi58] Finally - The Reunion!


Dear Classmates:

Especially to you, our classmates who have planned to attend but for some understandable reasons were unable to fly to Manila --- Remy Nicasio, Dely Miravite, Dely Calbes, Larry Flores and Ed Passi --- we have really missed you. Wish you were here!

On the first day, Friday, February 8, we gathered once again, for the first time in 50 years, at the corner of Doroteo Jose, Teodora Alonso and Lope de Vega. There was a lump in my throat as we roamed the "portals and halls" of Arellano High School. The young students in their crisp white shirts and green skirts/trousers watched with undisguised admiration and tolerance as the group of silver-haired alumni giggled and hugged each other. Were we ever this young as these students in the quadrangle?

The AHS rondalla entertained us as we were served a delicious lunch by the AHS Home Economics Department. The group then presented a HUGE check and the newest laptop model donated by Guillermo Narvacan, to the Officer in Charge. The Principal was out of the country.

Then on to the beautifully manicured lawn of Millie and Bingo Tan. Awaiting us for merienda were "bilaos" of bibingka and puto bumbong. And to everybody's delight (and Nelson Reyes when he finally arrived) there was a "taho" server and baskets of "balut." The dinner table was loaded with trays of local dishes which deserved a Zagat gold star award. Larry, some of the food was lined with banana leaves and I thought of you.

The General Alumni Homecoming on Saturday had an overflow of attendees. Dennis Villa-Ignacio is a soft-spoken prosecutor and a mine of information. It was a very happy feeling to meet our classmates, Luis Teodoro and Manny Arriola, after five decades. Alex sparkled as the Alumni President. It was also a pleasure to meet Miren, the Mrs. Alex. Class 58 members showed their prowess on the dance floor with an amazing line dance. Great job, Lolos and Lolas!

And last night was a night to remember, Father Blanco's garden twinkled with white lights around the palm trees. We had round tables covered with snow white tablecloths and napkins. It was very romantic and I commend the officers for finding that lovely setting. We danced the boogie, cha-cha, swing. Arellano High Class 58 finally had its Senior Prom.

We are looking forward to Day 4 of this grand reunion. Tomorrow we go to Balara.

We miss you.

Warmest wishes --- Betty (with a runny nose, a hoarse voice and a bad cough, but still enjoying every minute with her beloved classmates)



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To:  ArellanoHi58@yahoogroups.com
CC:  "Ed Passi"
From:  "Liberty Garcia"
Date:  Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:50:01 -0800 (PST)
Subject:  [ArellanoHi58]  Finally - The Reunion - Days 4-5!


Dear Classmates:

Day 4

We had breakfast of Vigan langgonisa and danggit and sweet-tasting eggs at Serye Restaurant in Quezon City. Then off to the office of the Quezon City Mayor, Sonny Belmonte. He was very gracious and we had lots of pictures taken with him. I was the lucky girl to get a kiss from him.

Mayor Belmonte kindly donated the use of one of the city buses to take us to La Mesa Dam, Balara and the TriNoMA Mall.

La Mesa Dam was a pleasant surprise! The flora can easily equal our parks in the US. The Eco-project has done a great job in restoring and improving the area. We had lunch of all kinds of Filipino dishes and fruits. We ate from banana leaves lining the picnic tables. Thank you, Perla, Millie, Lery, Virgie, Brenda, Alex, et al., for the sumptuous feast.

Last stop was Balara. We had merienda (bibingka, quesong puti, pandisal) under a newly restored pagoda-like structure. The girls, as usual, sat together and I remembered when we had jam sessions and the girls sat together waiting for the boys to ask for a dance. Unfortunately, we did not have music so the boys could have had another chance to ask the girls to dance. I would like to thank the Class 58 for the plaque of appreciation awarded to me and Dely Miravite.

We had a few drinks at Gilligan's at the TriNoMa Mall, then to the food court for some Pancit Luglug and the most delicious halo-halo from Razon's. Cesar Cruz did not feel well and had to leave early. We heard that he had the flu and we hope you are now over it, Cesar.

Day 5

We met very early in the morning at the Manila Yacht Club to board the ferry to Corregidor. Everything about Corregidor is a lonely look-back at history. From the bombing of Malinta Tunnel, the officers quarters, the dispensary, the fallen cannons, the ruins, etc. - these are reminders of the price of freedom. But what a view! From a vantage point, one can see the tips of Batanes and other islands surrounding Corregidor.

But the crowning affair was an almost-formal farewell dinner given by Jun and Wilma Narvacan at the function room of The Shang Grand Tower. The tables were decorated with lovely floral center pieces, fine china and crystal. Wine was continuously flowing and the food, catered by Shangri-la Hotel is beyond words -- huge grilled prawns, vegetables, calamares, pancit, okoy, inihaw na baboy, etc. Dessert was taho and build-your-own halo-halo. We also had kaings of balut which were specially ordered by Wilma from her hometown of Pateros. (Please see the e-mail of Nelson Reyes regarding this affair.)

Wilma invited some members of the UST Conservatory of Music (two tenors and two sopranos) to entertain us. Their professor, Mrs. Irma Ponce Enrile Potenciano, is a personal friend of the Narvacans. It was certainly an evening to remember!

Our many many thanks to you, Jun and Wilma, for your kindness and generosity. Everyone had a wonderful time. Some classmates were treated to a tour of the Narvacans' beautiful residence on the 41st floor by Jun himself. Wasn't the view fabulous?

And so we parted after that party already planning for the next reunion.

I am now recuperating in my ancestral home in Tarlac City. Adieu and God bless all the attendees especially the officers and committee chairmen and everyone who had lent a helping hand in this reunion.

Affectionately --- Betty Garcia