RMCHS Batch '70

Merlie with daughter and other members of her family Merlie and daughter are based in Paris, Ile-De-France as indicated in her FB profile. And  from what I heard Merlie is an international traveller;  with a Hollywood TV celebrity for a daughter. I stand corrected. Just found out today that Merlie is really based  in California and was on vacation in that beautiful city of Paris. Just the same, batchmate may just return to enjoy this wonder of all wonders of a place                                                                                                        called Paris . Merlie with her Mom Merlie and daughter at Monet's (the painter's) Place recently Wow! I express  that because I love Paris.

Early on, I heard the wonderful news that classmate Linda graduated Cum Laude in Accountancy. Then that was it. Circumstances did not permit me to hang out with classmates. Somehow, I lost touch with all of them until I saw one   in Makati and another at a telco office based in Q.C. Today, with the batch slowly moving towards "togetherness" anew,  it is refreshing to note that gradually we are touching base with those based abroad and similarly those from the Philippines. Linda is Philippine-based;  married, and holds a very responsible position in a large manufacturing company. Meeting her for the first time in many, many years, it  appears like life has been good to her. High school memories reminded me that Linda, was a diligent and an intelligent student. Indeed those very same traits brought her to where she is now.

This was Vic's initial reply to my pleadings to join our Oct 9 Batch '70 meeting through my fb msg box. "Salamat for sharing our high school senior section pics. Photos bring us back down memory lane. They tell us stories of yesteryears. The young ones then, the young once now. I have since been retired from army service in '08 - gudbye tension, helo pension!" Subsequently, he said, "Retirement in the mil svc is 56 y/o. Getting old but still bold, a little over the hill but still able to thrill! Afterall, age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." And on he says, "Reclusive pa naman ako. Baka biglang magkaron ng Vixi's Fan Club. :) My response, "ahahaha si Vicsie talaga." I noted however, that he has not yet confirmed his attendance to our Oct 9, 2010 meet up. Swell :-) Vic and Family

Rollie and Family I think, Rolando 'Rollie' Mendoza was introduced to me by Veron de Guzman. I had quite a chat with him recently. That is quite a name, I mentioned. To be a namesake to an "infamous" man. And he says, yes, he's been teased about that for awhile. Rollie and family resides in the United States. I could guess that life's been good to him as well there; practically like all the rest of our Filipino compatriots who chose to try their luck, worked hard and succeeded. By the way, I spoke to him about our Jan or Dec 2012 Batch Reunion and Rollie  is pretty hopeful that he and wife might just join us.

Rolando de Guzman introduced him to me. At first I thought 'she'  was a female batchmate but Rolando reminded me Bibian is a he :-) From this photos, I can guess that Bibian enjoys the company of his grandchildren. I am not sure how many he has, but I sure envy him and the rest of the batchmates who are in that wonderful stage of their lives.

Zeny and her family are based in the United States. From what I gathered they have been there for awhile now. I had a chat with her last night and she told me that though life is comfortable in the U.S., there's nothing like home.

Veron is how she is fondly called. From what I gathered from her FB profile, Veron is a Gibo Teodoro admirer? Not very sure about that. All I know is Veron, Goodie and Medy are bosom friends from way back during  the elementary grades. And it's cool that they have remained friends up to this day. Veron remains active with work at the Philippine Coconut Authority. Veron's Family

Ada as she is fondly called was also a classmate during my intermediate grades. She was neighbor to other rmchs70's batchmates, as in Cresencia Cachero and Lorna Callanta . They all lived on the same street in what used to be called Murphy. I too lived in that neighborhood. I guess, there were many of us RMCHS students coming from that area due to reasons of proximity. Back then Ada was already quite a looker. Tall, slim with those big brown eyes. Height is in her family genes, I must say. So glad to have re-connected with her and am looking forward to more bonding moments. Ada's Children Plus Daughter-in-law

A superwoman, in my book. We have been in touch  since 2002 but somehow lost each other in 2003 or 2004. All those times we were connected,  I have seen this woman  rise above the many challenges of life. She was always on the go, busy working for the family. To me, Lorna  is  a great mother. And thanks to a resilient and 'never give up' character, she remains steadfast and determined to realize her dreams for her children. 

Jane in this picture during the recent mini reunion of class and batchmates based in the United States.

She currently works at the University of the Philippines.

I learned that aside from being Mom to three grown-ups, Goody is now also a proud grandmom. It's been family, work, and travel all these years. I guess to relieve the daily career related stress, she ballroom dances and meets with friends every so often. She remains busy with her NGO work and wants to stay that way to keep active. The day Goody called me, I too was excited. I didn't realize her father died just the previous day. We were both so animated at seven thirty in the morning, reminiscing and updating each other. Her invitation to meet up other batchmates was most welcomed. Finally, I said to myself, meeting some of them  them not just on FB. It was a wonderful feeling.  

When Ernie was in the Philippines, we have managed to meet up, one with Chuchi E. and another ocassion was during RMCHS Grand Alumni Homecoming. Our initial meet up was for good reason.  Chuchi was trying to secure Ernie's help. Chuchi was scammed with a sizable amount of money :-) I am quite aware of  some of Ernie's activities. Because we were somehow in the same military milieu. He was still then with his service and my Mom was still operating her small eatery inside a military camp. I used to call him to ask assistance so I could get security clearance for our establishment. And true to his chivalrous beginnings,  Ernie was always ready to help. Thanks Ernie.  Ernie's job involved secrecy. That's how far I am gonna go:-) And after so many years, he finally decided to retire. He is now based in the U.S. I learned all his children are finished with school and have their own respective careers, their family can be proud of. All's well. he has a business but

Cecilia and Hubby Cecilia and daughter Cecilia and Sister? I can't find the snippet I have on Cecilia but what I can remember is that she has three children; one  already graduated with a degree in Mass Communication, another girl is taking up Nursing and another girl is still in high school. Cecilia also has been a College Instructor or Professor (I am not sure) teaching Math and Physics at the Far Eastern University. Until my snippet is updated this is what I can post about Cecilia. BTW, Cecilia has provided us with class pics of  the different sections during our senior year. I hope I can post that album in this blog.