Generosity Equals "The Apprentice"
by Chelit Bataclan
In 1970, months before graduation, we all had our class pictures taken to be published in the school organ called “The Apprentice”. It was also that year, I was 'dying' to get out of high school, pronto!! I was looking forward to embark on a new endeavor - college. I really didn’t care much for that yearbook, so in the process had misplaced and eventually lost it. But I couldn’t care less. I just shrugged it off like I just considered it kid stuff.
Many years later and it is 2011, I found myself in dire need to have a copy of this commencement issue. I had to obtain it by hook or by crook. Finally I got a copy on April 14, 2011… and how!
I have been hearing about this batch mate name since the Reunion party in December 2010. A certain Nestor Rico from the US wanted to revive 'The Apprentice' for posterity. But do I know or remember him from days of long ago? Not really. We never had any close encounter back in high school. All I knew then was that he was a brother to my sister’s classmate, Ched. In my mind, I was sure that this name would be the bridge to start a connection with him.
On March 2011, I finally met him again in one of our batch meetings. True enough, the mention of Ched’s name rang that bell which stirred the air towards that happy link to the past. Nestor gave me warm hugs and kisses. It suddenly seemed we became even closer than we ever were in high school. He is a very accommodating person.
My first impression of Nestor is that he is one jolly fellow. One can easily conclude that he is friendly, opinionated and outspoken. It is now common knowledge that the revival of “The Apprentice “is his brainchild. He wanted to reproduce and reprint the Commencement Issue primarily to identify friends, classmates and batch mates. And the plan is, it would be sold for a 'gift' price easy on the pocket; the proceeds of which will be used to reproduce another set, to keep things going all in favor of batch 70's coffers.
What sheer joy to be able to discover the persona that Nestor really is! He is a very practical and sensible person. When a party was planned to have that bonding time with him, some suggested we watch a batch mate perform at this nice bar at the Ortigas Center. This meant that only a few might be able to attend. So he insisted that we hold the get-together at a place where everyone can join in and have fun, have good chow, with singing and dancing to boot, accessible to all. So his despedida was held at one of the function rooms in our school.
He had food catered and what an abundant banquet we all had. The table was laden with a variety of dishes and viands, dessert and drinks, which filled our voracious tummies to the max!!
A videoke machine (thanks to Wina for the treat) was rented for the occasion that served as our entertainment. Batch mates showed off their singing talent, to name a few, Vicente Negrite, Shane Soriano and Rey Bugarin. I think I heard Vixi Abat contribute a song too.
What a blast of a party it was!. Everyone came in a festive mood and ready to have a good time. Gen. Ric Ver took Lanie Reodica to the dance floor and gamely danced this own version of the Tango to the delight of everybody, laughing at his antics. Goody Sabasa brought a dance instructor, and the Goldies - Cristy Aquirre, Ada Tolentino, Lorie Lunas to name a few, did the line dance with the DI. Manny Palafox and Leo Valmorida came all the way from Bulacan and Batangas respectively just to join in the fun. Krish Acu and Dhoms Molina , helped transport the videoke machine sound system. Cecille Cabuhat and Abe Espiritu took videos and pictures, as well as Malou Domingo for keepsake and Facebook purposes.
Nestor had some surprise guests who came to say hello and goodbye to him, graced the party with their presence, namely Josie Sy Ang, Ayda Zerrudo, Ellen Egamino and Ana Maria Vergara. The usual faces of the pretty batch mates were present: Lorna Callanta, Baby Berona, Meds Gabriel, Linda Ruiz, Chuchi Estanislao, Alice Santillan, Pinkee Serrano, Dorri Alonzo, Tess, Minda Tapales, Terre Catalan, Gloria Ulanday. The air was filled with laughter, chatting, and merriment as Nestor mingled and shared his time with all of us.
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the gifts we prepared to give Nestor, a tee shirt and a tumbler with the collage pictures of batch mates. It definitely looked like he loved them judging from the happy smile on his face,
Partying, batch’70 style, is always a wholesome and memorable one.
Nestor, we do hope you will always treasure these memories as you go about your daily life in New Jersey. As for me, every time, I open my copy of The Apprentice, I will wistfully smile and think of you. This would not have happened but for your generous heart and endearing attributes.
Speaking in behalf of myself and the rest of our batch mates, we say “Thank you” from our grateful hearts. You have shown such wonderful gesture of self giving and sharing.
It so heartwarming to know that you started an advocacy stemming from being so open handed without waiting for recognition. My only wish is that the seed you’ve planted bears more good fruit for the success of our batch.
Many years later and it is 2011, I found myself in dire need to have a copy of this commencement issue. I had to obtain it by hook or by crook. Finally I got a copy on April 14, 2011… and how!
I have been hearing about this batch mate name since the Reunion party in December 2010. A certain Nestor Rico from the US wanted to revive 'The Apprentice' for posterity. But do I know or remember him from days of long ago? Not really. We never had any close encounter back in high school. All I knew then was that he was a brother to my sister’s classmate, Ched. In my mind, I was sure that this name would be the bridge to start a connection with him.
On March 2011, I finally met him again in one of our batch meetings. True enough, the mention of Ched’s name rang that bell which stirred the air towards that happy link to the past. Nestor gave me warm hugs and kisses. It suddenly seemed we became even closer than we ever were in high school. He is a very accommodating person.
My first impression of Nestor is that he is one jolly fellow. One can easily conclude that he is friendly, opinionated and outspoken. It is now common knowledge that the revival of “The Apprentice “is his brainchild. He wanted to reproduce and reprint the Commencement Issue primarily to identify friends, classmates and batch mates. And the plan is, it would be sold for a 'gift' price easy on the pocket; the proceeds of which will be used to reproduce another set, to keep things going all in favor of batch 70's coffers.
What sheer joy to be able to discover the persona that Nestor really is! He is a very practical and sensible person. When a party was planned to have that bonding time with him, some suggested we watch a batch mate perform at this nice bar at the Ortigas Center. This meant that only a few might be able to attend. So he insisted that we hold the get-together at a place where everyone can join in and have fun, have good chow, with singing and dancing to boot, accessible to all. So his despedida was held at one of the function rooms in our school.
He had food catered and what an abundant banquet we all had. The table was laden with a variety of dishes and viands, dessert and drinks, which filled our voracious tummies to the max!!
A videoke machine (thanks to Wina for the treat) was rented for the occasion that served as our entertainment. Batch mates showed off their singing talent, to name a few, Vicente Negrite, Shane Soriano and Rey Bugarin. I think I heard Vixi Abat contribute a song too.
What a blast of a party it was!. Everyone came in a festive mood and ready to have a good time. Gen. Ric Ver took Lanie Reodica to the dance floor and gamely danced this own version of the Tango to the delight of everybody, laughing at his antics. Goody Sabasa brought a dance instructor, and the Goldies - Cristy Aquirre, Ada Tolentino, Lorie Lunas to name a few, did the line dance with the DI. Manny Palafox and Leo Valmorida came all the way from Bulacan and Batangas respectively just to join in the fun. Krish Acu and Dhoms Molina , helped transport the videoke machine sound system. Cecille Cabuhat and Abe Espiritu took videos and pictures, as well as Malou Domingo for keepsake and Facebook purposes.
Nestor had some surprise guests who came to say hello and goodbye to him, graced the party with their presence, namely Josie Sy Ang, Ayda Zerrudo, Ellen Egamino and Ana Maria Vergara. The usual faces of the pretty batch mates were present: Lorna Callanta, Baby Berona, Meds Gabriel, Linda Ruiz, Chuchi Estanislao, Alice Santillan, Pinkee Serrano, Dorri Alonzo, Tess, Minda Tapales, Terre Catalan, Gloria Ulanday. The air was filled with laughter, chatting, and merriment as Nestor mingled and shared his time with all of us.
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the gifts we prepared to give Nestor, a tee shirt and a tumbler with the collage pictures of batch mates. It definitely looked like he loved them judging from the happy smile on his face,
Partying, batch’70 style, is always a wholesome and memorable one.
Nestor, we do hope you will always treasure these memories as you go about your daily life in New Jersey. As for me, every time, I open my copy of The Apprentice, I will wistfully smile and think of you. This would not have happened but for your generous heart and endearing attributes.
Speaking in behalf of myself and the rest of our batch mates, we say “Thank you” from our grateful hearts. You have shown such wonderful gesture of self giving and sharing.
It so heartwarming to know that you started an advocacy stemming from being so open handed without waiting for recognition. My only wish is that the seed you’ve planted bears more good fruit for the success of our batch.
Hooray to you, our hats off, to a great guy!!!!
Please check out the full pic coverage of Nestor's Despedida on Abe Espiritu's fb pages.
Please check out the full pic coverage of Nestor's Despedida on Abe Espiritu's fb pages.
