Memories of April 11, 1961

by Nora Quesada-Catiis

Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Somerset, New Jersey

It's the day after April 11, 2011, the 50th anniversary of our UP High School graduation.  Trell's blog this past weekend brought back a lot of nostalgia and memories, including Nina's memories of April 11's "candle-light ceremonies" when we read our "Oath of Induction" by means of pen-flashlights, remember?

Browsing over my collection of albums through the years (yes, there's PLENTY of them!), I leaf through my UP High Albums and now take some time to share some scanned copies with you.

The opening line of the U.P. Highlights article was: "Honesto Nuqui heads 102 graduates of Class'61 at their commencement exercises in the Multi-Purpose Hall at 5:30 this afternoon."
    So, there were 102 of us!..and with attendance at the golden jubilee (in Subic) almost reaching 80 and perhaps 90 at Volts' party, the organizers really succeeded in getting as many '61 alumni to attend the  milestone events of February 2011!

Like NinaJ commented, it would be nice to re-enact that "Circle" again, sometime, somewhere.  Whenever that will happen, let's continue to live up to the "oath" we made 50 years and a day ago, as we recited it in "our "61 circle:"-- the circle symbolizing oneness and unity among us; and the light, as our willingness to serve our people to the best of your ability wherever you are.

Trell's title of "The ONE High School Reunion " echoed these sentiments...let's all continue to stay united and in touch and look forward to more happy reunions!

Here now is a copy of that "Induction Sheet" I wanted to scan the 2-mimeographed pages of "Induction" sheet but with pages now yellowed and quite faint and difficult to read, I am now re-typing it below to share with you.
  (Interesting to note the use of the term U.P.P. High School: perhaps to mean University of the Philippines Preparatory High School)

INDUCTION OF U.P.P. HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATES TO THE U.P.P. HIGH SCHOOL

PART 1:    THE PRESENTATION
Music: "U.P. Beloved"

The Principal (Wilfredo Maceda) : Graduates of the U.P.P. High School (here all graduates stand), having completed your secondary education, you are now ready to pursue studies in higher institutions of learning. At the same time, you are entitled to join the U.P.P. High School Alumni Association, an organization of men and women to have graduated from this high school.  Do you wish to join this association?

The Graduates: I do. (Here the graduates answer in unison).

The Principal: Mr. President, I present to you the Class of 1961.  They wish to become members of the U.P.P. High School Alumni Association.

The President (Dr. Vicente G. Sinco) : Members of the Class 1961, I am glad that you wish to become members of the U.P.P. High School Alumni Association. Let your representatives (representatives are the valedictorian, the salutatorian, the honor students and the officers of the fourth year class organizations) come to the platform in order that though them, I can welcome you to the U.P.P. High School Alumni Association.  (The representatives go to the platform).  The President shakes hands with them, after which they return to their places.  All graduates remain standing until the representatives have taken their places).

The President: Addresses the Graduates

PART II: THE CIRCLE
(Music: The Graduates march to form a circle with the President and the Principal.  Then, the graduates light their candles).

Portia Casambre, Elizabeth Arcellana, Nora Quesada, Renato Cunanan, Reynaldo Cruz

The President: Let this circle symbolize the oneness and unity of its members; and the light, your willingness to serve our people to the best of your ability wherever you are.
(Music:The graduates march back to their seats.)

The President: You will now read the pledge.

The Graduates: To the best of my ability, I will endeavor to achieve the objectives of the association and to promote the welfare of each member.  I will conduct myself, privately and publicly that I become a credit to the U.P.P. High School Alumni Association and the ideals of the University of the Philippines will always be the guiding principles of my life. So help me God.

The President: 1961 Graduates of the U.P.P. High School, I pronounce you members of the U.P.P. High School Alumni Association.

Music: "Philippines, My Philippines"


Blogmaster's note: During the post-Subic party on February 15, 2011 at the Gazmin residence, thanks to Egbert, we closed with a friendship circle.

 

7 April 2011 Reunion

It was an impromptu reunion in Manila but if only because of Volts' drawing power, a total of 25 people came! The following made it: Egbert, Ete, Dinky, Jerry, Efren, JimmyB, TedM, Sheila, Carmen, Og & Jean, Percy & Perla, Joy & Vads, Pearl & Vic, Nina & Ronnie, EddieC & Reggie, Beth & Bong, Volts & Rhodie of course. Atoy was supposed to come too but got exhausted daw from a provincial sortie. I hope I did not forget anybody who was there! Mabs (out-of-town trip?), Simon (in Cebu), and Delsie (in Quezon and also out-of-town trip) sent regrets. No replies from Egay (could have been abroad or too involved in his pastoral work?), Cora (abroad too?), and BobbyM (mysterious as ever).

The reunion turned out to be an early celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the graduation of our class on April 11, 1961.  Somebody (Vads?) noted it was also some sort of babang-luksa for Pic. Mabini also reminded me it was the birthday of now-Canadian immigrant Chito Garcia. (Chito: you can Fedex us some smoked Canadian salmon for our next gathering here.)

We were going to hold the reunion on April 11 itself at some restaurant but we also wanted to ensure the attendance of Volts and so we made him chose the date and venue. With his busy schedule Volts said he could only be free for Thursday April 7 dinner  and added it should be at his official quarters at Camp Aguinaldo (yes, same place we went to on Feb 15). Kung gusto ninyong siguradong nandoon ako, dito na lang tayo sa Aguinaldo. To relieve the pressure on Rhodie, we made it a pizza-and-pot luck party but of course it was an imposition anyway. 

Notable contributions were: Ted (pizza), Jerry(pizza),Joy/Vads (pizza), Bong /Beth (KFC and Indian mangoes), Nina/ Ronnie (KFC, fresh salad and fruits),  Sheila (empanaditas, just like the ones we used to get from the Student Union in the 1960s), Carmen (ice cream), Eddie/Reggie( two yummy oreo cheesecakes), Pearl/Vic (authentic guinatan with purple ube tinge), and of course from Rhodie/Volts (nilagang mani, pasta, soft drinks, beer, music, and a hundred other things). Since I ate a lot, I hope I didn't forget anybody's contribution. Just like a family gathering too, Rhodie sent us off with most of the leftovers complete with containers and take-home bags!

It was wonderful putting our stories together, some of which we cannot broadcast to everybody! Let me just say that some themes generated many funny anecdotes: sino-sino ang mga nalasing? what story can you share us about your reunion roommate? how did we all have such a nice time? how can we do it again? And to Volts, we aksed what is the most annoying thing about your current job: "People who approach me with the question Hindi mo na ako kilala ano?"

For the class, the spirit and camaraderie was still there and so, just like family, we laughed at both the old and new kwentos, kantiyawan, tuksuhan, and jokes (even the barrage of corny ones by Teddy M) as if we were hearing them all for the first time. We (classmates and/or spouses) laughed not out of duty or courtesy but just out of the pure joy in being together, healthy, and in good spirits. 

We missed you all who were not able to make it -- including you, Pic. Till we all meet again!

Bong/Beth