FEU Boys High, Class ‘64 Golden Reunion

FEU Boys High, Class ‘64 Golden Reunion

Members of Class ’64, Section IV-1 (Morning), Far Eastern University, Boys High School and two of their former teachers. Front row, from left: Freddie Obligacion, Vernon Gamboa, Omar Oteyza, Mrs. Nena Orendain, Mrs. Consolacion Valmonte, Rene Ruivivar, Atty. Edwin Obien, Philip Recto. Back row: Mar Concepcion, Bernardo Montiero, George Cua Chi Lam, Rufo Limon, Ed Deveza, Peter Aventajado, Leopoldo Ong, Dr. Virgilio Gillego, Eddie Dio, Mel Bustamante, Fernando Gan Tiong Kang, Atty. Romy Macalintal and Hermie Garcia. (Photo: John Tan)

By Philip Recto

February 24, 2014

Dear Classmates,

We had a most memorable reunion last Feb. 22 at the Architectural Centre Club in Makati. The weather was cool. It was a Saturday so we had the club all to ourselves, allowing us to make all the noise, laughters and uninhibited singing.
Our classmates arrived on time and were elated to see each other. Most of us have not seen each other for 50 years!
There was singing, laughters (especially when a classmate failed repeatedly to recognize the others), loud banter and free-flowing wine.

With Romy Mac (Macalintal) as the able emcee, Brod Pete (Aventajado) led the opening prayer, Vernon (Gamboa) the National Anthem and Edwin (Obien) the FEU Hymn. Then the classmates formed a line and presented a bouquet of 5 roses to each of their respective spouses. This was followed by a group dancing by the couples.

Philip (Recto) made the welcome remarks on behalf of the Manila-based classmates, while Rene (Ruivivar) welcomed the group on behalf of the foreign-based classmates. Then Hermie (Garcia) gave a short message as editor of our Golden Anniversary Souvenir Album.

Except for a few, the reunion attendees had a whole day of fun, banter and recollections of the good old days in high school in a Tagaytay farm owned by Mr. Lopez a day before the golden jubilee reunion. From left: Mar Concepcion, Dr. Virgilio Gillego, Vernon Gamboa, Atty. Edwin Obien, Rene Ruivivar, Atty. Romulo Macalintal, Freddie Obligacion, Ed Deveza, Joey Collantes, Peter Aventajado and Hermie Garcia.

Special guests in attendance included Dr. Lourdes Montinola, the Chair Emeritus of FEU Board of Trustees, Mrs. Consolacion Valmonte, Dr. Simplicio Bisa and Mrs. Nena Orendain, our revered teachers.

A dinner followed consisting of Filipino food with a succulent lechon. The program was interspersed with exciting raffle draws and short messages from our special guests.

There was non-stop music playing the tunes of the 60’s by a maestro pianist.

A surprise number was given by Ms. Peachy Bisa, the daughter of our beloved teacher Dr. Simplicio Bisa, who rendered world-class love songs to the great delight of everybody.

Then there was a 25-minute video presentation showing our old high school images which drew raucous laughters. The affair ended with a getting-to-know-you-more activity which lasted till past midnight.

All of us enjoyed the evening thoroughly including the spouses who grouped in another table and was busy chatting non-stop.

Kudos to Romy Mac who did an excellent job as emcee, captivating everyone’s attention with his rich intonation, humor, poems and narrations. There was never a dull moment.

A total of 52 classmates, spouses and guests attended this very memorable occasion. Please see attachment for the list of attendees.

Lourdes R. Montinola, Chair Emeritus, Board of Trustees Far Eastern University, delivered a brief speech at the Golden Reunion.

Among the classmates from the other sections who joined us as guests were Leoncio Co (Section 2) and Freddie Ceballos (Section 1 afternoon session).

The venue was decked in bright green and gold tablecloths. Everybody was impressed with the beautiful Souvenir Album, Classmates Directory and souvenir mug with the photos of all our 64 classmates imprinted into it. It is indeed a very memorable gift and a fitting remembrance of our Class of ’64.

This momentous occasion allowed us to display the best in us — unity, cooperation, love, respect and integrity which does not come as a surprise because of what our dedicated teachers have formed in our character 50 years ago.

This was truly a joint effort of all the classmates, both local and foreign-based.

Let us treasure and nurture our special friendship. Till we meet again.

Dr. Simplicio Bisa (left), former Pilipino teacher of the class, receives a plaque of recognition and appreciation from his former students thru Hermie Garcia. At right is Atty. Romy Macalintal, emcee of the event.

Book issue settled. Leoncio Co, left, explains why he wasn’t able to return the borrowed book, J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” to Dr. Virgilio Gillego (right) after 50 years from graduation in high school. Atty. Romy Macalintal (center) conciliates the two by providing a copy of the book to Gillego. The two “protagonists” hug and make up to the delight of the crowd. Photo: HG

Spouses of some classmates attended the event. Seated, from left, Lety Ong, Nina Samantela-Ruivivar, Dr. Azucena Manocdoc-Gillego, Mila Astorga-Garcia, Mila G. Macalintal, Ma. Lyle N. Obien. Standing, from left: Marlyn Ignacio Limon, Guia Esther Avelino Gamboa, Marielou Aranda Aventajado and Jane Pattugalan Bustamante.

In a Tagaytay farm bunk house owned by Mr. Lopez, friend of Atty. Romy Mac, the boys and their wives had a good time recalling funny stories from decades back in school.