Opening the doors of the Marriott ballroom transported them to those times lost. In fact, it was all but natural especially since most of the friends never seemed to change at all! Topping the list who must have found the fountain of youth was Ermin Cabrera, who swept into the room all slim and handsome. He claimed it's the constant fare of Chinese green tea that's his secret. No doubt he gets plenty of supply as he resides in Hong Kong. Then there was Dennis Pastor who looked exactly the same as he looked in high school. Dennis leads an interesting life that very much merits a book Ludlum would envy! Next is Gene Cagas who seemed to have stepped out from a time warp! Maybe Gene's church and charity work rub off.
Among the girls, it's a tie between Consuelo Camaya-Villafania and Cristina Pacis-Ouano. Despite children and married life, they both remain the pretty high school belles everyone remembers. Michelle Holganza-Aldemita didn't look bad at all, either. She was her usual sexy, bubbly self and even had her cute hubby and huge, we mean huge, son in tow. Laarni Enriquez-Allanic (nope, not that Laarni you're thinking) looked the same as she did: very slim and efficient looking. PhilHealth is lucky to have her.
Although probably adding a few more pounds but just as young and pretty were Dr. Geraldine Alcarez-Co and April Tudtud-Ramos with Bembem Costales-Alonzo who's busy with their family business: Mama Gie. Carla Ybañez-Veloso (please don't be mad) who is second in command to Nimrod Quiñones in organizing this wonderful get-together, looked great. Asuncion Astor and Nona Bacatan-Suerte remained their cute selves and it was so nice of Joy Ann Ayson-Chu to have come all the way from Canada to attend the reunion. Michelle So led the singles, showing the power of uninterrupted career life as one of the top managers in a local newspaper.
Another very familiar sight was the duo of Apollo Oriel and Robert Hipolito, the few added pounds didn't diminish their usual bubbly nature. Probably the most changed person in the batch was Neil Aguilar! He packed more pounds, but mostly muscle, and gained a more prominent forehead, which made him look good actually that we branded him "Bruce Willis".
As for the other classmates from abroad who weren't lucky enough to show up (time or money constraints?) there was the convenience of web conferencing! A large LCD projector was fitted to the side with two laptops hooked in, thanks to the efforts of William Sienes II, Rex Alenton and Kerwin Sanchez. On the screen came pleasantly familiar faces (and texts) of Christian Ong, Donald Antonio, Richard Villaceran, Sharon Hormachuelos-Santos, Maripaz Gerasta-Paw and our dear Fr. Rogel Abais who is somewhere in Rome.
Naturally they grew green with envy, especially when the SRO band led by Alvin Chiong played the 80's. Amazing how music genres are dead giveaways when it comes to one's age! Alvin has always been the band person since high school, what with A. Salonga music store right by his doorstep. And for all to know, he and other batch mates were the original 40 the Band members! Used to love watching them at Shakey's Mango after high school. Then everyone sang the graduation song (a masterpiece created of by Alvin, Vicente Avanzado Jr. and Jose Ramon Mercado) that made all eyes misty and, of course, the UP Naming Mahal which somehow, just like riding a bicycle, one gets to remember how to do even after a long time.
The night was even made more lively with the antics of Jude Bacalso - an alumnus, but years younger. And, of course, our beloved high school teachers; seeing them again after the "grown-up" years made us feel warm inside. Danilo and Marcelino Nellas, Portia Dacalos, Alfredo Montano, Madrileña de la Cerna, Iluminada Mercado, Erlinda Alenton and Josefina Carvajal were second parents at an age when proper guidance was of crucial importance. And true enough, they guided real well. "Thank you" doesn't suffice for all the guidance they did in the past.
There is a group that meets regularly over the years and naturally huddled at one table. Not surprisingly, they're all boys! Dr. Conrado Salonga, Jr., Dr. Raul Trasmonte III, Kerwin Sanchez (single, cute male nurse), Atty. Ernest Montecillo, Engr. William Sienes II. Maj. Antonio Mangoroban, Jr., Engr. Rex Alenton.
Part of the group is Nimrod Quiñones, who is responsible for most if not all of the activities. Thanks to him, the chance of reliving memories of UPHS batch 85 took place. And to Nimrod, the task is never over. In fact, the group hopes to form a foundation that will help some scholars pass the halls of UP High.