Nakatunob ko!

I am very proud to say that nakatunob ko. But before I am misunderstood, let me explain that Tunob, a Cebuano word which means to set one's foot or to make a step, is the title of the U.P. Cebu High School Grand Alumni Reunion 2008 this coming July 12 to 19. To U.P. High School alumni, tunob, means we have set foot in U.P Cebu High School, which, according to Alumni association vice president Ian Sapayan, means we have passed the UP High School Admission Test and have survived the "terror teachers."

Nitunob ko balik sa U.P. last Thursday during the launching of Tunob. After such a long time, I reunited with teachers, batchmates, and schoolmates. I have gained a few, well okay a lot, of pounds since I graduated from U.P. Cebu High School in 1992 so it took a few seconds for my teachers Prof. Ligaya Rabago-Visaya, Prof. Erlinda Gallo, Prof. Eliza Lapa and Prof. Josefina Carvajal to recognize me. Thank God for admin staff Ms. Noren Mercado who volunteered, "Si Quennie Sanchez na oi!" Even batchmate Gil Zaire "Butch" Carungay did not recognize me!

Spending high school in U.P. is not easy. The high school follows a college-like environment - we had electives, our grades are "1.0, 1.25, 3.0, 4.0," we had free periods, and, most of all, we had a month-long semestral break! Our professors are among the best in the community, so they were, and still are, very strict when it comes to maintaining good grades. We were also constantly reminded that, as U.P. students, we are the Iskolar ng Bayan, people's money are being used to educate us.

But even though staying in U.P. High is such a tall order, we students and our teachers, as well, know how to have fun. And that is what makes studying at U.P. High memorable. We were encouraged to join organizations that hone our talents and we had activities that showcase our creativity.

Tunob, the grand reunion was conceptualized to gather alumni. But not just to reminisce but also to help our Alma Mater. U.P. Cebu High School's existence is under threat because U.P., first and foremost, offers tertiary education and there is limited or no budget at all to operate a high school. The school cannot also generate funds from students because, U.P., being a public high school, must adhere to the "free education" policy of the country. So the school is turning to its alumni for help.

To all U.P. Cebu High School alumni…Dali! Tunob ta og balik sa U.P. High!

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