Some Diamond memories
We are the 2010 Diamond Jubilarians. Thank God that 60 years after graduation in 1950, we are still around at the sunset of our lives, to share and enjoy our accomplishments, resting on our laurels, so to speak, in our retirement.
Some may still be on the go — tuloy ang galing, sharing their expertise and doing their bit for nation-building, as expected of UP alumni.
It would be nice if all of us could make it to the UP Grand Alumni Homecoming on June 26 at the Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman Campus. How I wish we could all be together once again.
Looking back to 1950 is a trip down memory lane, sometimes vivid, more often, blurred, and most of the time, forgotten in the lapse of time.
For this occasion, I went through my file of old photographs, saved from floods and other disasters that had occurred. I was elated and nostalgic at the same time when I got our group picture of a few BS Zoology classmates taken before the Commencement Exercises on April 25, 1950 at Diliman, Quezon City.
I remember that BS Class 1950 was with the second batch to graduate at UP, Diliman Campus. We spent the first two years at UP Padre Faura, Manila. We enrolled at the bullet-scarred UP building in 1946 when, correct me if I am wrong, admission to first year college was limited to valedictorians and salutatorians due to the small school area back then. Hence, the Oblation motorcade to UP Diliman, Quezon City in 1948… and the rest is history.
Vivid to me still is how excited we were in our white gowns and black “togas,” happy that, at last, we were graduating after four years of “hard” work under strict, serious and meticulous professors, yet sad to be leaving UP Beloved and each other, as we went our separate ways.
Looking at our picture, I felt a tug in my heart and was teary-eyed as I wondered where and how everyone was, after 60 years.
The pretty young ladies in the picture are as fresh in my mind as yesterday — what good company they were, and what experiences we shared.
I particularly remember Lilia, Ester, Amy, Fe and Mena as we worked together in the zoology laboratory dissecting frogs, cats, etc. in our different zoology classes. There were also Pitang, Ciony, Cora and Norma in botany classes.
Very memorable was our Summer Marine Zoology Class at Puerto Galera, Mindoro in 1949. The place was so pristine, so simple and beautiful. We were introduced to the wonderful undersea gardens of algae, soft and hard coral, shellfish, starfish, various marine life and other exotic animals in a riot of colors. I thought then that I had never seen a garden so lovely.
We brought specimens back to the laboratory to study. Riding the banca every day was some experience. We girls — er, ladies — wore long-sleeved blouses and had wide-brimmed hats to protect our “peaches and cream” complexions. Sometimes, we put on bathing suits to take a dip in the sea and posed for pictures on the white, clean beach of Honduras Bay like “bathing beauties.” Those were happy days but serious times, too, as we gathered specimens and studied the fauna of the place.
I recall the usually strict and seemingly unapproachable zoology professor Dr. Carmen Velasquez, who was like a “mother hen” to us girls — er, ladies — in our dorm. She looked after us. My awe has changed to loving admiration for this great lady.
As for the boys — er, gentlemen — in their dorm, they had zoology professor Dr. Amado Clemente to keep them in their proper behavior.
We had all our meals together in one house and it was a pleasant bonding time for professors, students and school staff. We were like family. Truly, an unforgettable experience before graduation time.
Speaking of professors, let me gratefully acknowledge those who contributed, in one way or another, to what I have achieved professionally in my 33 years of government service in the field of education.
Wherever they are, thank you very much, Dr. Amado Clemente, Dr. Bienvenido Anicete, Dr. Amado Feliciano, among others, and especially Dr. Carmen Velasquez who was also my thesis adviser for my master’s in science (zoology) in 1969. I was a 2009 Ruby Jubilarian for this last year.
I am happy that three of my children are also UP graduates, namely Himerio Ll. Garcia III, AB Political Science 1981 and BS Military Science 1981; Dr. Estelita Ll. Garcia-Torres, Doctor of Dental Medicine 1988 and fourth place in the Dental Board Examination; and Dr. Ma. Estela Ll. Garcia-Hebron, Master’s in Public Health 1997 and University Scholar.
There being no more Jubilee after Diamond, let me just say, thank you UP Beloved, professors, classmates and schoolmates for having been part of my life.
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The UP Grand Alumni-Faculty Homecoming and Reunion is on June 26, 2010 at the Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman Campus, Quezon City. For more details, please contact the UPAA Secretariat at landlines 920-6871, 920-6868, 920-6875, e-mail upalum@yahoo.com.ph, or cell phone number 0917-8372098.
