Monday, January 14, 2008

Remembering Scientia Days - Batch '83


Written by Aleli Abitona-Rosario in 2000

"Ang saya-saya!" That could very well be the expression of most of us when asked about our high school experience. It didn't matter that the school in question was QC Science HS, one of only three public schools offering a special science curriculum in the early 1980s. Fact is, despite or maybe because of four years of demanding academic training, secondary education for our class, Batch 1983, became twice as much fun and painful in our exciting adolescent years.

As freshmen, we quickly jelled together aided by the constant reminder of our advisers that we have to live up to the expectations of society as "cream of the crop", and by the embarrassing prospect of having to provide entertainment during Mr. Damo's class.

On our sophomore year, we frequently raided the aratilis trees for bullets with the Darwinians proving to be the most raucous as one fruit accidentally(?) found itself entrenched in a teacher's cleavage. The teacher's response was an unannounced quiz. Later in the school year, we had half of the parents of the Curie class visiting the Principal's office to complain about the sharp decline in our biology grades because we did not "doll up" our notebooks. We soon learned that all that was only a prelude to the "art work" required for our junior year social studies. On paper, group reports were virtually a showcase of creativity and ingenuity with pop-up pages and curtain effects, among others, serving as methods of presenting a topic. On hindsight, we probably could have started a scrapbook and album-packaging business then which would be raking in money to this day!

In our senior year, we launched into more serious activities in both our academics and extra-curricular activities. As school competitions and college entrance examinations became bigger challenges, we bravely faced the tasks and fought our way through, never for once forgetting to enjoy the learning process as well.

At the end of four years, could we say we were worthy Scientians? I dare say we carried the torch well! We reaped rewards and honor for Scientia in the various fields where we competed: Science, Mathematics, Journalism, Music, Literature, and even beauty! Oh yes, we did well.

Every class has a prophecy usually delivered during the Junior-Senior Prom. As I compared the class prophesy to what we have become now. well, apart from our names, nothing else is quite similar. The only explanation for that is the spirit of levity by which our class prophecy was made. And was it funny then!

As a testament to our good old high school days, many of us chose to remain in touch through college and until now. The bonds we formed at Scientia strengthened over time that some of us are even "Ninangs and Ninongs" to our batchmates' children.

Now several inches taller and definitely, at least 10 pounds heavier, we find ourselves living productive and useful lives in different fields of endeavor.

Of those who kept connected, we count Bel Oquendo, Kenneth Ybanez, and Estela Delizo-Castor in the field of law; Victor Silvino, Angie Dimaranan, Cora Fortaleza-Villamin, Dan Guina, Josie Nuqui in information technology; Rhea Reyes, Leah Yu, Mel Aurigue, Mina Agustin-Hernandez, Cielo Tayag-Kaw, Imelda Santos-De Jesus, Daisy Jo- Valdes in medicine and allied fields; Aleli Abitona-Rosario, Cherry Rue Pattugalan-Ronquillo, Rogelio Ormilon, Maridel Ferrer-Bustos, Ireneo Dano and Grace Maderazo-Cayosa in banking and finance;

Lamberto David, Joel David, Roco Caparroso, Lira Cruz-Cortado, Linley Julian, Eileen Velasco and Marylou Ballon in government service; Manuel Canlapan, Marife De Jesus-Cruz, Irma Mindanao-Lozada, Bing Cueto, Teresa Cruz, Jonathan Monsalud, Pat Garcia, Marlon Garlitos, Susan Olonan, Joel Luis Losorata, Alfredo Salita, Gerouel Pidlaoan, Griselda Lampitoc, Yolly dela Fuente, Eva Marie Estigoy, Richard Santos, Caroline Trinidad-Catipon, Juvy Anne Serrano-Seneus, and Alan Tarala in the private services and production sector; Ramil Bernardo, Roselily Sta. Romana, Blesilda Tabora, Joel Mundo, Mary-Ann Murphy, Carol Mina-Losorata and Bob Ablaza in sales and marketing; Jonathan Chanco and Rolando Santos in publishing; Maryann Camacho-Anacan, Antonio Apostol and Antonio Maninang in business; and Niner de Pano in the arts.

Choosing to live abroad, but keeping very much in touch with us are Lhet Mendoza, Elsa Eleco, Cynthia Raymundo-Tan, Mia Nepomuceno-Perez, Pedro Hufano, Teresa Ongos, Caroline Ilagan-Wehn, Elsa Valeroso, Eleanor Mata, Guillermo Lovo and Clifford de Vera in North America; Ruby Reyes-Van Ingen, in Europe; Divina Felix-Joslyn in the Middle East and Arlene Bigornia-Chua in Asia.

Many others have chosen to live quiet lives. Sooo quiet that we're really finding it hard to trace them. Others, like Zenaida Aboc, have chosen to devote their time and talents as housewives. We also pay tribute to classmates, like Ram Felicia, who have gone before us.

Only in our mid-thirties, we look forward still to what life has to offer knowing that friends from Scientia are behind us. Amidst turbulent times in our country, Batch `83 can only promise to live responsible and productive lives, choosing to be a part of society's solution rather than the problem. Our success, we will measure in this manner,

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson.

4 comments:

raqgold said...

what a nice story. our high school batch also just recently rediscovered each other and what a way to reminisce and to talk about how our world change and how we could change the world (together we are stronger di ba)...plus, i found a long lost friend and she's only a few miles from where i am now!

Katrina said...

What a fun look back at your school days! It seems like just yesterday in some ways. Great Emerson quote!

Scott said...

Yes, great quote.
And how nice that you don't look back on your high school years with fear and trembling but with fondness.

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful, Liza. Did you have classmates from JASMSQC then? A lo of grade school students transfer to Qisay for HS.

How wonderful to be able to remember your classmates (and batchmates).