Showing posts with label QCSHS Batch '83. Show all posts
Showing posts with label QCSHS Batch '83. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

The House Of Darwin

My "Sincerely, Fro Me To You" post this week is once again part of my high school reunion series. Below is an article written by my former classmate Arlene Alonsagay, who we fondly called "Chagay", and her sister Chato. I asked their permission to post it here because it brought back a lot of fun memories I had in high school. I apologize if some of them are too personal that you can't relate and have "no idea what we're talking about". Please indulge me on this as we are celebrating our 25th reunion in September :)


THE HOUSE OF DARWIN
by Arlene and Chato Alonsagay


The four houses of QueSci:
All equally gifted, as their names imply
Darwin, Curie, Edison and Einstein
Each has a unique character by which they are defined

In the House of Darwin the brave do dwell.
Their daring and nerve is too much even for hell.

The Darwins of ’83 dared to form their own language
And spoke in a foreign tongue,
Ananab Namow, Amat, Nisnapapap, Konam,
In others faces these words they flung


They called it Salitang Darwin and the SD Dialect began
But listen closely, Tagalog rin naman.
Pronounced in reverse the meanings are the same,
This way they can gossip and later disclaim.

In the face of danger such as exams
The Darwins of ’83 was trained for such jams;
With hand signals known only to con-men
They whizzed through quiz all items 10.

A scratch on the head for –A
A scratch on the ear for – B
A scratch on the nose for –C
Too bad if the test is essay only.

On one unfortunate day in Social Studies,
A surprise quiz was cast upon
The room was filled with creepy silence;
You can here the movements of photon

Suddenly a brave whisper breaks the quiet…
“Chagayyy….answer sa number 5”
it tried to ask in private
Sadly the whole class heard and exploded in laughter
Prompting Mrs. Endozo to say “linawin mo kasi…” in answer

The Darwins of ’83 brimmed with creativity
And Research Class provided the opportunity

Spearheaded by the group of Marlon and Kenneth,
The Solar-Powered Air-Conditioning Unit was presented
They kept it in a black box quite proudly,
but the case looked suspiciously
Like the suggestion box at the lobby

Mushroom Propagation
by Liza, Irma, Arnold, Doods and Chagay
A lot of shrooms they had to try; a curious variety though
Made one see colored unicorns and sounds seemed to echo

But one legendary vision that only a magic mushroom can conjure
Was of Ms. Gollena’s face, filled with fury ready to rupture
So furious with the class she was, her hands in the air poised to strike
"Kung may kidlat lang ako, kikidlatan ko kayo!"

She roared, very Thor-like

At that very moment there was a roll of thunder,
Perfect comedic timing but no one dared to utter

True to their name’s legacy
the Darwins of ’83 made a great discovery
In contribution to the Theory of Evolution
They found the Missing Link
Though the face takes you back to Cro-Magnon
This person is smarter than you think

Loyal soldiers were the Darwins of ‘83
Remember CAT, where discipline was priority?
When in attention, blinking was punishable by death
Such was the impression of Ruby, a true model cadette

Even when vertigo struck her she didn’t falter at all
With all the dignity she could muster, she muttered
“Sir, requesting permission....to fall!"

Roco is a good, mature and gentle person.
And though he had every reason,
he was not the sort who tried to get even.
Once while he was walking along the covered catwalk,
He was heckled relentlessly by the class jock,

Though it would’ve been nice to hit the jock in the head
He kicked the post instead.

But that day for him was just too tough
For when he kicked the post, the heel of his shoe fell off

Ebon-ni…An-to-nee! A catchy tune that gets stuck in your brain
Leaves an impression like Anthony,
who would not be caught looking plain
Like the vision that he seared in everyone’s mind
When he went to the prom in a costume he designed
Looking like a Grecian god, with sexy strap sandals to match
He was indisputably the goddess of the batch

Even when the impending days of exam started to loom
They found ways to chill; oblivious of their doom
Instigated by Lhet, all notebooks were to be closed
The lazy majority outnumbered
the studious minority who opposed
They would break into a song as Edna strummed her guitar
They even played basketball, while other houses studied from afar

Alas! The class successfully did graduate
They left the House of Darwin to live their lives in separate
And after twenty-five years the Darwins of ’83 meet again
No longer girls and boys, but accomplished men and women

(To be continued...)


Wednesday, July 23, 2008

High School Days - QCSHS Batch 1983


High School Days - these are days full of wonderful memories for me. This past week I had been spending a lot of time at the message board that was set-up for our batch. I found myself laughing out loud in front of the computer as I read the many memories each of us were recollecting.

Our class is going to have a 25th year reunion in September and we are doing the preparations for that grand event. Actually, many of our hardworking classmates are doing the preparations in there (bless them) and a lot of us who are here abroad are helping doing our part in this end encouraging and giving support, including financial support.

I am sure this will not be my last post about high school days. There will be more coming. But for now I want to share a video that was made by Batch '82 reunion and another made by the newer Scientians.

I decided to use this post as my entry for "Fro Me To You". The videos below are quite lengthy for those who are not connected with the school so I understand if you don't watch it. For "Fro Me To You" posts, visit "We Are THAT Family" :)

* Thanks to our friend Gandy for putting our Student Council photo in a nice scrapbook frame.

Batch 1982 video


The Younger Scientians (made in 2007)

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.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

QCSHS Batch '83 Silver Jubilee


I can't believe it's been 25 years! Yes, we're planning a grand reunion. Some of our Scienta Batch 83 already met. I will post the details later. I just want to get this post up to test if this will show on Google Search easily. We are trying to find all our "lost batch mate". I am hoping that at this time they will start searching the web to see if something is being planned.

So, if you're one of the Quezon City Science High School Class '83 person we're hoping to find, please e-mail me (see how to contact me on my left sidebar). I need your e-mail address. We have a group going at Yahoo. You'll need to be invited to join.

I will write a more nostalgic post next time. It's 12 midnight and my brain is fried.

But before I sleep, here's to our Alma Mater:

Alma Mater dear and beloved
fountain of truth and love
united and dedicated
to you we'll ever be

To distant lands we may go
searching for truth and the unknown
to thee we pledge our loyal hearts and soul
Quezon City Science High School

Hmmm.. I don't know about the "pledging my soul" part, but I do really love Quezon City Science High School :). Yes, I am a dedicated Scientian!