| QPHS CLASS OF 1973 FIRST NORTH AMERICAN REUNION | ||
     
Click on the thumbnail pictures for a close up view!
Merly with the Vancouver skyline in the background
Merly and Ricky overlooking the bay
Ricky and Merly at Prospect Pointe -- parang hindi magakakilala!
Hail hail the gang's all here -- except for Tatee
Onboard the Ferry
On the Ferry's observation deck with Geny, Ofel, Anton, and Merly
Geny, Merly, Ellen, and Ricky
Along the coast of the Pacific Ocean
Overlooking Victoria's inner harbour (Art, Geny, Merly, and Ricky)
At the Royal British Columbia Museum
The World Famous Butchart Gardens
Merly and Ellen's fish faces
Our Gang relaxing after strolling the Gardens
Geny and Merly on the steps of the Parliament Building
Victoria sunset (Merly's favourite)
How many QPHSers does it take to light a barbecue grill?
Tatee's first encounter after 27 years with Ricky, Anton, and Ofel
Party's at Nelson's home!
The party then moved to Celso's home
Ellen and Merly with Mariles, their friendly reunion contact person
Merly and the Manio clan enjoying lunch in downtown Vancouver
Ellen and Merly at Whistler Mountain
Ellen and Merly at Whistler Village Resort
|
Thoughts and sentiments from the attendees:
"Hello Everyone!! We had a great time! Thank you all for making an effort to make this event happen. Can you imagine after 27 years, we can still be what we used to be? and better. Every moment that we shared from the pajama party to the tour in Victoria, picnic in the park, dinner at Nelson's and karaoke bar at Celso's will always be in our memories. Alexy and Yoya (Is it right?), thank you for playing the drums and singing for us. You guys are very talented (of course like Dad, right?) And to Merly, we give you a lot of credit for coordinating this event. You know you can count on us for our next reunion. Chicago sounds good. We are looking forward to see you guys soon. We hope that those who were not able to make it to the Vancouver reunion will make it next time. Really, it was quite an experience to look back and be what we once were. We believe in keeping old friends and making new ones so thanks Ellen for bringing your brother and sister-in-law. Hope they had a good time too. Let us know if you'll be in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. We'll be happy to show you around."
Time flies when you're having fun
"... pero nabasa ko na yoong reunion blues feedback and I really feel the same way, my only regret is napaka-short kulang na kulang ang time na ini-spend natin on top of it may mga kasama ako at nahati pa ang time ko, pero mind you enjoy din sila lalo na itong asawa ko at bayaw ay enjoy na enjoy sa mga jokes ni Nelson at Celso ... It was so amazing that after 27 years, seeing each other now and reminiscing back the way everyone was before is parang kanina lang at hindi 27 years. Marami na akong nakalimutang happenings noong high school, pero noong magkita-kita tayo, one by one bumabalik yoong ibang memories ko. It's incredible talaga. May mga changes but what I felt deep inside is parang the same us na nag matured lang. I really think na we should do it again and maybe this time, marami-rami ang maka-attend at medyo tagalan natin. The best part that I really enjoy is noong na kina Celso tayo at nagkukwentuhan ng mga kalokohan, nagsasayawan at higit sa lahat yoong mga bali-balita sa ibang mga ka-batch natin. Coming home, parang may afterglow pa. Kaya kung anong mapag-kasunduan - kung saan ulit at kung kailan, sama ulit tayo. Let me know."
Greetings from Africa
'Greetings and love from Africa! Thanks for all the messages that I found in my e-mail! ... but anyway, para akong nag-babasa ng comics ng buksan ko ang aking account!!! Salamat naman at nag-enjoy kayo nang husto! At least hindi kayo na-lugi sa inyong itinaya to go to Vancouver ano? Ako? Sa totoo lang, napa-iyak ako sa tuwa at homesickness that morning ng tawagan n'yo ako. I thank GOD for the gift of FRIENDSHIP that binds us all! Parang tren na humirit din sa aking alaala (oops, ang lalim ano? corny ba?) ang 27 years ago. I shared my joy to my sisters that morning. Hindi pwedeng itago, first, dahil I was shouting on the phone for you to be able to hear me, then second - with such a joy, I can't just keep it to myself. SALAMAT ng marami sa tugon ninyo sa "Kapwa ko Mahal ko Project" (ang tinik naman ni Merly for this project title, ano?). I think with that amount, that youth will finish his medical assistancy course without much worry and anxiety next year! So babalitaan ko na lang kayo pag ga-graduate na ang batang iyon! BAHALA na ang DIYOS sa inyong lahat! ... Hey, ang bilis naman yata kung this Christmas ay may follow-up reunion na ulit? I read somewhere na may schedule sa 'Pinas in 2003? ...OK? SALAMAT na MULI! at sa UULITIN!!! GOD bless you and your families! It's nice to hear from you ... ako pa rin ... H i! Talagang halos lahat kayo eh may Vancouver hang-over pa, ha? Ganoon ka-bigat ang tama ano? Kasi naman ang tagal eh, ano - 27 years!"
Shall we go for it?
"Hello eh! How about Pareng N ... 's plan? Shall we shoot for it? Please spread this out ... Pare koy, after you guys boarded the skytrain, I didnt know what hit me, bigla na lang akong napaiyak right on the spot, halong lungkot dahil naghiwahiwalay na tayo at saya dahil nagkita-kita tayo after all those years. Anyways tama na ang drama at planuhin natin ang kasunod na reunion. Eto ang suggestion ko kung dito uli gagawin: ang venue natin ay sa Vancouver Island, mga 60 kms. from Victoria, sisita tayo ng lodge good for 30 persons ($400/day) boat rental and fishing licence included. Magluluto na lang tayo (magdadala ako ng bigas longanisang Lucban atbpa.) pwera pa yong huli nating isda, napupulot lang dyan ang tahong, tulya at talaba at sa gabi ay magka-campfire tayo, pwedeng kumanta, pwedeng mag-ingay. Dapat lang siguro ay sabay sabay ang dating nyo dito para straight from the airport diretso tayo sa island. Susunduin ko kayo sa airport may dala na akong malaking sasakyan o kung hindi kasya ay sisita pa tayo ng isa. Yong tungkol sa long shot mong balak malay mo baka matuloy at dito pa kayo magretiro."
Vancouver blues "Pare, nagkausap kami ni Pareng C at gustong gusto nyang mag-reunion ulit hindi next year masyado raw matagal bakit hindi pa raw sa Pasko, he ... he ... he... Sabi ko masyadong corny hindi na panahon ng mais ngayon. Yong proposal ko for next year or whenever ay para ngang ok dahil contained tayo sa isang lugar, tipong SURVIVOR, communicating with nature, and at the end of the day ay boboto tayo whom we gonna kick out (joke only). Siguro mas marami tayo including Beth Martin."
Goodbyes are tough "Goodbyes are tough, napaiyak talaga ako totoo yon ... Kudos nga pala sa iyo, sa lahat lahat ng paghihirap mo ay ayos naman ang resulta, pls. ulitin natin sa taon."
I fell in love with the city ... "Pare ko, kumusta na! Muling nagpapasalamat kami sa inyo sa masigabong pagtanggap ninyo sa amin. Hirap magtype sa Tagalog ... Anyways, it will be nice to go back visit Vancouver again. It will be alright to hold another reunion there. I fell in love with the city and especially Victoria. We don't have that kind of atmosphere here. Dito ay parang nasa Manila ka lang, weather, food, etc ... Hopefully our friends in Lucena will follow your footsteps there. ... I really enjoyed our little reunion. Not a dull moment. Nice for Tito to join us. Man, he spent a lot for just a day's stay ... ... I miss you all already and nalulungkot dahil we've aged. To look back where we came from, it's a picture of never ending (imagine) happenings, laughter and best of all, friendship/family ... no regrets ... I will cherish everything ... Y'all take care. ..."
Thanks for the memory 'Vancouver blues pare ko, So, nagka-iyakan pala kayo, dahil ganoon din ang sabi ni Pareng C ... right after skytrain. Well, I felt that way too. Who knows when we're gonna see each other again. Hopefully next year again ...Your plan for next year's reunion is so tempting. Nature ... fishing and hunting for tulya and tahong, I really like that. Parang nasa Tulay Buhangin, Padre Burgos (na-alala ko noon, ang chaser natin ay lambanog pa rin). That will be nice tayo-tayo lamang sa bahay. Sana ay matuloy at sana ay makarating lahat. Anong balita na sa mga ka-klase natin? ... Say hello to everybody and hug and kisses too...Y'all take care. Miss y'all..."
Like 'Survivor' -- not
Pareng C, masyadong maigsi ang preparation if we have it on Christmas... I don't care where to hold our reunion next year but I'm for it, anywhere and anytime... like also Tito's suggestion in Chicago. Any suggestions, fellows? We'll be like the "Survivor" but we're not voting for whom we will kick out. Coz we will all have FUN ..."
Pahabol "Etong pahabol ko: why not somewhere in between sa bandang gitna. Para malapit sa lahat. Somewhere sa midwest area. This is just a suggestion. This is my personal opinion and I hate to be a party p... and of course I might be wrong. To have the second reunion next year again seems too soon. Baka mawala ang sense of magic and excitement pag madalas ... Tingnan natin ..."
Meanwhile on the road "Dearest Everybody, Pahabol din and Ciao na rin to everybody! I guess everybody got emotional after the fact that we tried our efforts and made it to see each other after those long 27 years! Yes, me too, it hit me when I was driving on my way back to Seattle... I would go along with Merly's suggestion sa Midwest, maybe CHICAGO which will give more chance for our other classmates to attend...it maybe an interesting place for Nelson's and Celso's family to see. Not that I'm kind of selling the place because most of my family lived there but there's a lot of things to do and places to see there ...he ... he ... and don't forget sa 2002 sa LUCENA tayo ha! Ciao pa rin ... "
Hello Hello everyone ! Nice to hear from you ... I had too much enjoyment daw. It's just too short. I can't thank him (Celso) enough for their (Nelson's too) hospitality and appreciate everything. . Our pictures look real good especially Geny, very photogenic."
Back to usual "Back to the usual routine! We really enjoyed and had a lot of fun spending time with you and (our) other classmates. Too bad that we were not able to join you and others in Ricky's room. I fell asleep and left Geny finish our packing. I was so tired and plastered! Anyway, how are you doing?"
More Reactions "Even though I watched the video for the third time eh aliw na aliw pa rin ako. Even Val enjoyed watching it. At this moment, I still can't believe we made it! I still can't believe it was over! Sabi nyo siguro eh aba eh kailangang matauhan ka na! Ha...ha....ha.....Everyone had a great time although the time we spent together seemed short. Nagkuwentuhan kami ulit on our way going back to the hotel from Whistler eh sabi namin kahit na hindi tayo magkakabarkada or close noong high school eh naging close din tayo noong nag-rereunion tayo diyan. Masaya at talagang nag-enjoy ako. I hope ganon din kayo kahit na inabala namin kayo ng husto. So thank you for that warm hospitality and reception. Thank you for your cooperation and e-mail replies. Thank you for all the food, stories, jokes and chitchat we shared together. Thanks for everything. And most of all thank you for your friendship. I think the phone call was a very touching moment for me - I thank you very much for that effort, and I realized how precious an experience FRIENDSHIP is! Just to hear Celso, Tatee and Nelson, natatawa na ako eh! Salamat ulit ..."
Some more ... "Kumusta na ang mga classmates natin? I miss y'all so much. We had our mini-reunion in Vancouver. Siguro ay nabanggit sa inyo ni Tito. Although a small group, I really cherished those times we were together. Nice to see my old pals Nelson, Celso and Tito and Merly and Ellen ... lalo na siguro with the whole batch, just can't wait for it ... you take care and please keep in touch ... say hello to all our classmates ..."
Sending forth "Mga amigos at amigas, hope you all have a great time on this reunion. I'm sorry I couldn't go. Nagkabuhol-buhol ang aking schedule. Sa susunod na lang po. My congratulations to all the people who made this reunion a reality, but especially to Merly who worked hard to make it all possible."
Notes from an Outsider Although I have not met most of youse, parang kilalâ ko na kayóng lahát. It was fun watching the video, scanning the photos, and together with Merly composing this humble website. It should have taken half the time, butt despite differences of vision, miscommunication, and umpteen changes and revisions, natapos din. Minsan mas demanding (or grabe) pa si Merly sa mgâ nakatrabahuhan kong mgâ art directors and project managers! Perfectionist kunô. Butt since webmastery is my hobby and something that I'm quite good at, pasensiyahan na lang. I hope you all like the final result. Hindi pa tapos ang paglalagáy ko ng tuldík (check out the samples). From the outside looking in, I miss having the same camaraderie and pakisamahan as youse, ang labo kasíng kausapin ang mgâ kasama kong FEU Boy's High School Class of '75. By all rights, we should have had our 25th Anniversary Reunion this year. Alas, the moment's passed. Then my Glen A. Wilson HS Class of '75 (Hacienda Heights, Southern Cal) just concluded our 25th Anniversary Reunion. Butt I didn't go. It's hard to feel connected to a student body especially if you've only been there one year! If there's anything else you'd like to see on these pages, pakisabi na lang kay Merlinda, anô? We've still got some space! Your somewhat friendly webmaster, |
