Kumbento88

Eulogy for Joseph Christian Cruz

2011-05-07T13:49:00.003+08:00

eulogy for jay
By Gary Devilles

There are no words to soothe our grief in this untimely passing of our dear friend Jay, and that is why we only speak of metaphors and similes not only to understand what ails us but more importantly to share with you tonight a grace that emanates from being with him no matter how brief that is. We borrow from a popular song that goes:

Like a comet blazing across the evening sky
Like a rainbow fading in the twinkling of an eye
Shiny and sparkly and splendidly bright
Here one day, gone one night

Like the loss of sunlight on a cloudy afternoon
Like a castle built upon a sandy beach
Like a perfect flower that is just beyond your reach
Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight

Like a sunset dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon

This song aptly describes our feelings for Jay, an awareness of the beauty of nature that is all fleeting. The poignancy of such moments drives us not to desire more but rather to take on an attitude to grasp the present, tap its potential and enrich our lives. If there is one thing we all know from Jay, it is this passion for everything that he does, whether talking to a friend on profound questions about life, or even engaging us in a physical game like basketball, Jay would always be in his best condition, inspiring and prodding us to do more.

We remember Jay during grade school, he was already reckoned as a good basketball player. But he joined another game, group games, a form of game that any kid at that time would look down upon. But Jay made the game highly competitive and gradually put some respectability to those group games. There were times when Jay would be scolded by Ms. Militar, our former teacher then, for being hot-tempered, but we all know, that it was just Jay being himself, passionate to a fault, determined to win. There was a quote written on the walls of our classroom then, "whoever you are, be the best that you can be." We never pay attention to this adage but Jay lived it until his last.

Believe it or not, Jay tried acting in high school. He was a given role and a very dramatic scene where he would be killed accidentally by the mean and oppressive Chinese businessman. Some of us his former classmates who are here today remember the roles we essayed in that stage play and we were all impressed by him and this somehow led us to believe that Jay can do anything, from sports to theatre to academics. It is not surprising, that after high school, he would take up engineering in UP and eventually raise a loveable family. Jay from time to time, would join us for a gathering, but in the end, he would always leave early, excuse himself, and tell us of his responsibilities at home. Jay was always the family man and we all love him for this.

And so today, that we surely miss him, we commemorate his deeds and honor his memory. For Jay you are the sunset dying but we redeem ourselves with the rising moon, a promise of an eventual gathering. As the poet TS Eliot says, all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well when the tongues of flames are in-folded into the crowned knot of fire and the fire and the rose are one. Fare well, Jay.

Remembering A Friend On Christmas

2009-12-23T10:21:00.006+08:00

Checking on my Facebook account earlier today, I saw a post about Jay Lorenzo’s last forum comment in a website dedicated to Philippine mountaineering. And I just felt I wanted to reflect on this and share it with you in the light of the coming Holiday Season.

Jay was a classmate of mine back in high school. Aside from the fact that his family name was Lorenzo, and mine was Martinez, which meant that, alphabetically-arranged, we were just a few seats apart in class most of the time, I did not really know him that well. But being classmates with him for a good number of years certainly welded a bond of brotherhood which usually remained unspoken especially for an all-boys class like ours.

Fastforward to our 20th year reunion for our high school batch last year, 2008. After 20 long years, we had planned to make the event a big one as a kick off for our 5-year preparation for our Silver Jubilee which will fatefully coincide with our Alma Mater’s Centennial Celebration on 2013, the grandest of celebrations.

Being part of the core group which organized that particular reunion, we had to make sure that attendance to the said event would be as comprehensive as possible. Anyone we could access to would be contacted – whether it be thru email, cellphone, landline, pasabi sa kamag-anak or kapitbahay, or even a personal visit. It was usually a combination of the above. And it was the only way that we could get in touch with long-lost classmates - those classmates we haven’t really gotten In touch with since we graduated from high school.

And in my case, Jay belonged to that “long-lost” group. I think that the last time I saw Jay was way back in high school. It was not even on Graduation Day as Jay chose to transfer schools in the middle of high school so he didn’t get the chance to graduate with us.

So, on reunion day, I got reconnected with Jay. It was not really that unlikely even if, as I said, Jay and I weren’t really that close back in high school. Jay has remained to be the friendly and amiable person that he was way back then. He was the walang-masamang-tinapay kind of guy. It was quite easy to approach him and exchange stories with him.

I learned quite a few things about his life after high school. Most notable was that he worked with PAL, he loved mountaineering, and he also had a passion for photography as evidenced by the camera he brought to shoot remembrances of that particular reunion. Both Jay and I actually became the unofficial photographers of the said event. We even made a face-off while shooting each other’s photos since photographers like us are the least photographed subjects in events like those. But in such a short amount of time, I came under the impression that Jay lived life to the fullest. The hobbies and activities he pursued were what he really wanted. And we were both happy that we had that common interest in photography – something we had not discovered yet when we were in high school.

So when the news of his tragic death due to a motorcycle accident last June 12, 2009 reached us, it came as an unbelievable shock.

Upon going to his wake, we met his family, friends and colleagues. And right there and then, we knew that this man was well-loved and respected. Friends from his mountaineering club were there with shirts printed with the message bidding Jay farewell on his final climb. And until now, months after he passed away, stories and fond memories of how he touched lives continue to get posted on the internet.

So you may ask, what does this have to do with Christmas?

Everything about Jay’s life and death has something to do about Christmas.

In this season where most of us would be attending parties and reunions, reconnect with the people who have touched your lives. There doesn’t have to be mushy moments when we reunite with people we once built memories with. But a simple update on what has been happening to each other’s lives is a good way to rekindle the bond that might have gotten blurred by time.

It is not only with how you view your relationship with these people. But conversely, it is also how these people around you would view their relationship with you. As with my dear friend Jay, I saw many things in him which somehow made me reflect on the things we value in life.

We always say that we should live life to the fullest. But really, how much to the fullest extent of living are we truly being alive? Pursue your goals and dreams. It is never too late to start on a new dream. You are never too old to take on a new hobby. Take what life offers you. It is never too late to do what you have always dreamed of when you were a kid. It is never too late to realize that making tons of money will not bring you the fulfillment you have always wanted. The mountains that Jay climbed may be metaphors for the goals you want to conquer. Chase your life’s passions. It is with these passions that we feel truly alive. People always say that life is short. But really, how short is short?

This Christmas, let each of our lives be our gift to one another. In the same way that Christ offered His own life for us, let us offer our own lives to one another, even to our very own selves. Let us be inspirations to one another and help each other live our lives to the fullest. Let us not waste the gift of life our Creator gave us. Share what you can share for there is enough for everyone. Material things are just there to be instruments for us to show that humans can care. And when other people seem to have been jaded by the harsh realities of the world, let them know that there are still people who still care. Dare to make a difference.

Jay has already completed his climb in the mountains of this world. Our turn is not yet over. At the end of our journey, all of us would meet there at the top. And when that time comes, it would be a great realization that we have helped each other along the way.

Merry Christmas, everyone! And to my dear friend, Jay, Merry Christmas to you, too. See you at the top. Just not too soon, I hope. =)

K88 Krismas Kampayan

2009-12-11T11:03:00.004+08:00

K88 is having its Annual Christmas Party Celebration on December 29, 2009 at Jay Ravalo's place in San Miguel, Pasig.

Everyone's invited to attend.

For details, just email us at kumbento88@gmail.com. We would love to see everyone there. Especially for those classmates who would be coming home from abroad for the holidays, this is the perfect chance for you to re-connect and have fun with us.

So mark the date - December 29, 2009. Festivities start at 7PM. Be there early so you won't miss any of the fun.

Come one! Come all!

Sagip Kalikasan

2009-12-11T10:40:00.003+08:00

Kumbento88 joins the rest of the PCC Alumni Association and the Pasig community in calling for more awareness regarding our environment. Alay Lakad sa Kalikasan was held last December 6, 2009.

Kumbento88, Kumakalinga sa Kalikasan

K88 Is Now On Facebook

2009-11-24T10:41:00.012+08:00

We know. There has been a very limited number of updates lately on this blog. But that doesn't mean that we have abandoned this website completely. It's just that most of us have transferred our balitaktakan and balitaan to the new "in" medium - Facebook.

Yes, our dear batchmates, Kumbento88 has finally invaded Facebook. Not only have our individual members gotten their own personal account in Facebook and started sharing updates, pictures, videos, links, and whatever they wanted to share, we have also created our own K88 Fanpage.

So if you already have your own Facebook account, search for the Kumbento88 Fanpage and add us up. And in case, you still don't have an account with Facebook until now, what have you been waiting for? Sign up now!

I Survived Ondoy

2009-10-06T11:56:00.001+08:00

Hi everyone!

First of all, thanks for all the prayers and support that you have given to all the victims of Ondoy. Although I have been in contact with a few batchmates thru text, this is the first time that I have read all the emails since the flood. Our landline and internet have just been restored today.

As I have told Joey, no need to worry about me. Aside from experiencing my very first flood at home, and the various damages in appliances, furniture and electronic equipment, I am very much alive. And that is what matters most.

If you are interested to read my blow-by-blow account of my personal experience during the Ondoy Floods, I have written quite a lengthy piece here: http://isurvivedondoy.wordpress.com. I reiterate that it is quite a lengthy piece that I wrote during breaks of our clean-up operations. So you may need to allot some time to be able to read the whole of it, hehehe. I also wrote it for myself in case I would want to revisit that fateful experience and remember the lessons and realization it brought to me.

Again, thanks for the concern, prayers and support. I am truly glad that I am a part of this brotherhood.

Long live K88!

K88 Rigmarolers Bow Out

2009-09-06T22:17:00.003+08:00

"Nice game, 'Bo!" Rod consoles K88 star player Bimbo Bersalona.

Bimbo just takes a sip from his glass of iced tea, still wincing from the hamstring injury that he may have again aggravated after the hard-fought basketball game.

"Kaya natin sana yun. Kinapos lang talaga. Tapos malas pa dahil di pumapasok mga tira natin nung first quarter kahit tutukan na," I add, still quite drained from the heart-breaking loss.

"Kahit nga nung lumamang sila ng 10 points, di ako kinabahan eh. Tapos nilamangan pa natin sila ng 3 points nung 4th quarter. Crucial lang talaga yung dalawang turnovers natin pagkatapos nung time out. Dun sila umabante," coach Ali quips, a bottle of beer in hand.

"Eh kung ipinasok mo ba naman kami nina Boyet, eh di nabantayan sana namin yung bitaw ng bitaw ng tres sa kanila," Neil Tanada jokingly replies.

"Bakit nga pala nandito yang si Ali? Yari ka mamaya pag dumating yung mga binangko mo kanina. Lalo na sina Dondon. Galing pa raw sya ng Laguna, sabay di mo man lang ipinasok," Caloy adds. Laughter erupts in the group.

"Wala kasing galang itong mga batang 'to eh. Di man lang pinagbigyan yung mga matatanda!" Boyet shouts loud enough for the opposing team, who were also holding their post-game celebrations at the other table, to hear.

"Pinahirapan nyo nga kami eh! Ang sasakit nga ng katawan namin!" exclaims someone from Batch 94.

"Akala kasi ni Chunky URC yata ang laro eh!" rebutts our side.

Laughter erupts again, everyone knowing well that the joke was in reference to the headlock Chunky gave to the opposing team's center in one of the rebound plays.

The Kumbento88 Rigmarolers just lost their Final Four semifinal match against Batch 94. Final score was at 67-65. It was a hard-fought game. The breaks just didn't go our way in the end. We had a few chances to send the game into overtime during the final possession of the dying seconds. But it really wasn't meant to be.

"Di na naman ako makakatulog nyan mamaya," Bimbo tells the group.

"Okay lang yan. Sila na mismo nagsabi, nahirapan sila sa atin. Eh isipin mo, ang babata nyang mga yan. Tapos muntik pa natin silang matalo," Rod comforts Bimbo.

"Yun na nga lang siguro iisipin ko mamaya. Pero sayang talaga eh," the tone of disappointment clearly evident in his voice.

It was going to be a painfully long night for the K88 Rigmarolers.

Bing and Arnel in London (August 2009)

2009-08-24T08:17:00.003+08:00

Here are pics of Arnel Mabbayad and me during my London trip with the family. Arnel managed to free up his schedule for a day so we were able to sport our K88 shirts for a photo opp.

The Vision Is Kept Alive

2009-08-02T11:39:00.002+08:00

by Wawet Faustino

Everybody else wanted to count us out. We weren't going down easily. The first two games of K88 Rigmarolers were heartbreakers. Casualties and foul outs plagued the team. The third game wasn't going to be the same.

The start of the game felt like lady luck wasn't on our side. At the 2nd quarter, we were down by twenty (20) points, 39-19!!! Anybody would have blamed the lack of attendance from some of the key players: Chunky and his barreling offense, Mon with his ever reliable game, Jun Cumpas who would be the other key point guard, playing coach Rod whose leadership kept the team composed, Jay with his reliable treys, Rey and his moral boosting antiques and assistant to the coach, and others. But the team had enough players.

The beginning showed how unlucky the team was, forcing Caloy to ask to be taken after committing several turn-overs. The others also seemed to be in a bind, letting the smaller, yet faster opponents get to the basket play after play. The ball didn't seem to like to fall into K88's ring.

The third quarter was a sign that the game wasn't meant to be won. The referees even seemed opposed to K88 calling foul after foul against the team taking them into penalty at half point of the quarter. It was 7 fouls called against K88 versus just 1, yes just 1, for batch 96 (that's right, they're the youngest team who entered the semis.

The fourth quarter started with the team down by around 15 points (I can't really recall by how much but it was something that would make someone expect the team to get their third straight loss and lose the grip on getting back the title).

With Andaluz directing the team, the team slowly clawed back into the game with suffocating defense forcing turn-overs after turn-overs from the other team. We got the lead down to only 8 points at half-point of the quarter. Caloy's start of the game would have made anyone throw in the towel and let somebody else play for the team but this Caloy had the heart. He started blocking shots, and when he felt it wasn't enough, he started stealing the ball right from the hands of the younger, quicker opponents.

The other four players all made their huge contributions. With Bimbo always leading the traps on the ball handlers, Buffalo and Audie easily caught balls and would always trigger fast breaks. If the play is set, Iric would always take the ball hard inside fishing fouls from almost everyone who stood in his way. We had the upperhand. Soon enough, the other team was in penalty. There was one clear mission, drive the ball hard and get fouls. It worked wonders. The players kept their cool and hit one free throw after another. a few minutes left in the game and we caught them. Yes, we were 20 points down and we caught them. It was a game for the books. In the final two minutes we were up by 4 points. It slowly went up to 6 from free throws. The final few seconds saw a futile comeback from the other team. They got two quick three points but time has ran out.

The game ended in what seemed like a game of professionals. The score stood at 102-100. Yes, both teams reached triple digits, no overtime, just 4 regulation quarters of 10 minutes each.

For Team K88 Rigmarolers, it's time to get back the crown!!!

Rest In Peace: Jay Lorenzo

2009-06-28T15:05:00.007+08:00

With the deepest of sorrows, the Kumbento88 family bids goodbye to another brother who passed away last June 12, 2009.

Antonio Jay Lorenzo met a fatal motorcycle accident in Carmona, Cavite.

May his soul rest in peace.

We will miss you Jay.

KBBL Season 3 Opening

2009-05-02T12:10:00.002+08:00

lifted form Chunky Ramos' email dated 5/2/09

Rigmarolers!

It's on! At 1pm today, May 2, PCC gym, the 3rd season of KBBL will officially commence, 4 games to follow afterward. This edition may prove to be the most competitive based on the participating batches.

Attached are the rules and our official line-up which our 5 man selection committee came up with. It's unfortunate that we were limited to "just" 25 players so not everyone was accommodated. Also, one of our main men from last season is suffering from a severe injury so he will be sidelined this year. A major addition that will not be realized is Giovanni Pineda whom I was told can not make it home until December.

Anyway, with the commitment that we got from our 25 players (kahit nagsasakitan na mga tuhod), and of course with the limitless support from our batch, we will still contend for the championship. .

Will post schedule once it's finalized. Hope to see you at the games!!!

Rigmarole,

Chunky

6'7" Rigmaroler in Manila?

2009-04-26T21:21:00.004+08:00

A 6-foot-7 Rigmaroler has been recently sighted here in Manila.

According to a very reliable source, the 6'7" behemoth has been spotted roaming the tiangge shops of the Philippines' shopping capital, Greenhills. The tallest Rigmaroler is supposedly on vacation here in the Philippines for a short time.

This report, however, cannot be confirmed as recent correspondences with the said Rigmaroler have indicated that he shall not be going home until December later this year.

This rumor has stirred interest, especially in view of the upcoming opening of the 3rd Kumbento Boys' Basketball League. His height, let alone his basketball skills, shall be a tremendous boost to the campaign of this season's solidified effort to bring back the crown to the Centennial Team.

So will the real Giovanni Pineda please stand up?

KBBL Season 3 Opens on May 2

2009-04-25T15:15:00.003+08:00

lifted from Chunky Ramos' email dated 4/24/09

Rigmarolers,

There was a meeeting last night at PCC which Teyob attended. It's a go on May 2, we are being asked to submit final line-up and entry fee on Wed, Apr. 29.

There's a change in the participating teams as batch 83 has decided to rest their old, weary legs. However, batch 95 has come forward to take their place. Teams and brackets are as follows:

Bracket A 87, K88, 89, 90, 91, PCC GC
Bracket B 93, 94, 95, 99, 00, PCC GC

We're now the second oldest batch, buti na lang 1 team na lang tayo, making us more competitive. Kaya lang since 25 lang ang allowed sa line-up (we tried haggling for additional but was turned down), not everyone can be accommodated. A 5 man selection committe made up of 2 players each from K88A and K88B and a member of our management / coaching staff has been tasked to come-up with our line-up.

I will post as soon as they have finalized, told them to come up with their decision not later than Sat as we still need to have new uniforms made. Criteria are availability, skill and attitude.

Rigmarole,

Chunky

Happy Easter!

2009-04-23T08:18:00.002+08:00

lifted from Jobet Lara's email dated 4/22/09

Happy Easter Rigmarolers!

It's been more than a year since I was diagnosed with cancer and started my battle against the disease. With all your help especially through your prayers I was able to confront the challenges and eventually won the fight. My latest CT Scan result shows complete remission of the cancer cells earlier detected all over my body. I'm healed.

The good news came on Easter Sunday. A brand new life, a brand new start. Prayer works!

Except for some 'interstitial infiltrates' found in the upper lobes of my lungs (which could lead to tuberculosis) and gallstones in my gall bladder, I'll be ok. I developed the 'infiltrates' and gallstones as a side effect of my chemotherapy treatment. But its more manageable and more predictable compared to cancer.

I'm so anxious to share the good news to everybody and somehow share hope to our family, relatives and friends who may be in a similar condition I've just been through.

Thank you very much.

Jobet Z. Lara

Visita Iglesia

2009-04-21T11:23:00.004+08:00

Just wanted to share some photos taken during last Holy Week's Visita Iglesia around the Laguna Lake area.

Click on the image to view the entire album.

The Resurrection

2009-04-12T17:19:00.004+08:00

Happy Easter everyone!

I feel this is one of the better times to resurrect this website of our batch since it has been put in hibernation mode for quite some time now. I see that the last entry made is still from October of last year - an entry about our failed campaign to defend our KBBL Championship.

So for those of you who have been asking what has been happening with our batch, I shall try to list down the major events in this entry.

Last November, Derrick Macutay held a one-man show at the Big and Small Art Gallery in Megamall. Numerous batchmates supported Derrick in this endeavor. And the exhibit was a resounding success. He is an artist we can be truly proud of.

Last December, the Kumbento88 Rigmarolers also participated in a civic-oriented activity. In cooperation with the Knights of Columbus of Pasig, thru the spearheading of our batchmate Lito Atillo, K88 donated some goods which were distributed to our less-fortunate brothers here in Pasig. As they say, the true spirit of Christmas is in giving.

And of course, our batch's Christmas Party pushed through last December 29, 2008 at the residence of our gracious host Jay Ravalo. Although this time, it was held without the fanfare of the previous year's pre-homecoming celebration, it was fun-filled nontheless.

And February this year, as everyone might expect, we participated in PCC's Grand Alumni Homecoming. As usual, we showed support to the PCC Alumni Association, of which we are integral members, as we joined the whole Kumbento community in anticipating the nearing Centennial Celebrations of our Alma Mater.

Those are the major events of our batch in a nutshell. And for what we can expect in the days to come, I can give you some hints.

The 3rd Season of the Kumbento Boys Basketball League is already being planned. As per Chunky Ramos, the league shall open this summer. Although no definite date has been set yet, members of the K88 Rigmarolers Basketball Teams are already excited. Talks of putting up just one consolidated team are already being discussed, with imports from abroad already planning their vacation to coincide with the league's play-offs.

And for other events to come, let me just say that this is indeed the "Season of Resurrection". And I'm not just talking of one.

Just be on the loop. There is more to come.

Rigmarolers Settle for 4th

2008-10-13T09:44:00.010+08:00

Out of sheer sportsmanship, the Kumbento88 Rigmarolers played out their last game for this season's KBBL last Saturday. And we eventually ended up losing to the younger Batch 93 and settle for 4th place after failing to defend our crown.

The first half saw a nip-and-tuck ballgame with the Rigmarolers, which played with only exactly five player during that entire half, trailing by only two points at the halftime break.

The 3rd quarter saw two substitutes arriving to relieve the visibly exhausted players of the Rigmarolers. But Batch 93 was still able to pad their lead to around 10 points by the end of the quarter.

With fatigue and exhaustion finally catching up with the relatively senior players in the match-up, Batch 93 capitalized on the lack of manpower of their opponents and broke the game wide open by the start of the 4th quarter. Batch 93, thus officially snatched 2nd Runner-Up honors via a 20+ rout over the Rigmarolers.

And as with our previous KBBL games, win or lose, celebration at Ravalos followed right after the game. Talks of a unified powerhouse team for the Rigmarolers next season are already being floated. And everyone seems to be just as upbeat on the prospects of reclaiming our crown come next year.

PS: We weren't able to watch the end of the Championship Game that followed immediately after our Battle for 3rd. It was already Game 2 of the Best of Three Series between the young and visibly improved Batch 99 and the title-hungry Batch 90, the team that "ousted" us in the semifinals. Batch 99 won Game 1, and with the looks of how the game was being played, with Batch 99 already erecting a huge 20+ point lead by the end of the 1st quarter, it was only a matter of time before Batch 99 cops the crown for the 2nd KBBL Championship. That is unless, of course, Batch 90 finds a way of controlling the dominant big men of Batch 90 - like maybe if Batch 99's big men got thrown out or suspended? Otherwise, it's a back-to-back Cinderella finish for Batch 90 this year. Oh well, as Alicia Keys would sing it - what goes around comes around.

Meron Akong Ano

2008-09-11T21:49:00.006+08:00

Meron akong ano.
Meron akong kwento.

Nung unang semi-final game ng K88 Rigmarolers laban sa Batch 90, dumating si Chunky tapos na ang 1st half. Sabi ng committee di na raw sya pwede maglaro dahil late na sya. FIBA rule daw yon. Syempre umangal tayo dahil parang bigla-bigla na lang ipapatupad yang mga rules na yan, eh buong season naman bine-bend yang mga lintik na rules na yan. Halimbawa na lang eh yung default time ng mga teams at mga uniform ng mga players. Pero binatuhan nila tayo ng rason na FIBA rule daw yon na di na pwede maglaro ang player pag dumating after ng 1st half. At nung panahon na yon eh wala naman tayong dalang FIBA rulebook/manual para ikumpirma yung sinasabi nila. Kaya pinabayaan na lang natin. Natalo tayo pero ni hindi tayo nag-file ng protesta para i-challenge yung hindi nila pagpapalaro kay Chunky. Malakas loob natin na di talaga tayo kaya talunin ng Batch 90 pag kumpleto tayo. Babawian natin sila sa susunod na laro. Twice-to-beat naman tayo eh.

Meron akong ano.
Meron akong isa pang kwento.

Rubber match game natin laban sa Batch 90. Ang manalo, pasok sa Finals. Maaga dumating mga players natin. Ayaw nang maulit yung nangyaring pagbabawal maglaro pag na-late. Syempre, ano pa ba mangyayari? First quarter pa lang nilamangan na natin agad ng malaki ang kalaban, 20-9. Kumpleto tayo eh. Pero sa kainitan ng laro, sa isang rebound play, naumangan ng siko ni Chunky yung isang makulit na player (oo, sobrang kulit kahit tanungin nyo pa si Bimbo) ng Batch 90 dahil tinulak sya nito.

Technical foul. Tama yon. Pero hindi naman tumama yung siko. Dahil kung tumama yon, malamang iba na ang sinusulat ko ngayon sa inyo. Malamang naghahagilap ako ng suporta mula sa inyo para sumama sa amin na dalawin sa ospital yung nasiko ni Chunky sa mukha.

Anyway, balik tayo sa kwento. Syempre angalan ang nangyari, lalo na si Chunky. Pero di sya nagmura sa referee. Di nakuntento yung referee, binigyan ng isa pang technical si Chunky. Syempre dalawang technical equals thrown out sa laro. Eh di lalong nag-init ang tumbong ng mga Rigmarolers. Angal tayo syempre. Wala namang ganyanan.

Napikon yung referee. Naghubad. Nagsayaw. Joke. Naghubad lang pala ng t-shirt sabay nag-walk out.

Natigil yung laro natin laban sa Batch 90. Uwian na muna. Pag usapan na lang uli kung paano gagawin sa larong ito sa meeting na gagawin sa mga araw na darating.

Meron akong ano.
Meron akong nabalitaan.

Ilang linggo nang laging nauunsyami yung ni-reset na laro natin laban sa Batch 90. Una, di dumating yung referee. Sumunod, may gagamit sa gym ng PCC kaya di pwede. Pero sa Sabado, go na raw talaga yung laro. Eh di magaling.

Pero may dagdag na balita. Nakuha ko mula sa text ni Chunky ngayong umaga lang. Di raw sya paglalaruin sa game sa Sabado.

Watdapak?!?

Tinext ko si Chunky. Ano basis ng suspension? Wala nga raw sinabing dahilan. Plano natin mag-file ng pormal na protesta. Pero kailangan din muna natin malaman kung ano yung opisyal na rason kung bakit suspended si Chunky.

Alam ko yang sportsmanship-sportsmanship ek-ek na yan! Pero naman! Sobra na naman yata yan. Pumayag na nga tayo nung di nila pinaglaro si Chunky dahil late daw dumating nung 1st game. Pero ngayon sa ginagawa nila, sana sinabi na lang nila nung simula pa lang na guest team na lang tayo dahil sa sobrang lakas natin at di na tayo pwede manalo uli ng championship.

Di ba nila naisip na kung championship lang talaga ang habol natin sa ligang ito eh di na tayo nagbuo ng dalawang teams? Di ba nila naisip na hinati pa nga natin yung mga players natin dahil ang objective talaga natin dito eh mapagbigyan lahat ng gusto maglaro sa batch natin? Na kung isang solid na team lang ang ipapasok natin eh baka maging katawa-tawa yung resulta ng mga laro dahil parang isinali mo yung US Redeem Team sa PBA?

Meron akong ano.
Meron akong naalala.

Nung isang taon, Batch 90 yung nakalaban natin sa Championship. Sa mga nagpunta noon, naalala nyo pa ba yung mga drums na dinala pa natin panggulat sa Batch 90? FYI, ginaya ng Batch 90 last game yun. May dala din silang drums. Ang problema, sa atin nila ginawa. Eh tayo kaya nauna gumawa nun sa kanila. So walang dating sa atin dahil wala yung elements ng surprise at originality.

Malamang naaalala pa nila kung paano natin sila tinalo sa championship nung isang taon. At naaalala ko pa rin naman kung paano tayo nagsama-sama para ipakita sa Batch 90 ang pwersa ng K88 Rigmarolers.. Kasama pati mga asawa at anak. Sama-sama. Solid!

Kating-kati na itong Batch 90 na bawian tayo. Pero may laman kaya para sa kanila kung manalo sila sa atin na di tayo kumpleto? Masarap kaya para sa kanila kung manalo sila laban sa atin na wala yung isang main player natin?

Ewan ko sa kanila. Basta ako proud ako na kasama ako sa Kumbento88.

Meron akong ano.
Meron akong pakiusap.

Paglaruin man si Chunky o hindi sa Sabado, pakiusap ko sana na manindigan tayo. Against all odds – ang sarap ng plot para sa semifinals game na ito.

Manalo man o matalo tayo sa Sabado, pakiusap ko sana sumuporta tayo. Gaya nung isang taon. Gaya nung sama-sama tayong tumahak ng daan papunta sa kampeonato.

Gulatin uli natin ang Batch 90 sa Sabado. Maingay ang drums, kung magdadala nga sila ulit nun sa Sabado. Pero mas astig kung pupunuin natin ng manonood yung PCC gym habang sabay sabay tayo sumisigaw para sumuporta sa team natin. Daanin natin sa sindakan. Daanin natin sa paramihan. Daanin natin sa paingayan. Tayo lang ang may kakayanan na gumawa nun. Tayo lang ang natatanging batch na kayang sumindak ng ganun.

Magsuot tayo ng asul. Mas solid yung kulay natin, mas ok.

At matapos yung laro sa Sabado, isang bagay ang pinaka-sigurado – tayo pa rin ang nangungunang batch ng Kumbento!

Sabado. September 13, 2008. 6PM. PCC Gym.

Siguradong andun ako sa Sabado. Ikaw?

Arnold In Coron

2008-08-30T15:18:00.005+08:00

Click on the pic to view the entire album

Coron, Palawan

Click here for the complete story.

KBBL Semifinals

2008-08-20T17:45:00.003+08:00

Last Saturday, the Kumbento88 Rigmarolers-B lost to Batch 90, the very same team we beat in last season’s championship series.

We were outplayed, outhussled, outcheered, and even outdrummed by the same opponents we pulverized just a few months ago.

I arrived at the game late due to traffic in the Ortigas/Floodway area. The 3rd quarter of the semifinal game, where our team has a twice-to-beat advantage, was already well under way when I entered the PCC gym.

But it was not only me who arrived late during that game last Saturday. Our main big man, Chunky Ramos, also arrived late with the 3rd quarter already underway due to a previous commitment he had to attend to. (Note: Nagninong si Chunky sa kasal. Repeat: Nagninong, hindi nag-abay!)

It wouldn’t have been a big problem that Chunky was late for the game since the opponents were just leading by a very manageable margin by halftime. We could have easily overhauled that lead as we have previously done so in the past.

But the problem was the tournament committee refused to let Chunky play, citing a FIBA ruling that any player arriving at the game after the 1st half of play is not eligible to play for the remainder of the ballgame anymore.

This was the same committee which tolerated various violations in game schedules, player uniforms, and other trivial matters. This was a friendly tournament after all. Allowances were to be given to achieve the ultimate goal of the tournament, which is brotherhood.

But rules are rules, they say. We just did not want to argue further, or put the game under protest. All in the spirit of sportsmanship.

We lost the game. But Batch 90 did not beat us.

They cannot beat us when we are complete as a team – from the starters to the relievers, to the role players, to the coaching staff, and more importantly, to the numerous supporters showing our undying batch spirit.

They can once again bring on the drums this coming Saturday. We just have to bring the full force of Kumbento88 to drown out their beats.

We are the defending champions. No one can be louder. No one can be prouder.

Support you team! Be there at the PCC gym on Saturday, August 23, 2008, 7:30PM. No excuses for being late this time. Destiny will not wait for us.

Bing In Italy

2008-08-19T08:25:00.008+08:00

Click on the pics to view the entire albums.

Venice

Florence

Pisa

Vatican

Rome

Batchmate In A Coma

2008-08-12T10:01:00.005+08:00

lifted from my email sent to our yahoogroup

I was also able to contact Cedric Sta. Ana's sister, Eileen, yesterday thru text and got the message that they shall be removing Cedric from the ICU today. I cannot assume to pretend that I know how the family feels at these moments. But what I do know is that Cedric's sister is very glad when someone from his brother's batch contacted them even just thru text to offer their support.

Last Friday, Jeff and I were exchanging texts as we were planning to arrange a visit to Cedric. But it being a Friday, time went by so fast and by the end of the day, no plan was actualized. And I knew that the next 2 days, being a weekend, would be as equally hard for us to organize a visit to the hospital. But today, let's not waste another day with our usual excuses. A batchmate is fighting for his life. No, let me rephrase that, a batchmate is hanging on for his life. Let us show him and his family that his brothers here in Kumbento88 are here to support him in whatever way we can. Nalalagas na tayo. But this is the sad reality of life that we have to face. And it would be better if we face this as one - showing support to one another.

I haven't known Cedric personally as we didn't become classmates in my whole stay in PCC. But with the recent events bonding our whole batch as one, does it even matter? Let's pay him a visit at The Medical City later tonight. Anyone is welcome to join us. But I particularly request those who know him personally to come with us. I gather that he was in Eagle in his 4th year in HS, just in case some of his classmates forgot. Let us show support. When you come to think of it, the basketball game that got us united in support last year was very trivial when you compare it to the support we are asking from you now.

This is the Game of Life. A teammate is badly beaten entering the last 2 minutes. What do you do?

Note: For those planning to pay Cedric a visit, he is currently at Room 441 of The Medical City in Pasig.

KBBL Standings

2008-07-01T21:28:00.007+08:00

Below are the team standings for the 2nd Season of the Kumbento Boys Basketball League as of Saturday, 28 June 2008 (3rd game result not included):

Manolo Juntura - RIP

2008-06-23T21:14:00.002+08:00

lifted from Manny Tria's email to the egroup dated 6/21/08

Another One Bites The Dust

One of our batchmates passed away yesterday morning due to cancer - Manolo Juntura. He's currently interred at Arlington Pasig and shall be buried on Tuesday 24-June-2008. Your prayers will be of great help for his soul.

7 Things You Most Probably Didn’t Know About Joey

2008-06-17T21:39:00.004+08:00

1.) Bugoy’s
Joey’s first experience in entering a beerhouse was way back during our college years in a God-forsaken place in Junction, Cainta called - for lack of a more enticing name for a beerhouse - Bugoy’s. And Joey had a “girlfriend” in that place, a girl who said she wanted to change "cotchum" (costume).

2.) Santolan Beerhouse
Another beerhouse story, this one proved to be a more exciting and adrenaline-pumping experience. Together with Rey Carlo and Gary D, Joey asks for the bill as they have already decided to leave. Rey Carlo got fed up waiting for their bill to arrive and chooses to leave without paying. Gary D follows him outside. Not wanting to be the one left to pay the bill by himself, Joey follows the two outside who were already running away by the time he got out.

3.) Bangga Victim
Last day of school when we were in 3rd Year HS, Joey was together with Rey Carlo on their jeepney ride going home. As Joey got off the jeepney by the entrance to Dona Juana, he didn’t see the approaching jeepney from the other side about to hit him. With Joey’s white polo soiled and ripped from his pavement-rolling accident, Rey Carlo brings Joey to the hospital. We never knew about this accident until the start of classes in our 4th Year.

4.) Transformers
We all know Joey to be very dependable on many things. But sports isn’t exactly one of his specialties. We can still recall the horrific images of Joey doing the forward roll and backward roll during our gymnastics lessons in PE. Joey is John Michael Cruz’s rival for the Optimus Prime title in gymnastics. You can almost hear the Transformers sound effects whenever they roll. And please, never ask Joey to do a lay-up in basketball.

5.) Flawless
Before Osang was nicknamed as the Flawless Queen, Joey was our original "Wow Legs!" title-holder. FYI, Joey has no "balahibo" on his legs. Too bad, he’s also got a very big "balakang" to be a sexy star.

6.) Stink Bomb
Now it can be told. It was Joey who "detonated" the stink bomb during our Social Studies class with Miss Aguilar during our 2nd Year in HS. Joey can never deny it since we were even able to smell remnants of the stink emanating from the sole of his leather shoes during our Practical Arts classes afterwards.

7.) Tight-Fit Shirt
On the eve of our Feb 08 Reunion, the batch shirts to be distributed the following day arrived. Members of the organizing committee started fitting the different sizes to see which size fits them best. Joey gets a size Large, saying that XL might be too big for his frame. The following day, he realizes the futility of his denial and accepts the fact that Large is too small for him. He replaces it with an XL, but never heard the end of it from Jeff Sulit.

Despedida Pics

2008-06-12T21:23:00.002+08:00

Below is a link to the album for some pictures taken from last Saturday's despedida for Joey.

Joey's Despedida

Joey's Despedida Video

2008-06-09T02:04:00.001+08:00

For those who missed the premier showing of this video we especially prepared for our President Joey Manalad last Saturday at Ravalos, here's your chance to view and enjoy it.

An Invitation

2008-06-04T09:32:00.008+08:00

Everyone is invited to join us as we bid farewell "for now" to our K88 President Joey Manalad this Saturday, 7 June 2008.

Venue is at Ravalos Food and Music located at Mercedes corner Sandoval Ave. in San Miguel, Pasig. Party starts at 8PM but doors open at exactly 6PM for the early birds who would want to make the most out of this celebration. K88 Rigmarolers Team A shall also be having a game at the PCC gym on Saturday. So everyone who's playing or watching the game is expected to celebrate with us at Ravalos later that night.

There shall be food, drinks, music, games and the usual K88 funfare. After all, this is our "Kuwentuhan! Kantahan! Kampayan! Part 2". If you thought our celebration last February was "bitin", then complain no more. This party is the extension of that merry-making celebration.

Join us as we thank Joey for all of his efforts in keeping K88 strongly united after 20 years. And let us bid him and his family good luck as they take on a new journey in the Land Down Undah.

That's already this Saturday, guys. Be there!

Rigmarolers B Suffers 1st Defeat

2008-06-01T18:10:00.003+08:00

It was a game of two of the undefeated teams in the 2nd Season of the KBBL. And the game started out slowly for the K88 Rigmarolers Team B. With the team’s starting center Jun “Chunky” Ramos and starting forward Randy “Buffalo” Javier both arriving late for the game, the opponents from Batch 99 raced off to an early 8-0 lead at the start of the ballgame.

With the Rigmarolers eventually warming up themselves into the ballgame, they immediately caught up with their opponents after a momentum-breaking time out. Thanks to the timely shooting of the team’s resident 3-point sniper Jay “The Mouse” Cruz. When the halftime buzzer sounded, the ballgame was already tied.

With Bimbo “The Answer” Bersalona applying his magic lotion on his legs at the start of the second half, he leads the charge, together with Javier in building up a ten-point lead midway into the 3rd Quarter.

But the opponents were not to give up that easily. Not with the help of the game referees who had a lot of questionable and inconsistent calls and non-calls during the whole of the second half of the ballgame. But the Rigmarolers also had their share of blunders with their lack of focus on some crucial stretches of the game, including missing 4 out of 5 freethrows with barely two minutes remaining in regulation, which could have practically sealed the game’s outcome in favor of the Rigmarolers. Regulation ended with the score again tied, thus requiring the 5-minute extension period.

The start of the overtime period saw the Rigmarolers race to an early 4-6 point cushion which they were able to protect up until the last two minutes.

Then the unthinkable happened.

With the Rimgarolers still ahead by 2 points with barely one minute remaining, Batch 99 got ready to take two freethrows on a foul given up by the Rigmarolers. One of the referees called a technical foul on Ramos for a delay-of-game infraction when the latter kicked the ball out of frustration. Batch 99 sinks 3 out of the 4 freethrows given them. And then they score another 2 points on another possession. Thus, the Rigmarolers’ 2-point lead became a 3-point deficit within the blink of an eye.

But the defending champions would not give up that easily on this ballgame. In the ensuing play, the team sets up Bersalona for a 3-point shot which swooshes the bottom of the net. With the ballgame again tied, Batch 99 tries to score in their next offensive play in vain as the Rigmarolers’ defense held itself up steadily. Collaring the rebound, the Rigmarolers pitch a fastbreak pass to Bersalona who races up against two defenders. Using his body as a shield, Bersalona executes a body-contact-inviting layup which, unfortunately, bounces out of the ring paving the Batch 99’s last attempt to win the ballgame. With the Rigmarolers’ team defense still in disarray as a result of the previous fastbreak attempt, Batch 99 scores on a running jumper by one of their players as the final buzzer sounded. Thus, Batch 99 steals the game from the Rigmarolers with a 2-point winning margin.

Farewell for the mean time, but see you all in 2013

2008-05-20T22:14:00.004+08:00

(lifted from Joey Manalad's email to the egroup)

With anxiety and excitement, I wish to bid farewell to all K88 in the Philippines. My family and I are set to leave for Melbourne, Australia this June.

After our successful 20th Anniversary celebration last February chaired by Jeff Sulit, we have already taken steps to formalize and legalize our organization through the Kumbento ’88 Alumni Association, Inc. Thanks to the following incorporators who joined me to have our organization be formally recognized by the Securities and Exchange Commission:

Arnold Martinez
Jeff Sulit
Jay Ravalo
Rey Munsod
Gilbert Gatchalian
Peewee Ligot
Jun Lara
Regan Bernabe
Andrew De Guzman
Jay Cruz
Cocoy Del Prado
Erick Cruz
Dennis Palacio
Noel Acosta

I bequeath unto Arnold Martinez the chairmanship of our activities to celebrate our 21st Anniversary. Let us thank him for accepting the task of not only keeping us together this year but also initiating efforts for our group to start the much needed funds for our future projects – the culmination of which will be on 2013. Cocoy Del Prado shall be his co-chair. Part of our 2008-2009 activities is the currently running 2nd Season of KBBL. Thanks to Chunky Ramos for unselfishly spearheading this. May we keep the championship trophy this season.

Farewell for the mean time, but see you all in 2013!

Cheers and long live,

Joey

Ravalos Food and Music

2008-05-16T20:56:00.004+08:00

As I open the door to the air-conditioned bar, I see Jay sitting by the table in the middle with his Mom.

“Good afternoon po,” I smiled at his Mom while I shook Jay’s hand.

Jay introduces me to her mom to which she replies, “Oo, naaalala ko palagi siya sa atin nung reunion ninyo.” And I thought my usual bashful self was stealthy enough for parents not to notice me in gatherings of a rowdy bunch like our batch’s.

It’s the blessing of Ravalos Food and Music, Jay’s latest business venture and, as I would find out a bit later, a dream-come-true for this budding entrepreneur.

Jay and I sit by the table near the entrance door. I was purposely early since I told Jay that I also had to leave early ‘coz I had another commitment later that night. And for the first time, I think, someone has beaten out the dynamic duo of Bong Estrada and Cocoy Del Prado for the Early Bird title of coming to Ravalos.

“Naglagay ka na rin pala ng LCD TV,” I notice as it is the most visible addition to the bar’s interior from the last time we hang out there.

Jay shares his thoughts on how he envisions the bar to feel like – a sports and music resto-bar seamlessly fused into one. There’s the billiard table in the middle that was installed a week earlier which the Rigmarolers got to “baptize” with their friendly nine-ball matches after their opening day games at the KBBL. The drum set and guitars have already been set by the stage, just waiting for the band which would provide rocking music on weekends. And now, another addition which I initially failed to notice was a black piano by the corner to provide acoustic music on some nights. To spice up the interiors of the place, Jay displays his electric guitar collection, which numbers to around a dozen, by the wall greeting one’s entry, accentuating the party atmosphere of the place. Then, as I mentioned earlier, there’s the LCD TV on which I hope to watch some Manny Pacquiao fights or some NBA play-off games very soon – some suggestions to which Jay was passionately receptive to. He really wants this bar to be the ultimate hang out place.

But right now, there is Santana exhibiting his guitar-playing wizardry on DVD being played on the LCD screen. Min (Jay’s sister and the other half of Jaymin Breadhouse, for those who do not know her yet) arrives with a glass of blue drink that she invites us to take a sip of. Not that I didn’t trust her, but I am usually wary of alcoholic beverages with such funky colors. They seem so inviting to the taste as their appearance looks to seduce you like a pretty girl in a pastel-colored skimpy dress, only to knock you out of your wits once you taste its concealed alcoholic kick when you drink it straight up.

I was more interested with the food. The booze can come later anyway. This is a blessing after all. And with the reputation of the Ravalos, not only in good food (Jaymin’s uberly famous Garlic Bread is a testament in itself), but also with hosting parties such as our reunion, I knew we were in for a treat. (I would have my chances to taste the different items on their menu in the days to come, but for now I have only tried their beef tapa and it is definitely recommended for the discriminating taste.)

Jay’s mom, whom I had the pleasure of talking with later that night, is truly glad with the recent turn of events in Jay’s social life. With Jay having been re-acquainted with some long-lost batchmates, and volunteering to host the latest reunion of the batch last February, Jay’s mom feels glad that he has reconnected with a good set of friends who would not lead him astray. Of course, I tried to conceal my comments and contrasting reaction. But given that I was talking with a truly loving mom, I just let it be. Somehow, some of us already feel like being adopted children to the Ravalo extended family (what with the weekly sessions we spend at Jay’s place). Some of us even jokingly tell each other that we are somehow expecting Jay’s mom to finally remind us one day pretty soon that we should remember that we should also go home and spend time with our respective families. But at Ravalos, we are family.

Looking back at our student years in Kumbento, it isn’t really surprising that Jay decided to put up this venture. Music has always been in his blood. He wasn’t the Freddie Aguilar of our batch for nothing. Memories of old singing contests dating back to our grade school days when Jay would usually be pitted against the likes of Bong Estrada and Eric Aprecio come flooding back to our minds. And do you still remember that it was Jay, together with his best buddy in high school, John Andrew De Guzman, who composed our Graduation Song? And unknown to many, it was also music that Jay turned onto during the dark moments of his life. Music became his outlet, his refuge, his creative channel to be able to get back on the right track. And now, Ravalos Food and Music becomes his way of paying back to music which hasn’t really left him all his life. It is a dream-come-true for him. What could be better, right? A business venture about something that is really closest to your heart.

It is good, clean fun that Jay stresses he wants to promote at Ravalos Food and Music. And I couldn’t agree with him more. The previous tenant of the building (which Jay also owns, by the way) has made the place known for a different type of bar – the type where GRO’s serve men and sing videoke with them. Of course, we wouldn’t be familiar with such places that are the breeding grounds for immorality, would we? And Jay would definitely want Ravalos to erase that image of the place and replace it with a new concept of a hang out. Still fun, but the clean, wholesome, and even family-type of fun. And anyone who knows Jay quite personally wouldn’t be surprised with his thrust towards wholesome, family fun. He has been a very active member of the Marriage Encounter community for quite some time now. And he is just living out what he believes in.

So, whether it is music that you are into, or you just want to have a taste of good food and relaxing ambiance, or you just wanna hang out and play a game of nine-balls with your buddies, Ravalos Food and Music is the place for you. Food and drinks are great and are available at very affordable prices. And the place is very accessible for most of us who just live in Pasig.

Come to Ravalos Food and Music where we are family.

Now, who says being wholesome cannot be fun?

Del Prado Powers Team B Win

2008-05-12T23:59:00.007+08:00

It was a career game for Cocoy “Robin” Del Prado last Saturday evening as he powered the Kumbento88 Rigmarolers Team B to a win over their Team A counterparts.

Scoring 2-for-2 from beyond the 3-point arc, Del Prado, who started for the first time this season for the Team B Rigmarolers, established his career-high of six points in a game that can be best described as a friendly scrimmage.

“Parang batya nga yung tingin ko sa ring kaya bumato lang ako nang bumato sa three-points nung nalilibre ako,” Del Prado explains at the post-game interview.

“Sa susunod nga, sabi ko sa kanya, subukan niyang bumato pagdating pa lang nya sa half-court kung ganun siya kaswerte,” says Bong “Batman” Estrada, the other half of the dynamic duo, during the post-game celebrations at Ravalo’s Food and Music.

It was the second straight win for the Team B Rigmarolers while Team A is still winless in two games.

“Di bale, babawi na lang kami sa susunod na game namin. Malas lang ng susunod na makakatapat namin dahil makikita nila ang ngitngit ng Team A,” declares Homer “The Hair” Abaya as he fixes the strands of his bangs. Abaya is Team A’s latest acquisition during the off-season in a trade with Batch 87. Batch 87 demanded nothing in exchange for Abaya.

(fiction... well, kinda)

Pictures from the game can be seen at the album below.

Team A vs Team B

It's A vs B on Saturday

2008-05-07T17:41:00.003+08:00

Maybe it was scheduled with the fear that we might manipulate results if our two teams faced each other in the latter part of the tournament. And so the inevitable is going to happen this Saturday, 5:30PM at the PCC Gymnasium.

It's K88 Rigmarolers Team A versus K88 Rigmarolers Team B.

After the game, one team is gonna come out a winner. But nobody is going home a loser. Ravalos Food and Music for the usual post-game celebrations. See yah!

KBBL2 Opening Game Pics

2008-04-29T20:25:00.004+08:00

Click on the album below to view the pics

KBBL Season 2 Opening

Don't worry, Iric. Next time I'll make sure na Team B naman ang kukunan ko ng pics during our game. Lugi na nga tayo sa exposure dito sa Team A eh.

K88 Teams Opening Day Results

2008-04-27T16:37:00.008+08:00

The two teams of the Kumbento88 Rigmarolers opened their campaigns for the 2nd season of the Kumbento Boys Basketball League in contrasting fashion.

K88 Team A fell short on its opening day game against Batch 87, the same batch they faced in last season’s Battle for 3rd. It wasn’t the same Batch 87 team, however, that our Team A faced this time as Batch 87 decided to field in just one solid team this season to strengthen their chances with a more solid line-up.

Team A’s lack of cohesiveness proved crucial as they faced a Batch 87 team with a deeper bench rotation and armed with familiarity with each other coming from years of playing with each other on a weekly basis. Rumors of Team A being disgruntled with its self-appointed head coach (should I still make a “Da Who” blind item on this one?) are brewing as the team, which on paper seems to be the more formidable of the two K88 teams, hopes to improve on its fourth place finish last season.

With Batch 87 deciding to unify their teams into one, Kumbento88 becomes the only batch to field in two teams this season. But that is not to say that the basketball talent of the Rigmarolers has been spread too thin with its division into two teams. And it was readily proven with Team B’s win over Batch 90 in the following game.

In a rematch of last year’s finals contest, our Team B faced a reinforced Batch 90 team. With Batch 90 seemingly abandoning their kick-out plays of last season in favor of a more inside-penetration type of ballgame, their shooters were not able to get their groove early on. The Rigmarolers, in contrast, delivered on a variety of inside-outside plays and successfully defended the shaded area on the other side. The first half saw the Rigmarolers build a 7-point lead highlighted by a three-point shot by Cocoy “Robin” Del Prado. (Why Robin? Another possible entry for “Da Who”.)

The second half of action, however, was a totally different story. With the Rigmarolers having finally shaken off the rustiness of the off-season break, and its role players, along with some rookie acquisitions, fitting into the system, the team made a decisive run in the 3rd quarter to establish some double-digit leads going into the final canto. Rebounds collared by Team B’s big men Chunky “You-Can’t- Bring-Me-Down-With-Just-An-Elbow” Ramos and Iric “The Enforcer” Balog anchored the fastbreaks led by last season’s MVP Bimbo “The Black Superman” Bersalona literally running rings around his helpless defenders.

Batch 90 made a few crucial plays in the middle of the fourth but the hustle plays of players like Joey “Mr. Quality Minutes” Bidong continued to frustrate the opponents’ efforts. A minor altercation happened in the fourth when one of the opponents felt he was given a hard foul by our resident enforcer Iric . The initially cool-headed Rod “Vintage” Vagilidad tried to pacify both players who readily accepted the fact that all is part of the game. An unnecessary comment, however, from a player from Batch 90’s bench caused Rod to blow his top (what top?), and in turn had to be pacified by the cooler heads in our team (believe it or not, Chunky was one of the cooler heads in that instance).

Game ended with The Rigmarolers ahead by a comfortable margin (around 10 points, I think. Who cares? As long as we won, right?). And the team celebrated at Jay Ravalo’s newly-constructed bar along Mercedes Ave. (Watch out for a thorough write up about Jay’s bar later in this blog.) Over dinner and a few drinks, and in between some friendly games of billiards (yes, this is a complete hang-out place for those who haven’t been there yet), the team had a few discussions on the present line-up of teams for this season’s KBBL, the adjustments each of our teams need to make, and some plans of an all-boys outing in the beautiful island of Boracay.

Now, aren’t you excited about the events of this season?

Opening of KBBL Season 2

2008-04-23T19:55:00.010+08:00

The Kumbento Boys Basketball League opens its second season this Saturday, 26 April 2008 at 3PM.

The Kumbento88 Rigmarolers are the defending champions of this league after last year's successful campaign. And the same as last year, we shall be fielding two competitive teams for the tournament this season.

Our two teams are both seeing action on Saturday against Batch '87 and Batch '90, a re-match of last year's finals (and battle for 3rd) protagonists.

We expect a tougher competition this season as a total of nine batches are competing for the crown. And in line with this, there shall be a final practice session tomorrow (24 April) at 6:30PM (venue TBA) where the composition of the line up for our two teams shall be finalized.

If you are a player, be there at our practice tomorrow. The venue shall be texted to you by Chunky as we would prefer this practice session to be closed-door exclusively for our batch. You'll never know when the other batch's spies are out there to scout our intricately designed plays for this season.

And if you are not a player, but choose to support our teams in this campaign, there shall be a pep rally at the PCC grounds on Saturday right before the opening ceremonies. This shall be led by our playing cheerleader Cocoy Del Prado. Please do not bring your pompoms, balloons and bass drums yet. Since these are just the opening games of the season, we would not want our opponents to surrender into submission this early.

And if you have no interest in basketball whatsoever, and are still waiting for the opening of the first Kumbento Boys Group Games Tournament, just be there. Have fun and join us in our post-game celebration.

Win or lose, it's the booze we choose. (Tama ba yun Wawet?)

Defend the crown! Go Rigmarolers!

Kumbento '88 Alumni Association, Inc.

2008-03-30T11:42:00.002+08:00

Dear all,

I wish to inform everyone that we have now started the initial steps towards the registration of our group in the Securities and Exchange Commission as KUMBENTO '88 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INC. For info, we have already reserved this name in SEC.

As the next-best-step after the successful 20th Anniversary Reunion of Kumbento '88, this will pave the way so that we can already have a legal representation in order for us to pursue our higher goals of raising funds – be it in scholarships, sports and other worthy activities with a core purpose of reinforcing further the K88 brotherhood to culminate towards a five-year time capsule for PCC's Centennial Anniversary in 2013 which also is our Silver Anniversary year.

In this note, I am personally inviting you to form part of the initial composition of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES for the Kumbento '88 Alumni Association Inc.

Should you accept this invitation, you as an incorporator / trustee, shall help manage the affairs of the organization, including coming up with policies and guidelines, and managing its funds. As your name and signature shall be in our incorporation papers, we expect that by joining the Board of Trustees, we can rely on your active participation in the activities that the organization will set in the near future.

A meeting will be called as soon as we are able to complete the fifteen trustees. Please do let me know if you are up to the challenge and I hope you can reply to this email by Wednesday, April 2, 2008.

Cheers and Long Live K88!

Joey Manalad
K88 President (de facto)

Master Rapper

2008-03-13T10:23:00.002+08:00

Yo! Yes, Yes, Yo!
Yo! Yes, Yes, Yo!

The clapping of the hands was in unison, serving as the guiding beat. We were all in a line that was slowly forming into a semi-circle. And in the middle was the star, the entertainer rapping his heart out.

Yo! Yes, Yes, Yo!
Yo! Yes, Yes, Yo!

Ask anyone from our batch, and I am pretty sure that this particular scene would rank among the more memorable recollections of our graduation. His act may even outrank Ferdie’s valedictory addresh, or Edmund Fullido’s stage strut.

Yo! Yes, Yes, Yo!
Yo! Yes, Yes, Yo!

I don’t remember what he was saying in his rap anymore. I’m not even sure if I was able to hear him clearly at that time. But we didn’t care. We didn’t care whatever it was he was mumbling, or should I say rapping about. What we cared about was the spontaneity of the moment. It was graduation practice at the PCC grounds. That only meant that classes were already over. Exams and other requirements were finally done with. And we were just waiting for that glorious day when we would all be able to receive that much-coveted diploma.

Yo! Yes, Yes, Yo!
Yo! Yes, Yes, Yo!

It was that careless abandon which we felt we were entitled to after four years of toiling it in high school. And he represented it through his display of rapping prowess, or lack of it, depending on your standards and opinion. But as I said, who cared? He was definitely enjoying himself. And so were we.

Yo! Yes, Yes, Yo!
Yo! Yes, Yes, Yo!

After all these years, we still do remember the vivid memories. And most probably, until we have that grand reunion come our silver jubilee, this subject shall inevitably pop up in our reminiscing drinking sessions. And maybe by then he will even provide us with an encore.

Yo! Yes, Yes, Yo!
Yo! Yes, Yes, Yo!

Take a bow, Master Rapper Mon Agner.

The Poetry of Tears For Fears

2008-03-05T12:41:00.007+08:00

by Gary C. Devilles

I’ve been a literature teacher for quite some time and ever since I started teaching poetry or other genres I never failed to incorporate songs or popular culture in my pedagogy because primarily, I find a lot of artists or musicians poetic and that secondly, teaching literature through popular culture makes things more interesting for students such that they realize that the songs they enjoy are not far from the literary pieces they struggle to understand in terms of poetic devices or conventions.

One of my favorite artists is Tears for Fears. Back then when we were in high school we were captivated by their music and the strange dance maneuver of Roland Orzabal. Of course, I wasn’t really paying much attention to their lyrics then, probably because of my limitation and second I was more concerned with their melody. If it’s danceable, then most likely it’s good. The 80’s is the age of new wave and people were less concerned with poetics than body language. Now, of course we don’t dance as much. We are more comfortable listening to the 80’s music through our mp3s and iPods and this is when we begin to pay attention to what they were saying and try to make sense of what the songs meant for us then.

Consider Tears for Fears’ album, The Hurting, where almost all the songs in this compilation reflect the tedium, rebellion, and angst experienced in our youth. The first stanza of the song The Hurting sounds like a de profundis or a crying out loud of the soul who experiences pain from the depths of hell:

Is it an horrific dream/ am I sinking fast/could a person be so mean as to laugh and laugh/ On my own/ could you ease my load/ could you see my pain/ could you please explain the hurting/.

The persona here or the one perceived speaking in the song is asking these rhetorical questions addressed to someone who is probably not there since the line, on my own, explains explicitly his or her condition of isolation. In the Greek Tragedy this is called Agon (hence the word, agony, as a derivative of this Greek word agon), the articulation of character’s dilemma and problem. Alienation or isolation is one of the oldest problems articulated in drama and poetry and yet in this song we confront again this problem as though it is something new. This effect of seeing something old as new is known in poetry as defamiliarization, the effect of making the familiar unfamiliar. As one proceeds with the song, one learns that the pain is caused by one’s inability to communicate or understand other situation as articulated in the lines that goes:

Could you understand a child when he cries in pain/ could you give him all he needs/ or do you feel the same.

Such inability to communicate or failure to understand necessary leads to confusion with what one thinks and feels as the song continues with

All along you’ve been told you’re wrong when you felt it right/ and you’re left to fight the hurting.

The song actually ends powerfully with the resolution that fighting is futile and that acceptance of pain and suffering seems like a necessary process or stage that everyone goes through as the third stanza reveals that one has to feel pain and sorrow, touching pain and surrendering to it just like a child does. Perhaps the answer to the lingering problem of loneliness is not in being with someone since psychoanalyst Carl Jung once said that loneliness is not inimical to relationship. One can still feel alone even with others and the constant search for answers becomes the paramount condition of human existence. One asks questions because one continues to live.

Touch the hurt and don’t let go/ get in line with the things you know/ learn to cry like a baby / then the hurting won’t come back.

However, existential questions articulated in The Hurting become more critical in the song Mad World where the loneliness of persona is much more palpable and brought about by the inanity of lack of purpose and sense of direction. The French has a term for this kind of condition, which they call ennui and the ennui in this song is workaday world that seems caught in an endless circle of deceit:

Bright and early for their daily races/ going nowhere, going nowhere/ and their tears are filling up their glasses/ no expression, no expression/ hide my head and I want to drown my sorrow/ no tomorrow, no tomorrow.

This experience of tedium and ennui becomes more problematic as the song in the end reveals that such experience starts much early in life, when children are made to feel good and yet their teachers fail to understand what’s going on with them:

Made to feel the way that every child should/ sit and listen, sit and listen/ went to school and I was very nervous/ no one knew me, no one knew me/ hello teacher tell me what’s my lesson/ look right through me, look right through me.

If teacher-student relationship in grade school can be alienating, it is not surprising that almost all form of social filiations, lovers and even familial are not spared from this trauma and as such becomes the running theme almost in all songs in this compilation. Pale Shelter talks about one’s insecurity despite the provisions given to the persona, and in Ideas as Opiates, security in one’s beliefs becomes a comfortable excuse or relief when in fact admitting almost instinctively that belief is quite arbitrary:

And lies spread on lies/ we don’t care/ belief is our relief/ we don’t care.

One cannot even resort to memories as possible source of solace. If in TS Elliot’s Cats (became a musical and famous for the song Memory) one can invoke memory as the reason for being granted another life, for Tears for Fears memories fade and the scars still linger:

The more I talk/ the more I say/ the less you seem to hear/ I’m speechless in a most peculiar way/ your mind is weak/ your need is great/ and nothing is too dear/ for you to use to take the pain away/ memories fade.

This song may as well an echo of the song Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel in the late 70’s where the persona speaks to darkness as an old friend and sees people talking without listening. We cannot be certain whether Roland or Curt was influenced by the critical stance of the artists in the 70’s, but their songs in this album really captured what it meant to be alone, to live in a dog-eat-dog world, to suffer from the maddening crowd. Almost twenty five years ago, we were dancing to these tunes, couldn’t care less if they are saying something more. Now that we are beginning to feel the grip and extent of what they were saying, I wonder if we can still dance the way these songs were rendered before. Or shall we be forever be in an ironic situation as the song Start of the Breakdown tells us:

We love to laugh/ love to cry/ half-alive/ we love to go slow when we’re dancing for rain/ dry skin flakes where there’s ice in the vein/ and we love to cry/ half alive.

The song asks, is this the start of the breakdown. Can anyone provide an answer?

The world keeps spinning for Julia Fordham

2008-03-05T12:32:00.006+08:00

by Gary C. Devilles, Correspondent, Manila Times

Like the troubadours of yore and the romantic poets today, renowned pop-jazz artist Julia Fordham reminds us once again of our myths and ideals about love, warning us of what love may cost, and promising us of the grandeur love brings. This season of romance, Ayala Malls brings Fordham to the Philippines in a rare concert series.

Fordham has recently completed her tenth album, China Blue, which marks a high point in her 20-year career. "I started at 16," she says, "joining bands and playing music and dropping out early from school to concentrate on being a musician." Her first album, Happy Ever After, was an instant hit. Listeners all over the world immediately liked her songs since these captured the essence of the eighties—the enigmatic and flimsy relationships as expressed in the song Invisible War and the innocent musing or the reflective stance of people back then in Where Does The Time Go.

In China Blue, we encounter Fordham seeking once more an inner dialogue with herself only this time more cognizant of a world that has changed dramatically. She says this album speaks of a sense of personal completion and one of the songs included, titled For You Only For You, strangely articulates this experience of moving on and taking hold of one's emotions. As the song goes, one may cry like a river over and over again for heartaches. But one should remember that a sea of love runs deep in veins. The singer intimates that the capacity to love almost always outweighs the pain of broken relationships and unfulfilled desires. She echoes what philosopher Roland Barthes said about lovers and beloved—that the beloved may be privileged to be desired and adored but ultimately it is the lover who becomes more in touch with his humanity.

When Fordham was asked about what she could tell Britney Spears if she will be able to talk to her, she says she only has sympathy for her. "I would want Britney to run away from the maddening crowd and the media that constantly make a circus out of her life. Actually I don’t like to read gossip magazines especially if the stories in them are painful." Fordham understands what it meant to be under the brutal surveillance of a watchful eye being a public figure herself.

She reminds us not to be overwhelmed by the world we live in and that despite the "bad hair days" or what her sister would call as "cake days", one should be reminded of the palpable fragility of our existence that is better spent with someone who really matters as expressed in the songs, Holiday and I Want To Stay Home With You. Fordham confesses that she loves the simple things such as afternoon tea with friends and family at home. "I have this wonderful set of tea cups," she volunteers, "and my house is this cozy space with wooden floors and ceiling, located near a hill I always love to trek."

The Manila Times asked Julia her reason for releasing China Blue via NovaTunes, an independent Internet company. "The world is constantly changing," Julia opines, "and one cannot just fight back or ignore such force. We all know that a lot of recording companies are closing and this is creating a tremendous pressure over artists to be more creative in terms of marketing." The songs in her album can be bought by downloading them.

Regarding the viability of this marketing strategy, she says that the problem of piracy is one that cannot be easily solved by simply promoting the original. In the age of mechanical albeit digital reproduction, the challenge for the artist is still to be able to sell as this is a source of livelihood without totally controlling the very instrument of production. After all, the success of an artist can also be gauged from the "replicating potential" and "reinterpretation" of his or her work.

Fordham lauds local singer Nina for doing a very good job in her rendition of her Love Moves in Mysterious Ways. This for her is also a measure of an artist’s popularity. Ultimately for Fordham, such marketing strategy of releasing work through the Internet is also a philosophical and political conviction on her part as an artist that strives to be independent with only her audience in mind. She feels her commitment to music and the people who love her should not in anyway be hindered by the business aspect of the music industry.

There are ten songs in this album that tell us who to love, what to do if betrayed, and how to cope if we fall out of love. Indeed, we are constantly in love— searching, longing, losing, and pained by love as the song The World Keeps Spinning tells us. The hypnotic and seductive poetry of Julia Fordham in this collection also discloses that despite the overwhelming feeling of being in love, the world continues to spin beyond the reach of time, with no finality, but with a future that we can only call an assurance. One poet says that the heart is a landmine, and in the Glorietta Mall as Julia Fordham croons everyone with China Blue, bidding us like lost lovers and absent friends, with a breeze that sends a sad tune as the song goes, our hearts explode from within.

Name Calling

2008-03-03T23:08:00.008+08:00

It was a time when Personal Computers here in the Philippines were as rare as Plasma TV’s in our present time. It was the mid-80’s and only the privileged had PC’s in their households. And Wawet was one of those privileged kids who had them in their home. And they didn’t only own one PC. The lucky bastard had three of them. Yup, they had three PC’s that they use in their home at a time when PCC couldn’t even include computer subjects in our high school curriculum.

And so, one fine Saturday afternoon, Eric Joson, Regie Fronda and I planned to pay Wawet a visit in their home in Marietta to get a chance to play some computer games on their PC’s.

As we were already approaching Wawet’s house, we realized that we had some sort of, umm, a name problem. You see, back in those days, Wawet wasn’t called Wawet in PCC. He was called either ‘Hilario’ or ‘Faustino’. (Calling him Wawet wouldn’t come until our college days in the Ateneo.)

You know how we were in high school. We sometimes called our classmates by their whole first names, or their whole first and second names (Rey Carlo, John Michael – my wife calls it the telenovela-double-name syndrome as in the case of Dingdong Dantes’ character who was always called ‘Carlos Miguel’, to be spoken in one breath) or by their family names (Pueblo, Atillo, Balajadia, Bersalona).

In Wawet’s case, everybody in PCC called him either ‘Hilario’ or ‘Faustino’.

But which was which? Was Faustino his first name? Or was it his family name? If we rang their doorbell and his Dad answered, whom shall we ask for? Hilario or Faustino? It would have been an awkward conversation if something like this happened.

“Nandyan po ba si Faustino?”, we would ask.

“Ahh, mga iho, sinong Faustino? Lahat kami dito sa bahay na ‘to eh Faustino ang apelyido.”, his Dad would have replied.

That would have been embarrassing.

So before ringing their doorbell, Eric, Regie and I had some discussion on two concerns. One, which name is which. And two, who among us would be the one to ask in case it wasn’t Wawet who comes out of the gate.

I am not quite certain how we were able to resolve the name problem. Maybe we just based it on Wawet’s class number. He was positioned before Regie Fronda in our class number. Ergo, his family name couldn’t have been Hilario. As to who was assigned to ask the question, I already forgot.

Luckily, when we rang their doorbell, one of Wawet’s sisters answered us and we asked the correct question:

“Nandyan po ba si Hilario?”

A Class Section By Any Other Name

2008-03-01T11:11:00.003+08:00

by Gary C. Devilles

To dismantle the idea of a pilot section is to dismantle elitism and elitism is part of the bigger problem of factionalism and fascism. Philosopher Hannah Arendt says that it is wrong to accuse only Nazis of fascism since in truth, fascism exists in varying degrees and contexts. In my case, my experience of elitism happened in schools. When I transferred to a private school, I knew already its implication. Some of my friends even construed it as a form of social mobility, since the divide between private and public school is symptomatic of class conflicts. It is not that in public school elitism does not exist. In Bagong Ilog Elementary School, we were already told that we belong to a “pilot” section, honors class, special education, etc. Pilot section is already a form of dividing between “us” and “them”. So when I went to PCC, I knew somehow that my education comes with a price tag or a label. I may not exactly be aware of the political economy of our education but I was being indoctrinated to this ideology of “brand-consciousness,” in so far as our society labels, categorizes, or polarizes us into black and white, public or private, elite or hoi polloi.

The branding does not stop in the type of schools, once admitted to PCC, I realized that branding goes all the way to sections, cultures, and codes. In public schools, sections are numbered but in PCC there were names, like Lakandula, Soliman, Humabon, Sumakwel, Dumangsil, Sikatuna, Lapu lapu and Kalantiaw, all names of pre-colonial heroes, except that I only recognized Lapu lapu of course (It was only when I was teaching history in Ateneo that I learned some of these heroes were actually fakes or fictive but back then no one cared or bothered to know these names, for they are after all just names). In grade 6 we would have pre-colonial titles of nobility like Gat, Lakan, Rajah, Hari, Hadji, Sultan, and Datu. It’s a good thing this Filipinization stopped in grade school and when we entered high school our sections were more cosmopolitan like Cardinal, Robin, Eagle, Oriole, Hawk, Lark and Falcon (For the life of me, I couldn’t imagine having the Filipino equivalents like Maya, Kuwago, Pato, Langay-langayan, Kulasisi, Sabukot, Manok, Uwak, Tagak, and Banoy). Sophomores were names of planets like Jupiter and Saturn, juniors were names of scientists like Galileo and Copernicus, and seniors back to epic heroes like Lam-Ang and Bantugen. In high school the practice was that we would carry our section until we graduate but do we ever stopped that these names mean nothing other than the arbitrary signifiers to meaningless signified? How does one essentially see through a Lark or Falcon, Jupiter or Mars, Ibalon or Lam Ang?

Branding extends to our daily lives with the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and even the things we use. Hotdog is Swift or Purefoods. Before Jollibee or McDonalds, we had Kramburger or Jester. The well-to-do classmates dine in Shakeys from time to time but for the rest we usually settled for turu-turo. In cafeteria, we have Slush Puppies drink but I was more loyal to Aling Patring’s Iskrambol. Ice Cream would be Magnolia or Presto. Gums would be Bazooka Joe or Tarzan. Soft drinks would be Pepsi or Coke. For notebooks and bond paper we have Sakura or Cattleya, Steadler or Bensia for pencils and erasers, Bic or Scribbler for pens. For shoes the fashion was Haruta, an imitation of Bass, but others would wear Bandolino and Greg. The sneakers of my classmates would be Tretorn, Standsmith, or Chuck Taylor but mine was Marlboro (which unfortunately until now I’m trying to figure out how in the world a shoe got its name from a cigarette brand). Underwear of course would be Hanes but mine was YC (Remember their famous jingle ad that goes like “YC Bikini Brief, YC Bikini Brief for a man who packs a wallop?). These brands definitely mediate our choices but no one at that time tried to see if these choices are really indicative of freedom or are we being constrained more by these limited choices. Aren’t all these just pomp and circumstance, pageantry, and advertising? How much of the brand can really hold on to its essential attributes? Today these brands are quickly replaceable and dispensable. Nobody remembers Olympia typewriter or Pocketbell anymore and I wonder how many artifacts or objects will be obsolete in the near future. I tell my students that they maybe proud to be Ateneans but in the final analysis, isn’t Ateneo’s rank 375 out of 500 universities all over the world? How proud can you get with that picture? Sad that education nowadays is very much extended marketing.

Sections or brand names reveal how commodified our culture is. If we could only dismantle brand consciousness the way Germans broke the wall that divide them before, then perhaps things would be easier as admitting that a rose by any other name is still a rose. But the enigma of brand is part of a long history of our subjection for which power is intrinsically linked. Right now we address ourselves as one nation or one people, but the truth is our geographical condition makes it difficult to recognize similarities and affinities and we become more enamored by our differences. Dismantling brand consciousness is an enormous task of self-reflexivity and critical discernment. Hence, transcending sections pilot or otherwise becomes a political will and collective action. This is not a task for “pilot section” alone, everyone as Joey said should move beyond the comfort zones and familiar circles. But if we can achieve it in our batch then there is no need to be surprised if we could do it in the grand scheme of things in the future. The reunion is definitely a good start although we have to admit that much work is still to be done if we are to dream big and extend our communities imagined or real. This country deserves more from the fascistic tendencies of our government officials. For the meantime, a drink is always a good to start things up, have fun and be reflective. The ancient Greeks call such gathering as symposium. They drink and philosophize. We may not be Greeks or Germans, but hey, San Miguel or Carlsberg isn’t that bad either. Cheers to us all!

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 17 - Fund And Expense Report

2008-02-27T08:48:00.003+08:00

by Jeff Sulit
20th Year Homecoming Chair

Dear All,

We would like to thank everyone for the support to our most recent successful 20th Grand Reunion.

As we have committed in the past, we will be transparent in the fund generation as well as the utilization of the fund gathered.

Before anything else, we would like to acknowledge the following people who volunteered to be Special Patrons on the day of our reunion:

FATHER ERICK SANTOS
DENNIS PALACIO
JOEL ANGELES

We truly appreciate your generosity and support. Same goes to those who have been previously acknowledged, many, many, many, thanks.

Final tally of the attendees, its not 99 anymore but after the review of the registration sheet as well as the pictures, it was 101 warm bodies who at one time or another was present at Jay's place last February 16.

*Attached is the Fund and Expense report I prepared and reviewed/audited by Cocoy, Jay and Arnold and approved by Joey.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring support you gave.

The remaining fund will be our seed money to facilitate new fund raising activities as well as the proposed setting up of a foundation for our batch. This excess fund will definitely be not enough to accomplish these forthcoming activities, but with your continued support we can proceed not only in setting up the foundation and facilitate fund raising activities for the Grand Centennial Homecoming but also to realise some long-term projects that is currently being planned.

Again, we thank you and long live K88.

Sincerely,

_________________________________
The Organizing Committee
Kumbento 88: TWENTY RIGMAROLIN' YEARS
February 16, 2008

*Attachment was sent thru the K88 Email Distribution List.

Thanks

2008-02-26T09:10:00.003+08:00

by Jobet Lara

Fellow Rigmarolers,

Hoorah! to all PCC High School batch 1988. Congratulations to all of us for making our 20th year celebration a success. Pictures, videos and posts on our yahoogroup show how much excitement and adrenalin filled our celebration. I saw it and felt it.

I just had my chemotherapy session 2 days before our party so I had to take my steroids (chemo drugs suppress adrenalin). Steroids pump up adrenalin back to my veins to make me strong and enable me to move about. Without steroids, siguro di ako
naka-attend ng celebration natin.

Ako lang siguro naka-steroid during our celebration. But I'm sure the same adrenalin rush was felt by everybody at the party.

I also take this opportunity to thank everybody for all the continued prayers and support. I thank specially Joey Manalad and Jeff Sulit, members of the committees who organized the celebration, and of course, our generous patrons and sponsors for sharing with me their blessings to support my medical treatment. I will have my next chemotherapy session come February 28.

Thanks very much and God bless us all!

K88 Reunion Videos Part 3

2008-02-25T20:12:00.002+08:00

The Arrival

Square Rooms + Beatles Medley

K88 Reunion Videos Part II

2008-02-25T01:31:00.005+08:00

The Night Before

Hernan's Alma Mater Song

Jeff Sulit's Speech

Joey Manalad's Roll Call

Audi and Regan Singing Ako'y Sa 'Yo

Chunky and Gary Singing Ipagpatawad Mo

Jay Ravalo Singing Come Together

Time to crush the term PILOT like the Berlin Wall

2008-02-23T18:10:00.000+08:00

by Joey Manalad
Kumbento88 President

pi•lot [pahy-luh t]
–adjective
serving as an experimental or trial undertaking prior to full-scale operation or use: a pilot project

Noong grade 3 ako, ang sabi nung teacher ko ay pagbutihin daw namin kung sakaling mailagay kami sa pilot sa susunod na taon. Hindi ko naman naintindihan kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin sa salitang pilot. The following year, I learned from my other classmates that it was the same message given to them by their grade 3 teachers. Noon ko lang nalaman na pilot na pala yung section na ‘yon, and our teacher, Ms. Cruz officially informed us that Sapphire was THE pilot section.

Honestly, I never felt the difference from the grade 3 class to this new one in grade 4. If not for the official announcement by the class adviser, I really wouldn’t know the difference. Ganun din naman ang atmosphere – maingay, makukulit ang kaklase, may iba’t-ibang subjects, may iba’t-ibang teachers, pareho lang basically. Siguro ang medyo pinagkaiba lang ay mas malakas ang boses nung nagre-recite kapag may itinanong yung teacher. Yung tipo bang huling sagot na niya kaya todo-bigay na ang pagsagot sa isang napaka-simpleng tanong ng teacher.

Over the years, unti-unting na-establish na kapag pilot pala, this is supposed to be the “cream of the crop” and I suppose, students from the other sections somewhat look up, if not envy our class. Or worse, they probably thought of ganging up on us once in a while. The sharp stares we get along the Carlos Building corridors, the ugly side remarks we hear in the canteen during recess time, are just some few things that made me uncomfortable being in the pilot class. Unti-unti ko nang nararamdaman na may kakaiba silang nakikita sa pilot. Hey, wala namang ganyanan. Sa tingin ko, pare-pareho lang tayo ng pinagdaanan. I should know, I was one of the pranksters of the pilot class. Ang kulit ninyo sa section niyo ang siyang kulit din namin dun sa loob ng pilot class namin. Walang pagkakaiba. We answer the same periodical exam questions inasmuch as we buy the same yema from Mrs. Chavez. I don’t think na mas sinasarapan ni Mrs. Chavez ang yema niya dahil ibebenta niya ito sa pilot class. And I also don’t think papatulan namin ang yema niya kung mas mahal niyang ibebenta ang mga ito sa amin dahil taga pilot kami. Talagang pareho lang.

Another year passed and I was with Grade 5 - Lapu-lapu, then Grade 6 – Sultan. Noong high school, I was with 1st Year Cardinal, then 2nd Year Cardinal. As you and I already know by this time, 3rd Year saw the disbanding of the original pilot. Robin became the pilot class while Cardinal became one of the regular sections. Yung detalye nitong kuwentong ito ay isinulat na ni Gary Devilles , paki-balikan na lang.

One good thing that came about with this disbanding of the original pilot was the warming up of poles for those from the other classes who finally met and made good friends with people who used to stay in their comfort zone in the pilot class. Isa na ako doon. At least kahit papaano, naipakita ko na wala namang kakaiba sa amin. Pareho lang. “Burog” din ang tawag namin kay Mr. Roberto, “Bitoy” kay Saguisag, “Superman” si Mr. Soriano. Of course we give high regards to the original owner of the moniker “noo”, no less than our dear high school principal, Mr. Antonio B. Cruz. Sino ba ang hindi nakurot ni Lelith Adriano? Pero siguro yung sakit ng kurot ni Lelith ay depende na lang kung gaano kalaki ang atraso mo sa kanya, or kung gaano ka niya ka-crush. Peace Lelith!!! Pero definitely, walang pilot-pilot dito. At ika nga ni Arnold, we buy the same 2-pc. Barbeque with rice sa canteen and dip the same choco flavorings sa ice cream ni Mang Alex. Talagang pareho lang.

Fast forward circa 2000. Whenever we have K88 gatherings, whether big or small, di pa rin naaalis ang issue ng pilot at non-pilot. Other people are still aloof blending with the “taga-pilot”. Yun bang tipong parang bakang manunuwag or kabayong maninipa. Walang ganon sa batch natin kaya’t iwaksi na natin ito sa isipan natin. Our recent success in the 1st Kumbento Boys Basketball League is one tangible proof that barriers have finally been removed. Our players were in various shapes and sizes and yes, came from a good mix of our various sections from High School - - some came from Hawk, Oriole, Robin, Lark, Eagle, and Cardinal. During our reunion last Saturday, ninety-nine K88 warm bodies came up and were proudly counted during the big event. Masaya ang lahat, kitang kita naman sa mga uploaded pictures, hindi ba? Unfortunately, 20 long years after we moved on, mayroon pa ring nagbibigay ng pilot label. Wala na nga lang sigurong sharp stares and I am sure the remark was done in a jesting context. But please let us put a closure to this. Wala nang pilot at non-pilot. We should act and move as one, as Kumbento ’88. Huwag na nating lagyan nang ganitong label ang samahan natin. Malalim na ang pundasyon nito at sa tingin ko ay hindi na ito matitibag nang kung anumang pagsubok.

Just to share to you one story from Mrs. Bulangit that I really paid attention to in High School was the story of the Berlin Wall - - the barrier that separated the West Berlin from East Berlin for 28 long years from 1961 until its demolition in 1989. As she discussed in class in 1988, the Berlin Wall was still up.

If I still remember right, West Germany developed into a western capitalist country while East Germany established an authoritarian government. Despite its progress, the East still looked up to the West as it gained political freedom. The Berlin Wall served as a barrier to prevent the Easterners to cross the border and reunite with the Westerners. The fall of the Berlin wall paved the way for the German reunification.

Let us learn to appreciate history and apply its good lessons. It is time to crush the term PILOT like the Berlin Wall and let the Easterners in us join the Westerners of the batch in whatever context you may wish to put it. Let us move on as one and rigmarole if you want; just never add another brand to the only brand we will forever know– THE Kumbento ’88.

K88 Reunion Videos

2008-02-21T12:20:00.004+08:00

Bong Estrada Singing Melt With You

Bing and Hernan Singing Salamat

Mrs. Memoracion's Speech

Father Erick's Speech

Miss Carina Santos' Speech

1000 beats per minute

2008-02-20T05:21:00.006+08:00

A Balikbayan's reunion point of view

By B Espiritu

As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in front of my computer in San Francisco, savoring what’s left of my last day off from work, after a long plane ride back from Pasig City. Indeed, the past few days have been filled with so much excitement among the Kumbento 88 members. The reunion went by so fast I find it hard to express in detail what had happened during that time, but I’ll try to recount a few of the moments I could recall.

Since our plan to attend the 20th year reunion was mostly unannounced, Manny Santana suggested that one of us get out of the car first, and since we had thought there was a slight “leak” in his whereabouts more than my whereabouts (Gary Devilles and Boyet Valencia saw us at Serendra the day before), he came out and walked towards Jay Ravalo’s place – and sure enough a lot of people were surprised to see him. I waited a few minutes, being the drama queen that I could be at times. 1000 beats per minute – that was how much I felt my heart was pounding as I finally came out of the car and walked on. I could feel a shiver all over my body as I walked – that was the last thing I could remember before reaching the front gate of Jay Ravalo’s place.

What had gone through my mind prior to going to the reunion had vanished. I was afraid of not knowing anyone anymore and though there were a few faces I couldn’t recognize at first, somehow I was reminded of who they are. I remember seeing Antonio Lara, Marvin Malonzo, Erick Cruz, and Regan Fronda (who I had to admit I didn’t recognize at first). I was also afraid of not being recognized, but that proved to be wrong since I felt like I had a warm reception (fit for a king!) even before reaching the front gate. I even got hugs from the two presidents – of our batch (Joey Manalad) and of the 20th year homecoming (Jeff Sulit).

My good old friend adrenaline had gotten the most of me throughout the afternoon and evening. I wouldn’t normally get up and sing on stage – but I did. When I heard “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and realized it didn’t have the vocals, I just couldn’t contain myself and had to seize the opportunity. After all, Father Erick did say that we should make the most of our lives, and I didn’t want to wait for my turn to sing anymore. I knew at times I was out of tune and my voice was scratchy since I’ve been battling a cold, but I think the risk was worth it! Being able to sing with a live band had also been a dream of mine, and I think Jay Ravalo, Gilbert Gatchalian, and Noel Acosta made that dream a reality, even for just a few hours – thanks guys!

Throughout the night of music, drinking, and chatting, I think I found myself mostly relaxed, but filled with happiness and excitement that I couldn’t explain. I felt like I reunited with a long, lost family. It was a night when I felt my “what if’s” have been answered (there’s too many to mention). I also felt that I had put any remaining ill-feelings towards people aside and at least just have fun. I felt a sense of closure for the burden that I felt I’ve been carrying for the last twenty years, and now think of it as what makes life worth living. The reunion that I thought I would dread going to has suddenly turned out to be one I would look forward to and smile about when I think about.

As I’m writing this, the only thing I dread is the fact that tomorrow I’m back to work and that the weather forecast calls for occasional rain. But thinking of the past few days I’ve spent with all of my high school buddies still makes me smile and hope – it’s going to be a sunny day anyway.

K88 Grand Reunion - Pasasalamat

2008-02-19T21:31:00.006+08:00

by Jeff Sulit
20th Year Homecoming Chair

Wagi!

Wagi ang Batch 88! Sa mga humigit kumulang na 96 batchmates na dumalo nung Sabado, masasabi natin na tayo ay nagwagi sa ating adhikain na ituloy ang kapatiran ng ating batch.

Isang karangalan para sa akin ang pagiging Homecoming Chair para sa ating 20th year Grand Reunion. Kund hindi sa mga sumusunod na ka-batch natin, hindi ko kakayanin at hindi ganito ang kalalabasan ng Kwentuhan, Kantahan at Kampayan natin nung Sabado.

Para kay Joey Manalad, ang ating batch president, salamat at binigyan mo ko ng pagkakataon na iorganisa ang Reunion na ito. At sa pagiging punong abala sa sponsorhip at fund raising committee.

Para kay Cocoy Del Prado, sa pagiging co-chair sa reunion na ito. Salamat bro at marami kang nahikayat na pumunta.

Para kay Jay Ravalo ang ating Grand Patron. Salamat ng marami sa pagiging bukas palad mo sa kapakanan ng ating batch. At sa iyong pamilya na buo ang suporta din sa ating batch.

Para kay Arnold Martinez, punong abala sa ating batch shirt, web page at blog spot. Pasensya na at naatasan ka muling maging official photographer.

Para kay Bong Estrada sa pag-asikaso sa ating mga kinain nung Sabado at sa mga oras na ginugol para sa praktis bilang vocalista sa K88 Band.

Para kay Noel Acosta at Gilbert Gatchalian, kasama si Jay at Bong, sa pagbigay ng walang kapantay na live performances at sa mga di mabilang na oras sa pag-eensayo.

Para kay Ericson Mercado, sa ginawang artwork na naging backdrop natin at back cover ng souvenir program.

Para kay Jobet Lara, sa iyong pagdalo kahit alam namin na mahirap sa kundisyon mo sa ngayon.

Para kay Jun Lara, sa pag buo ng programa nuong Sabado, pasensya na at di natin nasaikatuparan ang mga larong pinaghandaan.

Sa mga nag-distibute ng ating tickets at nangolekta ng mga proceeds, Joey, Cocoy, Jay, Chunky, Rod, Rey Carlo, Jun Lara, Eric Gonzales, Eric Cruz, Regan Bernabe, Gatchi, Noel, paki personal email na lang ako kung meron akong hindi nabanggit na pangalan- ipagpaumanhin na lang po.

Sa lahat na tumulong ng pinansyal kahit alam natin na mahirap ang buhay ngayon, kayo ay naglaan para sa reunion at outreach natin.

Para ka Cesar Menguito, Regan Bernabe at Marvin Malonzo sa pagasikaso sa ating mga special guest.

Sa ating mga special guest, Father Eric, Mrs. Memoracion at Ms. Carina Santos - salamat at kayo ay nakarating, isang karangalan ang muli kayong makapiling.

Para kay Eric Cruz, punong abala sa registration at distribution ng batch shirt.

Para kay Rey Munsod, sa pagiging official solo pic photographer natin kahit na ako ay walang solo pic.

Para kay Boyet Valencia, sa pagiging emcee natin.

Sa lahat ng dumalo nung Sabado, kahit malayo ang pinanggalingan, kahit na meron mga trabaho, kahit na meron mga lakad pamilya, kahit meron emergency, kahit meron pinagluluksa, kahit meron ibang pagkakaabalahan ay ginusto pa rin makapunta sa ating Reunion.

Special mention kay Manny at Bing na sumorpresa sa lahat. Kay Hernan na despite sa mga nangyari ay pinili pa rin makapiling muli tayo.

At kay Iric Balog, condolence ulit bro.

At sa mga kasamahan ni Jay Ravalo na tumayong parking attendant, waiter, taga-kabit ng streamer, taga bili ng inumin, taga tilad ng lechon.

Ito lamang ay nagpapatunay na kung tayo ay tulong tulong walang bagay na impossible.

Tuloy natin ang paghahanda para sa ating 25th year at pagiging proud host of PCC's Centennial Celebration.

Ulit, maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.

Huggable Is Back

2008-02-18T09:19:00.002+08:00

by Erick Cruz, K88 Yahoogroup moderator

What can I say? First things first this monday morning...

He was once forced to leave our group....
He was once forced to contemplate on his feelings towards our brotherhood....

But, he is nonetheless a true blue blooded K88 member....

And he is BACK!!!

Let us welcome with lots of hugs our dear Huggable Hernan!!! - who seems to be the only one who still knows the lyrics to our alma mater song

The K88 2008 Reunion In Pictures

2008-02-17T15:47:00.004+08:00

Okay, here's what you've been waiting for. View the pictures taken during last night's K88 Reunion by clicking on the link below.

And if you are one of those numerous people who brought their own cameras yesterday, please contact me on how you can upload your shots into the album below. It's better if we centralize the archiving of all of our pictures from this point so that organization would be alot easier. Access would also be a lot simpler.

2008 Reunion: Kuwentuhan! Kantahan! Kampayan!

K88 Centennial Teaser

2008-02-17T09:49:00.002+08:00

It's Sunday morning, Manila time.

You guessed it right. I just woke up from last night's very successful party.

No, this won't be a blog entry about what happened last night at the K88 Reunion Party. I still dunno yet on which angle to start writing on. The K88 Band which totally rocked? The two special guests from our high school life? Or the two other special guests who flew in just to be with us yesterday?

Again, sorry to disappoint you. This is also not an entry posting the pictures taken last night. Still too lazy to organize and upload them on the web. But I guarantee you, we captured lots of them.

And just to whet your appetite even more, here's the K88 teaser that I prepared which most of you never got to watch last night at the PCC Homecoming because of "dragging" reasons.

The rest of the PCC Alumni got to watch this last night. At around 11PM - while all of K88 was busy partying at Jay Ravalo's place. Glad we didn't wait for it.

So without further ado, here's the video teaser of Kumbento88 on PCC's Centennial Celebration in 2013.

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 16 - See You All Tomorrow

2008-02-15T16:09:00.003+08:00

Bukas na!

KUWENTUHAN!

February 16, 2008!

KANTAHAN!

2 PM!

KAMPAYAN!!!

Jay Ravalo's Place!

20 RIGMAROLIN' YEARS!!!

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 15 - 3 Days To Go; Memorabilia

2008-02-14T14:34:00.002+08:00

Three days to go and its our BIG DAY. If you still have your yearbooks, class pictures and other personal pictures make sure you review the faces of your batchmates, for sure there would be a lot of surprises. Some, you could still recognize and some, you would think that he is someone who is just assuming the name of your batchmate.

We would also encourage everyone to bring their most unique high school memorabilia, be it a signed high school polo or pe tshirt (remember during the last day of the school year when we asked our classmates to sign our polo or pe tshirt as remembrance) , ticket from a party ( i remember one party during our days -Suegeneris not sure if the spelling is correct) or any prac arts project (the burly buri lampshade or the drawing pads during our first year) or any memorabilia that you think is unique. We will display it for everyone to appreciate and the most unique one would win a prize. So look at your basements, attics, cabinets and baols to see if you have that most unique memorabilia.

Again, 3 days to go and its Kwentuhan, Kantahan at Kampayan na ng K88 Rigmarolers.

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 14 - Salamat Ferdie

2008-02-13T23:46:00.001+08:00

Maraming, maraming salamat Ferdie Evangelista for being a SPECIAL PATRON sa ating K88 20th Grand Reunion.

Salamat muli sa walang tigil na suporta.

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 13 - 4 Days To Go; Reunion Shirts

2008-02-13T23:06:00.000+08:00

We intend to create a visual impact when we attend the Alumni Homecoming at PCC on the evening of February 16th.

And in order to create that impact, we need two things. First, we need the numbers. The more attendees that we have, the larger portion of the PCC grounds we shall occupy. And second, to magnify the quantity that we can muster, we should have uniformity in our clothing. Thus, the Reunion Shirt.

But we didn't stop there. To further amplify the impact that we intend to create, we have decided to have our shirts in a visually stimulating color. And on that night, what can be more vibrant than the color of our shirts - shocking, scorching, fiery red.

To ensure that everyone shall be wearing them on February 16th, we have decided to distribute the shirts on the day of the reunion itself. The size-distribution has been pre-determined and they shall be given out on a first-come-first-served basis.

So come early so that you can assure yourself of the correct size of t-shirt. And we have just initially produced 100 shirts (as we cannot really know the exact number of attendees until the hour of the reunion itself).

But don't worry, attendees who won't be able to get their shirts on reunion day shall still be able to get them on a later date as there shall be a second batch of shirt production to accommodate them, including those of our batchmates abroad.

Apat araw na lang at kuwentuhan, kantahan, kampayan na!

Condolences To Iric Balog

2008-02-13T11:37:00.001+08:00

Let us pray for the soul of Iric Balog's father who passed away this morning. May his soul rest upon the arms of our Creator.

Internment will be at the Capilla D of Arlington, C. Raymundo Ave.

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 12 - Funds Update

2008-02-12T21:15:00.000+08:00

We are pleased to inform you that we are on track in achieving our minimum target collection for the 20th Grand Reunion.

TOTAL COLLECTION AS OF 12 FEBRUARY 2008: Php 85,700.00

We have attached the updated collection report as of February 11, 2008*. Again, this is our commitment to the transparent accounting of the funds we have raised for this endeavor.

Of the funds that we have already gathered, we have only disbursed 11,000.00 for the downpayment of the batch shirt. A complete report of the liquidation of the fund will follow after the event.

Let us take this opportunity to thank everyone who have made their contribution. Special acknowledgement to Mr. Normando "Mando" San Mateo for being a Special Patron. His contribution will be used for the Lechon this coming Saturday.

Now everything is set, so don't be a no-show this Saturday. Tayo na sa Kwentuhan, Kantahan at Kampayan ng Kumbento 88.

Salamat ulit ng marami.

*Attachment is thru the email sent via our egroup.

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 11 - 5 Days To Go; Car Concerns

2008-02-11T22:05:00.000+08:00

With the number of attendees expected to arrive for our K88 Fellowship, the compound where Jay Ravalo's building is located will surely not be able to accommodate all of our vehicles. Parking inside the compound shall be on a first-come-first-served basis.

Thus, we have already made arrangements with the local barangay officials (courtesy of Barangay Captain Mario Concepcion) by informing them of our activity on February 16th and advising them that we shall be parking our cars along Market Ave. Ext. in San Miguel, Pasig.

But even with these preparations in place, we are encouraging everyone, especially those who plan to bring their own cars, to consider carpooling with other batchmates who live near your place.

Benefits of carpooling:

Save gas. More money for booze.

Our parking problem would be lessened.

You can get a headstart with the Kwentuhan (or even the Kantahan) inside the car with your carpool-mates. Just don't start on the Kampayan yet while driving.

So contact your nearest batchmates now and start arranging those carpool groupings. And remember, our reunion starts at exactly 2PM. It would be better to allot some time allowance for the sunduan.

Limang tulog na lang, Rigmarolan na!

Edmund Faustino - RIP

2008-02-10T22:40:00.000+08:00

It is with great sadness that we inform you that one of our batchmates, Edmund Faustino of San Nicolas, Pasig passed away Thursday, February 7, 2008.

We ask everyone to please include Edmund, whom we fondly called "Wetpu", and his family in your prayers.

Rest in peace, bro.

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 10 - 9 Days To Go; Wanted: Volunteer Photographers and Videographers

2008-02-07T21:32:00.000+08:00

We have already scrapped the initial plan of hiring a professional photographer and videographer for our reunion due to budget reasons. We have decided that the funds originally pegged for the photo and video coverage can be put to better use for more important concerns.

Therefore, we are requesting people who have cameras, both still and video, analog or digital, to bring them for us to be able to fully document this event. What would be better than having souvenirs of this memorable occasion captured from different points of view from different groups of people?

So bring those cameras on February 16th. Who knows, you might just capture our version of the Kumbento88 scandal.

9 days to go. We are one more day closer.

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 9 - 10 Days To Go

2008-02-06T21:30:00.000+08:00

For those who might not realize it, our 20th Grand Reunion is 10 days away. So make sure everyone is available on February 16 for the big day for K88. If you happen to see or bump into another batchmate, please remind them also, they might not be in the egroup or have not really opened their email for quite sometime. And for those working on a Saturday, file your leave this early. Ten more sleeps and the rigmarolin' will be at its peak!

See you all on the 16th!

Kwentuhan, Kantahan at Kampayan!!!!!!!

The Artists Amongst Us

2008-02-05T18:43:00.000+08:00

Kilala mo ba si Macutay?

Eh si Erick Mercado?

Kung ka-batch ka namin at di mo sila kilala eh ewan ko kung saang lungga ka nagtatago nung high school pa lang tayo.

At kung di mo nga sila kilala eh, puwes, ipapakilala ko sila sa iyo.

O mas mabuti pa, pumunta ka na lang sa Megamall. Sa Big and Small Art Gallery, 4th Floor, Artwalk, Megamall Building A mula January 30 hanggang February 22, 2008. At tignan mo kung gaano kalupit ang mga batchmates nating ito.

Wala naman. Dalawa lang naman sila sa 45 finalists sa First Figurative Painting Competition ng Philippine Drawing Society.

Bukod pa dyan, Regional Finalist din si Derrick Macutay sa Philip Morris Philippine Art Awards.

At bukod pa dyan ang sangkaterbang awards na naiuwi na nitong dalawang ito. Future national artists yang mga yan. Kaya kung ako sa yo, bumili ka na ng mga paintings nila habang kaya mo pa. Dahil di magtatagal, sisikat na ng todo yang dalawang yan. Magandang investment nga daw ang art sabi nila.

Gusto mo na pumili? Madali ka naman pala kausap eh. Eto, silipin mo mga ginawa ni Derrick sa site nya.

Ang lupet noh? Magtaka ka pa. Duhh! Eh kasama nga natin sa Kumbento88 eh. Syempre malupet.

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 8 - Fund Update

2008-02-04T20:49:00.000+08:00

We are pleased to post the collection report as of February 1, 2008. As what we have committed, we will be transparent on the collection of funds as well as its disbursements.

We have put into place certain procedures like the issuance of an accountable acknowledgement receipts distributed to the coordinators as well as this collection summary report to account for all contributions received.

TOTAL COLLECTION AS OF 1 FEBRUARY 2008: Php 48,100.00*

As soon as we start the disbursement of this fund, we will also post a regular disbursement report through a bulletin.

Again many thanks and we truly appreciate the support we have received and will receive from you all.

Feel free to email us should there be any concern regarding this report.

Long live K88.

*The amount includes the converted amount of the dollar contributions we have received from abroad. For simplicity's sake, we just used a 40:1 fx conversion rate for the said contributions.

Note: Due to the public nature of this website, we chose to post just the total amount of the collections here. The more detailed report which contains the names and corresponding contributions has already been forwarded to the email address of each member on our email list. Should you wish to have that report forwarded to you, just inform us and subscribe to our mailing list.

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 7 - Thanks to Mr. Armin Antonio

2008-02-04T13:06:00.000+08:00

We would like to thank Mr. Armin SJ Antonio for being a SPECIAL PATRON in this year's K88 Grand Reunion.

Armin, you have been consistent in your support to the cause of this group and the help you have extended is truly appreciated.

Turning 20

2008-02-03T14:20:00.000+08:00

Do you remember when you were 20? Maybe you were in your last year in college and thinking of what the future holds for you. And it was during these times when you probably started to get the realization that pretty soon you would be fully responsible for how your life shapes up.

For us as a batch, how will our group's life shape up as we enter our twentieth year?

I remember an entry I made in my now-defunct blog about organizations and their survival. I was ranting about how the youth of today here in our village seems to be so apathetic with regard to our community-based youth club. It was so unlike during our time when we, both officers and members, would actively participate in projects for the betterment of our community.

My readers posted their reactions. And one comment really made me think. The reader suggested that maybe the reason why organizations like ours are bound to die a natural death is because its direction and vision aren't clear to its officers and members.

Sure, we elect new officers year in and year out. And as we say when we elect new officers, we pass on the baton. Now, passing on the baton, as I realize, isn't only about passing on the leadership. It doesn't only mean that we pass on the responsibility to lead the group. But more so deeply, it means passing on the ideals and vision that the group stands for. It is the vision which keeps any organization truly alive. It is only when we ensure the collective commitment of the individuals for what the group stands for can we not fear that the group would die a natural death.

Now, going back to our case before I digress any further. Sure, no one can question our batch's solidity. Talk about networking capability and it is actually quite impressive that we can readily call a gathering where around 30-50 people will easily show up. And that can be done even with only a few days' preparation at that.

And we have also proven that once we set our minds towards one common goal, we can defy all odds and succeed in our undertakings. Just ask the batch whom we stole the first KBBL Championship from about how potent our batch is and you will realize how powerful our group can be if we just will it to be.

But life isn't all about inuman and basketball. It goes beyond the rigmaroling and the arguments we raise in our yahoogroup. It simply doesn't start and end with the kumustahan we make when we see each other after long periods of time. Our relationships do not end with the last bottle of beer we drink everytime we celebrate. Our association do not run on the internet connection we rely on to send and receive those emails we throw back and forth. This blogsite wasn’t created just to be a glamorized bulletin board of our organization. And I certainly hate to think that our only main purpose is to stick together long enough to make it to the Centennial Celebration of PCC five years from now.

Then what?

Don’t get me wrong. I am not criticizing this group for the shallowness of its being or its members for their lack of commitment. On the contrary, to this group belongs some of the most passionately involved and visionary people I personally know and admire. I am just reminding everyone about things which can easily be lost in time and passivity. I love this group. I love this group so much that I don't want to see it die a natural death nor run aimlessly like a headless chicken. The fragility of the group lies within us - about what we expect from each other, and about what we expect our group should do as a whole. Its reason for being lies in the very core of its existence.

For some of us who have been regularly meeting up and talking about the projects that we have to focus on, we know we are in the right direction. And I am just raising this for the benefit of those who have not been fortunate enough to be with us personally during our gatherings, or those who have not been updated with the recent developments in our group’s endeavours. Or maybe you are well-informed about these things but choose to stay in the sidelines thinking that your participation isn’t that much needed. I hope each one of us realizes that we are part of a group which can be further harnessed for its full potential. And that includes the involvement of each one of us.

Involvement is the keyword. And involvement is an action word.

And so, as we enter our twentieth year, I think it is imperative for us to do some collective examination of ourselves. Here is a question which, philosophical as it may seem, we need to face more regularly if we hope to continue on moving forward for the next 20 years and more.

Kumbento88, what do we stand for?

Most likely, you would say brotherhood.

I agree.

And I say let’s prove to one another that we are brothers – in the truest sense of the word.

Brothers in Christ.

Brothers, not only during times of celebrations. But more so, brothers willing to help out each other in times of need. Brothers willing to be men for others as instilled to us by our beloved Kumbento.

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 6 - K88 Backpage Cover

2008-02-01T00:04:00.000+08:00

We're officially announcing it.

K88 is the proud host of PCC's Grand Centennial Celebration in 2013. And we are officially launching the countdown to this momentous event by sponsoring the backpage cover of this year's homecoming souvenir program.

Special thanks to our extremely talented artist, Erickson Mercado, for designing the announcement poster.

Now, join us in saying that one word which best describes our admiration for this particular work of art -- WOW!

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 5 - Remittance + Reunion Details

2008-01-31T14:45:00.000+08:00

Dear all

Everyone is invited to attend our 4th regular meeting tomorrow at our gracious host Jay Ravalo's place at Jaymin Building, Market Ave. Extension, San Miguel, Pasig at exactly 8 PM.

We also would like to request those who will be able to remit their financial contribution for the homecoming tomorrow to please come or drop by or remit it to Jay. We would truly appreciate your support in this endeavour. You can email us or text Jeff, Cocoy , Joey, or Jay Ravalo for coordination if you won't be able to drop by at the meeting.

Details of the reunion proceedings will be finalised at the meeting. We would encourage presence and your inputs in the finalisation process.

We would also like to thank, Bing Espiritu for authoring the article that we sent to Batch 83 for inclusion in the souvenir program. Also to Ericson Mercado for the artwork that will be placed at the back cover of the souvenir program. Thank you for a job well done.

As what have been previously posted, we need a keyboardist for our very own K88 band. You are very much welcome to jam with Jay, Gatchie Bong and Noel.

Again thank you for the support and please, let's make this 20th year a very memorable one.

Long live

Countdown to the 20th Year Celebration!!!

2008-01-30T08:07:00.001+08:00

It's been almost twenty years since the Kumbento Boys Batch '88 sang "Alma Mater" to the top of their lungs and marched in the middle of the PCC Quadrangle as their relatives and the faculty looked on with tears of joy and pride as another successful batch of PCCians graduate from High School. Following the culmination of High School we went our separate ways with our different aspirations in mind. Most of us had been accepted to well-known universities such as Ateneo de Manila University, De LaSalle University, University of the Philippines, and University of Santo Tomas, and had prepared for their next scholastic journey into college. Some had made plans to migrate with family members outside of the country. Still others had decided not to pursue college degrees, start families of their own, search for jobs that suit their abilities and fancies, or start their own businesses.

After that fateful day of 1988 when we all graduated, most of us managed to keep in touch, through snail mail, as it is now fondly called, and through phone conversations for faster communication. We would hear news of old classmates topping the national exams for accountants and nurses, garnering prestigious awards for the arts and sciences, winning seats in their local governments, and migrating to various parts of the globe along with their significant loved ones and children. We received news about the few who have passed away – Dante Bartocillo, Genesis Cruz, Edmund Faustino, Trazy Labuguen, Bonifacio Sumbilla III, and Noel Villanueva will remain in our hearts and minds. The birth of the Internet and expansion of information technology further hastened our communication with each other. What seemed like months of waiting by the mailbox for a letter is now equivalent to seconds when it comes to emails ranging from simple greetings like "musta na pare?" to long-winded ones that rival that of the "Noli Me Tangere." We also founded our very own yahoo e-group for our batch, and later our own batch website, where we could share news and even pictures to keep everyone updated with our appearances. Whatever news it was, it brought joy to the lonely, response from the silent, and information to the unaware.

As we approach our twentieth year anniversary, all of us look back to the past, from the time when we thought the end of High School also meant the end of the world for each one of us, the time when we realized there are more worlds to navigate after High School, looking now at the present and seeing what we have done in the past had become of us, to looking at the unpredictable future ahead of us. We stand as united as ever, though miles apart. Some of us now call other nations home - Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America - yet we still maintain the same closeness as if we were still in High School. Twenty years ago, we started a new journey outside of High School, with various ambitions and plans. Today, our past ambitions and plans have gotten us to where we are today – accountants, architects, businessmen, doctors, engineers, family men, politicians, professors, systems administrators, nurses, policemen, and the list goes on. What we as a batch and as individuals have travailed for is reason enough for us to gather and celebrate twenty wonderful years and plan towards our future anniversaries.

K88: Rigmaroling through the years, across the world!

By B Espiritu

Build Me Up Buttercup

2008-01-23T22:36:00.000+08:00

Why do you build me up
Buttercup, baby, just to let me down
And mess me around
And then worst of all
You never call, baby
When you say you will
But I love you still

The version which most of us know is actually a Torch remake of a 60's classic originally sung by The Foundations. And I remember the song being repeatedly played during PCC's Foundation Day in the early 80's - 1984 to be exact, if I remember it correctly. Yes, that song has become so distinct in my mind's aural memories that I actually identify it to mark my very own musical awakening.

Memories of the usual Foundation Day funfare are triggered by just hearing this particular song. Kids chasing around the campus as the DJ in the Dedication Booth announces that all marshals catch everyone wearing white rubber shoes. That "random" handcuffing with that particular CBCian you've been eyeing since you saw her coming out terrified from the Horror Booth. Or simply enjoying the rides which usually occupied PCC's softball field (yes, PCC used to have one, remember?).

I need you
More than anyone, darling
You know that I have from the start
So build me up
Buttercup, don't break my heart

Who doesn't know this song? Anyone from our generation who doesn't recognize this particular song will be cursed to suffer in eighties' hell wearing blue-polo-over-yellow-t-shirt-matched-with-faded-baston-jeans-and-mismatch-colored-US-Master-shoes.

Build me up, buttercup. The lyrics are simply unmistakable. The melody, frantically infectious. The beat, relaxingly bubbly.

I'll be over at ten
You told me time and again
But you're late
I wait around and then

For those who know my musical tastes can say that my range can be eclectic at the very least. From eighties' new wave to nineties' disco, from RNB to hiphop and dancehall, from vocal house to the dark and hard house, from techno to hypnotic trance, from slow to alternative rock, from standards to jazz, and from classical to world music. I love music, in most of its forms.

But eighties' music holds a special place in my heart. I can usually name a track's title and artist just based on its first 3 notes or intro drumbeats. My wife usually gets impressed with this geeky talent I display when driving home on Friday nights, listening to 89.9 Magic Madness playing music coming from our era.

I walk to the door
I can't take anymore
It's not you
You let me down again

No other era in music, in my opinion, shows so much character as eighties music. The Beatles may be the single most prominent band of all times, with hits that still live on to this day. But apart from them, the musical character of their era wasn't as diverse (yet identifiable) as when compared to the eighties bands of London, for example. From the sound of the synthesizers to the distinct timber of bands' vocalists voices, one can identify eighties music from those of the other eras. And even as the artists, who became that generation's music icons, are somehow responsible for the horrible fashion trend that invaded the eighties, it even added up to the distinctive character of the personalities from that period.

Baby, baby,
Try to find
A little time
And I'll make you mine
I'll be home
I'll be beside the phone
Waiting for you

I am an eighties kid. I may have already cut short the bangs that notoriously hindered our vision way back then. And I may have already retired from the ritualistic chasing-of-the-girls tradition. But I still sing out to the lyrics of most of the music we all fell in love with. So, everybody now…

So, why do you build me up, buttercup…

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 4 - Thanks to Bing and Manny

2008-01-23T20:20:00.000+08:00

Batchmates,

We are happy to announce that Bing Espiritu and Manny Santana have already responded to the invitation to be SPECIAL PATRONS of our 20th Anniversary Celebration! They have contributed $100 each for our big event this February.

Thank you to Bing and Manny!

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 3 - See You Tonight At The Headquarters

2008-01-18T13:55:00.000+08:00

We would like to reiterate our earlier invitation to join us tonight at our official headquarters - at Jay Ravalo's Jaymin Bldg. at 8 pm. Please claim your tickets and help us distribute the rest. Join the band as they practice for the big day on Feb 16.

See you all there tonight!

Sample Of Old Pics

2008-01-17T21:50:00.000+08:00

Here are some samples of the old pics that we are requesting you to dig up from your photo albums and share with us.

And cute natin di ba?
These photos are courtesy of Joey de Vera. Thanks for sharing them with us, Joey.

Please keep them coming. At sama-sama nating pagtawanan ang mga itsura natin noong tayo'y mga totoy pa.

Send them to: kumbento88@gmail.com

Disclaimer: I shall not be held responsible for any lawsuits, psychological damages, or marital separations these pictures shall unduly cause by being posted on the web.

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 2 - Tickets Now Available For Distribution

2008-01-16T21:02:00.000+08:00

by Jeff Sulit
20th Year Homecoming Chair

Dear Batchmates,

There will be a meeting this Friday, January 18th at Jay Ravalo's place in Market Ave. Extension, San Miguel, Pasig City at 8 PM. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

The invitations/tickets are now available and we would appreciate if you can come and get the tickets from us on Friday.

We would also appreciate if you can send scanned pictures related to k88 whether its from our elementary or high schoold days as well as from those previous gatherings/reunions. We will use these pictures in the K88 video that Arnold would be producing. The older the pictures are, the better and the more, the merrier. Please send the pictures to kumbento88@gmail.com .

If you have contact information of any batchmates who are not in the egroups directory nor in the cell number directory, please email those contact info in the egroups or to eric cruz at ehriks2000@yahoo.com, so that we can include them in the directory for easy reference.

Again with your cooperation and support, lets make this 20th rigmarolin' year reunion the best that we ever have so far.

Cheers.

K88 Reunion Bulletin No. 1 - Twenty Rigmarolin' Years

2008-01-15T19:04:00.000+08:00

by Jeff Sulit
20th Year Homecoming Chair

Dear Batchmates

Last Jan 12, the initial working committee met at Jay Ravalo's place. Present were Fred Maximo, Eric Gonzales, Bong Estrada, Jun Lara, Jobet Lara, Joey Manalad, Cocoy Del Prado, Arnold Martinez, our host Jay Ravalo and myself. Everybody is welcome to join in the future meetings and your participation would be greatly appreciated by all.

Before we started the meeting, we had first hand information shared by Jobet himself on the medical condition he has right now. He showed and demonstrated to us the abnormal tissue growths in his body and also shared with us his experience while being administered the chemo therapy. So far the results were overwhelming and that his body is positively reacting to the chemo sessions. Let us continue our prayers and support for him that his condition continually improves and eventually be free from all the abnormal tissue growth.

Items discussed and agreed upon during the meeting:

1. There will be a regular meeting tentatively every Friday, 8 PM at Jay Ravalo's place until February 15th. This will be also our official reunion headquarters. We thank Jay so much for offering his place to us. We will post the meeting announcement as well as send text messages at least 3 days before the scheduled meeting.

2. It was agreed by the group to have our own Reunion on the same date that of the Alumni Homecoming at PCC, though we will have ours from 2 to 5 PM at Jay Ravalo's place at Market Avenue Extension, Pasig City. The Reunion is important since this will be our opportunity to really bond and make our 20th year special. After our reunion, we will then all proceed to PCC grounds to participate in the 95th Grand Alumni Homecoming hosted by Batch 83. We all agree that we need to have a big presence in this year's Homecoming to signal the countdown to our own Hosting Year which coincides with the Centennial Celebration of our beloved Alma Mater. If there is still time, we can go back to Jay's place to sing the night away.

3. A rough draft of the program for the Reunion was outlined. The main idea is to rekindle the relationships within our batch and have fun at the same time. There will again be live band entertainment, a few guests-of-honor, surprises and games so please start working out those flabs, ooops, abs to be fit and right. Bong and Jun will finalize the program in time for this week's meeting.

4. A projected cost estimate was previously prepared by Joey. We discussed the estimate item by item and have agreed that it is reasonable and funding for it is achievable. The total cost projection will already include our annual alumni dues, Batch Shirt, Food and drinks for our exclusive Reunion, invitation, souvenir cd's and for our outreach/flagship project for our 20th year. As a co-host for this year's Homecoming, we would be also providing support to the Host batch. Unfortunately, they have not finalized anything yet so we will keep you posted on this item as they come along.

5. Funding will be primarily sourced within the batch although corporate sponsors are also very much welcome. We have already received initial pledges from some of our batchmates and this makes all of our tasks much easier. I wish to inform all of you that a considerable part of our contribution to this year's celebration shall be for the benefit of our comrade Jobet Lara to help him in his chemotherapy sessions. Through this help that we are extending to Jobet, it makes our celebration even more meanigful.

We will be approaching you via a private email to help defray the cost of this gathering and the organizing committee is committed to properly and effectively utilize and liquidate whatever fund we would gather.

6. Suggested batch shirt to be worn during the Alumni Homecoming is a red collared sports shirt (honeycomb or cotton) with the K88 20th year logo (designed by Roderick Macutay) embroidered on the left chest. Final design and size-quantity distribution would have to be finalized by the next meeting as production should commence ASAP to ensure early delivery. The shirts are planned to be distributed on the day of the reunion/homecoming itself to assure our uniformity.

7. The invitation will be available within the week and in time for distribution to area coordinators in our meeting this week.

8. Based on the list that Joey have, we still need to update the said list to generate more attendance. Eric Gonzales suggested that we target 150 attendance this February. With all your help and cooperation, we all know that this can be accomplished. So it is important also to please remind or inform our batchmates whether they are in the egroups or not about this Reunion we will be having. Let us remind one another until February 16.

We again would like to extend our invitation to those who are free this coming Friday's meeting. We would truly appreciate your presence, opinion and help.

Cheers.

What Brought Us Close?

2008-01-09T10:31:00.000+08:00

By Joseph Regan Bernabe

After kindergarten and the summer vacation, I would always wonder who would be my new classmates for the next school year? Would I get to see my old classmates like Jerome Tuazon, Paul Donor, Eric Aprecio, or Peter Bondad? Or the other kids at the nearby classrooms like Boyd Monje, Rosauro Tuazon, Richard Caguingin and the rest whom I can no longer recall their names. But their faces would always have a place in my young and definitely not small memory.

First, second and third grades brought new friends like Sanny Cruz, Joel Hernandez, Celestion Boom-Boom dela Paz, Marvin Malonzo, Erick Mauricio, Arnold Albano, Jay Lorenzo, Edwin Lu and Arnold Martinez.

Then it was on the fourth grade when PCC decided to create a pilot section. The section's name was Sapphire and our adviser was Ms Virginia Cruz aka Mrs. Cacananta. Everybody knows that the brainy bunch would comprise this group, but would you expect normal? From the very first day, this group would definitely stand-out from the batch for good and not-so-good reasons.

The pilot section would definitely stand out on the academic side. So I would like to share what are the not-so-good reasons -- We were geeks! You would never expect us to win the basketball and volleyball championships. I was part of the "Group Games" team. We weren't so lucky either.

The realization of being nerdy became obvious for me on the fifth grade. Lapu-Lapu was the section. As history would tell, the national hero won his war. But not on that year for our batch. Dumangsil was the champion on both basketball and volleyball. Captains Marvin Barcelona and Benjie Reyes led their teams to victory. I won't forget as we got the chance to share their classrooms once a day in a week. I think there was a shortage of teachers during that time so one section was asked to divide themselves into groups. Each group would then be sitting inside another section's classroom for one whole day. That's when I met Marvin, Benjie, Paul Tumaneng, Arnold Anog and Jess Clemente. There was one person who asked me, and I forgot who, this one unforgettable question, "Why do you (pointing to the Lapu-Lapu guys) all have watches?" I replied that I got mine as a gift from my mom for good grades. I never really noticed until the question was asked and I had to look around to verify. I felt fortunate but I would envy the two trophies displayed on top of Dumangsil's blackboard bragging that their group was on top of the athletic field for our batch. Guess, one can never have it all.

The fifth grade also introduced us to Gary Devilles. This guy got the brains and would definitely put up a fight in all the academic contests that year. But I would not need to go further, just read back on the past postings here. :)

Sixth grade was the worse. Sultan would get threats written on our desks that other sections would wait for us after school and we should be really for a brawl. During the intramural games, other sections would team up just to make sure we would get defeated.

Eventually, that's how things went until high school. But on the third year, the faculty decided to break up this one solid group. For the specific reason, I do not know. This change introduced Robin and Cardinal. I definitely missed Jonathan de Veas from our classroom after that. But we still each other during breaks at the grotto area together with Noel Acosta, Nelson Juinio, John Michael Cruz, Armin Kraft, and Bing Espiritu. The first few days were really critical as the section was definitely divided into the old Cardinal and the old Robin. You can definitely guess how the class officer elections went. Good thing, Bing Espiritu had already asked Jessie Rodriguez to vote on our side. But we weren't expecting Rodrigo Eden to side up on his old classmates. It is really funny thinking back how we tried to create that wall but we would eventually overcome in the next months. I think Mrs Maralit was the one who pointed that out to us. Who won the elections? Jeffrey Sulit.

College went and we all eventually started our own careers. But one thing is for sure, each one of us came back to Kumbento every third week of February. We weren't coming back for Sapphire, Lapu-Lapu, Dumangsil, Robin or Cardinal. We were coming back for batch 1988. We were into our group that we even decided to hold our own reunion outside PCC last 1998. Yes, the attendance was impressive. The event was a success. But the background was remote. We craved to walk again those corridors, climb those stairs, and stand in the middle of the school ground looking around the buildings that was once our second home. And take note, they have elevators now. You can still see the old high school building and the elementary buildings. The new college buildings might take away the memories of the past but then again one should always welcome change.

I love thinking back how we saw each other as classmates back then. But time and experience has changed that. Cyberspace and the latest technology made the distance between us short. We matured. We became career people and/or family men but the constant communication remained. Now, I see a Kumbento Boy as someone I have good memories with. Each reunion comes with eagerness of meeting again my old friends.

Kumbento 88 is an extension of my family. You are my brothers. Long Live Rigmarolers!

Kumbento 88 at 20 - A Cause For Brotherhood

2008-01-05T13:52:00.001+08:00

lifted from Jeff Sulit's email to our yahoogroup

Mga Kasama,

Nuong Xmas gathering last Saturday kina Jay, nabangit ni Jun "Little Drummer Boy" Lara about the current medical condition of one of our batchmates.

We have been planning since Feb this year about a flagship project for our 20th year. There were suggestions for scholarship grants to a charitable organization, scholarship for some of our batchmates' children, outreach programs, and electronic scoreboard for the PCC gym. But unfortunately, nothing has been decided on until last December 21, 2007 during our Christmas Party.

I would like to suggest that we share our blessings to the person nearest to our hearts, our batchmate. I think it was not coincidence that these planning and meetings were discussed but rather this purpose was meant to materialize in the perfect time. Nothing in my opinion is greater, more genuine, and pressing than the cause for our batchmate, Jobet Lara, who needs our help right now.

At first, Jun intended to post this immediate and sustaining need of Jobet but decided to let Jobet share his condition regarding the matter.

As you can read in his email, nahihiya siya to post this himself kasi medyo matagal na rin siyang walang contact to most of us. Sinabi ko sa kanya na it doesn't matter since everyone of us is a true kumbento boy and a part of the brotherhood of batch 88 (graduate man o hindi).

In his behalf, I would like to call the attention of those connected or who has connection to pharma companies if we can help him out with the drugs he listed below. And at the same time, those who can offer financial assistance and even prayers or whatever help we can give to please extend it to him at his time of need.

Salamat at mabuhay ang ating kapatiran. Nothing has been decided on, so we knock on your kind hearts to help or pray for Jobet.

Long live K88,

Jeff Sulit

Jobet's Response to Jeff's Email:

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for bringing that up. Medyo nahihiya kasi ako at more than 2 decades na tayo di nagkita at baka di mo na ako kilala. Nabanggit nga ni jun na tinatanong mo raw details ng medical condition ko and about the treatment I am undergoing. na-diagnose ako last November may stage 3 hodgkin's disease ako. Lymphoma or cancer of the lymphatic system. May cancer ang mga kulani ko sa katawan which makes me vulnerable to all kinds of other diseases. Sa biopsy di nakita kung saan ko nakuha sakit pero baka genetic daw. basta alam ko na abuso sa katawan ang cause ng lahat ng klase ng cancer. I lost 2 aunts and 1 uncle to cancer. Sabi rin ng Oncologist ko baka namana ko raw sa kanila ang sakit. Pero di ko na iniisip kung saan ko nakuha sakit ko. Iniisip ko na lang na lalabanan ko sakit ko at gagaling ako at malalampasan ko
ang trial na ito sa buhay ko.

I need to undergo 6 cycles (12 sessions) of chemotherapy and I was given a 90% chance of survival. Di naman grabe stage ng cancer ko dahil naagapan ko rin. So far tapos ko na 1 cycle or 2 sessions. So far, favorable ang response ng katawan ko sa mga gamot. Lumiit na mga bukol ko sa katawan. Lumiit na bukol ko sa leeg, sa dibdib at sa magkabilang kili-kili. Tanda mo ba kami magkambal na naglalaro ng pingpong sa kumbento before? Kasing laki ng pingpong ball ang bukol ko sa magkabilang kilikili ko before. pero thank God nawala din. Di na ako masyado inuubo (I have a small swollen lymph node blocking my trachea right at the opening of my wind pipe). Every night pag nakahiga ako grabe ubo ko. Di ko lang alam situation inside my body. Affected din kasi liver, spleen, pancreas and diaphram ko. The CT Scan showed scattered sesame seed-like growth on my liver, spleen, pancreas and diaphram. Nakakita ka na ba ng palitaw na may budbod ng linga? korean beef stew? Ganun itsura nila.

I still have 10 sessions (5 cycles) of chemotherapy to go. Di masakit ang treatment, masakit ang gastos. I need P25,000 every chemotherapy session, P5,000 professional fee for my doctor, P15,000 for the chemo drugs, P5,000 for the use of the chemo room, gadgets (oxygen at anti-allergy drug... may allergy kasi ako sa isang gamot na isinasaksak sa akin) machines, and other medical supplies. Every 2 weeks ang schedule ng chemo session ko. Baka naman pwede ako matulungan ng batch either maghanap ng source ng chemo drugs ko na mas cheaper or sponsor any or all the chemo drugs I'm using.

Eto list ng drugs na isinasaksak sa akin every chemo session:

NASEA
DOXORUBICIN
BLEOMYCIN
VINBLASTIN
DACARBAZINE

Pwede ba kayo na lang mag-post nito? Mas regular kasi kayo nagkikita ng batch. Medyo nahihiya ako. I hope and pray sana matulungan ako ng batch.

Attend ako ng next gathering ng batch kung hindi ako groge sa chemo session ko.

Thanks & Regards to your family. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Jobet

Launch of 20th Anniversary Celebration

2008-01-05T13:41:00.000+08:00

K88,

As we enter the new year, we are happy to announce the launch of K88's 20th Anniversary Celebration through this Youtube video:

Meetings shall be called by Homecoming Chair JEFF SULIT and official bulletins shall likewise come from him.

Please join us this February as we celebrate our 20 RIGMAROLIN' YEARS through FELLOWSHIP and OUTREACH project.

Mabuhay and Kumbento 88! Happy New Year to all!!!

Cheers and Long live!

Joey Manalad

HANDOG

2007-12-24T13:35:00.001+08:00

By: B Espiritu, Jr.
(originally printed in The Crusader, schoolyear 1984-85, No.3)

Sa Paskong ito'y aking ihahandog
Sa aking inay's kuwintas na maalindog
Ang kuwintas na ito'y simbolo ng habang buhay na pagmamahal
Sa ina kong sa akin ay nagluwal.

Aking ihahandog sa aking mga kapatid
Ang aking paglilingkod na hindi mapapatid
Paglilingkod na hindi kayang pantayan
Ng bawa't nilalang sa ating bayan.

Sa aking mga kaibigan at mga kamag-aral
Isang liham na pinaiiral
Ang pasasalamat kong taos-pusong pinaaalam
Sa kanilang lahat ang tulong sa aki'y inasam.

Tulong na aking kailangan
Solusyon sa problemang di-maiwasan
Paghihingahan ng mga suliranin
At mga tungkulin na dapat tupdin.

Sa aking bayan aking iaalay
Ang katapangan kong taglay
Upang ipagtanggol ang kanyang kaapihan
Mula ngayon at magpakailanman

Kay Kristong Hari aking iaalay
Ang handog kong katawan at buhay
Pagka't Kanya ang araw na ito
Kaarawan Niyang kung tawagin ay Pasko.

Pasko - kay daming handog na maibibigay
Pula, puti, at iba pang mga kulay
Ang maaari nating ibigay
Maging materyal na bagay o ang iyong buhay

K88 Christmas Party

2007-12-23T13:18:00.000+08:00

First of all, we would like to thank Jay Ravalo for hosting this year’s K88 Christmas Party. Not only did he provide the venue for this year’s gathering, but he also made sure that food, drinks and entertainment were overflowing during the party. Maraming salamat, Jay!

I became the official photographer last night (what’s new?). And thanks to my holiday-season-induced-hypertension, I wasn’t able to drink alcohol, nor partake in the sumptuous lechon feast. Yeah, I know, it sucks!

But someone’s gotta do it. Someone has to write about this event. So here’s my Top Ten low-cholesterol and alcohol-free recollection of the things that transpired last night.

Two words – live band. Yup, it was not your usual drinking marathon kind of a party. There was live band entertainment courtesy of our host, Jay Ravalo.
Jay Ravalo proved to us once again that he is the uncontested Minyong of the batch with his guitar playing wizardry.
Gatchie was a revelation on the drums. And so was our Little Drummer Boy Jun Lara.
The K88 Boy Band was officially formed last night with Bong Estrada on lead vocals. Rey Carlo, Chunky Ramos and Rod Vagilidad provide back-up.
‘Tis really the season for giving. The batch agreed to help, not only the PCC Boys Basketball Team, but also the PCC Girls Basketball Team with their athletic requirements. Way to go, Rigmarolers!
Boyet Valencia loves us so much that even in these trying moments during his mother’s death, he squeezed in a few minutes last night just to be able to see us and be with us. Our condolences to you and your family, Boyet.
Kapitan Mario Concepcion showed us samples of his new sex wonder drug which he claims is extremely effective. For orders, just call 1-800-PAKAGAT.
Jeff Sulit defied his Cinderella Guy trademark when he stayed at the party past 12 midnight.
I found out that I could drink 5 gallons of mineral water all by myself. Sensya na Jay kung naubos ko tubig sa water dispenser nyo.
Next gathering would be on January 12, 2008 to celebrate Sajid’s birthday. So for those of you who missed last night’s festivities, better not miss out on this next one.

I do not have the complete list of those who attended last night. But I guess, a rough estimate of around 25-30 people is a fair estimate. Just take a look at the pictures and see who were there.

Merry Christmas everyone!

"Dear Casey..."

2007-12-18T11:48:00.001+08:00

“Here we go with the Top 40 hits of the nation this week on American Top 40…”

If I recall correctly, it was during our first year in High School when a group of classmates – Regan Bernabe, Nelson Juinio, Boyd Monje, Jonathan de Veas, and yours truly – first stumbled into this radio show being aired on 99.5RT FM, The Rhythm of the City. Manny Santana, whom we then referred to as “Australian Kid” later joined our group during our fourth year in High School. Hosted by Casey Kasem, the show was aired every Sunday from 2pm to 6pm, and played the top 40 songs on Billboard Magazine’s Hot 100 singles chart for that week - from 40 to 1. If you know your division, it’s about 10 songs per hour with additional portions for long-distance dedication and music trivia (speaking of trivia, Careless Whisper by Wham! was the number 1 song that time we first listened to the countdown).

“Now on with the countdown…”

Almost every Sunday, we would meet at my house in P.Burgos Street, armed with our big composition notebooks (which most of you have probably seen at one time or another) and pens, to listen to each week’s countdown. I would turn up the silver cassette radio my father had sent me from the US – which had proved to be a very vital member of our AT40 family. At one time, when I had mistakenly plugged in the poor radio into the wrong electrical outlet, I had to cry for help from my mother’s friends in Bagong Katipunan to help save the burnt out radio – I was so thankful when they were able to fix it! We would all go to my room and listen to the radio for the whole duration of the show, chat about goings-on at school, compare notes, and do our homework. Most of the time, my mother would also prepare us snacks or order one of us to stop by the bakery so we can get some pastries to eat. During the few times that we were unable to meet at my place to listen to AT40, at least one of us would be tasked to listen to the countdown – sometimes I would listen to the first hour, then Regan would listen to the second hour, then Nelson would listen to the third hour, and so on. Ultimately, we also discovered that Odyssey Records posted the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart on one of their walls and we would flock in front of the list to our hearts’ content. That following Monday, we would all exchange notes so we would have a complete top 40 countdown in our notebooks. The notebooks had become a reference material not only for us, but to most of our classmates, when it came to music. We would get asked a lot of questions about what song dropped off from the countdown, which songs made it to the top 10, and why some songs we listen to that were very popular at that time never made it to the countdown (as Casey would often say, “AT40 originates in Hollywood”). It was the last question that even prompted us to do our own countdowns; suddenly it was countdown fever in PCC High! I think I kept myself in control (and I’ve got lots of it! Sorry I had the urge to put that in somewhere Ms. Jackson) amid the pressure I felt during high school through those countdowns. I made countdowns of my own top 40 – so that songs that never made it to the AT40 countdown such as (Feels Like) Heaven, Blue Monday, Body Dancer, 628, A Smile in Your Heart, and the eternal Bituing Walang Ningning would all have their chance at being the “number 1 song in the country” – or at least in my book. It didn’t stop there, I found myself conducting surveys of all our classmates to find out the top 10 most handsome, most popular, and nicest classmates – and then count them down. At one of our class Christmas parties, we even had our own top 10 countdown of the songs we liked – Wishful Thinking beat Tenderness for the number 1 spot on that fateful day (I think I even sang It's A Miracle, too).

“Before we reveal the number one song on AT40, let’s check out the other number ones on other charts…”

Fourth year High School – Jonathan Manalad was #1 in our Student Council chart. Manny Santana was #1 in our Crusader Editor chart. Irving Raymundo was #1 in our Spelling Bee chart. Ferdinand Evangelista was #1 in our Academic chart. And holding on to #1 for the sixteenth (or seventeenth to some) consecutive year (insert drum roll here) – each one of us in the eyes of our family and friends! My last day in high school felt like the numerous Sundays when the pendulum clock at our house stroke six o’clock in the evening, when the number one song is revealed. Regan, Nelson, Boyd, Manny, Jonathan would gather all their belongings and head home and bid farewell to me as I looked out by the gate, our house dog Tutu barking his goodbyes, until I could hardly see them from the distance. In June of 1988, I migrated to San Francisco, California. My grandmother kept my silver cassette radio until it finally puffed its last breath of melody. Manny, the Australian Kid, returned to the Land Down Under to go to college and live there permanently. Regan, Nelson, Boyd, and Jonathan remained close even after high school. While miles apart, we continued to listen to AT40 and wrote each other – making sure we had a listing of the latest top 40 songs enclosed in our letters to each other. Regan would even write to Manny and include the AT20 listing he had cut out of the current TEMPO he got from the Sari-Sari store next to their multi-story house in Pinagbuhatan. As the years went on, the Internet technology caught up with snail mail (and maybe to some of us technologically-challenged). Billboard Magazine started hosting its own website listing the Hot 100 Singles chart, along with its other charts for quicker access, and all of us kept in touch via emails throughout the day. Just like old days, we would chat about goings-on in our lives, movies, music, and once in a while one of us would mention quotes from those memorable days in High School. Right now, as I imagine our old pendulum clock striking six o’clock, I smile and recall Casey Kasem saying…

“Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars!”

By B Espiritu

Let's Volt In

2007-11-22T20:34:00.000+08:00

by Gary C. Devilles

In the late 70's my TV viewing in the afternoons was punctuated by anime shows. We called them cartoons before. Monday was Mekanda Robot, Tuesday was Daimos, Wednesday was UFO Grendaizer, Thursday was Mazinger Z, Friday was Voltes Five, and of course Saturday was Saturday Fun Machine wherein Superman and the Justice League were collectively known as "Superfriends." Of all these characters, the least would be Mekanda for until now I couldn't figure what it was all about. Daimos was, of course, melodramatic with Richard and Erica as the ill-fated star-crossed lovers. Grendaizer had the most amazing gadgets and gizmos, unlike other robots. Mazinger Z, manned by Koji Kabuto, had a sidekick named Sayaka who had Aphrodite A with boobs that were actually torpedoes. And Voltes V was the most unique, manned by five heroes, Steve, Mark, Big Bert, Little John and Jamie with each of them piloting parts of the whole machine, the head, arms, torso, legs, and feet, respectively.

Friday would not be the same without Voltes V. We would be home before 6 and start humming the opening song, "someday the sons of light shall fill all the earth," while waiting for the picture tube to light up since in those days. It really took time to turn on the TV which looked more like a cupboard to me. It also took an effort to switch channels during the pre-remote control days. I think I was in 2nd grade then when Voltes V became popular and was still studying in Bagong Ilog Elementary School with Rommel Manlimos and Engelbert Luat, who would later become my classmates again in junior high.

Voltes V was remarkable because even though I didn't understand much of the dialogue then, I think the plot was intelligible enough for kids. I remember one Beast Fighter by the Bozanian Empire that was actually a mean wild dog with an ability to shrink back to its normal size, and thus can be invisible. There was this puppy that Little John took care of, who happened to remember that the Beast Fighter was actually the one who killed its mother. The puppy summoned all its strength to get the device that made the Beast Fighter become smaller so that Voltes V could finally defeat it. When the puppy succeeded, Voltes V screamed to the heavens for its laser sword. And with all the lightning and the music background, we could also hear our hearts pounding for the puppy's victory and justice. The last scene of that episode was really poignant with Little John bidding farewell to that puppy. And, of course, the melancholic song in the end credits made our emotions palpable and real.

So it was bad news when, one day, Marcos ordered all cartoon shows be cancelled off the air. Talk about puppy injustice. I felt sick without those shows considering that we were almost nearing the end of the season when Steve and his brother would finally be reunited with their father, Dr. Armstrong. Something about innocence was lost and I became aware of a malevolent power that could take away my afternoon fun.

When I got hold of a complete episodes of Voltes V three years ago in pirated dvd format, I wasted no time watching all of them. It was amazing learning that Camp Big Falcon turned out to be a spaceship in itself that merged with the Solar Bird and headed towards Bozania to rescue Dr. Armstong, the leader of resistance. Prince Zardo happened to be Steve's brother. And in their final confrontation, Prince Zardo would actually sacrifice his life to save Steve. All's well that ends well. It feels really uncanny that Voltes V was all about resistance, advocating for social change and justice, and reunion with loved ones. Anime or cartoons, they bear the mark of our unconscious, our secret desires, and wishful thinking. In a world where there is much trouble and pain, these anime are never escape routes. At least for me, they can articulate what otherwise I would suffer only in silence then.

Lines

2007-11-19T21:32:00.000+08:00

by Gary C. Devilles

Two parallel lines cut by a transversal will have congruent alternate interior angles.

I’m not so sure why such a statement got stuck with me since high school geometry. Whether I am autistic or am just having a case of déjà-vu, such a statement is called an axiom or theorem - to be demonstrated as true and irrefutable. In Mrs. Maralit’s class, believe it or not, we deal with truths and logical reasoning, some things I did not see then as evident as today.

It was in the middle of the school year of 1986 when my father told us that he was among those retrenched from work. Whatever money he would get as separation compensation would be deposited in Banco Filipino since he planned to work abroad. Things went awry when Banco Filipino had a bank run and we could not withdraw our money. Worse, my father could not find any work.

Due to this financial constraint, I was going to have to stop schooling. I was so down that particular afternoon because, deep inside, I didn’t want to stop. Of all people, it was the taciturn Dennis Calinao who would approach me and ask what happened. I told him my problem and he suggested that I talk directly to the principal, something I did not expect from Dennis since talking to the principal was just not within my capability. But he prodded and told me that he would stay with me until class was over as long as I talked to Mr. Antonio B. Cruz. It was around 7:00 pm, I think, that I braved the office and asked the secretary if I could talk to the principal. Mr. Cruz accommodated me and told me that he might know someone who could help. I asked Mr. Cruz, if it’s possible that he talked to my parents so that he could verify whether I was telling the truth. He just said there’s no need. He asked me if I ever lied and of course I told him no, at least not about our financial situation.

The following day, Mrs. Maralit, our Algebra teacher, approached me about my problem. She was asked by Mr. Cruz to help me draft a letter to the benefactors who could support me with my education. That afternoon, Mrs. Maralit edited the letter I made, took it, sealed it in an envelope, and promised that she would deliver it personally. A month would pass and I would receive a letter from the Knights of Columbus, telling me that they could help me only for a year since, technically, I do not qualify because they only provided scholarships for Pasig residents, and I was officially a resident of Taguig.

Mrs. Maralit talked to me that afternoon and told me that I should be thankful even if they were only supporting me for one year. The only way I could have another scholarship in PCC is if I made it to the top three of the batch. The first honor usually gets a full scholarship. Mrs. Maralit promised that she would tutor me for free and that I would have to do extra lessons in math which meant staying late during weekdays and on Saturdays. She was indeed very patient with me. At first, I couldn’t get to solve word problems. But then, eventually, I would get the hang of it. It was not only me then that Mrs. Maralit would give extra lessons to. There was also Armand Fabia who was a senior, I think, who was with me doing calculus and trigonometry. It was Fabia who later said that I should do advanced reading in geometry and in the sciences to prepare me for a quiz bee competition in Don Bosco. Our adviser then was Mrs. Reyes but she was on leave. Ms. Santos, a student teacher, helped me locate the books in the library that I could use. That was when I found a copy of our biology workbook that I photocopied and reviewed.

However, things did not go well with that biology workbook. It found its way to some classmates and before we knew it, people were already complaining about some wise-asses who photocopied the workbook, answered it, and then used it as crib notes. I was one of those implicated. Mrs. Reyes talked to me one afternoon and I told her that although I did photocopy the workbook, I was doing it for advance lessons since I had a month to go for the competition. She understood me. But I was down and mad at my classmates for making a heap out of the situation. I just told myself that I would have my revenge soon.

It was the summer of 1987, while doing geometry problems, when Mrs. Maralit told me that she would be our adviser for the coming school year and that a major re-sectioning of students would take place. She told me that almost half of the students of Cardinal would go to other sections, and there would be only one honors class, Robin. And she was tasked to do the re-sectioning. I volunteered to help her by typing the list of students. When she was not around I would actually exact my revenge to my classmates by placing their names in other sections. There was one particular classmate that I placed in Lark, knowing that he knew no one in that class, and that would be the death of him. Of course it was silly of me to do that, but I was a kid then, having my day.

Junior year would be tough for me, not only for my family, but also for my studies. Although I was a scholar, the pressure to be no.1 was almost killing me. We didn’t have any money and my dad already started selling our appliances one by one. Almost everyday I would go to the nearby sari-sari store and ask for a credit loan for whatever we needed. But there was also a time when we were rejected a credit line since we failed to settle our mounting debts. Mom was really devastated that day that she only gave us our allowance enough only for our jeepney fare. My sister was studying in CBC across our school. That afternoon, she was so thirsty and asked me if I could give her water since the nun who was tending the store in her school refused to give her any more water and she was told to buy soft drinks! That was so cruel of that nun in CBC. I told her we could go to Mrs. Maralit’s house and there we could get a drink. Later then, I told Mrs. Maralit about my problem, and she told me that I could actually work as a tutor for some of her tutees and get paid in return. My sister, on the other hand, would eventually work for my cousin and sell confectioneries to classmates so that she would also have extra money. Months would pass, and we would somehow survive. Dad would eventually find a work in Saudi Arabia. Junior year would end and I would get the scholarship I needed for my senior year.

Euclid must really be dazed in imagining an ideal world where parallel lines can be extended without meeting at any point. In reality, my geometry teacher, Mrs. Maralit, would teach me instead that in life, lines are not just parallel; they do intersect and sometimes converge. My classmate whom I exacted revenge by placing him in the section unfamiliar to him, would later be a successful architect for which lines would be a preoccupation for him. He would also be one of my closest and most respected friends. In time, when all accounting is done, we learn to forgive as well - true and irrefutable.

The Tyranny

2007-11-18T14:44:00.000+08:00

by Gary C. Devilles

Twenty three years ago, we were in grade school and I was new to 6-sultan, the honors class of that graduating batch. I found myself sitting beside the science wiz Irving Raymundo, Rolando Lopez the hyena at my back and the ever generous Oliver Martin who often invites us over his place after class, for a light merienda, an Atari video game, and when his parents are away, porn viewing. We were in the first row. The next row was the international group with Gilbert Santos and Gary Pueblo who just came back from the US, Willie Blue Bussel, the Fil-am from International School. I remember Ms. Berdan asking Gary where he came from and Gary replying that he hails from Bembeng Boookeeyd.

1984 was the year the film Return of the Jedi was released. At that time I couldn’t afford to watch movies but the film was remarkable for I have to know characters like Darth Vader for which the wunderkind Ferdie Evangelista would be fondly called based on his haircut that looks like a helmet. There are also the jocks like the gentle beast Nestor “Chunky” Ramos, the actor-singer Bong Estrada, the kung fu hustler Rodrigo Vagilidad, and the prankster Joey Manalad. At that time, it was hard to know who belongs to the dark side of the force but one should not try to be a Skywalker unless one risks being tagged as Chewbakka. One of the few lessons I learned early then is being prudent.

In our English class we had the oratorical contest in which we were supposed to memorize an essay and recite it eloquently. The title of the piece was something like, “The Tyranny, the Youth, the Hope, and the Fulfillment.” I forgot who wrote it, but the thing is - eloquence meant a lot of things to us back then, dramatic, hilarious, or something in between.

Joel del Rosario was one of those who surprised us with his rendition of screaming “The Tyranny” out of the depths of his soul that made us awfully silent, anticipate his move, diction, and brio. But immediately silence turned into a ruckus when Joel mistakenly said “the young” instead of “the youth.” Even Ms. Amelia Berdan, our teacher, couldn’t contain her amusement. I believe there were many who erred too but Joel was the one I can vividly recall. Anyway, those were the days when mistakes can be forgiven by laughing it away.

Soon the oratorical piece became a class activity and Joey Manalad was tasked to direct the class. Joey thought that depicting the assassination of Ninoy Aquino would be the opening salvo of the piece with Ronald Ablaza playing Ninoy and Rolando Lopez (or was it Jay Lorenzo?) as the assassin Galman. Ms. Berdan believed that the idea was good and brave, considering in retrospect now, that it was still the Marcos regime when no one was safe, even us in the campus. But we proceeded with the idea and worked with it. I could still remember some lines such as “I am the youth of the land, I was told that I was ignorant, that I was soft and easy-going. I was accused of not having the right attitude. And since I don’t have the right attitude my leaders tell me, that they do not know where this country is headed for...”

The ending of the piece was quite spectacular. Joey asked some of us to drop confetti as the theme song of Chariots of Fire (a movie) by Vangelis was being played. The ending was our version of that fateful event in 1983 when the procession for Ninoy proceeded to Ayala and Makati office workers from their buildings stopped and dropped confetti as the mass of people swarmed and marched to the streets.

Needless to say, the piece was a crowning glory for our class. But more than the winning, what was amazing is the fact that we were young, yet not quite innocent, rascal but keen, and unassuming though sharp. We could not forgive what happened and we were initiated to politics right there and then. Many things would happen before we graduate in 1984 but somehow those years swept to us and we felt the storm looming in our horizon.

Within the next two years, there would be EDSA revolution. As a sophomore, I would join Mr. Romeo Saguisag, Ms. Lelith Adriano, Mr. Antonio “Noo” Cruz (our principal) and some TAHAK (Tanghalang Hayskul ng Kumbento) actors together with our mentors from Dulampasigan group to troop to EDSA anniversary and give free glass of water. We were stationed near the Tropical Hamburger across POEA. We would listen to radio and hum the tune of Magkaisa, popularized by Verni Lisa. We had stickers and pins of Hindi Ka Nag-iisa. Some wore yellow shirts and bands. Others would hail the L sign for Laban or Liberal Party. We prayed with people from all walks of life. I still remember seeing Jim Paredes of Apo Hiking Society, standing near our water station. At that time everyone was walking and we would eat peanuts sold by ambulant vendors along the way.

That was in 1987, and almost twenty years would pass and I would find myself teaching in Ateneo. This will be my fifteenth year of teaching and I would still be asking questions about what really happened back then in 1986 to unfortunate students who later I’ll find out have no idea whatsoever of those fateful years. They were too young to remember. But I still ask myself today how much older one should be to see that nothing much has changed especially when one hears of innocent people bombed and killed or a 12 year old committing suicide out of poverty. The oratorical piece we had in grade school asked a relevant question I failed to understand.

I have to go back and see where we went wrong.

Huggable Hernan Hunsubscribes

2007-11-18T14:42:00.000+08:00

There has been another victim of the "unsubscription syndrome". Huggable Hernan decided to unsubscribe from our yahoogroup last week after an event concerning the privacy of his email address.

Now, this is just the kind of thing that we do not like to happen. The primary reason for us having the e-group is for us to keep in touch with each other. And once you unsubscribe, the connection which easily links you to us is lost.

Our group is a mix of so many different personalities. And we surely have differences in opinion. We can disagree about certain points (and we certainly have disagreed about many things in the past). But always remember that we can disagree without being disagreeable.

I hope Hernan realizes soon enough that life at kumbento88-B can be terribly lonesome.

Suntukan Na

2007-11-13T17:46:00.000+08:00

This is to authorize the following students, Rod Vagilidad and Chunky Ramos, to have a fighting match to be held at the Plaza later this afternoon at 2PM.

Something to that effect was written on a piece of paper. The paper was cleverly folded to conceal the message that it actually contained. And our Practical Arts teacher, Mr. Dalis, was supposed to sign the letter at the bottom part to formalize this authorization letter.

Okay, just how will we do it?

It was one of those seatwork sessions in 1st year high school Practical Arts where we we were supposed to finish the templates he taught us to draw. And as we know, it was quite free to roam around the Prac Arts classroom during these times.

"Sir, pagandahan tayo ng pirma.", urged one classmate.

Mr. Dalis, a bit perplexed on this unusual request by a student, reluctantly gave in with a nod.

By this time, a bunch of other students has now gathered around them to witness this "signature contest".

"O sige sir ha, mauuna 'ko", volunteers the student who then proceeds to affix his signature on a scratch paper.

"Ayan, sir. Ganda ng pirma ko, 'no? O kayo naman." handing out the other piece of paper prepared specifically for the teacher to sign on, careful that the paper remains folded so that he wouldn't be able to read what is actually written inside of it.

Mr. Dalis signs the paper with much gusto.

"Wow! Galing pala ng pirma nyo, sir. Mas maganda nga yang pirma nyo.", says the student while immediately taking away the signed paper and holding it side by side with his very own signed paper, as if really comparing the two signatures on which one had the better strokes.

The bunch of students gathered around agrees, then proceeds back to their own seats as if nothing happened.

"O game. Authorized na ni Dalis yung suntukan mamaya.", the student spreads the news.

Practical Arts was supposed to be one of the subjects in school where we would be able to learn things that we can readily apply in everyday practical living. But I am pretty sure Social Engineering wasn't the title of that first year course taught to us.

Homepage of the K88 Rigmarolers

2007-11-05T20:31:00.000+08:00

Welcome to the homepage of Kumbento88!

Finally. A homepage for our batch.

What started out as a short email list during the mid-90's, it eventually expanded into our present yahoogroup mailing list. And now, this blog-style homepage.

Home of the K88 Rigmarolers.

For those who were not yet updated with the group when the term "rigmarolers" was coined, and are wondering what-the-heck "rigmarolers" mean, here's a brief backgrounder.

The yahoogroup of K88 served several functions for our batch. It was a bulletin board for announcements, a repository of jokes and other forwarded materials (thank God we have somehow managed to filter out the not-so-desirable forwards, well, uhm, at least, most of the time), a discussion group for topics ranging from sports to finance to what-have-you, and inevitably, a forum for arguments which has unfortunately led to the "unsubscribing" of some members.

With that said, we can say that the yahoogroup was open to discussions about anything and everthing under the sun. And in one of those discussions, our ever-vocabulary-rich member, Gary D, mentioned the term "rigmarole". Of course, the wise-ass members in the group would not let this slip that easily. And so the jestful use of the term "rigmarole" was born.

Merriam-Webster defines rigmarole as follows:

Main Entry: rig·ma·role
Variant(s): also rig·a·ma·role
Function: noun
Etymology: alteration of obsolete ragman roll
long list, catalog
1 : confused or meaningless talk
2 : a complex and sometimes ritualistic procedure

And with the opening of the first-ever Kumbento Boys' Basketball League, we used the monicker "Rigmarolers" as the name of our teams (one of which by the way, eventually came out champion, just in case you didn't know).

And so again, we welcome everyone who has been part of our batch. Even if you didn't get to graduate with us in 1988, even if you have been a part of our batch for just a single year, we urge you to join us. No ifs, no buts. You are one of us. Let us live the brotherhood of the Kumbento Boys.