Time to crush the term PILOT like the Berlin Wall

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

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

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

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

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