UP High School Cebu City 1977 Batch

sunday, september 08, 2002

Classmates,

Please read Joji Bonilla's profile under category "Yearbook Profile". She has been leading a very eventful and meaningful life for the past twenty-five years!

MMdevera @ 05:50 pm
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friday, september 06, 2002

Joji Bonilla :: Yearbook Profile

joji
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Name: JOCELYN A. BONILLA
Nickname: JOJI
Location: Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Occupation: Programme Officer for a an International Development Organization
Civil Status:Single
Hobbies:Travelling, Scuba Diving, Cooking, Reading

1. Describe your life after High School graduation.
Where do I begin? As the song goes….. a lot has happened since high school.

After high school, I stayed on in UPCC for my BS Psychology. College was uneventful. One trudged on to get a degree that will pave one’s future career path, I guess. And I believe mine was known way back then.

I then worked with U.S. Peace Corps as Trainor for 10 years, beginning as a Cebuano Language Instructor until I became Project Director. This job gave me the experience and the confidence of working for international development organization. Wow! I have never loved being a Filipino! I was and am proud to be one! Seeing a different culture highlights the goodness of my own culture and to this day I continue to tell my friends and colleagues about that.

Then I tried to wok for a profit making company, I lasted two years…..but no more. I will only put the company to bankruptcy because I did not have the mettle to be a businesswoman and a capitalist.

Moved back to non-government (NGO) work in 1992 by working for a child sponsorship organization, PLAN International in Baguio City. That was 5 beautiful, refreshing and cool years up in the mountains. It was also there where I found the best friends who shared the same passion and commitment to make a difference in the lives of the families we were partnering with. The innovative ideas and discussion over endless bottles of beers and tapoy (rice wine) on how to rid the world of poverty for the sake of the children can never be replaced! Dreams and vision of being a global citizen!

I continued to work for the cause of children in another international organization, Pearl S. Buck International. This time instead of children of the mountains, I was working with Amerasian children and their families abandoned by the US military personnel around Subic Naval Base, Olongapo City and Clark Air Base, Angeles City. Work was even more educational because I had to work with prostituted women in the education and prevention of the spread of STD and HIV/AIDS. Imagine teaching the women how to “apply “ condom to their customers (who refuse protection!) without knowing? And working in an environment where machismo pervades together with a very misplaced concept of reproduction and protecting one’s health!

Having moved from one city to another and enjoying the job, my personal life took a back seat. Ha! Children and a husband? A child maybe…..who knows?

Presently, I am with another international development organization, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), who works in the Philippines through foreign volunteers in the field of environment, deaf education, HIV/AIDS prevention and gender. The job allows me to see the macro-level of development. I get to harness and sharpen my skills in communication, negotiation, and facilitating development work at all level of society and sectors. There are pains and frustrations, but then, these are balanced off by significant and successful stories of changed lives of the Filipinos where VSO works. And for now, that is good enough for me……..

Well, that in a nutshell is my 25 years after high school. The juicy bits will have to be shared in a different venue!

2. How did the UP High School experience influence your life decisions (or describe one memorable experience in UP High.)

I have always wondered where the love for working in Development came from, the only incident I remember was when we had a class outreach work in second or third year. I remember the class was asked to visit the community at the back of UPCC. We were told to organize the children for group activities. We even brought some toys, balloons (?) to keep the children occupied. Now in retrospect, I believed I had fun playing with the children and getting them to respond to me! And the realization that working with people, children, and the community towards a certain goal can both be painful and self-satisfying.

Now, whether that was an experience where I made my decision to influence my life, was good or not good, I am still finding out!

3. Do you think the object you described in the yearbook still holds true about you today? Explain.

A cat! Yes and no. The cat to me means being cudly and dependent on their master but at the same time, I have been accused by others to be very "catty" with my remarks! Grrrrgggrr......

Joji @ 11:35 pm
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monday, september 02, 2002

September Birthday Celebrants :: News Updates

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR SEPTEMBER CELEBRANTS

September 4 - Alex Suarez
September 8 - Emigdio Llanos
September 8 - Carmito Santos
September 11 - Rowena Daitol
September 15 - Cynthia Montalban
September 16 - Grace Abbu
September 16 - Lenore Yap
September 28 - Luchita Dakoykoy

FROM YOUR UPCCHS CLASSMATES!

MMdevera @ 11:47 pm
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tuesday, august 27, 2002

What's New? :: News Updates

Alex Suarez (Manila), Marme Tudtud-Lim (Cebu) and a group from the USA-San Francisco Reunion, donated funds to buy computers for UPCCHS. Read Marme's email in "Community Service" category.

Thank you all donors!

Thank you, Marme, representative of Batch 77,for a job well done!

More photos and news about this first fund-raising event of Batch77 will be posted soon.

New Yearbook Profiles have been posted:

Alma Cabahug
Naomi Donque
Ruth Mercado

MMdevera @ 12:52 pm
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Batch 77 Donations for Computers :: Community Service

by Marme

Everyone:
Last Saturday, 1PM I already turned-over the two (2) computers and a printer to the UP high dept.

Present were
Ms. Alino Logarta
Mdm. Carvajal
The Computer Teacher
2 editorial staff of Tambuli

I took pictures of the computers especially where the stickers were posted. When the pictures will be developed, everything will be downloaded from Janet's email add. I will let her download the:
1. official receipt
2. pictures
3. stickers
4. certification of donation (signed by the principal of UP high)
5. billing by the technician engr.

Nakadungag ko ug P255.00 (on the units) plus P2,500.00 (outside the official receipt) as fee for the technician who will also service the units within 18 mos. I didnt know na maka-add ko, unya wala na-apil akong initials sa donors. Sige lang, naa man akong hulag-way sa pictures.

Even if Ruth wasnt able to feature us in the newspaper. We will be featured in their Tambuli. When Janet and I will get a copy of the issue, we will download it to you also.

The teachers were so thankful, especially the computer teacher. He said his class even held binggo socials just to generate funds for computers. I felt so happy on my way home... and I want to share this happiness with all of you. Guys, when you come home by 2003, come and visit the computer classroom and see for yourself your initials on the units and feel your generosity come to life.
Insakto ba to?

For those who did not have a chance to donate, do not worry. Coz the word "batch 77" is bigger than the initials of those who actually donated, so... from all of us to ha? You can catch up later when something will be urgently needed.

At your service,
Marme

MMdevera @ 12:50 pm
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thursday, august 22, 2002

Ruth Mercado :: Yearbook Profile

19 January 2002

To start with, I am not happily married nor am I happily single. I am not in both. I am a single parent with a 13 year old daughter. She is now in high school. Ms. Aliño encouraged me to let my daughter study in UP High. But unfortunately my daughter could not meet the entrance grade requirement in UP. Ms. Aliño again told me to give her a trial period. But my daughter is afraid of the pressure so she is studying in Bradford. I still live with my immediate family. My mom succumbed to lung cancer in 1990.

The reason why I am not married may have something to do with my career as a journalist. Journalists in Cebu are not well paid. So I went into odd jobs as a public information officer for various non-government agencies and companies. It was during these public information officer stints that I
found the potential of public relations. It was through a friend who encouraged me to go on my own in public relations on a per project or consultancy basis.

When I started my own public relations consultancy here in Cebu sometime in 1996, it was like I was the first man on the moon. Nobody understood what I was talking about. I did not have any clients. Some of those who became my clients did not pay well and some after an engagement did not pay at all. Eventually public relations became a demand here in Cebu.

That was the time I started having corporate clients.

Public relations is basically building images and building relationships. I build the image of the company and help the company build good relationships with their partners and investors. Through the years I help companies haul out of crisis through public relations. That is why included
in an overall public relations package is crisis management. The job involves writing press releases, organizing events and strategy building.Igo for engagements that are six months (at the minimum) to one year or more depending on the needs of the client.

When Byron knew that I was in public relations, he asked me if I could be his PR campaign manager for the 2004 polls. That kind of engagement would basically mean I build his image in a way that it wins masa appeal and help establish deep relationships with constituents to win the polls. So I told him that before we start with any engagement, he must first tell me who his girlfriends, wives (alleged and admitted) and everything else that's hidden in his closet. He got shocked. I told him that's where we start building his image. We have to start with what he is and then we build it with what the masa or constituents want it to be. Not what he wants it to be.

The good images that you see in public figures or in CEOs are mostly the work of a good public relations person.

Anyway public relations is a stressful job. That's why I limit projects to one or two in a year. Also because it is not a permanent job, that's why I thought of having a regular job to support me during those times when I
have no PR clients. That's why I also work as editor in Freeman anyway my job as editor requires me to work only from 2 - 9PM everyday including holidays. I have one day off in a week.

That's a little of my present life story. The other segments perhaps in our future correspondence.

-- ruth

MMdevera @ 04:07 pm
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Alma Cabahug :: Yearbook Profile

Okay, update on what I have been up to all these years. Where do I start?

I actually lost touch with a lot of you right after high school since I went to USC to take up Accounting. Anyway, nothing too exciting happened to me. Mine is the usual, run of the mill life story. Went to college, graduated,
took and passed the board exams, got married, had childred (2) BUT then the unusual started. I did not end up living happily ever after. Instead I left my husband, kept the kids and went on with life. I came to the US in 1990 and have been here since. I got married again here. Been married for maybe ten years now and we have a 4 1/2 year old son we call Monty. The other two older kids are Andre Jon (AJ) who is 19 and in first year college and Micaela Angeli(Tracy) who is 16 and is a high school sophomore.

Ever since graduating from College, I have always had an accounting job except for the 3-year stint at the BIR in Cebu. I was a Desk Examiner and later on a Field Examiner. I left an Accounting Manager position with a
computer software programming company about three years before. I was with that company for six years - great job, good people, excellent pay and perks. But I was working my behind off and I was driving 3 to 3 1/2 hours everyday to get to work and back home. Then I had Monty. Eventually, I decided that I would much rather spend those 3 to 3 1/2 hours everyday with him and the older kids instead of in my car on the freeway.

But I found a job seven miles from home (about 15 minutes one way) and I do not even have to get on a freeway. I am the Controller for an automotive parts and accessories wholesaler and distributor. I've been here almost two
years now. I am still working with good people, great bosses (father and son), set my own hours. There are some people who have been here for ages so it's a constant challenge to make them understand that things can be done
faster and more efficiently. And I had to kiss my bi-annual bonuses goodbye.
oh well!

All in all, life's been good. Nothing to really complain about except...wait, there is one - all those mean boys in high school!!! Whatever happened to them? Just kidding!

I am quite sure that I have bored some of you to death already so I am going to stop. I am so very happy to get in touch with you guys again.

MMdevera @ 12:14 pm
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Naomi Donque :: Yearbook Profile

I have 2 grown children who hate having pictures taken. Arjay is 18 and in first year college and my daughter Liza is 16 and in high school and will be graduating next school year. I have lived in Toronto since 1985 after moving around in the country from Montreal to Calgary and then finally here in Toronto where we have settled for the longest. I met Arnel in 1978 in Montreal, he is from Manila and also came to Montreal at age 11,despite that he still speaks fluent Tagalog and I myself have become fluent in Tagalog oroy. He understands Bisaya but can't speak it so dili gyud mabaligya.

I work as an operating room nurse in charge of Ophthalmology and ENT and have been in this field since 1979. I also teach ballroom dancing and ballroom line dancing twice a week and work full time. I started all these lessons 5 years ago and it is also been quite profitable and now that my kids are older , I get to do what I enjoy with my husband. We are so lucky that both
our kids are focused in school and although they are shy, they have grown to be great individuals and are very close to us.

My Dad, brothers and sister live in Calgary. I am the only one left here in Eastern Canada since my husbands family is still in Montreal. Back in 1979, my parents moved from Montreal to Calgary because my parents had a difficult time with the French language and to be able to practice your profession, you had to pass a French oral and written exam before being licensed in any profession. My Dad could not practice law and my Mom could not be a pharmacist without
this license so they decided to move to Calgary and left us three older kids in Montreal to finish university. I was able to finish and pass the french exams and got my nursing license before I moved to Calgary to follow my
parents in 1980.

I had met Arnel in Montreal and he followed me to Calgary and we got married Dec. 1982. We had our 2 kids in Calgary, then he got transferred to Toronto in the summer of 1985. Since then we have settled here and been happy but like you I do miss my family and need to visit them as well. So this summer, we will all go to Calgary and magpabilin ang mga
bata sa ilang uncle, aunts and lolo and Arnel and I will fly from Calgary to San Francisco. The language here in Toronto is mainly English although to know French is an
asset. I still speak conversational French although I lost a lot of my written French and my job doesn't involve any French unless there is a French patient then they get me to interpret. Toronto is a very nice city and it is the New York of Canada but very clean and dili samok. I would like to extend to everyone an invitation to come to Toronto and maybe have a reunion here in the future, I don't mind organizing one in the future as long as I have enough time to plan. Immigration here is so much easier than the U.S. and health care is free. Canada is a huge country with a very low population and the temperature varies from coast to coast. The hours on travel on the plane from Vancouver to Nova Scotia (which is coast to coast) is 7 hours in length, so our trip to Calgary takes 4 hours just as it is from Toronto to San Francisco.

MMdevera @ 12:11 pm
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Miriam Pantig's Concert :: Stories to Share

concert
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HHEELLOOOS!!! Fri. night the 16th here, we had a fun night with Myrna L.Not present were Alex (said yes to ilay but a no show...accdg to Myrns L. with important clients daw, will try to apas...the next day accdg to ML was having so much fun mao wa ka apas). Jed, no comment....Maricha, I planned to contact but forgot at the last minute...maagi man ta tu nako...sige na lang).

This show of Miriam Pantig (managed and produced) by Lenore is for Miriam`s daughter, 18 yrs. old Noelle from the states. The last time they saw each other was when she was 4 yrs. old. Why? That`s another story to tell. The place was Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon city. The show started 9pm(ako & company last na ni abot mga 10..sobrang traffic...ako pa gyud pinakalayo...almost 2 hrs with the traffic). So abot ko nagstart na ang show.

WOW!! Bilib na gyud ko nimo Nyot pagka JOHN TRAVOLTA!! Ingon gud ako bana.....Hindi ka pala mahiyain Nyot!!!!......OOOYYYY, sayaw Unyot with Miriam (giduol man...hangyo....challenged...BUMIGAY!!!)...sa stage pa...Gipaningot!..Ginerbiyos! Pero sayaw gihapon!!.....Proof unya the picture...Imagine the dance steps of Unyot...mora ug nag ukay ug kalamay!!! Wa gyoy lain NYOT? Bida!! wa na moangkon si Tess (iya wife) na iyang bana.....Shout sad ko ....Di namin kilala yan!! Naluya mi ug katawa..Kuyawan ko baya basig manganak di oras si Belen (sis of Myrna) who is 8 mnths pregnant!! Bawudbawud man tiyan Belen sige bahakhAK KATAWA......Mario, talo ang pagkastardancer gyud nimo sa SFO........Up to now, Unyot our president ( in HS) is the "president" still of all times!!

The next day, Sat. Myrns L. nagtext asking cell# of Marms and Nelson. Marms Fri. night text me na she has message for Myrns but I forgot to text her during the show kay saba kaayo. Wed.before Fri. night Nelson called me up, to say hello and told her Myrns L. is in Manila. So Itold also Myrns L. about Marms and Nelson. Sun. I text Myrns L. to say byebye and said also she saw Alex Sat. night dinner. O, kinsa pay moabot ninyo diha? Sulti lang.....at your service...driver or what.......

P.S. I arrived in Pinas July 30. The next day a card from Yapsoy......TO EPANG & Friends...with the baby`s pic and notes when....the labor, dlivery, weight of baby, etc. Text him....siya ra kuno email baby pic...ASA NA SOY?

Mar, told Nido of what you told us of him....He said, he`s very happy of the good news....Ingon siya, Ikaw sad kuno......

E P A N G S K Y

MMdevera @ 09:05 am
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sunday, august 18, 2002

What's New? :: News Updates

On Friday, August 16, 2002, a group of Batch77 Manila classmates gathered together to watch Miriam Pantig, the singer Lenore Yap manages, at the Rembrandt Hotel, Quezon City, in a concert entitled "A Song for Noelle". Present were Unyot Mancao and wife, Tess, Epang and husband, Flip, Gisela, Joji, Myrna L with sister, Belen and Belen's husband, Rodney Dofitas. See photos at the Picture Gallery.

See new Yearbook Profiles (material gathered from old e-mails):

Andre Canastra
Jillie Chy
Edna Gaanan
Byron Garcia
Jed Lumain
Alex Suarez
Mary Anne Tamayo
Emmanuel Yap

More to come!

MMdevera @ 06:14 am
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sunday, september 08, 2002

friday, september 06, 2002

monday, september 02, 2002

tuesday, august 27, 2002

thursday, august 22, 2002

sunday, august 18, 2002

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