Concepcion Catholic School Batch '89

     It was an ordinary evening as I lay down for a rest from a hard day of work, when I noticed an invitation addressed to me.  I eagerly opened the card and found out that the Concepcion Catholic University Hospital will be inaugurated the following day.  I was so surprised for what I know, 25 years ago, the Concepcion has Concepcion Catholic School for the elementary and high school only.  Being so excited, I forgot my tiredness and jumped out of my bed to prepare my things.

     The following morning, I woke up early and immediately set for Concepcion in my gray Lancer.  After two hours of driving, I finally reached the town.  Since it was only 11:00 in the morning, I decided to check-in in an inn called The Concepcion Peninsula.  I stayed there and waited for 8:00 o'clock to strike.  The most awaited hour came and I hurriedly went to the site.  When I arrived, the place was brightly lighted, colorfully decorated and was filled with many people, people familiar to me.

     I entered the hospital's premises and met attractive ladies whom I believe were nurses.  They were Ms. Dahlia Maniti, Ms. May Bondoc, Ms. Amelia Mandani, Ms. Angie Mirafelix and Ms. Lapurisima Bergonia.  After having a short conversation with them, I decided to go to one of the clinics of the hospital.  The first clinic that I visited was the dental clinic, and from there I saw Dra. Lani Cabrera and Dr. Ronaldo Bautista, both dentists will work at the CCU Hospital.  As I continued my short trip, I then noticed another group of lady nurses soon to be working at the CCU Hospital.  They were Ms. Maricel Domingo, Ms. Angie Mendoza, Ms. Annaliza Mandani and Ms. Annalyn Sablan.  With them were famous lawyers, Ms. Renaida Basco, Mr. Henry Mercado, Mr. Homer Jocson and Mr. Ronald Mallari, the lawyer of the past President Aquino.

     Tired of walking, I pulled a chair and sat down.  From there, I saw another group of long time friends who seemed to be exchanging ideas and opinions about the present government.  From there I can easily conclude that they were all politicians.  The first person was Mr. Antonio Nidea, Jr. talking to two couples.  The first couple was Mr. Jeffrey Luat, the present UN Secretary General, with his wife, Mrs. Mailyn Mallari Luat.  By the way, before my friend Mailyn got into marriage, she was sent by the Philippine Association of Newscasters to planet Saturn to have experimental news casting with the US teen idol Tom Cruise as his body guard.  The second couple was Mr. Roel Bondoc, the Defense Minister of the Philippines, with his wife Mrs. Sheila Lugtu Bondoc, a graduate of Computer Science.

     Two beautiful women and a macho approached me.  They were Ms. Lalaine Punzalan, a famous newscaster, and the couple Mr. Oliver Dizon and wife Mrs. Concepcion Cortez Dizon, who have just arrived from a world tour for their honeymoon.

     After a little rest, I stood up and walked around the premises.  I met teachers of the Concepcion Catholic University from the elementary level.  They were Ms. Miriam Torres and Mrs. Mary Jane Perez Manalo with her husband Mr. Leslie Manalo, a nursed employed at the Makati Medical Center.  After talking to them, another group of intelligent educators approached me, this time they were from the high school department.  They were Ms. Jocelyn Sunga, Ms. Jeanette Dungca, Ms. Janette Rodriguez and Mr. Jerry Flores with spouse Mrs. Jovita Evangelista Flores, a graduate of Foreign Service.

     I felt thirst in my throat, that's why I picked a drink.  Along the sides of the serving table, there stood engineers exchanging views.  I moved closer and heard they were planning to put up Conelco or Concepcion Electric Company.  These engineers were Mr. Edwin Sanchez, Mr. Honorio Sinio, Mr. Carlos Sioco, Jr., Mr. Marvin Tolentino, Mr. Archimedes Napenas, Mr. Jay Castro, Mr. Redentor Dizon and Mr. Rolly Mirafelix.  It was so exciting to know that finally, Concepcion will have its own electric company, with the financial support of the people who graduated from the former CCS.

     The event was really a success I can say, for every person invited seemed to have the time to spare in attending.  And right now, I could see 3 police cabs in front of a black limousine and 3 police cabs at the back.  The people's attention was focused there.  The door opened and a lovely couple stepped out.  They were Mr. Ferdinand Caliolio, a much in-demand pilot connected with Kuwait Airways and the President of the Philippine Association of International Pilots, with his lovely wife, Mrs. Anna Liza Vicencio Caliolio, a candidate for the country's presidency.  Because of her attitude similar to Miriam Defensor Santiago, the Liberal Party of the Philippines chose her to be their candidate.  No wonder, I have seen bodyguards all over.

     But don't think Mrs. Caliolio was the only one who was running for the position of President, Ms. Victoria Pineda stepped out from the white Porsche with a group of soldiers protecting her.  Soldiers like Major Alejandro Arciga, Major Ireneo Yumul and Major Jose Calma.

     After having a glimpse of the future presidents of our country, I went to the playground of the hospital.  The playground was designed not as a playground but as a boulevard.  There I saw couples sharing drinks and sweet smiles.  First couple that caught my attention was Mr. Ferdinand Torres, a successful businessman and the owner of the Hotel Concepcion and Monkey Bridge Resort, with wife Mrs. Marilen Manalo Torres, a dentist and the owner of the Torres Dental Clinic.  Another couple was Mr. Augusto Garcia, an international ramp model, with wife Mrs. Divina De Jesus Garcia, the well-known Master Cutter of the Philippines.  The next couple was Mr. Jesus Esguerra, Jr., a seaman, with Mrs. Eleonor Calapuz Esguerra, working as Midwife at the Veteran's Hospital.

     After seeing the couples and talked to them for a while, I finally decided to look at the Operating Room of the hospital.  At the corridors near the Operating Room was a group of good looking guys wearing tuxedos.  I was surprised when they introduced themselves as Lt. Col. Antonino Mendoza, Lt. Col. Albert Susano, Major Sonny Boy Dayrit and Major Ariel Manuel.  I excused myself from the brave soldiers of fortune and proceeded to my short tour.  Finally, I reached the Operating Room and believe me, it was filled with men and women in white suits.  No doubt they were doctors examining the new equipments inside the room.  They were Dr. Oliver Quito, Dr. Francisco Pangilinan, Dra. Ma. Rita Viray, Dra. Rizalina Perez and Dra. Evangeline David, Dr. Cielito Lindo, together with the couple Dr. Dionisio Sese, Jr. and Dra. Ma. Victoria Gueco.

     As I moved out from the Operating Room, I met the pharmacist of the CCU Hospital.  It was Ms. Rita Mallari.  Ms. Mallari accompanied me in my little journey where I got a chance to ask who was responsible for the beautiful and well elevated construction of the hospital.  Her reply was in a tone of being proud.  According to her, engineers who graduated from the CCU were responsible.  As given, they were Engrs. Prio Pardy Vasco, Erwin Carreon, Bencenon Lansangan, Leonardo Manio, Erwin Cano and George Enipin.  But Ms. Mallari said that some achitects contributed too.  They were Achitects Aileen Tapnio and Rhodora Payawal, both high school graduates from the former CCS.

     As we reached the main hall of the hospital, we could see how the crowd grew big.  All of a sudden, we heard a sound becoming louder and louder and seemed to fall from above.  All of us rushed outside to see what it was and we were surprised when we saw a huge helicopter.  As soon as the helicopter had landed, the door opened.  A smart and gorgeous lady, shining with jewelries and looked like a princess in her sequined and beaded gown stepped out.  Undoubtedly, we can say she is a billionaire.  It was  Ms. Ma. Maida Castro with her fiance, the strongest and the most powerful wrestler in the world, Mr. Greg Dizon.

     A lot of the guests were still coming as hours passed by.  From a shining Pajero, a group of women came out.  They were Ms. Maricel Lim, Ms. Amalia Castro, Ms. Rizza Guzman, Ms. Janet Magcalas and Ms. Christine Cunanan.

     Next I saw 4 Rolls Royce parking.  From the red one stepped out Ms. Rowena Mallari, a nurse from the Concepcion Heart Center.  From the blue one, Ms. Angeline Punzalan, also a nurse from CHC.  From the white Rolls Royce, Ms. Ana Marie Tayag and from the creme one, Ms. Marites Turla, both ladies are employed at the Concepcion General Hospital.

     Letting my eyes roam over the place, I saw another 2 lovely couples.  They were Mr. Dennis Bucu, an architect and was the one responsible for the newly built Concepcion Ali Cinema, with his wife Mrs. Myrna Rubio Bucu, a successful businesswoman.  Mr. Michael Gerard Galang, another architect responsible for the Concepcion Sports Complex with gorgeous wife, Mrs. Carina Feliciano Galang, a nurse from the state hospital of Illinois.

     Just behind me were teachers in profession.  They were Mr. Geraldo Yturralde, the present head of the Harvard University.  Mrs. Amy Cabalu Calma, the Dean of the University of the Philippines was also there with hubby Mr. Jose Calma, a graduate of Computer Science, and Ms. Rhodora Ortiz Luis, the Dean of the De La Salle De Letran in Concepcion.

     Moving back, I saw  another group of visitors,cracking laughter.  I approached them and had a talk with them.  Ms. Allah De Guzman and Ms. Angelina Tresplacios, both midwives soon to be working at the CCU Hospital.  With them were computer geniuses Mr. Alex Feliciano, Mr. Ricardo Balatbat and Ms. Erna Guevarra.

     Then, I saw two men unmistakably pilots.  They were Capt. Jack Tumang, who is presently the Commander of Clark Air Base, Capt. Franklin Gamundoy, the head of the Philippine Airlines and Capt. Jeffrey Go, connected with China Airlines.

     Our conversation was interrupted by the noise created by the horns of a bright red Ferrari.  Of course because of this noise, the attention of the visitors will be focused on the car.  As the door opened, and as the person stepped out, everybody held his breath.  A beautiful lady in her elegant gown was seen.  She was Ms. Svetluz Suarez, the Philippines' representative in the recently held Miss World Pageant in Hawaii and we are proud to say she brought home the pride of being the winner.  Escorting her was her fiance Mr. Rafael Lim, the head of the Philippine Association of Engineers and the one responsible for the project of lighting the streets here in Concepcion.

     Next to come was a pink Cadillac and inside was another dazzling beauty owned by Ms. Maribel Dela Cruz, the newly crowned Miss Universe and at the same time a full-time doctor at the St. Luke's Hospital.  Escorting her was this year's Mr. Universe, Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

     I excused myself from the crowd.  I went upstairs and saw another room.  Inside it were books regarding medicine and different statuettes of the human body.  Inside the room were Ms. Lapurisima Matias and Ms. Lorna Mallari,  both were successful computer engineers working at the Philippine Engineering Corporation.  Mr. Rely de Guzman, another in-demand engineer, was there with lovely wife Mrs. Adora Ortiz Luis de Guzman, a nurse employed at the Veteran's Hospital.  Lastly I saw Ms. Myrna Del Rosario and Ms. Alma Herrera, computer geniuses responsible for the new model of computerized oven.

     After I peep, I went on to the next room.  The room was the oxygen room.  In contrary, business-minded persons were the ones looking at the different types of oxygen.  They were Ms. Theodora Irma Baron, an executive secretary in a famous company in Makati, Mrs. Ana Lisa Santos Samson, the president of the S&S Company, with husband, Mr. Apolonio Samson, the head nurse at the Concepcion Heart Center.  The Couple Mr. Christopher Aguilar, connected with the Concepcion Cathay Pacific Airlines, with wife, the unassuming Mrs. Amabelle Marie Vergarra Aguilar, the president of the Verlar Company, were there, too.

     As I was about to go to the hall, two couples greeted me.  The first was the lovely couple Mr. Victor Bondoc, the present Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Concepcion, with wife Mrs. Maribel Sese Bondoc, an executive secretary in Quezon City.  The second couple was Atty. Beda Flores with wife Mrs. Jeanette Evangelista Flores, a graduate of Foreign Service.

     They walked with me up to the hall.  As soon as we get into the hall, the visitors were clapping their hands.  We saw three Filipino astronauts.  They were Mr. Antonio Fernando, Jr., who just arrived from the planet Mars, Mr. Enrique Asuncion, the first Filipino to land on the planet Jupiter, and Ms. Jackilene Paras, the first Filipina to land on the planet Venus.

     After having a chat with these astronauts, I relaxed and saw another couple.  They were Mr. Elmer Capati and Mrs. Ma. Cecilia Caisip Capati.  Mr. Capati was the one responsible for the video of Superman starring himself and Mrs. Capati as Superman's wife.

     Another sweethearts came inside.  The woman was a smart one for she was an international fashion model.  She was Ms. Josephine Dayrit with fiance Mr. Angelito Hipolito, the much in-demand lawyer not only here in Concepcion but worldwide, as well.

     Silence occurred when the diocesan fathers Fr. Jimmy Mallari and Fr. Emelito Sison announced the presence of his holiness in the person of Pope Jofel Valencia 1st.  After which the Pope announced the presence of the most important person that night, the person behind the history of the CCU Hospital, the person who cares a lot for the health of the people, the person who is the head of the World Health Organization, Dra. Leilani Danganan.  She cut the ribbon, after which Pope Valencia officiated the Mass.

     To all Seniors, we all know that soon you'll be leaving this Alma Mater.  But before so, I, in behalf of the faculty members and the whole studentry, would like to send you our deepest gratitude for all the things you have done and are still doing for the betterment of our school.  You served as models and you set good examples of what a student really is.  Thanks a lot for being our brothers and sisters and for being our friends.  We'll always pray for your success.  I, together with the people here present, am looking forward for the fulfillment of this class prophecy.  Again, I say good luck and enjoy every second of this night.  Thank you.

     - Zilpha Florinda Felix (JS Prom 1989)