By Marie A. Junio with Arturo Aquino
Arturo Aquino sent the following letter and pictures taken during their MNHS Mini Class '66 reunion.
"September 8, 2007 was an exciting and unforgettable day for thirteen former MNHS classmates , class of '66 , as they gathered in Manteca , California , for a reunion. Carlito Torio flew in from Seattle , WA , Vicente Padre from New Jersey , Mercedes Lim Custodio from Michigan and the rest from nearby California communities : Rhoda Ungos Zarate ( Mapandan ) from Sta Maria , Henry Tambot ( San Fabian ) from Daly City, Elpedio de Leon from Vallejo , Lito Lavarias ( Mangaldan ) from Milpitas, Rudy de Guzman ( San Jacinto ) from Morgan Hill , Josie de Guzman ( San Jacinto ) from San Jose , Julian Placido ( San Fabian ) from Hayward , Estrella Biagtan ( Mangaldan ) from Stockton , Lydia Aquino Somera ( Mangaldan ) from Sacramento and myself ( Manteca is my home ..no travelling needed . )
The previous day , Carlito ( a.k.a Caloy ) , Mercedes , and myself spent the day in San Francisco , visiting the Golden Gate bridge , Lombard street and the Fisherman's Wharf .
The day of the reunion came . Initial greetings and excitement after 41 years apart was indescribable. The laughter , cheers and a lot of " kumusta ka la ey '" can be heard over two blocks away .
The day was spent reconnecting with each other over plates of calderetta , cappocan, pinapaitan, pising ya nan lalaok ( saluyot , rosas na calobasa , pagda , bulong tan bunga na agayep ) . Valerio and Goldilocks goodies and specialties were in abundance .The party started outside the house and continued on inside .
The ladies belted their best songs at the karaoke and impromptu dance lessons were given by Rhoda Ungos and Esther Tecson .
After 58 years of " wear and tear" , my classmates' health concerns became the "hot" topic : " Agi , wala lay high blood pressure ko " , "siak atagey met so cholesterol ko " ." Antoy exercise mo met natan ?"
After a great night , we said goodbye to each other hoping to see each other again in 2010 in Mangaldan ."
The MNHS mini class '66 reunion participants : Clockwise :Lito Lavarias , Estrella Biagtan ,Rhoda Ungos Zarate , Mercedes Lim Custodio , Lydia Aquino Somera , Arturo Aquino , Julian Placido , Vicente Padre , Carlito Torio , Rudy de Guzman and Henry Tambot . Not in picture are Elpedio de Leon and Josefina de Guzman but they were in attendance .
Caloy and Art in Fisherman's Wharf .. 
Mercedes Lim Custodio at the Golden Gate Bridge ..
The five guys under the umbrella are Vicente Padre , Elpedio de Leon , Julian Placido , Lito Lavarias and Henry Tambot .
These two pictures inside the house were taken when they were watching old high school class videos .Isaias Aquino ( brother of Art ) attended the occasion , but he belongs to another class in MNHS .
In the group picture at left are Ellie , Art's wife ( standing ) , sis-in-law Esther , Rudy , Henry , Dominic Diaz . Seated are Emma Diaz , Lorie Lavarias , Julian and Estrella .
Thanks for sharing our kabaleyans your exciting and wonderful class reconnections , Art . Cheers and Maaliguas komon kayon sankakaklase la lawas .
Atchi Marie
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