Aliguas Mangaldan: USA & Canada

Mangaldanians In North California Celebrate Christmas

Mangaldanians  in  North  California  had   a  Christmas  get together  on  December  12th , 2008 at  the   South  San  Francisco  home  of   Ditas (  the incumbent  President  of  MAONCA ) ,  and  Dick   Sarzaba . Attendees  were  Perla  and Lawrence  Cruz , Rudy  and  Lita   Oca , Joe  and  Gilda Oca ,  ,  Marilou  and  Clayton  Jue , Lani  and  Stepen  Basuel  , Bernard  and  Annie  Cancino , Nice Juguilon Gutierrez ,  Anita  and  Gil  Gutierrez , Remy   Barrozo  ,  Tessie   de  Guzman  and  her  niece , Nelson  and  Delia  Ordonio , Efren and Judith  Fornoles , Napo and  Myen  Cereno  , Merly  Rabelas , Ernesto  and Letty  de Vera , Angie  and  Vincent  Pacis , and  Merma  Alvarez .

 Attendees  take  time  out  for  a  group  picture  before  the  grace  before meals is said  . Seated  are  Gil  and Rudy .  Standing  are  Dick , Clay , Gilda , Lani , Anita , Marilou , Bernard , Ernesto , Letty , Remy  , Perla , Annie , Lita , Ditas and  Angie .  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It  is  chow  time ! ! The  Maonca  members  seem  to  be  enjoying  their  food  .. where  else ?  at  Dita's   kitchen ...Seated   are  Remy ,Tessie  , Perla  and  Rudy  . Standing  are  Annie , Letty  , Marilou  , Dick  and  Ditas  , Gil  , Delia , Gilda  , Anita , Lani  ,  Bernard , Judith  , Lita  ,  Joe   and  Ernesto  . 

 

 

 

 

Exchanging  and  opening  of  presents from  Kriss Kringle take  place  after  dinner . Perla  is all  smiles  as  she  started   to  open  her  gift . She  is  surrounded  by  Delia , Gilda  , Marilou , Judith , Remy  and  Annie .

 

   

 Tessie  de Guzman  is  quite  happy  showing  her  present  from  Kriss  Kringle . I wonder  what  it  is  ...

 

Looks  like  Marilou  is  so  happy  with  her  gift  that  it  calls for  a  special  speech . What   did  you  get , Marilou  ?  

 

The  ladies  of  the  night  are  ,  seated , L-R:  Merly  Rabelas  , Annie  P. Cancino , Perla  B. Cruz , Ditas  P. Sarzaba , Judith Fornales  , Remy  Barrozo , Tessie  de Guzman  and  Lita  Oca . Standing  L-R  : Lani M. Basuel , Anita  Gurierrez ,  Marilou  Jue  , Letty  de  Vera , Gilda Oca ,  Delia  Ordonio and  Angie  Pacis ....

     

Another  photo  of  the  ladies  at  the  stairs  of  the  Sarzaba  residence .

 

 

 

 

Time  for the  gentlemen  to  have  their  turn  for  a  photo  shoot..  Vincent  Pacis , Ernie  de Vera , Bernard Cancino, Lawrence Cruz , Gil  Gutierrez  , Rudy Oca  , Joe Oca  , Dick  Sarzaba   and  Stephen  Basuel   are  all  smiles  at  the  staircase .

 

 

 

 

It  looks  like  the  Christmas  get together  of  the  MAONCA  was  quite  a  merry  one  . MERRY  CHRISTMAS  TO  YOU   ALL  ! ! !

A Joint Despedida and Welcome Party

By  Ditas  Palisoc Sarzaba

I  am  sending  some  pictures  taken  last  Sunday , October 5th , 2008  during  the   Despedida   of  Atchi  Mimi  V. Juguilon  and   Henita  V. Magno  and  at  the  same  time  , a  Welcome  party   for  the  new  immigrants  from  Mangaldan  , Romy  Visperas  and  his  wife , Luz  B. Visperas .

Kuya  Romy  and  Atchi  Luz  spent  a  week-long  stopover  in  San  Francisco  to visit  their relatives  and  their  son-in-law , Sancho  Costes , who  is  married  to  Kuya  Romy's  daughter .

They  will  be  leaving  soon  for  Connecticut  to  join  their  eldest  daughter , Menerva  and  family .

Although  it  was  only  a  small  gathering  as  shown  in  the  pictures , we  truly  enjoyed  the  day . Atchi  Mimi , Kuya  Romy  and  Atchi Luz  were  very  excited  about  the   posting  of  this  article in  Aliguas  Mangaldan . Thanks  to  Atchi  Marie  for  publishing  this article  .

    

Few of the guests  at the joint party  at the Sarzaba  residence include  ( seated  l-r ) Host Dick  Sarzaba , honoree  Romy  Visperas , honoree  Mimi Juguilon , honoree  Luz  B. Visperas , honoree  Henita  V. Magno  and a friend . Standing  are  Bernard Cancino , Federico  Palisoc , Annie  P. Cancino , Nice  Juguilon ,Thelma S. Romero  and  host(ess ) Ditas  P. Sarzaba .

 

   

 

Three  of the  honorees are  Henita  V. Magno , Mimi V. Juguilon  and   Luz  B. Visperas .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The  four  honorees  shown  here  are  Romy  Visperas , Mimi  V. Juguilon , Luz  B. Visperas and Henita V.  Magno .

 

 

 

 

Thelma  S. Romero   greets  the  honorees Romy  and  Atchi Mimi . Partly  hidden  is Sancho Costes ..

 

 

 

The  Mangaldanians  in  Vancouver  and  Aliguas  Mangaldan  welcome   Romy  and  Luz  and  we  hope  you  will  enjoy  your  stay   in  North  America  ..And  to  you  Atchi  Henita and  Atchi  Mimi  , Bon  Voyage   and  have  a pleasant  trip  back  home .

 

 

 

Elementary and High Schoolers Mini Reunion

By  Rustica  Cervas  Miraflor

The first  weekend  of September  2008  was  quite a memorable  one  for a few of us : members  of the Mangaldan  Central  School  Class 1963  and   Class 1967  of the Mangaldan National High School . It was after  41 years  that  we  had  this chance  to reconnect  and renew  our friendship . A Philippine-based classmate , Veronica ( Venny  ) Ferrer - De  Vera  went to Florida to visit  her children . We originally  conceived  a  weekend visit  with  her , however , with  the help  of  our  modern  use  of  the  cyberspace  ( through  e-mails ) , the  supposed  visit  turned into  a dual  mini reunion  of  our classmates  from  the elementary  school  and  through  high  school .

We  decided  to  meet in  Las Vegas  amidst  the  sounds of  slot  machines , among the cacophony  of bright lights . We wanted  to be  a  part  ( for once  )  of  the Las Vegas  atmosphere .

As  our  group  settled  in  at  the  Excalibur  Hotel  and  after   big  hugs  and  squeals of  delights , we  felt  we  were  back  in the  summer  of  our  years .  On hand  to  meet  the " squealers"  were  Joe Lavarias  , a California resident  and  the organizer  of the event , and  his wife  , Gloria  and their children Kristine and Doyle .. The first to  arrive  at  the meeting  place  was Rosie   Samson  Penuliar   ( MCS classmate )  who  travelled  from  Stockton , California  with her husband  Lito  and their  two  sons , Clint  and Jake . Next  group to  arrive  was  Ramona  Lopez Tan ( another  MCS  classmate ) and hubby Fernando ( aka Pepe )  and  their son Raymond . They  are residents  of  Vancouver , B.C. Canada , the  venue  for the 2010 Winter Olympics . Veronica  , the " catalyst  " of  this  special  reunion  , arrived  with  her  sister -in-law  and traveling  companion , Francie  Acosta  Castillo  , both accompanied  by Mario De Vera  ,  the  co-organizer  of  this event  , who is based in  Los  Angeles , CA . Next  to arrive were Teresita  Gutierrez  Pajarillo   and  husband   Ray  , who   are  residents  of  San Francisco  . The  unexpected  presence  of  Rhodora  Tirante  Campos , a "long lost "  member  of  the class became the  ultimate  surprise  of  the  day  . She arrived  with  Rusty  Cervas  Miraflor  and  husband  Briggy  , who  are  residents  of Burnaby , British  Columbia , Canada . Rhodora  has just  moved  from  Boston , Massachusetts  to  the  Southern West  Coast .  As  she  explained  , she is tired  of  "shoveling the  white  stuff " during  winter . The  next day  , Eliseo Ferraro  and  his wife  Lolita  , from  Valencia , California  , arrived  to  complete  the   roster  of  attendees .

For two evenings , the group basked in each other's company , enjoying meals   and  reminiscing  events  in  our   elementary  and  high  school  years  specially  during  the  popular  high school operetta  " In Gay  Havana " .  High school crushes , bittersweet  experiences  and  funny  incidents  were  the  order  of  the  days '  reminiscence  . Each  of  us  shared  each  other's journey  through  life , realizing that  the discipline  at home  and  at  school  were  the  bulwark  which guided us  through  our  lives . It was through  this  discipline  that  enabled  us  to  overcome all  our  challenges . Each  has  his  or  her  story  to tell  and  we  marvelled  at  how  blest  we  are  to  be  able  to overcome  all  the  challenges  we met .

After  all  that  we  went through  in  life  and  the blessings  we  received  from  our  Lord , we decided  to  give  back ..We decided   to renew  our  personal  commitment   to  help  with  the  educational  expenses   of  a  son  of one  of our  classmates  back home  . Joe Lavarias  initiated  the passing  of  an  envelope  for donations  , sealed  and  to  be  delivered  to  the  group's  trustee  in the Philippines .

It  was  when the  clock  struck  2:00 am  when  we decided  to  call  it  a  night  ( or shall I say  day ? ) Some  went  straight  to their  rooms  while  some  tried  their luck  at  the  slot  machines . Las Vegas  is indeed  a city  that  never  sleeps ..

For us , former  classmates , it was truly  an  eye opener . We  have  reinforced  our  close  relationship  with  each  other , which  started  way  back  in  our  school years  . The 41 years   seemed  not  so  long  ago , after  all .... 

Coming back to Vancouver , I  have  more  than  I could  handle  , books  from  Mar De Vera , chocolates  from  Eli  Ferraro   and   most  of  all   our  memories  captured  in  our  pictures . I could say  , we  are  aging  very  gracefully  . Luckily , I was not charged extra by  the  airline for  my  extra  luggage ...

Here are the pictures  to  freeze  those  memories  that  we  experienced  that first  week  of  September  2008 .

On  the  first  day  we see  elementary chums Rosie  Samson  Penuliar , Rusty  Cervas  Miraflor , Joe Lavarias , Rhodora Tirante Campos , Francie Acosta  Castillo  ( our special  guest ), Veronica  Ferrer De Vera  and  Mona Lopez  Tan as the group  wait  for  the  others .

The same group  may have been tired  sitting  so now  we see them  standing  : L-R:  Rhodora , Rosie ,Rusty , Venny , Mona  and  Francie . Standing at t he back  are  Lito  Penuliar  and partly hidden Joe .

The  threesome  elementary  classmates , Rusty , Mona  and Rosie .

   

   

The Vancouverites  include  Briggy , Rusty , Mona , her  son  Raymond  and  Fernando ( aka Pepe  and  Mona's  hubby )  at the lobby   of  The Bellagio  Hotel .

The first  day's  photo  includes , seated , L-R ; Teresita , Venny , Rosie , Mona  and  Rusty  . Standing , L-R  ; Francie , Rhodora  , Joe  and Mar ..

 

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On the  second  day ...............................

Here  are  the MNHS  class '67 , L-R : Rhodora ,  Teresita , Mario De Vera , Veronica , Rusty ,  Gloria , Joe  and Eliseo  Ferraro ..

Briggy  and Rusty  Miraflor  with Lolita  Ferraro .

Mario  joins  Teresita  Gutierrez  Pajarillo  and  her  hubby , Ray ..Mario and Teresita  were  former  boardmates during their college years ..

Seated  L-R : Rhodora , Rusty  and Lolita  Ferraro . Standing  L-R : Briggy , Joe , Gloria  , Eliseo  and Mario .

Is it time to call  it  a night  or shall I say  " are  you  in  for the "Last  resort " ( meaning gambling )?

Well , look  who  is smiling  !! The good news  was  Venny  won  in the  slot  machine ! ! The  loot  ?  $ 70.00  ! !  Nice  shopping money  before  heading  back  to  the Philippines . Have a nice trip  back  home , Venny ....

It has  been  a truly  great  mini  reunion   for  the group as  we  can  see  from  these  pictures ..  We hope  to  see  each  other  more  often  .....Till our  next  reunion .... 

 

 

                        

MCS Alumni in USA Host Lunch for a Cause

By: Cristeta Cera-Atutubo

Long before a violent storm devastated our beloved town of Mangaldan, a group of Alumni of the Mangaldan Central School has planned to do something for our Alma Mater in terms of physical improvement of our school or donation of instructional materials which will help the school children achieve academic excellence. But, our original plans were overrun by typhoon Cosme, and so, we had to redirect our efforts to the rehabilitation of some classrooms instead.

Our goals were simple, to raise some funds to repair 1 or 2 classrooms. But the response we got was overwhelming, especially from graduates of MCS. Perhaps it is this sense of belongingness, this feeling of loyalty and gratitude to their school where we first learned our ABCs and 123s that propelled us to work together for the benefit of our mother school.

During the planning stage, we banks on the resilient spirit of which Filipinos are known for. We have relieved on the age old Bayanihan Spirit and so, we the MCS Alumni dared to seek the help of our friends and the friends of our friends. We are donating the equivalent amount of one hundred thousand pesos (Ph 100,000.00) from the proceeds of MCS Lunch for a Cause to our Alma Mater for its rehabilitation.

The MCS Lunch For A Cause Core Group would like to thank all the donors and ticket benefactors and may the Lord return your kindness a hundredfold.

The Mangaldan Central School Teachers Club has sent a thank you letter for the financial assistance extended by the MCS Alumni in USA. (Aug 3, 2008 ...editor)

(33 pictures were sent, no guideline on how they are ordered so here they are ...co-editor Djoma)