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 ....
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