“Many of us grew up thinking that the world was at our feet and that we could be anything and accomplish anything. Many of us had very high expectations for ourselves and others. The good news is that most of us have lived lives that have met or even exceeded those expectations.”
LT Geronimo M. Mendoza, United States Navy (USN), said this in his welcome address during the USHS Class ’83 Alumni Homecoming held last December 6 at the RET Canteen.
“I challenge each of you to put up a program or some kind of scholarship that will benefit young deserving persons who will someday take the same path we ventured and hopefully will return the blessing we each enjoyed to our Alma Mater and to the community,” he added.
The alumni, including those who have been based abroad, raised fund for renovation of the office of the Researcher, the school paper. During their business meeting, each one readily contributed money; the additional collection amounted to P19,500. Total fund solicited for the project was P40,000.
Liberty Mananguit-Azul, coordinator of the affair, said in an interview that contributions from other members of Class ’83 would still be accepted.
Meanwhile, four of the twenty-seven attendees, Azul herself, Pedro M. Bandong, Jr. and Chona Calbay-de Jesus, and Mendoza also pledged to donate ceiling fans, and an Digital Lens Professor (DLP), respectively.
Other alumni who attended the occasion were: Pedelino A. Abella. Ferdinand A. Almirol, Freddy I. Cariaga, Ferdinand N. Dela Cruz, Rhea Monina P. Enrile, Cleotilde C. Delfin-Fuentes, Ariel SI. Kanapi, Rufino M. Leaño, Janice Claire C. Ortiz, Eleanor U. Salvador-Allas, Leonel O. Tadatada, Rolando M. Tobias, and Ma. Immaculada Corazon Unabia-Cuaresma, and this writer.
The USHS faculty, particulary Prof. Ma. LindaR. Abella, Dr. Generosa N. Eligio, including retirees Prof. Felerma B. Zaparilla and Prof. Teresita A. Cabanilla as well as former principal Dr. Edgar M. Ricamonte, graced the occasion.
Other members of the organizing committee included Luis Noel G. Barza, Maria Cristina Flores-Pablo, Radinal V. Mendoza, Caroline Mones-Muncal, Remedios Zaparilla-Panuyas, Jasmin Gutierrez-Requito, Ramon Cesar DC Salas and Norayda Vizmonte-Villaroman. Geronima Tubalinal-Mingala served as treasurer.
The class e-group CLSUUSHS@yahoo.com organized by Wendy Pascual-Andong facilitated the homecoming.