This website is dedicated to all the men
and women of Class 1980 of the University of Santo Tomas High
School. This
site showcases the fun and nostalgia of the best batch USTHS has ever
produced.
Growing up in the sixties and early
seventies, you drive downtown and you see painted on the walls the sign,
"POST NO BILL." You don't see those signs anymore. And so with this website, fellow batch members, we
invite you to contribute your bills, your thoughts and your
photographs. Let this be a chronicle of the best works and of the delicate
artistic expressions of our members. Let this photographed volume tell
the stories of all those willing to work side by side seeking to inform
and enlighten thru their lens.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Yna
Valenzuela-Torres
Anthony Fallarme
Rey Espino
Chito Rabadam
JALA BIRA SA JALA-JALA
Mga Birada sa Jala-Jala
Ang
layo! Ang saya! Ang daming pagkain! Ang bait ni Leah! Ang gara ng
resthouse! Ang galing-galing ng mga nagsidalo! Sarap ng kwento! Bitin.
Kailan kaya mauulit?
19 from Class 80 came, 38 in all including kids, spouses &
Leah's supermom. Some of those who came missed the sunset on Laguna de
Bay. Many of us here in Pinas, missed Jala-Jala and perhaps, some of you
out there may want to know how the day went.
Weekending is one of the most respected and most popular American
institutions; and we of batch 80 saw the merit of that last weekend. To
many, travelling more than 57 kilometers on Philippine roads and in this
oppressive summer heat is akin to holyweek penitensya, but to us, it
became an adventure. In
fairness, the road from Teresa to Jala-Jala is paved and
well-maintained. We downloaded Leah's detailed instruction and navigated
our way quite successfully to her house with “pink roof” as stated in
her sketch, which actually is not pink but orangy. Rey Espino built
Leah's house with a roof that is not actually pink, but orangy (terra
cota).
Unang birada sa Jala-Jala – wow ang gara ng resthouse ni Leah, parang OP
sya sa terrain and to which the WOG boys would later on kid her na
tataas ang value ng property in the area because of Leah's house.
Initially, we ignored the pool and the
basketball/volleyball
court as it was a scorcher that noon and all of us in succession went
staright to the breakfast table. Pangalawang birada, ang daming pagkain,
breakfast, lunch n supper. Yung mga biik ni Chie pinalitson ni Fides,
and wow! How baboy the pigs! We made sure nakahilata duon sa lamesa at
hindi lumilipad like pigs.
Those who came before and during lunch were: Vita with son Igi, 2 nieces
and Vicky; Noel Mayuga, Fides, Rey E, Chie, mwah, Leo, Wendel with
daughter Pia, Gina, Teng, Nina Rigor with husband,
Julius and 2 kids, Jeff, Lou Torres and Benjie with 2 sons. While Leo
and ardent photo-wards went out in the baking sun to capture their
prize-winning entry, Vita, Chie (both she and Vita would shuffle from
taking photos and singing),Fides, Gina, Teng and I lounged at the den
and launched a singing barrage. Birada ni Teng, total performer!!
Kumpleto ang birit king with
Gary V gyrations and DJ/announcer pa – kulang na lang kopyahin yung mga
poses ni Josay. We viewed the video presentation Leo did of Munting
Handog and Josay's portfolio.
Soon after, Ponch Villaroman arrived with her charming wife,
Mel, and daughter. Fresh from meeting up with Wijohn, Beto and other
batch mates, he was simply eager to meet more members of our class.
Katuwa! This is why we should encourage others to come because it does
make us want to see more of the others. He, too, enjoyed the videoke and
did a great duet with Vita. Nearing dusk, the alagad ng kadiliman came,
representatives of the WOG, Arman Pagiou, Igme Mendiola with wife,
Sophie, and Rene Sario. Sorry, gumaganti
lang
kasi pinagtripan ako ng mga yan sa text, concerned pa naman ako tapos
nagtatawanan sila duon sa kabilang linya. Seriously, these guys never
let us(Special Projects) down. All for WOG and Wog for all ang drama ng
mga yan; they are really maginoo, matulungin at maaasahan kahit medyo..........pogi.
The best birada was the grand time mingling with the family
members of our batchmates. Julius has become a regular fixture sa batch
gathering, kids of Benjie hindi maawat sa pool, Mommy ni Leah naging
surrogate mother, Igi who is with the photo class played volleyball with
Lou & Jeff, conversations with Mel and Sophie were relaxed and
interesting. So many things augur well for us. Nina and family, Chie
(who was joined by her friend Mari and baby Justine) and I were the last
to go.
Birada ni Chie- ang Huling Birada sa Jala-Jala – secret!
-Yna Torres
P.S. - If I did make a dig in this article, it is not to poke fun at
anyone, far from it. Instead, it is to make light of the issue and make
us take ourselves less seriously, learn to laugh at our foibles and make
us embrace everyone back to the egroup.
More pictures to be posted soon --Ed.
-oOo-
INSIGHTS
We Happy Few
by:Yna Valenzuela-Torres
The men and women of
USTHS80 are never so happy as
when you tell
them they have a party.
I
fbeing young is a state of mind, the question to ask is what we
think to hold us in this perpetual blissful state. And that after more
than a year of strengthening bonds, this band of middle-age
brother/sisterhood has continued to hold us in sway – even busier, more
focused. I started getting curios(er)
when after upon a series, yes, a series of resolve, made in dead earnest
or in a fit of pique, to ease off and refrain from further batch
activities, I find myself hanging on, more involved than ever. As with
the many complex issues of life, the answer could be best expressed in
one word but often it is not the answer we seek but why the answer.
The busy month of March that brought some
of us scurrying from one batch affair to another like headless chicks,
pushed these questions to the surface: Why are we doing all this? Why
the E-group?
Why the USTHS80 website? Why do we keep finding any silly excuse to
come together? The cute answer is – because we happen to enjoy each
other and we happen to have a purpose. Now, as to which cause spawned
the other is a matter of collegial debate or conscience. Both answers
perfectly acceptable.
It was November of 2004 when avuncular
Teng gathered us and shared with us the simple and lofty dreams of the
fledgling class of USTHS80. Everyone present agreed but the how’s and
who will do it remained a puzzle then. Under his steady and democratic
leadership, people blossomed and did their share. Rey Espino was given
the first President’s Awards for effectively shrinking the globe for us
members by establishing and maintaining the e-group. Wendell
and Leo (forgive me if I omitted anyone) were part of the founding
fathers. Gina Bautista-Navarrete and Ibe Arevalo, making use of their
vast network of friends, scoured their social lists, directories and
herded friends, classmates to mini-reunions and gatherings as prelude to
the grand one. This started as early as 2000. It was Ibe who brought
Happy and I to Informatics that fateful afternoon. It was Happy who
with brickbats and accolades megged that mega-show at the Manila Hotel.
Of course Leo was everywhere; taking photos, egging ideas and prodding
people…including myself.
The grand reunion was replicated by batch
mates abroad. Ron Pasamba and a team of hardworking batch mates almost
outdid the Manila performance. That too is
debatable and both answers perfectly acceptable. Chito Rabadam, to
preserve the moment, opened the USTHS80 US. On that special occasion,
who else but Josay would take center stage?
The E-group has become a part of many
members’ lives. The regular ration of forwarded messages,
announcements, greetings,
banter
& riposte have enlivened our internet time. The E-group has become an
avenue for the exchange of ideas, humuor, inspiration, generosity and
kindness. Information, invites, pleas and appeals have been sounded
here and heard making possible the planning and implementation of
various projects (Career-Talk, Special Projects Com undertakings, etc..)
that led to the fruition of our vision and ideals as one body.
We, as an association, have found purpose –
a good reason for being. Capturing that spirit so succinctly is the
USTHS80 website! Browse
through its pages and you see life teeming; camaraderie and creativity
in progress. Indeed, it has become a showcase, as it has so declared in
its inception, of ordinary men and women made extra-ordinary in their
pursuit of a common objective. To be productive members of society,
responsive to its needs while fostering harmony within its members and
enjoying each other’s individuality.
We as a group have the miraculous power of
turning water to wine. This is no unashamed propaganda but a sober
assessment of one healthy organization (body) with healthy members.
Yes, we are
having a long, protracted party and though things have slowly but surely
come to good, do keep in mind, all things including good do come to an
end. Let us then take this privilege and greet it with vim and
commitment, no diffidence at all. Give voice to those opinions,
varying, contrary or otherwise. Share! Let us not scoff at the seeming
insignificance of this group compared to our work and other more
pressing responsibilities we have in life.
Making time for each other, we find time to
reach out to more out there. Making time for people, we make time
picking up life’s priceless pleasures.
-oOo-
The
Batch's Munting Handog in 2006
by Yna Valenzuela-Torres
We put up an impromptu show;
they presented their lives.
We gave from the excess of our hearts;
they, from their widow’s mite.
The
sight that greeted us that afternoon affirmed we were in the right
place. Wanting to be of true help, we found this place really
needing of one. We come to this place chugging along the excess from
the last gift-giving exercise, which was the Munting Hiling; our
first try in this kind of undertaking. We hardly have settled down
when we found ourselves consulting with each other in hushed tones,
each realizing the gravity of the need-this, is genuine stuff. With
lumps in our throats we looked
around some more and felt both satisfaction and regret. Satisfaction
that finally, we found a place
that could truly benefit from the collective charity of our batch
mates and regret for not having brought more to give. Oh, but in the
end, it was more than enough and more than appreciated.
This time, forming the lucky seven were,
Lou Torres, Benjie Mallari,
Vita Paras, Mackoy Villaroman, Leo Riingen, Jojo Sayson, Mariebeth
Arevalo and myself. The excess fund from Munitng Hiling gave Ibe the
option to do a sequel to it, and timed it with Jojo’s visit. With
the Munting Hiling, the children’s innocence, Leo’s stirring
photographs and the sincerity of the batch to help, made the
occasion a success. This time no skillful photography is necessary
to validate the choice of beneficiary, the actual images were
gripping. It knocked off the cynicism from our otherwise
tenderhearted ad-man, Mackoy. Lou, Vita, Leo, Ibe and I were moved
beyond expected, each vowing to come back. Dra.
Benjie,
cutting short her afternoon clinic, came, saw and was touched to
have drinks and snack bought. Only Jojo, who is not new to
cancer-ward visit had an inkling of the emotional tug this kind of
visitation brings.
The Childhouse is a place of refuge- a
sanctuary- for children with
cancer or children of cancer patients.
It is largely dependent on Philippine
Charity Sweepstakes Office’s annual donation
of 1.2million that barely cover utilities
and administrative expenses, let alone
the medical needs of the patients and their
huge transport expense.
Poverty, sickness and pain are evident
from every quarter and every patient, yet they make do; and
endearing were the faces of gladness, gratitude and optimism they
carry. There is an unmistakable sense of peace (that we would like
to share with you) that resides in the Childhouse.
St. Bernard,
Southern Leyte.
Landslide
from surrounding mountain slopes triggered by heavy rains buried
hundreds of houses, a school, 90% of the village, leaving hundreds
dead, thousands missing - almost in a blink of an eye. This is
the place, the tragedy, the casualty.
Let
us learn by paradox. Rising form this valley of despair; let
it be a valley of vision. Let hope rise knowing that though
dashed to the ground, we can push and strive for the heights.
Nothing can prepare
us from this misery and trauma of people who have lost everything in
an instant, but we can dig deep into our
Christian
faith: our bedrock as a class, as a people, as a nation.
We will not grouse and add to the despair. Instead, we will be
as light shining brightest in total darkness. Let us help
rescue Leyte.
We call on all our
batchmates, their friends and relatives to donate to the Batch 80
Leyte Fund Drive dubbed Sagip L80. Donations in cash
can be sent via:
-- bank
deposit to USTHS Batch 80 Alumni Associaiton Checking account #
0381-028361-001 Security Bank Branch 101
-- mail check
pay to USTHS Batch 80 Alumni Associaiton (Sagip L80) to Leah Militar-Castillo,
our Batch treasurer, #14 Rose St., Lourdes Subdivision, Mambugan,
Sumulong highway, Antipolo Rizal 1870
-- money
transfer via Western Union to Leah Militar-Castillo. Please
email or text Leah (+63 919 8424270) the confirmation number.
-- For US and north
America residents, you can use Western Union or send/mail check to
Jojo Sayson (840 Revere St., Bourbonnais, IL 60914 USA) Tel (1)
815-933-4291 and cell (1)815-953-7787. Jojo will be in the
Philippines in March.
PLEASE FILL UP THE
SAGIP L80 DATABASE/RECORD AT OUR YAHOO GROUP SITE AFTER REMITTING
THE MONEY. Click this link - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/usths80/database
Donations will be
coursed thru ABS-CBN Foundation (c/o Ronnie Cabanes) or thru GMA
Kapuso Foundation.
Updated March 8, 2006
COPYRIGHT 2005 LEO RIINGEN
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
What's Up
Watch the USTHS80 Badminton Team led by
Dha Ang to compete at the 3rd Leo Riingen Cup on April 9, 2005,
Sunday at the Olympic Badminton Club C5 , Libis QC.
Cheering squad wanted.
The USTHS80 Photo Class ended March 25,
2006 with an On-the-Spot Photo Contest at Leah's Jalajala
residence. Photo entries will be posted soon.
Batch 80
congratulates its
own
Jojo
Sayson and Leo Riingen as recipients of The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni (TOTAL Awards) for 2006 in
Health and Allied
Services and Science and Technology, respectively.
The awards were
conferred by the University Rector on the awards night on
February 17, 2005, Friday at the UST Central Seminary Gym.Kudos to Jojo and Leo! Article,
photos...
Leo Riingen and Yna Valenzuela
Torres (receiving the award for Jojo Sayson)
Rey Espino is USTHS80 Alumni
Association Presidential Awardee
The USTHS Batch 80 Alumni Association
President's Award is conferred upon Rey Espino in
recognition of his selfless and tireless efforts to reunite the
USTHS Batch 80. Through the establishment
and continued management of the USTHS80 e-group, he has been
instrumental in the realization of its Jubilee vision.
An
Image of a Creative Executive Manila Bulletin, Dec 7, 2005.
Leo Riingen feature.
Click here.
USTHS80 Girls Valedictorian, Greenwich big boss and our Batch
Secretary Gina Bautista-Naverrete was featured at People Asia
Magazine November 2005 issue.
Click here for the link.
Our very own,
National Coach Jobet Morales, leads the Philippine Taekwondo
Team, to a gold medal haul at the Southeast Asian Games.
Click here for pictures.
Watch out for Jojo Sayson's
international TV debut at ABS-CBN and TFC's "Nagmamahal,
Kapamilya" hosted by Bernadette Sembrano. Airing in
2006. Abangan is Super Jojo!
USTHighSchoolClass1980
Ang
layo! Ang saya! Ang daming pagkain! Ang bait ni Leah! Ang gara ng
resthouse! Ang galing-galing ng mga nagsidalo! Sarap ng kwento! Bitin.
Kailan kaya mauulit?
Leah's supermom. Some of those who came missed the sunset on Laguna de
Bay. Many of us here in Pinas, missed Jala-Jala and perhaps, some of you
out there may want to know how the day went.
fairness, the road from Teresa to Jala-Jala is paved and
well-maintained. We downloaded Leah's detailed instruction and navigated
our way quite successfully to her house with “pink roof” as stated in
her sketch, which actually is not pink but orangy. Rey Espino built
Leah's house with a roof that is not actually pink, but orangy (terra
cota).
basketball/volleyball
court as it was a scorcher that noon and all of us in succession went
staright to the breakfast table. Pangalawang birada, ang daming pagkain,
breakfast, lunch n supper. Yung mga biik ni Chie pinalitson ni Fides,
and wow! How baboy the pigs! We made sure nakahilata duon sa lamesa at
hindi lumilipad like pigs.
Julius and 2 kids, Jeff, Lou Torres and Benjie with 2 sons. While Leo
and ardent photo-wards went out in the baking sun to capture their
prize-winning entry, Vita, Chie (both she and Vita would shuffle from
taking photos and singing),Fides, Gina, Teng and I lounged at the den
and launched a singing barrage. Birada ni Teng, total performer!!
Kumpleto ang birit king with
Gary V gyrations and DJ/announcer pa – kulang na lang kopyahin yung mga
poses ni Josay. We viewed the video presentation Leo did of Munting
Handog and Josay's portfolio. 
Mel, and daughter. Fresh from meeting up with Wijohn, Beto and other
batch mates, he was simply eager to meet more members of our class.
Katuwa! This is why we should encourage others to come because it does
make us want to see more of the others. He, too, enjoyed the videoke and
did a great duet with Vita. Nearing dusk, the alagad ng kadiliman came,
representatives of the WOG, Arman Pagiou, Igme Mendiola with wife,
Sophie, and Rene Sario. Sorry, gumaganti
lang
kasi pinagtripan ako ng mga yan sa text, concerned pa naman ako tapos
nagtatawanan sila duon sa kabilang linya. Seriously, these guys never
let us(Special Projects) down. All for WOG and Wog for all ang drama ng
mga yan; they are really maginoo, matulungin at maaasahan kahit medyo..........pogi.
members of our batchmates. Julius has become a regular fixture sa batch
gathering, kids of Benjie hindi maawat sa pool, Mommy ni Leah naging
surrogate mother, Igi who is with the photo class played volleyball with
Lou & Jeff, conversations with Mel and Sophie were relaxed and
interesting. So many things augur well for us. Nina and family, Chie
(who was joined by her friend Mari and baby Justine) and I were the last
to go.
Why
the E-group?
Why the USTHS80 website? Why do we keep finding any silly excuse to
come together? The cute answer is – because we happen to enjoy each
other and we happen to have a purpose. Now, as to which cause spawned
the other is a matter of collegial debate or conscience. Both answers
perfectly acceptable. 
It was November of 2004 when avuncular
Teng gathered us and shared with us the simple and lofty dreams of the
fledgling class of USTHS80. Everyone present agreed but the how’s and
who will do it remained a puzzle then. Under his steady and democratic
leadership, people blossomed and did their share. Rey Espino was given
the first President’s Awards for effectively shrinking the globe for us
members by establishing and maintaining the e-group. Wendell
and Leo (forgive me if I omitted anyone) were part of the founding
fathers. Gina Bautista-Navarrete and Ibe Arevalo, making use of their
vast network of friends, scoured their social lists, directories and
herded friends, classmates to mini-reunions and gatherings
as prelude to
the grand one. This started as early as 2000. It was Ibe who brought
Happy and I to Informatics that fateful afternoon. It was Happy who
with brickbats and accolades megged that mega-show at the Manila Hotel.
Of course Leo was everywhere; taking photos, egging ideas and prodding
people…including myself.
We, as an association, have found purpose –
a good reason for being. Capturing that spirit so succinctly is the
USTHS80 website! Browse
through its pages and you see life teeming; camaraderie and creativity
in progress. Indeed, it has become a showcase, as it has so declared in
its inception, of ordinary men and women made extra-ordinary in their
pursuit of a common objective. To be productive members of society,
responsive to its needs while fostering harmony within its members and
enjoying each other’s individuality.
having a long, protracted party and though things have slowly but surely
come to good, do keep in mind, all things including good do come to an
end. Let us then take this privilege and greet it with vim and
commitment, no diffidence at all. Give voice to those opinions,
varying, contrary or otherwise. Share! Let us not scoff at the seeming
insignificance of this group compared to our work and other more
pressing responsibilities we have in life. 
The
sight that greeted us that afternoon affirmed we were in the right
place. Wanting to be of true help, we found this place really
needing of one. We come to this place chugging along the excess from
the last gift-giving exercise, which was the Munting Hiling; our
first try in this kind of undertaking. We hardly have settled down
when we found ourselves consulting with each other in hushed tones,
each realizing the gravity of the need-this, is genuine stuff. With
lumps in our throats we looked
around some more and felt both satisfaction and regret. Satisfaction
that finally, we found a place
that could truly benefit from the collective charity of our batch
mates and regret for not having brought more to give. Oh, but in the
end, it was more than enough and more than appreciated.
Vita Paras, Mackoy Villaroman, Leo Riingen, Jojo Sayson, Mariebeth
Arevalo and myself. The excess fund from Munitng Hiling gave Ibe the
option to do a sequel to it, and timed it with Jojo’s visit. With
the Munting Hiling, the children’s innocence, Leo’s stirring
photographs and the sincerity of the batch to help, made the
occasion a success. This time no skillful photography is necessary
to validate the choice of beneficiary, the actual images were
gripping. It knocked off the cynicism from our otherwise
tenderhearted ad-man, Mackoy. Lou, Vita, Leo, Ibe and I were moved
beyond expected, each vowing to come back. Dra.
Benjie,
cutting short her afternoon clinic, came, saw and was touched to
have drinks and snack bought. Only Jojo, who is not new to
cancer-ward visit had an inkling of the emotional tug this kind of
visitation brings. 
huge transport expense.
Poverty, sickness and pain are evident
from every quarter and every patient, yet they make do; and
endearing were the faces of gladness, gratitude and optimism they
carry. There is an unmistakable sense of peace (that we would like
to share with you) that resides in the Childhouse.
Landslide
from surrounding mountain slopes triggered by heavy rains buried
hundreds of houses, a school, 90% of the village, leaving hundreds
dead, thousands missing - almost in a blink of an eye. This is
the place, the tragedy, the casualty.
Let
us learn by paradox. Rising form this valley of despair; let
it be a valley of vision. Let hope rise knowing that though
dashed to the ground, we can push and strive for the heights.
Christian
faith: our bedrock as a class, as a people, as a nation.
We will not grouse and add to the despair. Instead, we will be
as light shining brightest in total darkness. Let us help
rescue Leyte.
2006 with an On-the-Spot Photo Contest at Leah's Jalajala
residence. Photo entries will be posted soon. 
own
Jojo
Sayson and Leo Riingen as recipients of The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni (TOTAL Awards) for 2006 in
Health and Allied
Services and Science and Technology, respectively.
The awards were
conferred by the University Rector on the awards night on
February 17, 2005, Friday at the UST Central Seminary Gym.Kudos to Jojo and Leo! 
and continued management of the USTHS80 e-group, he has been
instrumental in the realization of its Jubilee vision.
