Blast from the Past (The Reunion of Dominican School Batch 1988)
By Juan Julian Rosario, Jr. December 26, 1998.

Gosh, the day that I and several of my batch mates waited for. While still on my vacation from my lab work, the good old days suddenly flashed back in my mind. Within hours I'll be seeing those guys I grew up with, and I've been wondering what they have become after all these years. My significant other, Roselle, then handed me my clothes for that night - a Hawaiian shirt with great matching khaki from Structure. I had my Doc Martens shined as I packed everything I needed for such big day. After saying my goodbye to Babes, I then rode a San Carlos jeepney bounded for Dagupan. Riding the jeepney just reminded me of the old times. Change was evident everywhere. Fastfoods seem to be sprawling. Telecommunications has kept up with the times. There's no denying that traffic plus the polluted air has become a part of life in Dagupan. Gone are the times when me and my buds used to take a joyride around the city. Guess some good things never last.

Finally, I set foot on Star Plaza Hotel. Got the room number which we had reserved and upon knocking on the door, my good bud Doc Aris Galvan welcomed me with open arms! Man, he is the man - we belonged to that hard core group of scientists (kuno) VARJ ( which stands for Venz, Aris, Rannie, Juan and Jesus). Back then we combined our brain cells that led Dominican to the bridesmaid title in the Regional Investigatory Project featuring Aris' brainchild "The Saliva Ejector"! To this date, it still intrigues me why he haven't yet patented this simple yet cost effective product. Then we went to the gals' room. The spearhead of the event, Monette Victorio, was clad in stunning black dress! She still was the same, take charge no holds barred woman that reflects the attitude of every Andersen Consulting Manager should uphold. Pals Jessica Zabala and Luisa Serafica beemed their smiles while Mary Ann Corpuz of Mobiline Dagupan still has that "silent water runs deep" expression. Pandemonium broke lose but unknown to us the best is yet to come.

6:00 pm. We were ready. The members of the welcoming committee had their fingers crossed. Then Ricky Ang came! The entrepreneur who owns a clothing shop in Main CSI draw first blood. Sotero Trinidad was in next, the former court general of the Dominican Hounds basketball quintet. Then the Dominican faculty and staff finally set foot. Can't believe my eyes! The persons we looked up upon were there - Ms. Lerma Hernando, Mrs. Yolanda Jacoba, Mrs. Linda Burguillos-Manalad, Mrs. Socorro Sarmiento, Mrs. Lucrecia Guinto, Mrs. Julie Abarcar-Ferrer, and of course, the GQ man in Sir Gregorio Baldelomar! Then I told myself "Got to get my Sony video cam ready or else I'll be missing out on history." Then I had taped interviews with Sarah Samiley, Romina Caragan, Consuelo Viray and Rommel Tibig which eventually led to them talking about their lives after single life.

Then Architect Venz Calimag light up the airwaves with his golden voice over the videoke. Scores of batchmates came in. Engineers Celso Dion and Ronald Soriano seem to be exchanging ideas about upcoming infrastructure projects. Rex Alcantara seemed so silent. Then came the Binalatongan congregation namely Marrieta Banaag, Vina Romero and Alpha Joy Anasco. My "kabaleyans" were all smiles, although I wish Ronald Ramos, Aaron Molano, Bernard Garcia could have made the trip. Ranulfo Bulatao with his better half, Gina made their presence felt. Rannie, as he was fondly called then, is a Computer Engineer for Citibank Singapore and is also an expectant father. Now we could all say that those programming structures he learned in high school paved great dividends…. right Mr. Bulatao?

While everyone were sinking their teeth into Chinese food, I saw Michelle Fernandez (Administrator of Northern Colleges), Cherry Moulic (Head Manager of McDonalds Urdaneta), Rozanne Sto Domingo (Citibank Makati), Marrisa Aquino, Nathalie Tamondong, Mirabel Lee, Josephine Daroy, Maricar Marquez Gobalesa (with hubby Edwin), Rhia Irigayen and Kathleen Tengco Co. Then Ian Urbano, Manuel Aquino and the other guys meanwhile were having a good laugh while taking shots of Fundador to their hearts' delight! Monette and Mitch started the program rites in the midst of a topsy turvy event wherein everyone just can't keep calm. Hairstylist Dominic de Vera and Venz revived the Basil Valdez's hit "You". On the other hand, Ferdinand Esquerra of PCI bank showed his videoke prowess that tickled the crowd with his version of "Bikining Itim"! After which, the three advisors namely Sir Greg, Ma'am Socorro, and Ma'am Abarcar gave us some food for thought. Latecomers included Aileen Aquino , Bongbong Buan of Samut- Samut, Jojo Guiang and his wife Kristine, Wifredo Dizon and his wife, former Jo Ann Perez. John Manuel also came who became the second cameraman of the reunion. Then came the unexpected, the kind of thing wherein history repeats inself, so to speak.

Back in February 1988 (Teachers' day celebration), a group of gutsy guys led by yours truly, caught Dominican School by storm by singing the then hit song of the group Two Minds Crack which is entitled "Upside Down". Led by Venz and amply aided by Jojo, Ian, Ferdinand, Ricky and Dominic, we were singing the lines…."I've been spending some time thinking of you at night. Don't know if I could make it tonight…Lie awake in the dark….". Then towards the end of the song, again to repeat history, roses were offered to our Dominican School faculty who were present that night. They were the same teachers we offered flowers to on that Teachers' Day in 1988.

Man, the whole lower section of Star Plaza were raising the roof or in local terms, "Alien", that eventually broke the house down!!! While things were just heating up, the lights went out and everyone were transported back to the 80s as we swayed to "Buttercup". Then "Just Got Lucky" dominated the airwaves reminiscent of the teen flick " Bagets"! Man, Cherry Moulic and the rest definitely still have the moves baby! The music that shaped our teen age lives continue while yours truly was videotaping every single greeting from everyone.

The night was getting old and little by little, they got to say their goodbyes. Hugs and kisses were all over as well as exchanging calling cards. The thought of seeing them again after another 10 years had crossed my mind. Seeing the people I grew up with was great, these are the individuals that I spent the wonder years in Dominican School. Nothing truly compares to life in high school, it is the best part of one's educational stature. And the mere thought of saying my farewell to everyone was indeed tough, especially if someone like me is now based outside of our motherland.

January 2, 1999. As I boarded my plane bound to San Diego California via Seoul Korea, the memoirs of our reunion came back. In many ways, our batch is special. Our childhood witnessed the cause of what Voltes V is all about, to the fall of the Marcos dictatorship, to the restoration of the foundations of our democracy in circa '86. As a group, we learned the value of teamwork as manifested in our sweeping the Cheering/Gymnastics from our Freshman up to our Senior year. But most importantly, Dominican School molded us into being responsible citizens of our nation, as well as guardians of the Gospel. Too bad, my other batch mates didn't make it to the reunion. It would have been nice to at least experience once again the joy of being with those you grew up with, those who spent the greatest years of your life. It was truly a blast from the past, a revival of friendships, a recognition of something special. And to me, that is something to look at and be proud of when I am applying Ben-gay all over and sporting grey hairs.