C57 Events


What are on this page:
H. Burial photos of Eslao Dela Cruz
G. Class '57 members meet after 56 years
F. Lumen hosts a party for two "apos"
E. A tale of two Class '57 members
D. C57 participation photos in 2011 MNHS Grand Reunion
C. C57 member ushers in MNHS 'Golden Years'
B. C57 donates new iron gate to MNHS
A. Fil O's email message about Estanislao
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H. Burial photos of Eslao dela Cruz
(Courtesy of Fil Olegario)







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G. Class ’57 members meet after 56 years


On Sept. 21st, five members of MNHS Class ’57 from two states (California and Kansas) agreed to meet in a California buffet restaurant after 56 years of not having seen each other (See photo courtesy of Marschinda Felix).

The five were, from CA: Rogelio Q. Felix (RQF [extreme R], Oxnard), Tito C. Bugarin (TCB [Middle, Los Angeles), Marcelino D. Zordialla (MDZ [extreme L], La Fuente), and Dedima Dalimot-Aranas (DDA [2nd from L], Lakewood) and from Kansas: Cleofe Madarang-Freeman (CMF [2nd from R], Leavenworth).

The meeting was facilitated by RQF, a retired USN, who is proving to be the  Class’ self-appointed coordinator. Upon knowing that TCB, his mentor in getting hired by the USN, lives in Los Angeles, RQF contacted the other four and, together, devised a plan to have a meeting.      


The get-together took place at the Newtown Buffet restaurant in Burbank, CA. The joiners came from four places: Oxnard, Los Angeles, Lakewood and La Fuente. The Oxnard group comprised of RQF, his wife Mila and daughter Marschinda, Prudencio Cagampan, his wife Wilma, Wilma’s sister and Teresa Garlit-Asperin, wife of Class ’59 member Jun Asperin.


The Los Angeles group included TCB, his wife, three children, and two "apos".


The Lakewood group consisted of DDA, his son Anthony, CMF, Roger M and his wife Linda. MDZ came with his wife from La Fuente where they make home.

       
After a picture taking session in front of the restaurant after the meal, the party, with the exception of MDZ and his wife, proceeded to Glendale Galleria for shopping. The Oxnard and Lakewood groups separated at the Galleria to head home ending the get-together. 

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F. Lumen hosts a party for two "apos"

       Finding a reason to be happy for the academic achievement of her two "apos" (grandchildren), Class '57 member Lumen Nadong Gonzales (LNG) decided to share her celebratory mood by holding a thanksgiving party on June 29th at her home in Fremont, CA. Invited were members of her Class and Class '59 who were involved in the organization of and have attended the previous "merger" parties. (Foto #00)
       The two "apos" were Rochelle A. Bautista who completed her B.S. in Biology course and Rondrig A. Bautista who finished high school.
       Originally planning to attend as early as August last year were Class '57 members Cleofe Madarang-Freeman (CMF), Dedima Dalimot-Aranas (DDA), Guia Garlitos Bautista (GGB), Roger Quiroga Felix (RQF), Rodolfo B. Nicolas (RBN), Felicitas Arellano-Pinzon (FAP) and Class '59 members Fil E. Olegario (FEO) and wife Josie and Roger M. Mondala (RMM) and wife Linda. Only DDA and GGB made it, the rest didn't because of pressing domestic matters.
       The celebration included touring popular visitors' destinations in the cities of Carmel, Monterrey and Pebble Beach as can be seen in the following photos:
Fotos:
Foto #00: L to R, Dedima Dalimot-Aranas (DDA), Guia Garlitos Bautista (GGB) and Lumen Nadong Gonzales (LNG)

Foto #01: Front row, L to R: GGB, DDA (flashing the "V" sign, for victory? or peace?) and LNG. Lady at the back is not identifiable.


Foto #02: Posing in front of the pool, L to R: DDA, GGB and LNG


Foto #03: L to R: Rochelle? (1st from L), LNG, DDA, GGB. Rest are not identifable.


Foto #04: DDA (L) and GGB (R) in one corner of LNG's yard.


Foto #05: GGB (3rd from L) and DDA (extreme R) eating "halo-halo"? ("mixed-mixed".


Foto #06: A pose under the umbrella shade, L to R: DDA, GGB and LNG.


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Foto #16: DDA exuding the "joie de vivre" gesture.


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Foto #21: DDA posing with LNG's son?


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Foto #26: DDA and LNG with the "Lone Cypress" as background in the distance.


Foto #27: The group with the "Lone Cypress" as background.


Foto #28: LNG and DDA photo with the "Lone Cypress".


Foto #29: LNG with the "Lone Cypress".


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E. A Tale of Two Class ’57 Members
       by Roger M

"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.”

.....Psalm 41

Blogger’s note: One book assigned to us for reading during our years at MHS (Mangatarem High School) was Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities.” This novel had its setting during a troubled period of European history and deals with the “major themes of duality” that contrast in the superlative degree. One of them was “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”


       This article is not about cities; it is about two warm bodies whose meeting for the first time in 51 years after graduation from MHS has produced a chemistry that evokes all the ethos and pathos of the human soul. This is a story of two MHS Class ’57 batchmates who ended up in life at the opposite ends of a line in the Mangatarem socio-economic spectrum.


Class ‘57’s first reunion

       The year was 2008. Going back to Mangatarem after a lapse of 36 years was, to Cleofe Madarang Freeman (CMF), the best of decisions, the worst of decisions.


       Upon learning through Elsie Reyes (Class ’57 member) that AMOR (Association of Mangatarem Overseas Residents) International was searching for a “head to be crowned” as Miss AMOR in Mangatarem in January 2008, CMF jokingly asked an intermediary (Ms Sacman?) if her daughter, Ada Zoe (Foto #1), was qualified. One thing led to another and Ada Zoe was confirmed to be AMOR’s muse. Immediately CMF had a “valid reason to go home and was truly amused --- to show the town my one and only child!” It was the best of her decisions. The Mangatarem visit gave CMF a chance to bond with one of her two close friends in high school --- Nenita Pascua-Pajarito (NPP); the other one is Juliana Bautista-Laoag (JBL). A Class ’57 reunion of some sort materialized when Elsie Reyes hosted a get-together at her relative’s place in Gen. Luna St with the invitation of other classmates.

       When CMF arrived at the gathering, she immediately noticed a man on crutches who turned out to be Estanislao dela Cruz (EDC) (Foto #2), a classmate of theirs. EDC was with Fil Olegario who was seated in front of the house and talking to each other. On passing by, she greeted them with the casual “HI!” and walked into the girl’s crowd inside the house. It was there where she learned EDC’s fate.
       What CMF fleetingly saw in EDC when she passed him by seemed to have transfigured her. She recalled later what was on her mind then: “I remember EDC as a healthy, strong and determined man. Here before me is somebody so far different from what I used to know. I am very aware that he is one person capable of taking care of his needs --- not dependent on anybody --- but so helpless at the present and most probably for the rest of his life, in the sense that he does not have full use of his physical built-up and capabilities.”
       CMF remembers that during the visit, NPP “kind of bugged me into a (Class) ’57 donation to MNHS.” What CMF did was to rally her classmates living in the Philippines and abroad, have them agree on an iron gate donation to MNHS and had it installed in the school a year later (Foto #3). In addition, she began sending boxes of goodies to NPP “to share with classmates in her neighborhood, to additionally include and not forget EDC.”
       At one time, NPP “mentioned that EDC does not want or need a handout and I told Nenita: it is not that but something to show my thanks for all their efforts on our Class donation to MNHS inasmuch as I was not around to handle and run things. Things were difficult for me then . . .”

Fil Olegario’s role

       The Class ’57 reunion in Mangatarem in 2008 may not have amounted to something worthwhile was it not for the intervention of a catalyst in the person of Fil Olegario. In his email message sent to me on March 12, Fil graphically described his catalyzing role this way:

QUOTE

       “I am forwarding the pictures that I sent to "Manang Cleofe" (how CMF was called by younger Class ’59 members) last August. During my mission last June/July I visited EDC one morning. He lives about a block from our house. We had a good conversation regarding our high school days and thank him for showing a picture of their MHS Class ‘57 during a party at Elsie Reyes’ house. He also told me about the accident that happened to him in the past which caused the amputation of his right leg…
       I delivered a letter to EDC from Manang Cleofe last June/July 2011. During the course of our conversation I asked him if he wants some used clothes because I have more than 10 boxes sent to me by the Catholic Women’s League of Mississauga, Canada, by Lydia Chia from MAI (Mangatarem Association of Illinois) and about 8 boxes that I also sent from my friends in Henderson. He was eager to have some, so I went back the following morning to give him some pants which he requested, shirts and other things. I also gave his sister and brother in law some clothing and had pictures taken in front of their house.
       I sent the pictures to Manang Cleofe and called me back when she received the pictures to inquire if the house at the background picture is theirs. I told her that it was EDC’s house considered by the barrio captain to be one of the poorest in the barangay. I think she was touched by EDC’s situation and few weeks later sent a couple of hundred dollars to him through her cousin in Olo. Before Christmas 2011, she called me again and asked me EDC’s pant size and ways to send a Balikbayan box to him. I told Manang Cleofe to just send it to my address in Mangatarem and hopefully by the time I will be in there on January/February, 2012 the box should be in and I will personally deliver it to EDC. The box however arrived after I left Mangatarem and came in few days ago. I visited EDC again when I was there last month to inform him about the box that Manang Cleofe sent for him which was addressed to me. Right away he was in tears wondering why a high school classmate is so kind to him after several decades past after high school. He expressed his appreciation to Manang Cleofe’s kindness and generosity and tears in my eyes were ready to fall too. It also reminds me of her generosity she extends to our eye medical mission for the past several years.
      I told EDC to write a letter to Manang Cleofe for me to bring back to the US which I mailed upon arrival.
       Manang Cleofe is a strong and intelligent woman who is kind and generous and acts fast and without hesitation in helping especially the needy and the poor. May GOD bless her always…..Fil”
UNQUOTE

“Apunay la ketden iti gasat kon”

       In his letter to CMF sent thru Fil Olegario, EDC expressed his feelings (“…that perhaps due to over joy I had tears in my eyes falling.”) on receiving the cash gift from her. He spelt out his plan on how to repay CMF: “I think with my age I can no longer repay your noble heart in showing to me this goodness. What I can say is: May God bless you more in your needs in life on earth, but most of all, from God --- Salvation and Eternal life in Heaven come to you and your family.” Perhaps, not even the Lord Almighty can doubt the words of a simple and naïve man such as EDC.
       Before leaving Mangatarem for the U.S. in early March after the medical mission, Fil left instruction to his household help to put EDC on the video phone as soon as he receives the balikbayan box. When it did, EDC gave Fil a tear-jerker video call. Having received cash gift from CMF only few months before, the arrival of the balikbayan box again from CMF appeared to be too much for EDC’s simple heart to contain. He sputtered to Fil: “Apunay la ketden iti gasat kon!” ("OMG! How good is my luck!" or, better, "OMG! Why is my luck so good?).
       In 1986, Class ’59 celebrated their Silver Reunion with the theme “Sharing of Human Warmth”. What EDC has ignited was a “human fire” inside a cold winter house in Leavenworth, KS (where CMF makes home) by wishing CMF “Salvation and Eternal life in Heaven.”

CMF’s strength

      In one part of his email, Fil spoke of CMF as a “strong and intelligent woman …” As far as her strength of physique and character is concerned, nothing could be farther from the truth. In Aug. 1, 1979, she figured in a vehicular accident; her seatbelt ripped off from the car’s floor, thrown to the dashboard, suffered fracture in the lower back, was medevac to the nearest city (Fairbanks, AL), remained in coma for two months and underwent four months of rehab in a Houston, TX health facility. That accident prevented her from achieving two lofty dreams: taking helicopter flying lessons and clinching a Corrosion Specialist rating. For lesser mortals, the accident was enough to cause total self-devastation. But not one Class ’57 member of MHS named CMF. In due time, she bounced back by taking a heavy dose of a powerful “drug” known to man: “EHFAR” or “Everything Happens for a Reason.” Today, CMF seems to be as active as when she was crisscrossing the Alaskan tundra.
       There was one instance, however, when CMF’s show of strength did not sit well with her Class ’57 batch mates. Apparently, her management style and fast action in prosecuting the MHS donation project was unwelcome by many of her classmates that she became a pariah to them. Nobody returns her call anymore after the event so much so that she was moved to issue a “mellowing out” appeal to them to close ranks and pursue a class reunion.
       CMF’s 2008 Mangatarem visit has all the trappings of a “once in a lifetime job well done”. She was able to re-bond with her Brgy Olo relatives (Foto #4), show her lovely daughter the town of her roots and party in elegance at the town’s auditorium. She, however, paid a heavy price. Her trip dented her “ten-year 24/7 blissful togetherness” with husband Howard Acton who was very sick to come along. He died a few months after she returned home to the U.S.
       Looking back today at her Mangatarem trip four years ago, CMF reflects: It was the best of decisions; it was the worst of decisions. 
FOTOS
Ada Zoe, 3rd from L, with Fil Olegario, extreme L and wife Josie Olegario, 2nd from R.


EDC in front of his "dampa".


The iron gate donated to MNHS by Class '57 which project was led by CMF.


Ada Zoe, extreme L, and CMF, 2nd from L, with two Brgy Olo relatives.


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L to R: Linda Quintos Frias, Nora Corpuz Sacman, Guia Bautista, Sixto Valenzuela, Lumenita Gonzales, Felicitas Arellano Pinzon 





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A. Fil O's email message about Estanislao
Note: Following email message from Fil Olegario
Subject: Estanislao

From: Filemon Olegario (filolegario@yahoo.com)

To: cmf07@att.net;
Cc: oilegoraladnom@yahoo.com;
Date: Friday, April 12, 2013 2:38 AM

Hi Manang Cleofe,


Attached are pictures taken during my visit to Estanislao. I handed him the money you gave for him and also some second hand clothes. In the pictures are his sister and brother in law and shots inside his house.


He was very happy and expressed his thanks for your kindness and thoughtfulness. I also ask him the question about having leg prosthesis and told me that he is too old for the prosthesis and he is now used to his crutch which he has been using for many years.


It was another successful medical mission. We got back April 4. We visited 6 barangays including one in Dagupan. This is our first time to do mission work in April and we survived the hot and humid weather. Josie was starting to get uncomfortable at the end of our vacation because of the very hot weather. I have seen so many patients with eye problems. Everywhere I go - in church, in the streets. I am approached by people I do not know just to tell me their eye problems.I always bring my medical bag with medicines, eyeglasses and used clothes in my van everywhere I travel.


We also distributed used clothes to different barangays. I sent about 15 boxes and another five jumbo boxes from Mississauga, Canada. I have to ask the help of the two groups of nuns in town to help me distribute the clothes, rosaries, books, etc and they were just happy to help.


It was also nice to experience Holy Week in the Philippines and observed Holy Week traditions like "salubong", "pasyon", station of the cross along the processional street, palm sunday with the nicely woven coconut leaves, visita iglesia, etc.


Many thanks again for your support.


GOD BLESS.


Fil

















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B. Class '57 Donates New Iron Gate to MNHS

          The donated iron gate
       With her daughter being groomed for crowning as Miss AMOR (Association of Mangatarem Overseas Residents)  Queen, Cleofe Madarang-Freeman (CMF) made the travel with her to Mangatarem in January, 2008. The trip proved to be providential both for herself (CMF) and for her Alma Mater (MNHS). One classmate who saw her couldn't contain her surprise by saying "I thought you were already dead!" Others "bugged" her to lead their Class group and come up with a project for donating to MNHS. Being the Class' standard-bearer, CMF The result was a sturdy-looking iron gate (see above photo) that replaced the dilapidated, rickety old one.

     
Ada Zoe, CMF with two Brgy Olo relatives.


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C. C57 Member Ushers in MNHS "Golden Years"
 
(Webmaster's note: Following is an extract from an article with the title "History of Mangatarem National High School" which was published in the above Souvenir Program:)


By Efren O. Danlog, HT-VI, Araling Panlipunan

        "In April 1983, a new principal was assigned in our school in the person of Mrs. Juliana B. Laoag [nee Juliana Bautista, Class '57], also a resident of Mangatarem. Students, teachers and the community in general were so glad to have her as head of the school because she was then a well-known figure in the educational field, being an author. Add to this, her charming and warm personality, and most of all, her unselfish personal utmost concern for the welfare of others. Due to her strong public relations, especially among the people in the higher echelon of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, we received all fringed benefits, allowances and salaries ahead of other schools. Her personal convictions, beliefs and philosophies in life were manifested in efficient and effective management of the school. Her personal norm on attaining human wisdom; to have faith in God, to have patience and to learn to wait and hope; led to the harmonious working relationships among students, teachers, personnel and the community in general. Not a single quarrel, grudge, or misunderstanding occurred throughout her ten-year term of office with regards to student-teacher rankings for honors and promotions. Through her initiative and ability to preempt incoming situations, problems on classroom shortage due to student-population increase was solved, when she instructed the utility workers to convert into classrooms spaces under the Gabaldon building. The utility workers were able to construct thirteen (13) make-shift classrooms, well-ventilated, well-lighted, and spacious. This more than solved the demand for additional classrooms. No ordinary person can think of such a feat. Her theories on the "Law of Compensation" and "Individual Differences" led to the discovery of individual literary-musical talents among students and teachers alike out of which the Mangatarem National High School Faculty Choir, the MNHS Students Choir, the MNHS Dance troupe, which was acclaimed nationwide being the sole representative of Region I in a national dance competition held at Folk Arts Theater, Metro Manila. The school publication or organ, the "Mango", was awarded  nationwide  as outstanding school paper, and the MNHS Faculty Band, composed of faculty members, earned fame and honor for the school region wide. Instruments of the band amounting to approximately Three Hundred Thousand (P300,000) Pesos, came from fund raising campaigns sponsored by the Parents and Teachers Community Association as well as earnings of the band's out of school engagements. Through her initiative, the school was awarded a multi-million Economic Support Fund (ESF) two (2) storey, ten-room Science building, complete with science apparatus and facilities and a Science Laboratory. The school was also adjudged the "Most Beautiful School" in the entire province of Pangasinan. It was however, a big loss to the Mangatarem National High School when Mrs. Juliana Laoag, due to a promotion was transferred to the Pangasinan National High School, the prime and largest secondary school in the province. Her brief stay with us was considered the golden years of the school where great period of progress and achievements were attained by the students, teachers and the school in general." □


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2 comments:

  1. Great to have read the outstanding gaccomplishments and deeds offered by a scholarly graduate and native of Mangatarem, which truly benefited the students and the town as a whole. JBL, carry on and aim to do more for MNHS and the
    town, in our aging status, with Class '57 behind you. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for commenting, I need them (comments) as my 1% inspiration. But I wish you have identified yourself!

    ReplyDelete