“However rare true love may be, it is less so than true friendship.”
WHO WE ARE
Friends, I am proud to introduce the students of Leyte National High School, section Einstein graduating batch of 1987. Or I should say, my beloved classmates!
This class is the top section in this public high school selected on merit. Most of us have been together since the first year in I-Diamond, but have welcomed some transferees and other most deserving students from other sections, and have made them our forever friends. For many, they have stayed in touch until now and have treated one another like family.
Fast forward 13 years later, we have grown in age, found new occupations, studied abroad and decided to live across the globe. But that did not dampen our friendships developed in high school. Many have had mini-reunions along those years, and we did celebrate our silver jubilee. A grand plan was hatched by some of us to have a special reunion in Las Vegas USA in 2020 to cheer those who are celebrating their 50th birthdays this year. Then the came COVID 19 pandemic and the borders were closed. That doesn’t stop us at all, in fact, it may have been a blessing in disguise. Many who could not physically travel to Las Vegas are now able to attend a VIRTUAL REUNION! Thanks to Roselyn whom everyone pointed to as the brains behind this plan, and to all who helped plan and made this happen.
On 19 June 2020 it finally happened, with Neil delivering the opening remarks, Esterlina, offering the lovely prayer, and Jayson giving the closing remarks. We sure had fun remembering the lyrics of the LNHS Hymn when we all had to sing it at the end of the formal program.
There were no dull moments reminiscing the past including the triumphs of our youth, some curly moments that were revealed to have been handled really well. Recalling them all now, we just had a laugh at how it felt to insurmountable in high school, but now we have all agreed that we did ok, and we all turned out so well, successful and most of all excellent citizens and lovely human beings.
WE MAY HAVE GROWN OLDER IN AGE BUT WE WILL STAY YOUNG AT HEART
Why do I say this? I am certain that anyone reading our Facebook message board, especially leading up to this reunion, will have themselves in stitches. The boys will always be “malabad” and girls will have you giggling about the secret games they play during recess - Arlene doing her spirit of the coin, Cleo and Alma playing sipa in skirts!!! No wonder ROTC Commander Mr. Vicente Suralta had to tell them off to be lady like. Or the times when we have to fight sleepiness and boredom at classes held after lunch. What were they thinking having maths during that time? Some recalled our elective classes which was really fun because we have to cross the field, which is often muddy, to go up the hill where those technical writing, woodworking, horticulture and electrical classes were held.
Not all of us have had an encounter with the “cosmonauts” peeping under the cracked floor boards. But ask some and they will tell you some hair-raising and hilarious distractions under our chairs.
Who can forget the Junior-Senior Prom? When we were juniors, the prom was held at Divine Word University Auditorium. It was so cramped according to the rest, but I have no memory of being inside. I was outside with other girls taking our pictures, then we went home, as we have the littlest interest in dancing, just the chance to dress up and have a souvenir photo taken. During our senior year the prom was held at the People’s Centre and Library. Here I remember walking up the stage and bequeathing responsibilities through symbolic candle-lighting, to my junior partner. I am not really a socially active person and none of this had any significance to me, just nice memories. I hope it does to my high school friends.
Our 4 years in high school have had big impacts on us. Many were inspired by our teachers and followed suit. Most have chosen their careers early on and stayed focused in pursuing them. The disciplines we learned during those years were incredible. Having no mobile phones, no internet, no tablets and PCs, we learned to conduct research the long and hard way. We had to put in so many hours searching for books at the library, waiting when the books are limited and they were already on loan, and taking hand written notes as much as we can to take advantage of limited time. I am grateful growing up Tacloban and in that era. This cohort is as thankful too. Everyone agrees at the reunion how lucky we were to be taught by those dedicated teachers at Leyte National High School.
Here we are today…..
This is Neil. Neil is currently practicing in Neuro-Trauma-Critical Care Services (HCA/RCH). Lives with his two daughters, his lovely wife and pup named Oreo in Southern California, USA.
This is Aileen Bohol. Aileen works at Abuyog District Hospital and lives with her family in Abuyog, Leyte Philippines. Aileen is the Alpha in the family being the only lady of the pack.
This is Reggie. She works as Senior Environmental Officer at the DENR- Environmental Management Bureau, Regional Office in Tacloban City where her family resides. Reggie has three children but is also a doting Auntie to her sister’s children.
This is Irma. Irma works in the education sector. She and her husband live in England.
This is Roland. He is a banker and works at China Bank. Roland is an avid traveller and plans to see more countries on his list. He lives in Makati and is single!
This is Valerie. Valerie is a bookkeeper for a winery in Oregon called Durant Vineyards that makes wine and olive oils! She handles 5 different companies under this company. She also works in property management as an asset manager for a California firm overseeing 160 unit apartments with 4 staff in Oregon. Valerie lives in Portland, Oregon with her 2 kids, Russell (13 years old) and Audrey (11 years old). They will soon to adopt a puppy in the next couple of months.
This is Alma. She works as a Medical Technologist at LGU MacArthur, Leyte. She lives with her family in MacArthur Leyte, Philippines.
This is Danilo. Dan is a former Field Operations Manager of Nestle Philippines. He currently works as Family Nurse Practitioner at the Santa Barbara County Jail in California. He is an Assistant Professor at Charles R. Drew University in Los Angeles, CA. Dan is married to Dr. Ems Bernal (Ob-Gyn in Manila and a Registered Nurse in the U.S.). They live in Oxnard, California with their three children Dax 19 years old, Gio 17 years old & Aya 15 years old since migrating in 2004.
This is Roselyn. Roselyn is a Registered Nurse and Quality Management Coordinator. She lives with her family in Fullerton, California.
This is Ginalee. Ginalee is a doctor (MD) and currently resides with her family in Leyte.
This is Esterlina. Ester’s state of life is to lay consecrated but is an accountant by profession. Her community is her family. She lives is Pasay City, Philippines.
This is Cielito. Cielo works as a Nurse in London where she and her family lives.
This is Arlene Monette. Arlene is a Management Accountant for a clothing company called Bella + Canvas. She and her family live in Los Angeles, California.
This is Aileen A. Aileen teaches Physics and lives with her family in Texas, USA.
This is me, Myla. I work for the State government in New South Wales, Australia. I live with my husband Valentino and our Labradoodle Shinto in Central Coast, north of Sydney Australia. If I am not working, you’ll find me with my camera shooting pictures or riding with hubby on two wheels. I am also a sustainability campaigner and have been speaking at conferences and webinars about Sustainable Procurement and Circular Economy.
This is Arlene Theresa. She now works as an interpreter and lives in British Columbia, Canada. Graduated in 2019 with MFA Creative Writing from University of British Columbia. Arlene was a fellow in the 2017 Silliman Univerity National Writers Workshop.
This is Perly and her lovely family with daughter Aira and husband Kim.
Then there’s us. No matter how long, no matter how far, we will find a way to be with one another. In these photos among others are Liliani, Chona and Jayson.
Liliani is a Family Centred Care nurse at Kaiser, California. She lives with her husband and their daughter Francine in Beaumont, California USA.
Chona currently resides in Jakarta, Indonesia and is Head of Math Department in Lower Primary Level, and also teaches Maths at Nurture Spring Primary School.
Jayson is a partner in Galang Jorvina Munez and Associates Law Offices and Governor for Eastern Visayas, Integrated Bar of the Philippines. He currently resides in Manila with wife Wianne and sons Xavier, Joaquin, Carlos and daughter Alex.
OUR PROJECT
Our story is not over yet, so don’t close your screens until you find out what we did for our region in 2020. This COVID 19 pandemic has affected us in a variety and significant ways. As you have read above, many of Einstein ‘87 students have gone into the medical field and are currently practicing in hospitals around the globe. They experienced first hand the difficulties in obtaining personal protective equipment in first world countries, and know how dreadful the situation is in developing countries, especially in rural areas. Filled with generosity and and kindness, Neil rallied our support to donate masks to frontline workers in the region. Supported by Cleo, Vicky, Roland, Reggie and Eric on the ground, and advised by Larissa, Catherine and Neil on the specifications, we managed to buy 200 pcs of KN95 masks and 200 pcs of N95 masks to be distributed to frontline workers at Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center. Thanks also to our generous classmates all over the world who donated cash for the purchase of these masks. All have a part in this through their support, agreement, prayers and sending us cheers when difficulties happen. They are the source of our strength and inspiration.
Thanks for dropping by. Leave your comments below if I missed any memory, detail, or other facts. Much love to you all, Myla.