FEATURED ARTICLE/POEMS
Angel of Mercy Dental Project Highlights and TidbitsBy Ric Pinca, May 1, 2008
Ang Pandesal ni Tezz...
As she promised, Tezz Corgado came with bags full of Pandesal Americano which can only be described as delicious Spanish buns baked by Filipinos from flour milled from American wheat grains. Winner of the most number of pandesal consumed is....Fidel Rillo!
Justice delayed is a late judge... He promised to be in Manila in time for the Angel of Mercy Dental Project and he did, but was late by a few hours. But in time to savor a few rounds of beer and good music with his batchmates. That's Judge Samson Dajao.
Remy's Cards To ensure order among patients, Remy Tan issued number cards to throngs of arrivals. Magpapabunot ka ba? O, eto card mo, B-1 . O ikaw naman, cleaning lang? O eto card mo C -1. So we had two lines of patients, one for "bunot" and another for cleaning. Yan ang order ni Remy!
Perfect Pair If there's such as thing as a perfect partnership, that may well be George's and Cecille's. George is of course, that handsome hunk of a film-maker who has been wooing Cecille's heart. He followed Cecille to Manila in time to film and join the dental project. He served as cecille's assistant, water boy, helper, interpreter, photographer and everything else rolled into one. What a catch this guy is, so what are you waiting for Cecille?
What packed lunch? Magpa "cater" tayo! Originally we planned to order packed lunch for the dentists and volunteers as this was most convenient for everyone and we won't have to worry about plates, utensils and so on. But Femy Lonzaga wouldn't hear of it. "May bisita tayong "balikbayan" batch 1972 tapos packed lunch lang ipapakain natin? " Magpa "cater" tayo. And so it was fiesta food everyone had that lunch courtery of Femy's kitchen!
Better Late Than Tardy Just as we were wrapping up to leave SASES Basketball Court dumating si Malou Amis and Eugenia Bayron. Ay, tapos na pala, was all Malou could utter as everyone kidded them for their just-in-time arrival. But that's the AHS'72 spirit. Huli man daw at magaling basta dumating!
Planggana anyone? Ric, may planggana ka ba dyan? It was Tintin Cruz frantically looking for wash basins. Bakit, maglalaba ka ba? was my reply. No, naghahanap ng planggana yung dentista! It turned out that the dentists needed to clean their instruments and wanted a planggana for this. Since we had not anticipated this, we sent a Barangay Tanod off to the nearest public market to buy the plastic basins. The poor guy had to ride a tricyle for this. He looked funny really. Imagine a truncheon-wielding, maton-looking and mean-faced guy carrying multi-colored plangganas! Nagmukha siyang "under-the-saya". Just like most of us, anyway!
As she promised, Tezz Corgado came with bags full of Pandesal Americano which can only be described as delicious Spanish buns baked by Filipinos from flour milled from American wheat grains. Winner of the most number of pandesal consumed is....Fidel Rillo!
Justice delayed is a late judge... He promised to be in Manila in time for the Angel of Mercy Dental Project and he did, but was late by a few hours. But in time to savor a few rounds of beer and good music with his batchmates. That's Judge Samson Dajao.
Remy's Cards To ensure order among patients, Remy Tan issued number cards to throngs of arrivals. Magpapabunot ka ba? O, eto card mo, B-1 . O ikaw naman, cleaning lang? O eto card mo C -1. So we had two lines of patients, one for "bunot" and another for cleaning. Yan ang order ni Remy!
Perfect Pair If there's such as thing as a perfect partnership, that may well be George's and Cecille's. George is of course, that handsome hunk of a film-maker who has been wooing Cecille's heart. He followed Cecille to Manila in time to film and join the dental project. He served as cecille's assistant, water boy, helper, interpreter, photographer and everything else rolled into one. What a catch this guy is, so what are you waiting for Cecille?
What packed lunch? Magpa "cater" tayo! Originally we planned to order packed lunch for the dentists and volunteers as this was most convenient for everyone and we won't have to worry about plates, utensils and so on. But Femy Lonzaga wouldn't hear of it. "May bisita tayong "balikbayan" batch 1972 tapos packed lunch lang ipapakain natin? " Magpa "cater" tayo. And so it was fiesta food everyone had that lunch courtery of Femy's kitchen!
Better Late Than Tardy Just as we were wrapping up to leave SASES Basketball Court dumating si Malou Amis and Eugenia Bayron. Ay, tapos na pala, was all Malou could utter as everyone kidded them for their just-in-time arrival. But that's the AHS'72 spirit. Huli man daw at magaling basta dumating!
Planggana anyone? Ric, may planggana ka ba dyan? It was Tintin Cruz frantically looking for wash basins. Bakit, maglalaba ka ba? was my reply. No, naghahanap ng planggana yung dentista! It turned out that the dentists needed to clean their instruments and wanted a planggana for this. Since we had not anticipated this, we sent a Barangay Tanod off to the nearest public market to buy the plastic basins. The poor guy had to ride a tricyle for this. He looked funny really. Imagine a truncheon-wielding, maton-looking and mean-faced guy carrying multi-colored plangganas! Nagmukha siyang "under-the-saya". Just like most of us, anyway!
A Sunny Side of Life
By Agnes Maufit - January 27, 2005
A life truly blessed and fulfilling was shattered on the 31st of May last year, when I was hit with the horrible diagnosis of breast cancer. My first reaction, as with many cancer victims, was shocking disbelief and total dismay.
The worst day of my life came despite diligent visits to the mammogram center where readings were always negative. Yet, even though, I was going to one of the best breast cancer care hospitals in the United States, I was the one who ultimately detected the disease.
Luckily and with God's grace, the cancer did not spread and only required surgical removal of the lump, chemotherapy and radiation for six months, ending only weeks ago. I suffered through chemo treatments that weakened me to the point I couldn't do anything but rest and sleep. I could not even open a bottle of water. I was able to eat, but just a little. I gained a bit of weight despite the loss of appetite and lost all my hair, but not the will to live. Fighting for my life was more important than worrying about what I looked like.
Agnes Maufit, 2nd from left standing, celebrating Christmas in 2007 with friends
With survival, nothing mattered but the people I love and who love me. During my weakest moments, it seemed that what I needed most was prayer -- lots of it -- and emotional support. As the news reached the Philippines, prayers from relatives and friends, including my high school pals, began to pour in as cell phone text messages. I often was awakened by the faint phone beep indicating I had a text message.
A flood of well-wishes from Batch 72 Araullians triggered an ocean of tears. Good tears of course. Soon after, friends from Class 71, Class 70 and Class 67 began offering prayers and hopes for recovery. It all was nourishing to my soul, but didn't stop there. Visits followed throughout, and I had high school friends at my side in San Diego on my last day of chemotherapy. Thanks to my high school friends, for I have never felt so much love.
I am very strong and healthy now, and I eagerly await being at Araullo High School on February 19, 2005 to attend the homecoming celebration and see everyone I've communicated with, not just during my awful ordeal, but over the past three decades. I have never attended an alumni homecoming since graduating in 1972, but this year is special because I'm coming home to the people who are warm, kind and loving. Now I know the truth in the words, "pagkahabahaba daw ng prusisyon sa simbahan din ang tuloy."
The worst day of my life came despite diligent visits to the mammogram center where readings were always negative. Yet, even though, I was going to one of the best breast cancer care hospitals in the United States, I was the one who ultimately detected the disease.
Luckily and with God's grace, the cancer did not spread and only required surgical removal of the lump, chemotherapy and radiation for six months, ending only weeks ago. I suffered through chemo treatments that weakened me to the point I couldn't do anything but rest and sleep. I could not even open a bottle of water. I was able to eat, but just a little. I gained a bit of weight despite the loss of appetite and lost all my hair, but not the will to live. Fighting for my life was more important than worrying about what I looked like.
Agnes Maufit, 2nd from left standing, celebrating Christmas in 2007 with friends
With survival, nothing mattered but the people I love and who love me. During my weakest moments, it seemed that what I needed most was prayer -- lots of it -- and emotional support. As the news reached the Philippines, prayers from relatives and friends, including my high school pals, began to pour in as cell phone text messages. I often was awakened by the faint phone beep indicating I had a text message.
A flood of well-wishes from Batch 72 Araullians triggered an ocean of tears. Good tears of course. Soon after, friends from Class 71, Class 70 and Class 67 began offering prayers and hopes for recovery. It all was nourishing to my soul, but didn't stop there. Visits followed throughout, and I had high school friends at my side in San Diego on my last day of chemotherapy. Thanks to my high school friends, for I have never felt so much love.
I am very strong and healthy now, and I eagerly await being at Araullo High School on February 19, 2005 to attend the homecoming celebration and see everyone I've communicated with, not just during my awful ordeal, but over the past three decades. I have never attended an alumni homecoming since graduating in 1972, but this year is special because I'm coming home to the people who are warm, kind and loving. Now I know the truth in the words, "pagkahabahaba daw ng prusisyon sa simbahan din ang tuloy."
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Da Return of da Comeback
(Ni Fidel Rillo, Batch 1972)
At sa pagbubukas ng tabing ay makikita natin ang ating bida na tahimik at malungkot na naglalakad sa tabing-dagat, nakatanaw sa malayo, inaaninaw ang abot-tanaw na liwanag na pinipilit manatiling <more>
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Ang Hirap sa Ating Mga Inglisero at Filipinero
(Ni Fidel Rillo, Batch 1972)
Nangyayari ang ganitong sitwasyon taon-taon tuwing dumarating ang Agosto. Sapagkat buwan ng wikang pambansa (Filipino o Pilipino), asahan <more>
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I Think I Died Last Night
It was near midnight when Mariel entered the bedroom. I looked at her as she came in and I still wonder how she grew so tall and beautiful. At 13, she's already stands 5' 8", taller than me and certainly her mom as well. She's got that lithe, willowy gait, which makes her very feminine and all the more beautiful. I may be bragging really, but minus the bad English, my Mariel is a young Melanie Marquez; certainly a beauty queen material.
Mariel has this habit of joining us in bed and this Friday, March 14 was one of those nights. She slipped quietly between her sleeping Mom and me. I kissed her goodnight and then I went to a deep, peaceful sleep. I was supposed to be entering my office the next day when I noticed something different. The place didn't look the same. It certainly wasn't my office. The reception area was but huge and empty hall. And there was no one there but me. Then I noticed an open door to a room that looked like the offfice of my colleague, Ely Lopez, former Business Editor of the Times Journal where I once worked. Ely is your typical newspaper editor. Brusque of ways, loud voiced, foul mouthed , demanding of deadlines. And with a lot of girlfriends. But he has a soft heart for fellow newspaper workers. And always had a few pesos to spare for anyone who comes a borrowing.
Ely died a few years ago and this saddened a lot of us his drinking buddies. I peeked inside and found Ely's office was empty as well. I turned to leave when suddenly, Ely's voice boomed. "Ricardo!" I looked back towards the voice and I saw him standing, beaming at me. "Pare, di ba patay ka na?" I asked in disbelief, "Bakit ka narito?" Ely didn't respond. Instead, he pointed to a group of people who suddenly appeared some distance to my left. They were walking towards me, smiling and they all looked somewhat familiar. As they came closer, i recognized some faces who I knew passed away sometime ago.
"Pare, bakit kayo narito, di ba patay na kayo?" It was Bobby, a lawyer i once worked with who answered. I do not know whether or not Bobby had died, as I hadn't spoken with him for quite sometime. But he was in the company of those who I knew were gone. "Pare, we're here to fetch you." And he reached out to me. I stepped back and said, "Pare, I'm not dead. Don't come near me." Pare, we're here to take you with us, was Bobby's gentle but firm response.I kept repeating the same line, I am not dead, but they just looked at me, smiling, but motioning me to come closer to them.
Realizing that it probably really was my time, i pleaded, "Pare, may I call my wife?" Bobby, pulled out something that looked like a small clock, looked at it, and said, "You have a few minutes." I immediately dialed Sylvia's number on my cellphone, but the damn phone, perhaps, because I was so nervous and fumbling, and couldn't press the right numbers, wouldn't work. Then suddenly, there was Sylvia speaking on the videophone.
"Yes, hon." "Hon, I won't be able to come home tonight. I am with some friends." "Who are they?" "Ely and Bobby are here. You remember them don't you" "No, i dont recall them at all." "Well, they died a few years ago, and they're here to fetch me." "What do you mean "fetch you"? "They're telling me that I'm dead now. And they have come to take me with them" Crying and shouting, Sylvia pleaded that I don't leave. But somehow, there was a force that seemed to pull me towards the waiting group. And feeling resigned to my death, I bid Sylvia goodbye.
"Hon, they're motioning to me that it is time. I have to go now. I love you. But I will have to leave now. I will now begin my long wait." "What long wait hon?" " I intend to wait for you for a long long time." The phone went off after that. And the group slowly led me to an elevator. I went in alone and the elevator moved up for what seemed like eternity. Then it stopped and the door opened to an empty space. It was like I was facing the sky and there was nothing there but a few blinking lights that seemed so distant, they looked like stars in space. Not wanting to fall into an emptiness, I stayed glued to where I stood in the elevator but a force pushed me gently out the door. I felt myself falling so fast I was tumbling and rolling as I fell.
Suddenly, the falling stopped and I was floating. It was as if I was seated and floating slowly, aimlessly. Then, flashes of my life passed before me. I saw faces of people i met in my lifetime as if I was watching a documentary. When the movie ended, I floated towards a bluish light that seemed to grow brighter as I came closer. Then I landed standing in front of a large glass door that opened wide. Inside was a waiting area of sorts with tables and chairs and people seated all around as if waiting to be called. Everyone was pensively quiet.
I took a seat at a table where a man who looked like a movie character sat. He must have played a villain in a film somewhere as he looked grumpy and uncouth. He even had had his right hand perched on what looked like an armalite rifle on top of the table. I looked around and saw someone I recognized as a politician coming in through the same glass door. And i thought, namatay din pala siya. Then the movie character beside me stood and reluctantly walked towards someone who was motioning him to come. Then they walked away while everyone looked at them.
It was then that i realized I was already dead. And I thought, I still haven't even asked God to forgive my sins and I'm already dead? And there are things I haven't done yet. And my Mariel. She's still very young and I dont want to leave her. No, I shouldn't die! It was then that I opened my eyes and saw my little girl sleeping soundly beside me. Realizing I am alive, I kissed her and whispered, " Baby, I love you". Was it just a dream? I don't know. But I am still alive. And that's what matters. I have time to take care of Mariel. But I really think I died last night.
(By Ric Pinca, Batch 1972)
Mariel has this habit of joining us in bed and this Friday, March 14 was one of those nights. She slipped quietly between her sleeping Mom and me. I kissed her goodnight and then I went to a deep, peaceful sleep. I was supposed to be entering my office the next day when I noticed something different. The place didn't look the same. It certainly wasn't my office. The reception area was but huge and empty hall. And there was no one there but me. Then I noticed an open door to a room that looked like the offfice of my colleague, Ely Lopez, former Business Editor of the Times Journal where I once worked. Ely is your typical newspaper editor. Brusque of ways, loud voiced, foul mouthed , demanding of deadlines. And with a lot of girlfriends. But he has a soft heart for fellow newspaper workers. And always had a few pesos to spare for anyone who comes a borrowing.
Ely died a few years ago and this saddened a lot of us his drinking buddies. I peeked inside and found Ely's office was empty as well. I turned to leave when suddenly, Ely's voice boomed. "Ricardo!" I looked back towards the voice and I saw him standing, beaming at me. "Pare, di ba patay ka na?" I asked in disbelief, "Bakit ka narito?" Ely didn't respond. Instead, he pointed to a group of people who suddenly appeared some distance to my left. They were walking towards me, smiling and they all looked somewhat familiar. As they came closer, i recognized some faces who I knew passed away sometime ago.
"Pare, bakit kayo narito, di ba patay na kayo?" It was Bobby, a lawyer i once worked with who answered. I do not know whether or not Bobby had died, as I hadn't spoken with him for quite sometime. But he was in the company of those who I knew were gone. "Pare, we're here to fetch you." And he reached out to me. I stepped back and said, "Pare, I'm not dead. Don't come near me." Pare, we're here to take you with us, was Bobby's gentle but firm response.I kept repeating the same line, I am not dead, but they just looked at me, smiling, but motioning me to come closer to them.
Realizing that it probably really was my time, i pleaded, "Pare, may I call my wife?" Bobby, pulled out something that looked like a small clock, looked at it, and said, "You have a few minutes." I immediately dialed Sylvia's number on my cellphone, but the damn phone, perhaps, because I was so nervous and fumbling, and couldn't press the right numbers, wouldn't work. Then suddenly, there was Sylvia speaking on the videophone.
"Yes, hon." "Hon, I won't be able to come home tonight. I am with some friends." "Who are they?" "Ely and Bobby are here. You remember them don't you" "No, i dont recall them at all." "Well, they died a few years ago, and they're here to fetch me." "What do you mean "fetch you"? "They're telling me that I'm dead now. And they have come to take me with them" Crying and shouting, Sylvia pleaded that I don't leave. But somehow, there was a force that seemed to pull me towards the waiting group. And feeling resigned to my death, I bid Sylvia goodbye.
"Hon, they're motioning to me that it is time. I have to go now. I love you. But I will have to leave now. I will now begin my long wait." "What long wait hon?" " I intend to wait for you for a long long time." The phone went off after that. And the group slowly led me to an elevator. I went in alone and the elevator moved up for what seemed like eternity. Then it stopped and the door opened to an empty space. It was like I was facing the sky and there was nothing there but a few blinking lights that seemed so distant, they looked like stars in space. Not wanting to fall into an emptiness, I stayed glued to where I stood in the elevator but a force pushed me gently out the door. I felt myself falling so fast I was tumbling and rolling as I fell.
Suddenly, the falling stopped and I was floating. It was as if I was seated and floating slowly, aimlessly. Then, flashes of my life passed before me. I saw faces of people i met in my lifetime as if I was watching a documentary. When the movie ended, I floated towards a bluish light that seemed to grow brighter as I came closer. Then I landed standing in front of a large glass door that opened wide. Inside was a waiting area of sorts with tables and chairs and people seated all around as if waiting to be called. Everyone was pensively quiet.
I took a seat at a table where a man who looked like a movie character sat. He must have played a villain in a film somewhere as he looked grumpy and uncouth. He even had had his right hand perched on what looked like an armalite rifle on top of the table. I looked around and saw someone I recognized as a politician coming in through the same glass door. And i thought, namatay din pala siya. Then the movie character beside me stood and reluctantly walked towards someone who was motioning him to come. Then they walked away while everyone looked at them.
It was then that i realized I was already dead. And I thought, I still haven't even asked God to forgive my sins and I'm already dead? And there are things I haven't done yet. And my Mariel. She's still very young and I dont want to leave her. No, I shouldn't die! It was then that I opened my eyes and saw my little girl sleeping soundly beside me. Realizing I am alive, I kissed her and whispered, " Baby, I love you". Was it just a dream? I don't know. But I am still alive. And that's what matters. I have time to take care of Mariel. But I really think I died last night.
(By Ric Pinca, Batch 1972)
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