Forty years ago, we shared the same environment, classmates and friends. We shared in common these experiences in those four long years from 1961-1965. For most of us, the last time we saw our classmates was during our high school graduation in 1965.The urge to share those memories is much more intense at this time when we are at the last phase of our middle-age life. This is exactly what we want to do during our reunion this coming June 25-26, 2005 as we celebrate our 40th anniversary.

Our class president, Edgardo Gonzales, through the recommendation of our chief head hunter (USA), Delfin Zafra, assigned to me the monumental task of finding out where most of the 377 members of Meycauayan Institute Class of 1965 could be found. Then we, the RP Coordinators/Head Hunters’ group, were borne. First, it seemed to be a huge job. We did not realize the very distinct honor bestowed upon us until later. It gave us, the selected few, memorable and exciting experiences. The joy of meeting classmates, together with their families, and seeing the facial expression of surprise for the unexpected visit of high school mates, last seen 40 years ago, was priceless! We consider it as one among the richest of our lives. The most incredible and the most touching moment in our lives that we cannot even describe the thrill of it.

With Rodolfo dela Cruz and Rafael Capule on the first day, July 25, 2004, of our head hunting activity, we found the residences of Renato Santos, Maximo Roxas and Armando Llenado, then Zenaida Alarcon, Basilio & Guillermo Mateo, Vicente Cruz and Rustico David. These people subsequently became very active in the search effort. When we located Romy Villanueva and he learned of what we were doing, he offered his own vehicle for the search. The Mateo’s and Simplicio Gumafelix allowed the use of their own vehicles too. As the number of classmates found grew, the coordinators likewise expanded: Felix Nieto, Carlos de Jesus, Carmelita Santiago, Cresenciano Bernardo, Rita Inot Alcantara, Estelita Marcos, Epitacio Mendoza, Sylvia Navarro Francia, Luzviminda Zuniga Parian, Adelaida delos Santos Blas, Aida Lim, Elias Porciuncula, Erlinda Manzano Lunaria, Hector Santiago, Leonisa Francisco, Corazon Cruz Saquin, Corazon Francisco Mendoza, Danilo Sandel, Rolando Leonardo, Angelina Corrales Diez, Ricardo Espiritu, Benedicto Termulo, Edith Juanillo, Josefino Antonio, Candida Mendoza Villamor, Remedios Villarin Umandap, Conrado Carpio, Mike Alipio, Jacinta Teodoro Cubos, Normita Capili Adriano, Virgilio Andrade, Cristina Rivero, Sunny Prodon Graham, and Sylvia Palomares Villar.

The extraordinary camaraderie developed as we walked together amid the scorching heat of the sun. With dedication, perseverance, and enthusiasm we moved on. As the number of classmates found grew, the search continued to build excitement as we aspire to maximize attendance at our 2005 reunion. We were the talk and envy of people around on our strong-willed determination to search for our classmates. The enthusiasm of people we had located served as inspiration for us to go on. It gave us added strength despite odds of scant information as to the whereabouts of our long lost friends during our high school days.

We walked-in at our classmates’ front yards and backyards. It was a long line as we traversed the “pilapil” and small trails to reach our classmates. We talked to them in their sari-sari & grocery stores and carinderia. Even in the street, we talked to Corazon Francisco Mendoza. We shared with them in their excitement as they filled-up the information sheets. We showed Corazon Evangelista Exaltacion our pictures in “The Bamboo Organ” and in our class website. We posed for picture-taking in front of the house of Necitas Ventura. We could not forget the excitement of Nenita Alcanar del Rosario when we found her.

It seemed time passed-by without us noticing it until the stomach told us to pause for lunch breaks. We ate like a big family would. The group was joined in long tables at McDonald Bocaue, KFC Marilao, Wannam and IS Mall Coffee Shop in Meycauayan, Vera Restaurant in Valenzuela City, a restaurant in Guiguinto, and Max Restaurant in Guiguinto & Meycauayan. There was never a pause in the story telling and reminiscing of our high-school days. Yes, even during lunchtime.

Then, we were found again on the street, “Kantos”, and store establishments asking people how to reach our long lost classmates or plotting strategies on how to find Virgilio Mendoza. The effort would be rewarded when we found more of our classmates. We found Sergio Villaflores and Federico Lunaria. The handshake was that hard! The smile was that big! The laughter was reverberating! Regalado Nieto lost his eyesight and perhaps believed his contact with his classmates was lost too. The group had proven him wrong. One day, we found ourselves in their house to connect with him. His happiness was very visible. Many of us were tearful as we brought joy to our brothers and classmates. We were witness again to the patented smile of Jacinta Teodoro Cubos.

Along the way, we did not forget our teachers in the early 60’s. We visited them as a tribute to their sacricifes in shaping our early lives. It gave us that nostalgic feeling when we met Misses Teodora and Paz Belza in their residence. They got older but could still remember many of us. Mrs. Pilarita Rosales was deeply moved by our visit in her residence. There were Ms. Angelina de Guzman, Mrs. Rosario Guzman Bordador, Mrs.Elena Ipapo Parian, Mrs. Pacita Fuentes Cruz, Mrs. Herminia Barazon and Mrs. Zenaida Sumulong - the one who assured us of her attendance that she never did before simply because of a big number of head hunters who visited and invited her. Normally, according to Mrs. Sumulong, there were only four to six persons who were getting in touched with her for invitation. Our reminiscing would not be complete without them.

It was not fun all the time though. Grief stricken us as we learned that a number of our classmates were gone. We paused and prayed for their souls. Teary eyed, we mourned the death of our departed classmates. Arturo Rivero, Arturo Soriano, Bayani Valerio, Danilo Francisco, Danilo Yaneza, Evelyn Eugenio, Erlinda Eugenio, Herminia Gatdula, Herminia Mendoza, Hermogenes San Luis, Isaias San Diego, Loreto Ablaza, Lourdes Mendoza, Lualhati Mangarin, Lucila Sullera, Mario Austria, Primitivo Mendoza, Roberto Natividad, Andrelino Pascual, Romeo Santos, Romeo Sarmiento, Romeo Serrano, Rufino Buenviaje, Venancio Garcia, Vicente Morales Jr. and Virgilio Gerona were all gone. Lately, we learned Nelia Soriano, Emilia Marcosa, Marilou Marcelino, Mario San Jose, Mario de Jesus, Juancho San Jose, Danilo Lim, and Efren Mateo were gone too. May your souls rest in peace classmates!

We took time out to attend to other activities aside from locating for our classmates. We tried hard to strengthen the relationship among us MI’65. We attended the christening of Basilio Mateo’s grandchild. We were at the 7th birthday of Romy Villanueva’s grandchild at 8 Waves Resort. Over bottles of San Miguel beer, we joked about our escapade and our little crushes. We related funny stories about our classmates. Even our teachers were not saved. Many of us were in the dinner-meeting at TGI Restaurant in Quezon City as hosted by Jun Dulalia. We celebrated the birthday of Fernamado Bordador at his residence in Meycauayan. We remembered to send flowers to our teacher Ms. Teodora Belza and wishing her well when she was confined at the Philippine Heart Center hospital. We shared breakfast with our classmates residing in Valenzuela City. We ensured that in our spare time we got the time to visit classmates residing in Metro-Manila to give them our warmest holiday greetings.

We condoled with Zenaida Sy during the untimely death of her husband. We attended the burial of the father of Leodegario Francisco. We were there at the burial of the mother of Estelita Marcos. We made it sure that we attended the burial of Carding Gonzales, the brother of our class president.

The bond of friendship cemented during the weekly searches in the past six months was once more tested during the 2004 Christmas party for MIClass65 held at Mateo’s Hospital building on December 27, 2004. More than a hundred classmates and guests attended. This more than offered proof that MI65 spirit was well and alive and it has been growing as the 2005 Reunion is nearing. The night was full of fun and frolics. For a time, it was a battle of sexes among our classmates. The ladies displayed their dancing prowess. Not to be outdone, the men dressed with t-shirts came in responding to the challenge. At the end, we were one. We were brothers and sisters belonging to one big MI65 family.

What was important is that the affair became a rehearsal for the forthcoming big reunion in 2005. We made plans. We executed them. There were committees for invitation, program, site-preparation, food, and gifts. The head hunters and the hunted worked together in ensuring a successful and joyous Christmas party.

The execution was perfect. The program, games, dancing, and caroling kept the building rumbling and rocking. The laughter filled the air and shouting was deafening. We saw to it that each one did not leave the party without a gift. At the review, though we overspent beyond the budget yet through the generosity of the class treasurer, Epie Mendoza, the deficit amount of about 11,000 Phil pesos was covered.

The test was an astounding success. Each one left the party with happiness and laughter and wanting to have more fun with our classmates.

We have had a good practice for a bigger event forthcoming. One thing, the confidence was really high we can pull the bigger event successfully. At this moment, the RP coordinators have to pull back our chairs and relax a little bit to ponder on the great accomplishments that we have had for the past several months. On July 2004, we had located about twenty classmates. As we went on, we averaged about 15 to 20 classmates found each week. As of December 2004, we had connected with more than 310 classmates or 82.2% of the 377 members of the class. While we are proud of our own success, we could not rest until we account for the remaining members not located yet.

WHEREVER YOU MAY BE!