About Us

Meycauayan Institute High School Class of 1965
(1961-1965)

This section of our website is all about us and the people, events and other factors that greatly influenced the development of our character and enhancement of our knowledge for four long years. More specifically, the objectives of which are to:

1. Introduce the town, the school, and the class;
2. Recall the internal training and education we had from MI;
3. Discuss lengthily the various external factors existing in 1961-65 that influenced our moral, educational, and character growth; and, finally,
4. Give a bird's eyeview of the class’ current marital status and geographic spread.

INTRODUCTION

The Town (Click here to get aerial view of Meycauayan College/Institute)

Meycauayan Institute, now known Meycauayan College, is located in the heart of the town of Meycauayan, a municipality in the province of Bulacan. The town is situated about 19 kilometers north of Manila and about 22 kilometers south of Malolos City, the capital city of Bulacan. The town is bounded by the town of Marilao to the North, Valenzuela City to the south, Caloocan City to the east, and the town of Obando to the west. This town is famous for its jewelry industry, tanneries and people like Lydia De Vega, Asia’s Fastest Woman.

The School

MI (short for Meycauayan Institute) campus, then, was nicely situated along MacArthur Highway and comprised of the main building with nine rooms and a library in the center, an office and a medical/dental clinic. A ten-room building was built to its left. Towards the left, too, we have the concrete stage, concrete stairs down the playground and student canteen. A five-room building, built in 1964, bounded the school to the railway side. For four years (1961-1965), this campus was our beautiful home. The campus became the sole witness to the hardship and fun we had during our high school days.

The Class

We started in June, 1961. Our class was composed of 378 young boys and girls. Our class came from families from Meycauayan and various neighboring towns and barrios: from the south - Valenzuela, Malinta and Malanday; from the north - Marilao, Bocaue, Lolomboy, Sta. Maria, and Balagtas: from west – Calvario, Saluysoy and nearby communities; from the east – Malhacan. We were assigned to eight sections. Aside from alphanumeric sectioning, the sections were given names for identification: "the crusaders", "hopefuls of tomorrow", "future builders", "goal seekers", "knowledge seekers", "the pillars", "torch bearers" and "triumphant seniors". Somehow, along the way, there developed a special kind of closeness among members of each individual sections.

INTERNAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION *

June, 1961, we entered the portals of Meycauayan Institute. We vividly remembered our first day in school. The bell rang. We rushed to the Meycauayan Institute court where the flag ceremony was held. Afterwards, Mrs. Adelaida Lucero, directress, instructed us on the locations and schedules of our respective classes. Then, we were met by our temporary advisers and were given our schedules and the names of our teachers.

Freshman Year (1961-62)

We were led to the wonderful world of imagination by our teachers in Literature: Miss Pacita Fuentes, Miss Isabelita Quiambao and Mrs. Ursula Urian. They taught us the correct use of the different parts of speech. They corrected our errors in grammar. Miss Paz Belza was the keyholder of the world of Pilipino literature. She opened the world to the students and let them see its beauty. At the same time, she proved to the students that not because they were speaking Tagalog dialect they did not need to take Pilipino. She corrected our errors in grammar. Mrs. Concepcion Ocampo, our freshmen’s teacher in Advanced Arithmetic, taught us to be thrifty and to save money in the bank. As young scientists, we were taught to develop critical thinking and find enjoyment in experimenting with the patient guidance of Mrs. Zenaida Castro Sumulong. The girls were taught to make beautiful center pieces and doilies by Mrs. Teresita Lim. The boys learned to make beautiful bags, baskets, trays, and flower bases out of rattan through the supervision of Mr. Antonio Sales. During the Physical Education period the girls were under Miss Carmelita Abano, while the boys were under Mr. Benito Pilongo for the Preparatory Military Training (PMT)..

Sophomore Year (1962-63)

We learned and understood our country’s history and government under Miss Angelina de Guzman. We, who were accustomed to the science of numbers, were puzzled when we touched the science of equations. At first, some could be seen knitting their eyebrows, while others gazed with open mouths as our teachers explained the lesson. Thanks to our patient teachers Mrs. Ceferina Tecson, Mr. Rene Bustamante, Miss Ramos, Miss Teodora Belza, and Miss Zenaida Marcelino, we soon learned to solve equations by ourselves. We learned the story of Florante at Laura of Francisco Balagtas and we were able to discover the hidden meaning behind this ballad through the explanation of Mrs. Esperanza Floro. We continued our imaginary tour in the world of Literature, guided by our dear teacher, Mr. Herminio Rubio. We were able to get moral lessons from the poems and selections we read and we learned to value even the things considered small and worthless by others. We came to learn more and more about science, and we became more aware of the world around us by the help of our cute teacher, Miss Estrellita Tandiama. Under Mrs. Encarnacion Aguillon, we, the girls, learned the art of dressmaking. The boys learned the art of drawing and making designs under Mr Rene Samonte.

Junior Year (1963-64)

We had a hard time studying our lessons because our we had heavier academic load. Our knowledge about equations was advanced by our talented teacher Miss Priscila Eugenio. We were introduced to the science of measurement and reasoning by Mrs. Pilarita Rosales. We learned how to draw up logical conclusions. Miss Quiambao and Miss Eugenio introduced us to the English and American writers. We read the great works of the great writers. For the first time, we were taught how to use microscope. We were able to learn more about our government. We were trained to become more accurate observers. These things were taught to us by Misses Silvestra Roy and Linda Sarmiento. We were able to have an imaginative tour of the Orient and the United States with Mrs. Agripina Bernardo as our captain. We learned the customs, tradition, culture and civilization of the different countries in the orient. We also learned moral lessons and good principles in life from the lives of great men we had studied. The study of Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere made us more well-informed about our country’s history during the Spanish time and we were able to learn and understand the ideas and principles of Rizal personified by Crisostomo Ibarra. We were made to understand this novel fully through the explanations of Misses Conchita Rivero and Nieves Cruz. Economic terms which would be a part of our life in the future were defined and explained to us by Miss Aurora Ovenson. Through her, we understood our present economic condition.

Senior Year (1964-65)

We had heard that Physics was a hard subject. It was really hard, but our beloved teachers Misses Beatriz Sarmiento and Angelina Evangelista tried to help us understand the laws and principles involved in it. They also taught us to be accurate in doing things, especially in solving problems. Our English teachers, Miss Mahinhin Roberto, Mrs. Rosario Guzman, Miss Barranda, and Mrs. Villaruel taught us the literature of the world and we also learned from them how to travel the whole world by means of our imagination. We learned the development of the civilization of the world from the Old Stone Age to the modern times. We studied more and more lives of great men of the world. And our dear teachers, Mrs. Agripina Bernardo and Miss Angelina de Guzman told us that we would like them if we would follow their good ideas and principles in life. We came across Rizal’s second novel, El Filibusterismo. It was really hard to understand this novel, but we learned to appreciate it through the explanations of our talented teachers in Pilipino, Miss Teodora Belza and Mrs. Beltran who had explained to us the important passages and quotations in it. We also learned from them more and more about Pilipino Literature and Grammar. Some of us took up Social Life under Miss Isabelita Quiambao while the others majored mathematics under Mrs. Herminia Barazon. We invaded the world of Spanish Literature with Senorita Palencia as our leader and through her, were able to learn to read and write Spanish. The girls met a new P.E. instructress, Miss Elma Ambatali, while the boys were under Mr. Benito Pilongo.

After four long years, we were declared graduates in March, 1965. The commencement address was given by Mr. Leon O Ty, Editor and Publisher, "The Examiner". As a man of wisdom and experience, he was imparting to us how to learn to make a living and to learn how to live. And if only we were listening.

This in a nutshell was how the dedicated teachers and staff of Meycauayan Institute painstakingly molded our knowledge and skills from 1961 to 1965. As we learned, we tried to look around outside the school to test what our teachers were teaching us. It becomes imperative, therefore, to consider the impact of outside factors for the period 1961-1965 to our character and educational growth. This will be taken up next.

EXTERNAL FACTORS AFFECTING OUR GROWTH IN 1961-65

Politics

We had lessons in local government. The impression from the book was that the government was a well-oiled machinery in attaining its goals. Diosdado Macapagal led the Liberal Party to victory in 1961 to the tune of "Happy Days are Here Again". He succeeded Carlos P. Garcia. He served up to 1965. He sought to expand the country’s ties to its Asian neighbors, implement domestic reform programs, and develop and diversify the economy. He fought to stimulate economic development by floating the currency at the free exchange market. His reform efforts were, however, blocked by the Nacionalistas who dominated the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Additionally, we were introduced to nationalism at his term though. In 1962, the official Independence Day was changed from July 4 to June 12, commemorating the date of independence declared by General Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898.

World politics and events, however, gave us lessons on display of arrogance of the superpowers. On the early dark of the morning of Sunday, August 13th, 1961 East German and Russian soldiers started rolling out barbed wire barriers (later replaced by masonry wall) between East and West Berlin, which stood there for almost three decades till November, 1989. Berlin Wall became the symbol of division of power between the East and West countries.

In 1962, then President John F. Kennedy issued an ultimatum to Russia to remove their missiles in Cuba. Watch this response from Premier Nikita Khruschev in his letter to President Kennedy on October 24, 1962:

“You, Mr. President, are not declaring quarantine, but rather issuing an ultimatum, and you are threatening that if we do not obey your orders, you will then use force. Think about what you are saying! And you want to persuade me to agree to this! What does it mean to agree to these demands? It would mean for us to conduct our relations with other countries not by reason, but by yielding to tyranny. You are not appealing to reason; you want to intimidate us…No, Mr. President, I cannot agree to this, and I think that deep inside, you will admit that I am right.”

The nations of the world prayed that the game of the superpowers would not lead to World War III. There was sigh of relief when finally Russia succumbed to pressure and removed the missiles.

John F Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963 during our sophomore year. Lyndon Johnson was sworn in to become the next president of the United States. Eventually, his administration was got tangled and thrown in the quagmire of issues related to Vietnam War. Rallies and demonstrations disturbed the tranquility of the streets in the US and even here in the Philippines in the 1960s. In Russia, Nikita Khruschev was overthrown in 1964 and replaced by Leonid Brezhnev. Before our eyes, we saw this history in the making.

Economy

From 1946 to 1962, indigenous manufacturers were given a chance to develop their industries without facing crippling competition from US firms. We blew that chance. No basic industrial infrastructure was developed. During our sophomore year in 1962, "the policy of import control was terminated by newly elected President Macapagal who, at the behest of the USA and the International Monetary Fund, eliminated import controls and encouraged foreign investment and participation in the Philippine economy. As a result of these policies, a number of indigenous manufacturing concerns went into liquidation and were taken over by multinational firms". So we saw how management of our natural resources were taken over by foreign companies.

Literary Art

Literary art was shaped by different writers/critiques in the early 1960s- Lina Flor, Petronilo Bn. Daroy, Leopoldo Yabes. Genoveva Edroza, Teodoro Agoncillo, and Clodualdo del Mundo. In one way or the other, we got the feel of these writings as we were told to read and report on Philippine news and articles from The Manila Times, Herald, Daily Bulletin, Sunday Times Magazine, Philippine’s Free Press, The Examiner, and Graphics. We did find time too to read Liwayway magazine and others Tiktik. Actually, we were not so interested with these heavy stuffs and we would rather prefer reading Kenkoy Komiks, and American hero comics like Superman, Batman and Robin, The Lone Ranger, Spiderman, Wonder Woman, and Supergirl. Apparently, while indulging in this activity, we developed the love and penchant for American comic heroes.

Cultural Shows

From August 18, 1961 to August 18, 1962, the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Group gave a total of 316 performances in 129 cities in the United States, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Canada and Japan. Their mission then was to preserve and promote Philippine culture through presentation of folk dance and music.

Movies

There was no fitting description of the movie world in 1961-65. 1960s, particularly, the late era, was seen as the decline of Philippine movies. Old guards of Filipino movies – like Efren Reyes Sr, Johnny Monteiro, Tony Marzan, Rogelio de la Rosa, Armando Goyena, Ric Rodrigo – were giving way to a new generation of swashbuckling leading men. Most of the newcomers were members of the Lo’ Waist Gang, among them Fernando Poe Jr., Joseph Estrada, Zaldy Zhornack, Bod Soler, and the Salvadors.

Separately, these young actors appeared in movies that dealt with the fast life in urban Manila and its gamut of gang wars, neighborhood rumbles, crime syndicates, and smuggled contraband. To many of us, we started to dress up like them – the low waisted jeans with a leather belt, a collared plain shirt, and leather boots.

Some of the running movies then were: Fernando Poe Jr. as Daniel Barrion and Intramuros 1964, and Sigaw ng Digmaan 1963. Joseph Estrada played lead role in – Asiong Meets Alembong 1961; Moises Padilla 1961; Asiong Salonga – 1961; Barilan sa Pugad Lawin 1963. Nida Blanca and Nestor de Villa were partners in Gulo Kung Gulo 1962. Rosemarie Sonora starred in Mga Batang Iskwater, 1964.

Our lessons in the classroom about Dr Jose Rizal were further strengthened by the showing of Gerry de Leon’s Noli Me Tangere in 1961 and El Felibusterismo in 1962.

We wished to note that among local actors we had was the late actor Lauro Delgado of Bundukan, Bocaue, Bulacan. From Bunlo, Bocaue was the late Bruno Punzalan (real name-Santiago Agapito), the meanest looking villain ever in Philippine movies but a very kind-hearted person. His son, Reynaldo Agapito, is a member of MI Class 65. We used to see him chatting with friends in a small sari-sari store in Bocaue along MacArthur Highway.

The more famous foreign films during the period were: Joseph L. Mankiewicz film Cleopatra (1963), filmed on location in Rome that paired the legendary Elizabeth Taylor as the Queen of Egypt and future husband Richard Burton as Marc Antony; The Longest Day (1963), an all-star re-creation of the events surrounding D-Day. The Sound of Music (1965); Lawrence of Arabia (1962); and Doctor Zhivago (1965), a sweeping romantic/historical drama adapted from Boris Pasternak's Nobel Prize-winning novel of the days of Russia's Civil War .

Music

Adding nostalgia to all the memories inside and outside of school, several memorable songs were played in the radios and parties. Do you remember these favorite songs being played in the 1960s - If I had My Way, I Am Sitting On Top of the World, Happy Days Are Here Again, By The Light of the Silvery Moon, When I Fall In Love, Crazy, Moon River, Unforgettable, Fly Me To The Moon, Ebb Tide, Goodnight Irene, If I Give My Heart To You, You’re My Everything, Secret Love, Arrivederci Roma, Getting To Know You, Climb Every Mountain, and Hey Jude?

Internationally, in 1961, Elvis Presley started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with Something For Everybody, his sixth US No.1 album. In 1965, The Rolling Stones started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with Out Of Our Heads. Just as we were leaving MI in 1965, we witnessed the slow but eventual meteoric rise of The Beatles composed of Paul, John, George and Ringo.

All in all, these events seemed to be nothing. Probably, we were not mindful but apparently these things did have an impact on our upbringing. It might be good or it might be bad but as teenagers we did not care.

What some seven of our classmates cared though was giving back to our school what was owed for the good things it brought to our lives. They deserved praises for the honor it gave to MI Class of 1965. Edgar Gonzales worked at MI as Assistant Librarian from 1965 to 1971 while doing night classes at Far Eastern University. Four years after leaving MI, six of us also had been inspired by some of our former teachers we decided to follow their footsteps and go back to teach. Evelyn Gregorio Peters taught Geometry and Algebra; Hipolito de Guzman, Herminia Mendoza taught Pilipino; Aida Fernando Buenaventura handled Mathematics and Algebra; and Elsa Pena Roberto enhanced the knowledges of students in English and Economics. The services lasted for more than a decade.

CURRENT STATUS OF MI’65 MEMBERS

After 40 years, we are now here engaged in a bold attempt to know more about us. Here are something current we know about our class.

Out of the 378 members, we have learned 278 (74%) are still living, 33 (9%) are dead, and status of 65 (17%) are still unknown. At least 230 (79%) are known to be married based on what they reported to our database. Assuming those who did not report on their wives or husband are single, then we have about 80 (21%) more unmarried classmates. This could be less.

In 1965, all members of the Class were residing in Meycauayan and neighboring towns situated in the province of Bulacan. In a span of 40 years, watch out how they spread to different geographic locations.

Out of the 278 living located, 56 (19%) are now living abroad with 31 residing in USA, 14 in Canada, 6 in Australia, 2 in Guam, one in Italy, one in Mexico, and another believed to be in The Netherlands.

Two hundred twenty four (81%) are still in the Philippine where 74 of whom remain in Meycauayan, 44 in Bocaue, 25 Marilao, 19 in Valenzuela City, and 17 in Sta. Maria. There are about 33 now residing in Metro Manila (19 Valenzuela City residents included), two in Guiguinto, two in Pampanga, and one in each of the following places:

Cagayan De Oro City; Norzagaray, Bulacan; Calumpit, Bulacan; Naguilian, Launion; Antipolo City; Malolos City; Bulan, Sorsogon; Talisay, Cebu; Pandi, Bulacan; San Jose Del Monte; Gen. Natividad, Nueva Ecija; Daet, Camarines Norte; San Pablo, Laguna; Davao City; Orani, Bataan; Sta. Cruz, Laguna; and Gen. Santos City.

Conclusion

In one web page, we have given you a deeper insight about the class’ school, education, influences, and current marital status and geographic distribution. This is not the end, our story is still unfolding. For the benefits of our children and grandchildren, we don’t intend to cease giving you information about us – The Meycauayan Institute Class of 1965.

Stay tuned.

*(Most of the historical accounts about our internal high school education were taken from - A Glimpse of Our High School Life by Teodora Ramos MI’65 published in "The Bamboo", the school's annual publication).