Sing-along: It's Just Another New year's Eve

Don't look so sad,
It's not so bad you know.
It's just another night,
That's all it is.

It's not the first,
It's not the worst you know,
We've come through all the rest,
We'll get through this.

We've made mistakes,
But we've made good friends too.
Remember all the nights we spent with them?
And all our plans,
Who says they can't come true?
Tonight's another chance to start again.

It's just another New Year's Eve,
Another night like all the rest.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
Let's make it the best.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
It's just another Auld Lang Syne,
But when we're through this New Year
You'll see, will be just fine.

We're not alone, we've got the world you know.
And it won't let us down, just wait and see.
And we'll grow old, but think how wise we'll grow.
There's more you know, it's only New Year's Eve.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
Another night like all the rest.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
Let's make it the best.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
It's just another Auld Lang Syne,
But when we're through this New Year,
you'll see, will be just fine.

Happy New Year, Kabatch!

A toast to everything that was in 2008!
A toast to those still to come in 2009!

No One Throws Away Memories

During the preparation for our 35th Grand Reunion, it was a welcome surprise to see batchmates still having their copies of the yearbook, high school pictures (mostly in black and white), and other paraphernalia. The yearbook especially was very useful in identifying and locating long-lost classmates. It was an ubiquitous fixture in every get-together we had and it never failed to cause laughter and smiles. During the reunion, ten copies of the yearbook were found at the NDDU storeroom and half of it were sold right away.

People who keep precious memories are often dismissed as sentimental fools. But as we come to a certain age when our mental recollection of people, events and places starts to fade and dim, these memories become valuable reminders of who we were, where we were, what we wore and ate, who we were with.

In these times when people are obsessed with the here and now, when today's trends are tomorrow's trash, memories serve as milestones which mark our life's journey. Memories are guideposts as we reflect on the life we have had. There are times when we have to dwell in the past to understand the present and to plan ahead. Memories are to be relished like homecooked meals our mothers served us. These memories are the stars that we forget to see while we are cursing the darkness around us. Surely, no one has a past so bleak that it is deemed better forgotten. One who has no use for memories must have amnesia! :)

The Hallmark card theme song said it right: No one throws away memories. There are memories that are forever etched in our hearts and minds. And our memories of the best years in high school are now enriched by recent memories of our 35th Grand Reunion.

See you in 2010! 37th ng '73!

Sing-along: Times of Your Life

Remember this song? As we welcome 2009, let us remember the times of our lives - happy or sad, eventful or boring, abundant or not, these are the times that define our lives.

Post Christmas get-together with Susan Nunez

The Golden Girls were invited by Kabatch Susan Nunez to a post-Christmas get-together at the Nunez Compound on December 27. (Left to right): Susana Verba, Rabia Batuwa, Susan Guatlo, Vickee Gonzaga, Susan Nunez, Cef Graciosa, Edna Sunga, Glyn Dumanig, Sonia Garcia and Gilda Bantawig.

Pose muna bago mag-exchange gifts

Vickee and Susan N. share cups of sparkling grape wine.
Gilda & Susan: Buti itong non-alcoholic grape wine, walang hangover.
Edna & Cef.

Photos by Gilda Bantawig

Metro Manila-based Kabatch Christmas Party at Muruve

The Golden Boys based in Metro Manila had their Christmas Get-together at Muruve on December 20.sMuruve Wine Cellar & Bistro

(Left to right) Demet Biadoma, Sam Pagdilao, Bong Cruz, Citoy Sarenas, Doc Wilson, Toto Soguilon, Eleazar Zetha and Dennis Nacua.

While everyone's dining, Bong is busy on the phone.Eleazar (kamay nya yang nagcocompute): Hmmm, madivay-divay na nga ang bill A round of Christmas smiles from our Metro Manila-based KabatchSammy: Bong, HRM graduate ka ba? Husay mo magserve ah.Doc Wilson & SammyPose muna tayo bago magpulutanDennis arrivesPulutan palang yanBong and Demet arriveDoc Wilson: Teka, nahilo yata ako sa dami ng wines dito
Toto: Tulo-laway na ako. Tikman na natin ang wines!
Bong: Naunahan ko na kayo! Pahingi nga miss.
Toto is in Wine Heaven :)Hmmm... may siyoktong at bahalina kaya dito?Toto: Tulo talaga laway ko!
Doc Wilson: Teka, may hankie ako dito.
Bong: In heaven there is no wine, that's why we drink it here.

Photos by Toto Soguilon & Citoy Sarenas

Maligayang Pasko, Kabatch '73!

Saan man tayo naroroon,
Malapit man o malayo,
Kapiling man ang pamilya o hindi,
Panatilihin nating masaya ang kapaskohan
dahil Siya'y isinilang alang alang sa ating lahat.

Manalangin tayo para sa isa't isa,
Para manatiling matatag ang ating pananalig
at pagmamahal sa kapwa.

Special Report from Evelyn Abueva

Mga kapatid..this is Evelyn Abueva in California blogging to you about the 4th annual Christmas Party of the Notre Dame of Gen Santos City Alumni Association,USA Southern California Chapter.

I was privileged to be invited to attend this party held on December 13 at the Heritage Park Community Center, 2900 South Brea Canyon Road,Diamond Bar, CA..

This is the 4th year celebration and luckily I had been to all 4 parties.What a wonderful feeling to be seeing the Damians last night, I saw familiar faces.
I was greeted by Edith Yumang Shermer, Elena Tingzon-Gonzales and Haydee Villanueva-Soto. Then a very pretty, charming lady was waving at me but I could not recognize her at first. And she said "hindi mo ako nakilala no?" Geeez, she's the sister pala of our kabatch Rowena Villanueva, Lavinia Villanueva of batch '72. Truly, she has not aged, still young looking, mapagkamalang 23 yrs old, no kidding!!!!

I saw and had a chit chat with Bing Lim-Villagante, Pet Lopez-Chiu, Eddie Lozano. Gosh sila lang ang mga kakilala ko doon (they're the only ones I know).

The food: Of course a party is not complete without the food. There was the traditional lechon, puto, cassava cake, biko and more -- very Filipino -- making me miss the Philippines

The Program: the audience was wowed by the performance of the chorale ensemble of Pinoy Christmas songs, a comical skit of adam and eve, santa distributing gifts to the children and gift giving, raffle prizes and yours truly was the first winner of the raffle drawn last night (lucky me..hehehehe) and then dancing.

Well, it was a night to remember, a night of Damians enjoying the spirit of family and togetherness during this Christmas season. Bye for now and merry Christmas to one and all!

ibing

For pictures of this party: just click on this

NDDU Annual Homecoming Dec. 13 2008

Golden boys and girls with their golden Sanmig lites

Kabatch Sonia with the Golden wives of Ranie Mullanida, Danny Sanchez & Ben Cabradilla

Back views of Gilbert & Cef

The Golden Boys with the ebola-reston-virus-free lechon courtesy of newly-promoted Kabatch Lt. Col. Desiderio Alaba. Lechon service by Kabatch Doods Absin

Kabatch Violy Lopez (in baby blue blouse) catered the feast

Photos by Glyn Dumanig

Get-together in Salome's father's wake

Photos by Glyn Dumanig