Tribute to batch 2005

Tribute to my schoolmates

By GREGORIO F. PORNILLOS JR

13^TH COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

“The most valuable things in life are not measured in monetary terms.

The really important things are not houses and lands, stocks and bonds,

Cars and luxuries--- but FRIENDSHIPS, trust, confidence, empathy, mercy, love and faith.

To our treasured families and parents, my co-graduates, schoolmates, friends, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant afternoon to each and everyone of us.

My hand salutes to the excellence and prestige we garnered in the portals of our pride, our Alma Mater, the Holy Child Educational Center. My heart jumps with overflowing gratefulness because of some memorable events and unforgettable people whom I owe my life to – my classmates and schoolmates. Without them, I will never proudly speak before you all. Most of all, my whole being subsists knowing for a fact that I have lived and survived because of some great people around.

J How could I ever forget Reymark, the chessmaster/ John Carlo, the motocross prince/ Greg & Jehan, the sportsmen for all season/ Gwyllen and Jeric, the performing arts authority/ Lyle, Seth, CJ and EJ, the basketball court kings/ ShanaLou, the crush ng bayan/ Jemyr, the Dart specialist/ Eos, the model HCECian/ Lean, the science whiz/ Gideon and Karl Chester , the dancing kings/ Regin, the most behaved boy in class/ Linus, the great artist/ Jan-jan, the icebreaker. Sure, it will be hard to forget that at times, we turn our classroom into a mini-zoo, playfully teasing even our own selves.

Together, we shall savor the real virtues of humility and prudence as we become bona fide achievers of fruitful endeavors truly passed on to us by our beloved mentors of this famous institution of learning. This gesture of tribute for all of us will always be cherished as priceless legacies that we shall carry on towards investment of qualitative pursuit for our dreams and ambition in our chosen world of fortune and fame.

J Indeed, it is not hard to picture , that two decades from this moment we will be successful in our chosen careers… savoring the hard-earned titles like Dr. Joshua San Juan, Dr. Jhav Valencia, Dr. Dominic Solares, Dr. Zaleen Besinio,Dr. Mary Bernadette B. Niosco, Dr. Monica Noble,Dr. Renalyn A. Catimbang or Dr. Eloisa Felipe. Wouldn’t it be just great to receive postcards coming from nurse Michelline in Canada, nurse Maryemma in London, nurse Jessamine in Saudi Arabia, Nurse Inna in New York, nurse Stephanie in Singapore, nurse krizella in Texas or nurse Karizza in California?

J I wonder also how it would feel to be in the class of the Physics professor Mael Pili, or in the sala of Judge Zazza Simbulan with Atty. Kia Astive and Atty Issa Pontanal looking on, or to be in the world class restaurant of chef Andrique Regino, or to shop in the chains of stores owned by Micah, Janel, Gene Rose , Danica and Khim, or to chat with stewardesses Ria, Kathleen, Linda and Melanie while I’m in one of my trips abroad or simply to listen to another KC Pornillos’ and Ace Mereria’s chartbusters.

J The future seems brighter with the thought that I can consult Accountants Florife, Jayson and Marianne financially, Exercise masters Ariane, Sherina, jan Nelson and Kevin physically, and Fr John Paul, Fr. Paul nichol, Fr. Jerome and Fr. John Roel spiritually, or maybe consult Dr. Aron Caringal mentally?

As we leave the treshold of our Alma Mater towards a new adventure, for I will be at the Philippine Science HighSchool at Goa, where yours truly and three others will hurdle University of the Philippines’ branch at Dilliman , Quezon City, let us not forget to thank people whose exerted efforts and values shared can never be compensated. Dear schoolmates and classmates, we shall then convey our pledge of industry and undying perseverance to a commitment of continuous success and worthy achievements. With our outstanding labor of love and sacrifices—the partnerships for nation building and history making—together we make things happen with a lot of difference.

J And speaking of making a difference, there are people whom I would like to thank for their impact in my life, Marck Cabrera Jan Bernad and Mervin, for your patience/ Melvin, Erwin and Mark Anthony, for refusing to give up and give in/ and to my best friend, Francis Angelo H. Nadal, for being there even during the toughest times of my life.

This memorable commencement of the concerted efforts of our loved ones and our distinguished mentors—God’s genuine instruments of what we are in the past, present and in the future---shall be our inspiring spirits ascertaining our progressive status in life.

The sure fire formula of success is to surround yourselves with people smarter than we are. Congratulations! Good luck, More power and God Bless us all… Long live, BATCH 2005!

Directly written by AUNTIE JUDY T. OÑATE for Jr Pornillos

co-written by mgrj3/30/2005

class prophecy of 2006

CLASS PROPHECY

BATCH 2006

To see a world in a grain of sand, And heaven in a wild flower,

To hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour.

William Blake

One particularly chilly morning, I came to with a strange buzzing in my head. Struggling through the mist of oblivion, I groggily looked for the source of the annoying sound and almost jumped out of my boxer shorts when an electrostatically muffled voice chirped:

“Good morning Paul, this is your wake up call… May I remind you of your schedule. Today is February 17, 2026….

Ø 7:00 am-Breakfast meeting with Dr. Arianne Nagrampa and Dr. Freddie Morandarte at the ShangRi La.. bring your advance wedding present.

Ø 9:00 am- Lecture on Genetic Engineering at the University of the Philippines. Call Prof. Elcid Iyana and Prof Angeli Lanuza for updates in biosensors.

Ø 10:30 am – teleconference with Harvard Professors Marian Justine Yorobe, Prof. Michael Angelo Mallari and Prof. Ino Trinidad. Inquire about the status of their nobel prize winning (Genetically modified camote) GMO. Can it really resolve world hunger?

Ø 12:00 am- lunch with Fr. Angelo Baluyot and Sister Nikki Bearis. Hey, don’t forget your checkbook with your P100 000 donation.

Also – check your e-mail … more updates coming later.

The machine droned to a stop but I kept on staring at the offending gadget, unsure if it has broken down or I have just gone nuts! But wait! Since when did I acquire such a sophisticated gadget? That was when I took stock of my surroundings and I almost had a cardiac arrest….

I am in my room which is not quite my room! Strangely though, I felt as if I really belonged there. I’M SURE IT WAS MY ROOM because there was still my favorite autographed poster of Allen Iverson hanging on the wall beside the door.

Moving like an automaton, I explored my surroundings and saw more complex devices on every corner. My feet led me to the en suite bathroom and literally jumped when I caught my reflection on the mirror. I was staring at a taller version of my father! Getting more puzzled I went back to my room and saw another familiar thing: OUR FRAMED FAMILY SNAPSHOT ON THE NIGHTSTAND . ..but what a nightstand! It was a gleaming silver coated nightstand with a keypad!

Completely overwhelmed, I tentatively pushed a green button and whoa! the blank wall opposite my bed slid open to reveal a giant tv screen.

I was beginning to think that my eyes were playing tricks on me … are those actually Lisabel Fordan and Kevin Bregala on the screen? My suspicion was confirmed when the lady anchor spoke:

“Good morning Philippines, This is Lisa Fordan, once again, Kevin and I will be with you for an hour of news updates. Our headlines:

Ø Intercontinental business tycoon Marvin Añes and Miss Universe 2010 Clarice Trinidad announces their engagement

Ø Filipino Author JL Nazarrea wins the Pulitzer prize for his bestselling book about the life of the youngest trillionaire on earth: Dr. Mark Zain Serdan.

Ø International playboy and philantropist Zech Taburnal hailed Man of the Year by Asiaweek; his fiancée, Ms Zarah Prima also named Face of the Century by the same magazine

Ø Acclaimed Chemists Dr. Jimmy Morillo Jr, Dr. Kier Ian Saulon and Dr.Loraine Rada discovered the 150^th element: Mosalonium.

Ø Mountaineers Christian Philip Fibre , Ed Ashley Regino and Benson Bagacina successfully reaches the peak of Mt. Everest.

Ø Medical breakthrough: Biologists Dr. Hanna Faye Bailon and Dr. Michael Francia patented their cure for AIDS

Ø Filipino photographer John Roger Celada, wins the Nobel Peace prize for his inspiring photography of International model Elaine Prades.

Will this confusion never end? The commercial breaks were equally merciless….

…Imagine Clarizza Delta cortez ,Alexis Faye Deniña and Leira Ensano flashing confidently their white teeth while campaigning that “close up “ smile?

…or Clarissa Ling and Melissa Oida in chorus: Smart, simply amazing!

…or stewardesses Shenina Marie Cariño, Lea Hannah Amparado and Mary Antoneth Marmol promoting the Philippine Airlines?

…or supermodels Editha asence, Jennifer Espares and Mariz Gatdula advertising a commercial shampoo.

…there’s more to be said about features on the top five modern Filipinas : Atty Rachelle Bachiller, Dr. Christer villoso, Lt. Vanessa Grace Bagacina, Architect Mary Antonette Caceres and Engr. Shirl Vergara who are all successful in their chosen fields.

And then flashed the entertainment news:

Ø Marylyn Ampongan named female artist of the year for her hit single On Different Grounds composed by JM Zorilla

Ø PBA: Reymon Monay of Purefoods named MVP

Ø Tickets are out for the Supermegastar for all seasons Denisa Serranilla’s concert, featuring internationally acclaimed singer John James Marmol.

Ø Winners of Metro Manila Film Festival 2026 proclaimed:

o Best Actor: Roland Yuste

o Best actress: Arabelle R. Abenoja from the movie: Prudence by

o Best director: Gladys Noblefranca

o Best cinematographer: Wilson Paul Rañosa

Kevin, continued: “ We have our field reporter on the line. He’s at the Batasan complex covering the president’s state of the nation address. Kasamang Floyd , come in!

Floyd Arroyo? A field reporter? I was still shaking my head in amazement when I stared incredulously at the screen as more familiar faces leaped out: Floyd’s report gradually registered:

“…. At the batasan complex….. with Senators Edlimark Buñe, Press Secretary Floravelle Sombrero, Education secretary Beverly Atian, MMDA chairman Jinky Delle Solomo, Congresswoman Kristy Mae Figuracion, Judge Joanna Jean Marmol and Ambassador Mae Ann Azur….”

…” We have just received confirmation that President Dwight Garvy Tan is on his way. Meanwhile, maximum security is ensured by the team of General Ruben Bearis III, with the assistance of the PNP chief Elizabeth de Guzman seated next to the new world boxing champion : Vilbert Nadal.”

Now, I’m almost sure that I’ve lost my mind! There was an incessant ringing in my ears…the grounds are shaking and there was a loud banging in my head… the banging grew louder and louder as the ringing sound receded. Something is pulling my leg…. I realized soon enough that it was a somebody literally pulling my leg… who tries to wake me up … from a dream…

Yes, it was all just one dream… but it provided me a glimpse of what the future may hold … we are not sure of what the future may bring… but our dreams could take us there… dreams provide us the rare chance…

To see a world in a grain of sand,

And heaven in a wild flower,

To hold infinity in the palm of your hand,

And eternity in an hour.

Delivered by Adrian Paul Filio

Valentines Ball 2006

all rights reserved:mgrj,020506

091221: batch 2006

recall that each time i see you

i dare not blink an eye--

for fear that when i do

you will be out of sight.

recall that each word that you speak

haunts me in sad refrain--

i hear it whispered by the breeze

amidst the falling rain.

recall that when you pass me by

as though i don't exist--

makes me ask just what went wrong

what sins did i commit?

recall that when you glance my way

my heart goes overdrive--

you breathe existence to my world

you make me come alive!

recall that when you said the words

that poignant "goodbye."

you took the sunshine from my sky

can't even ask you , "why?"

moments we had , i'll not forget

come winter, spring or fall--

you brought all summers to my life

and that, I DO RECALL.

march 2006

betania retreat house

superbatch 2002

irene and ia, janice and josa

kathleen and martha, with paulyn and donna

can brighten the world so gloomy and blue

when sprinkled with the magic of jessa and marilou

mayrell and princess, sascha and ronaldo

tony and kim with dashes of franco

can take you to the nearest bright star

illumined with the fuel of a smile from reymar.

dave and carlos, cezar and patrick

could regale you with their mind so quick

joh and gianpaolo with a bit of seki

then livia and levi truly perfects your day.

karen (or gina?) then raiza and kerry

truly electrifies with their eyes so merry

joy and victoria with jaena and jean

you wouldn't believe it, could dance like a queen.

here comes rosario beside mae and paula

glistening like nymphs near flowerlike leda

brave soldiers like cesar, adrian and leo

wonders to behold abreast conrad and marlo.

superhuman 101, that describes our nikki

when aligned with forces of jahnsen and trophy

dan's full of tricks, what elese is new?

from daily comradeship with louis and andrew.

jarsi might leave and kenneth may go

may depart with ariel, meryl or whoever

but batch 2002 will leave indelible traces

that would stay in my heart, now and forever.

betania retreat house

march 2002

for the millennium graduates aka batch 2000

lingering moments

of should-be-forgotten-past

making me wish

yesterday, i was born

yearning for them to keep om

snatches of laughter

of shared thoughts and secrets

all too soon passed and gone

leaving naught but traces

of footprints on the sands of time.

how can i forget you?

when you haunt my reverie

plagues my solitary moments

triggered by places we've gone to

and by people whom we've met?

life has to go on, still a cliche'

i'd have to shut a chapter in my life

make way for the next treasured path

yet i know, you'll stay in my heart

i'll see you in the future, when time gets ripe.

photoplus, iriga city

1:40 am

5 april 2000