Dec. 3, 2011 - SoCal group has been busy making every effort to
get together to create happy memories. As 2011 winds down to an end, here is
a video that chronicles those happy memories either welcoming a visiting
batch mate or simply spending time as a family.
- Bing Macavinta
Nov. 20, 2011 - As a group, we do our best to meet up as many
times as possible. It is a little bit of a challenge to block off a date on
our calendar to make it happen. But we make it happen :). This is our
3rd GTG for the year as we wind down 2011 with our 1st Dinner-Dance
Christmas Party on Dec. 3rd. It goes without saying that batch of '68 is all
invited!
Gus Estrada & his charming wife, Gwen, hosted it at their lovely home in
Carson. The pictures tell it all! Leenda Yu from Manila graced our party for
the 2nd time (1st one was in 2010, same month too). We added a new member as
well, Ruby Ramos! Most surprisingly, Andring Maranan of NY, Enrie Samson-
Sabio, Louie Acal- Novenario & husband, Lestie from NorCal traveled afar to
join us. What a Party!!!!!
We'll try to repeat these gatherings in 2012. And of course, many of us are
attending the 2012 Chicago Reunion, so we'll be around in the Social Media
scene a lot ;) That is the dictate of our times and hoping many of us will
try to get caught up with it :), so we can remain connected (virtually.)
SoCal team in attendance: Bing Macavinta, Gus Estrada (Gwen), Leda Reyes-
Alesna, Chat Cosico- Felsher, Rose Labarda- Aquino (Manny), JV Omana
(Evelyn), Linda Ocampo- Espejo, Ruby Ramos, Junnie Navarro, Peter So, Cesar
Balbontin (Lynne), Cory Gillera, Ernie Morales (Joy Villavicencio- Roque),
Rosen Carpio (John Michael), Leslie Largada (came late). -
Bing Macavinta
May 31, 2011
- "SoCal Group finally got together again since our Christmas Party @ The
Felsher's Residence (nee Rosario Cosico) last Saturday, May 21st.
It was timely too for birthday celebrations for Rose Labarda- Aquino, whose
birthday it was; Linda Ocampo- Espejo's on the 25th & Bert Felsher's last
May 9th. After having it cancelled once, everyone was so excited to see one
another again. We did miss Cory Gillera though, who was unable to join us
this time :(
As usual, it was a delightful & crazy event. What with JV Omana, Cesar
Balbontin & Gus Estrada, who are all the life of the party on their own -
that's
a triple doze of continuous giggling & laughter.
Bert (Chat or Chayong's hubby,) is and has always been really a great
trooper. Chat prepared ALL the food. It was a combo of Filipino & Kosher @
brunch; then, a Mexican Theme for dinner. With a great menu and "to-go"
after, you could have not asked for more . She is an absolute "ayornchefchat"
!
This was the first for The Felshers to host. Their home is up on a high hill
in Rancho Palos Verdes looking over the Pacific. What a view, even with the
haze that afternoon! You could see the Trump International from a distant
below touching the ocean.
A number of us later decided to go to the Alpine Village, a German locale,
which was some 13 miles away, where the Filipino band, "Bits N Pieces" was
playing. That was an enjoyable evening, where we were able to burn off some
of those great calories we just had, dancing to band's great music
of our times.
We do our best to meet up as
often as possible. Next one will be in the Summer - August 6th :).
Pictures have been uploaded to Facebook. But here are a few pictures that
we want to share with the rest (who are not
on FB).
Lastly, we are very grateful to the warm hospitality of Bert & Chat Felsher
:). Thank you Bert & Chat !" - Bing
Macavinta
Dec. 12, 2010 - We have not seen each other since 1968 and it all
started this way ... I sent an email to Soc Reyes (now Swinford) which I got
from her Profile on our web site. Asked if I could give her a call and she
responded and suggested that we meet. A few weeks after, I got an email from
Danny Dinio. He called Soc, again information on my email address and Soc’s
phone number taken from our group’s web site (Thanks – Lorna and Albert).
Our group, borrowing words from Danny, just grew by a whopping 50% on that
day (from 2 to 3). Danny suggested getting together sometime. The date, time
and place were arranged, 7 pm December 10 at the McCormick & Schmick Seafood
Restaurant. I arrived around 6:45. I saw a young handsome looking man and he
asked “Manny?”. And I said “Danny!”. Then we saw a beautiful lady walking in
and I asked Danny “Si Soc ba yun?” He responded “Oo yata.” I raised my hand
and she smiled at us, hugged, and the evening began. We talked about our
memories and music, like the corners of our minds, high school days ...
which brought the three of us to 42 years back. Plans even beyond seeing
each other again were hatched. It was great seeing again two batchmates
after decades, both working for two of Washington’s giants, Soc from
Microsoft (that was why I refrained from talking about my IPad) and Danny
from Starbucks (I told him I drink a lot of coffee). The first meeting was a
major major breakthrough. We parted around 9:30 pm with plans of meeting
again soon. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All!!! -
Manny Aquino
L-R: Soc Reyes Swinford, Danny Dinio & Manny Aquino
Nov. 1, 2010
- Last Oct. 30,2010, the NorthEast Group, who successfully organized
the 2010 NYC Reunion had a post-reunion meeting at the residence of Jolly &
Estelita Canlas. The group had a post-assessment of the 3-day NYC
reunion held last Oct. 8-10, 2010 where the treasurer's report was
presented. They also took the opportunity to view photos and videos of
the reunion. Present were Michael Mendonez Jr., Andring Maranan, Tim
Mendonez, Joey Bote, Rey & Mel Protacio, Anita Viri Pazcoquin, Gemma Galeon
Reich and the hosts, Jolly & Estelita Canlas.
Click here to view a photo slideshow of the pictures of
the post-reunion gathering;
2010 NYC Post-Reunion>>>>
The 3-day
2010 Reunion of USTS'68 held from October 8-10 in New York City was a
resounding success thanks to the efforts of our NorthEast Group batchmates
led by Michael Mendonez Jr. as Chairperson and Andring Maranan as
Co-Chairperson. Andring generously opened his house as sleeping
quarters for some batchmates and as staging area for the many gatherings
leading to the grand reunion . For pictures, videos and message of the
chairperson detailing the 3-day event, please visit our 2010 New
York Reunion Webpage.
April 27, 2010 - "Merle, Anita and
Joji met for dinner in Secaucus, NJ last Jan 2010. We chatted into the
night, 30 minutes past the restaurant's closing time." -
Joji Pangilinan Linan
April 4, 2010 -
We received word from Gurmel Singh that he was in Colorado last month during his
wife's conference with A.O.R.N. Congress in Denver. He was able to link up
with Robert De Dios who is residing in Denver together with his wife and 3 kids
(Joshua - 3 yrs old, Christian 10 yrs. old and Crystal 13 yrs. old. ) Here
are some pictures shared by Gurmel:
Gurmel and Robert - taken at the U.S. Air Force Academy in
Colorado Springs
Robert with his wife and youngest kid - Joshua, 3 yrs. old.
Feb. 17, 2010
- "My
wife, my son and I visited my daughter who lives in San Jose during this
past Valentine weekend. One of the reasons for this trip was to meet a long
lost good friend and batchmate, Sylvia Javier-Guanlao (thanks to Mel Singh).
Sylvia is the spouse of my high school best friend, Nandy Guanlao, who
passed away in 1997. I have encouraged her to submit her profile on our
website so all our batchmates who wish to reconnect and reminisce good old
memories can easily locate her. We had a good time exchanging memorable
notes. She even brought with her an album of Nandy which she compiled from
his childhood until their happy days here in the U.S. I have attached some
photos of her with my family. Please welcome Sylvia to our USTHSBatch68
group. Her email address is
guanlao_s@yahoo.com . Thanks to all." -
MannyA
(Note: Sylvia's profile is already posted in our
Profiles
page.)
SoCal Gathers for their Spring GTG
