UST's 400 year  or Quadricentennial celebration ended with a big bang literally last Jan.  27 with a pyro-musical presentation. As the university's quadricentennial ended, the  count down to 500 years or neo-centennial officially begins.

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Our alma mater is celebrating its neo-centennial with a series of activities starting from Jan. 20.  Then on Feb. 4, 2012 we will have the annual  UST High School Grand Alumni Homecoming (USTHS GAH)  at Plaza Mayor & Benavides Garden starting at 5pm.  Our batch president, Bebet Gozun is requesting those who are attending the USTHS GAH to kindly inform her by email at bggozun@gmail.com .  We need a show of hands so that the   necessary arrangements can be made.

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Dec. 21, 2011 - Our condolence to our batchmate Louie Acal Novenario and her family on the death of their brother Eduardo De Vera Acal.  Ed was also a UST High School alumnus, batch 1971.  His remains lie at Holy Cross Mortuary, 5835 W. Slauson Ave., Culver City, CA.  Let us pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

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All information regarding the August 2012 USTHS Batch'68 Reunion in Chicago can now be seen in a separate webpage - 2012 USA-Chicago Reunion which can be found under the Activities menu bar.

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Dec. 3, 2011 - SoCal group has been busy making every effort to get together to create happy memories. Bing Macavinta has shared with us a video she has made that chronicles the various get-togethers of the group. For details and pictures, visit our Activities Abroad Webpage.

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Nov. 20, 2011 - Batch'68 Christmas Party will be held on Friday, Dec. 2 at the Katipunan Room, Quezon City Sports Club, E. Rodriguez Ave., Q.C. from 7pm onwards.  Please bring an exchange gift worth at least PhP200. NO FEE WILL BE COLLECTED but YOUR PRESENCE IS NEEDED. Attire: Casual clothes in RED or GREEN. We will have fun with games, singing and of course, dancing!!!  Don't miss the fun.... come and join your batch mates. 

Quoted hereunder is the letter-invitation of Bebet Gozun, Batch President, re our Christmas Party:

"November 15, 2011

Dear USTHS ’68 Batchmates,

Let’s celebrate this Christmas season with a batch get together on Friday, December 2, 2011 at the Katipunan Room of the Quezon City Sports Club, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. The party will start at 7:00pm. No fee will be collected. Everyone is encouraged to be in casual wear (with something red or green, in keeping with the season) and to bring along something for our exchange gift worth at least P200.00. Batchmates can bring along someone else - husband, wife, child or significant other. Let’s have fun – singing and dancing. We will also have some games and a raffle and hope that everyone will go home with a raffle prize.

Please pass this message on to other batchmates you are in contact with.

To guide us in the preparations, please confirm with Ed Alimagno at 09172433950 or 09209707374, with my staff, Babes Ancheta, or with me through 09175305854, 5020374 or by email at bggozun@gmail.com.

Looking forward to seeing you on December 2.

Sincerely,

Bebet Gillera Gozun
Batch President
 

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Nov. 20, 2011 - Once more, our reliable designated SoCal correspondent, Bing Macavinta shared the  SoCal Group's  third get together this year  at the residence of Gus and Gwen Estrada in Carson. For details and pictures, visit our Activities Abroad Webpage.

Oct. 25, 2011 - Our condolence to Dolly Sabas and her son on the death of our classmate Ponciano "Jun" Sabas last Sunday Oct. 23, 2011 in California.  According to his widow, Dolly, Jun was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009 and was given 18 months to live. The 18th month came and passed last February 2011 and Jun was just living on borrowed time. He peacefully passed away last Sunday and as per his wishes, his remains were to be cremated and buried in the Philippines.  The family opted no to have any viewing.  

Let us all pray for the  eternal repose of the soul of Jun, and let us also include in our prayers  his loved ones whom he had left behind.

Sept. 26, 2011 - Bing Macavinta has  uploaded an online survey for 2012 Chicago Reunion.  Kindly take the time to fill up the survey to help the organizers plan out the activities for the 2012 reunion. (Note: Don't forget to click the Done button at the bottom of the survey form so your response can be processed.) Thanks.

Sept. 18, 2011 - Our condolence to  Mila Ramirez and her children on the death of our classmate Al  Ramirez last Sept. 14, 2011.  We pray that God will welcome Al into His kingdom.  We also pray for the family he left behind that God will give them the hope and strength to face their life ahead despite the absence of Al. 

The viewing of Al's remains will be on Sept. 20, 2011 (Tuesday) from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Missions Hills Catholic Mortuary located at 11160 Stranwood Ave., Mission Hills, CA 91345 with contact no. (818)361-7387.  Requiem Mass and Burial will be on Sept. 21, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.

Quoted hereunder is the obituary for Al posted at  Alfredo Fajardo Ramirez Obituary - Mission Hills Catholic Mortuary:

"Alfredo Ramirez's greatest success in life is the life he led with his wife of 43 years Mila Ramirez. Together they had two sons Hector and Ronald and four grand children Benjamin, Abigail, Riley and Emily. Those who were fortunate to come into contact with him (Family or Friend) would define Al as fun, caring, loving and generous.

Al spent the last three years battling Myeloma Cancer before finally succumbing to his disease on September 14th. Though Al may not walk with us on this Earth his spirit forever lives on in the lives he has touched."

Al studied at UST High School up to his junior year.  He has been a regular attendee of some of the gatherings of our SoCal Batch.  Bing shared with us some of the photos of the SoCal group with Al.

June 23, 2011 - Our condolence to our batchmate Plut Cardenas and his wife Perlie on the sudden demise of their 24-year old son, Pernell last June 21 (Tuesday).  His remains lie in state at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Sucat, Paranaque, and interment is scheduled on June 25 (Saturday).

We are reproducing below the email sent by Odette last June 21, regarding the details of the death of Plut's son:

"Early this morning, I got the sad news that Plut's second son was found dead at 6 am. At first Plut told a batchmate na "bangungot" because his brother died of that at age 34. But Bebet and I found out , Pernell had a cardiac arrest at 3 a.m. . Plut woke him up at 6 , the usual time he wakes him up to get ready for work. He had been dead since 3 am. His stomach was not full.

 Plut and Pernell went to work and back home together everyday. Last Saturday, he gave Plut a surprise 60th birthday party in the neighborhood. Then on Sunday (Father's day), he went to mass and received holy communion with Plut. After that they went to lunch and watched a movie.

He was due to leave for Singapore to work there as a computer engineer. He is 24 years old.  Pernell often accompanied Plut to our batch reunions, and ended being the instant photographer for the night.
He was an outstanding and loving son.

His wake is at Loyola chapel in Sucat, Paranaque. He will be buried on Saturday, June 25, 2011 near their home in San Pedro.  Let us all pray for his eternal rest with His Creator but most of all let us pray for his loved ones whom he had so suddenly left ." - Odette Wallace

SoCal Gathers for their Spring GTG

May 31, 2011 - Bing Macavinta shared the SoCal Group's  first get together this year  at the Felsher's Residence (nee Rosario Cosico) last Saturday, May 21st.  For details and pictures, visit our Activities Abroad Webpage.

May 17, 2011 - Joey Bote is inviting  Batch'68 to the wedding of his son, Jerome Bote, tomorrow, May 18,  3:00 p.m. at Mt. Carmel Church in Quezon City, with reception to follow at Q.C. Sports Club.  Joey said you may come anytime.  Reception is expected to start at around 6:00 p.m.  Kindly get in touch with Joey to confirm your attendance at +639224722841.

May 1, 2011 - Plans for the 3rd USTHS'68 USA Reunion to be held in Chicago in 2012 are under way.  Batchmate Bing Macavinta, the USA Reunion Chairperson, in her email below, reminds everyone to take part in this memorable event.

"Dear fellow batch mates,

I can't believe that we are heading to our 3rd USA Reunion.  Our Chicago reunion committee IS working very hard to make this, another memorable event.  I hope that you will seriously consider making this one, IF you have missed the Las Vegas or the New York ones.  Those who have attended can attest that it was worth the time & expense. The website has been created, so that you can now mark your calendar to help plan ahead.  As more information becomes available, updates will be posted and you will also meet our Chicago Organizer Team soon :)
 

Please bookmark the website
 

2012 CHICAGO REUNION

http://usths-usa.mogdi.com/2012ChicagoReunion/


2010NEW YORK REUNION

http://mogdi.com/usths-usa/2010NYC/Manhattan1.html


2008 LAS VEGAS REUNION

http://mogdi.com/usths-usa/The2009usaReunion.html

All the best!

Bing Macavinta
USA Reunion CHAIR

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Feb. 1, 2011 - A day after the culminating activity of UST's Quadricentennial Celebration, USTHS Batch'68 held its annual reunion last January 29, 2011 at Club Mwah   an entertainment theater and bar in Mandaluyong City.   The affair was well attended.  Everyone enjoyed  the elaborate dance/musical show featuring gay dancers resplendent in their costumes reminiscent of Les Folies Bergere.  Several batchmates took to the dance floor and showed their dancing skills throughout the night.  We want to thank the organizers led by our batch President Bebet Gozun for their tireless efforts in making the evening possible, and of course, to all the batchmates who attended, Maraming Salamat sa inyong lahat.

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Jan. 31, 2011 - Thousands of students, alumni, and faculty from different parts of the world trooped to the UST Plaza Mayor last Jan. 28, 2011 to attend the thanksgiving mass and dinner which culminated the university's quadricentennial celebration.  The crowd was estimated at around 100,000.00.  Hundreds of bishops and priests led by  Cardinals Gaudencio Rosales and Ricardo Vidal,  and the entire membership of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, a majority of whom are UST alumni concelebrated the high mass  with the papal legate, Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski.  One of the highlights of the evening was the apostolic blessing given by Pope Benedict XVI   via video.  At the bidding of Fr. Rector Rolando Dela Rosa, the multitude of attendees then lighted their candles, a symbol of being light of the world like “the Star of Bethlehem that led everyone to Jesus our Lord” and “to renew their Thomasian vow to spread the light and be the light of the world.”  Batch'68 was ably represented in the event by several batchmates led by our President, Bebet Gozun.

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Jan. 26, 2011 - Bing Macavinta prepared a video tribute to our departed batchmates in time for our Batch'68 reunion this Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011.  Thanks a lot Bing for the very touching tribute.

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Jan. 24, 2011 - We are reproducing the letter from our Batch President, Bebet Gozun re Batch'68 Reunion and other activities for UST's QuadCen celebration:

"Dearest Batchmates,

In just 7 days, we will once again have our Batch Reunion. As planned, this is being held as a back to back celebration to our Alma Mater's 400 years Quadricentennial Celebration. It will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 6:00PM in Club Mwah, Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City. Aside from our program (with games, singing and dancing) and buffet dinner, we will watch a show which is a la Las Vegas and Broadway with some comedy (from 9:30PM to 11:00PM). After the show, back to dancing tayo and the closing program. we know that you will enjoy it. More importantly, it's a great time to reconnect with one another, reminiscent about our high school days together and just celebrate life.

Registration will start at 6:00PM promptly. casual wear lang tayo and there is no fee at all. The Organizing Committee is raising funds to cover the entire event. I am preparing a map which I will send in a little while.

The entire place is exclusive to us from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. They will then open the doors to the public for the show. However, our batch will continue to occupy the whole ground floor.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 09175305854 or email.

For those coming from abroad, do let us know that you are arriving and when. if possible, also send us your contact details in manila.

By the way, we will also join the Qaudricentinnial Mass and Grand Celebration at the Plaza Mayor, UST campus (in front of main building facing Espana). Tickets are available at Ticketnet at P1,590. We already have tables 130 and 131. For those joining their college groups or relatives, do drop by sa Tables ng Batch 68.

On February 5, we will also join the USTHS Grand Alumini Homecoming. We need to know how many are coming for this so we can already get the tickets. It will also be in Plaza Mayor with tickets at P1,200 +.

We are looking forward to seeing you next Saturday.

Warmest regards,
Bebet"

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Plenary Indulgence & Message From Pope For Attendees Of Quadcen Mass On Jan 28, 2011

The following is a message from UST Fr. Rector Rolando Dela Rosa, OP:

1) The Vatican has granted the University the privilege of an Apostolic Blessing and Plenary Indulgence in commemoration of the Quadricentennial. All those who will attend the Quadricentennial Mass on the 28th will receive this apostolic blessing and plenary indulgence. Isn't that great? The plenary indulgence carries with it a total absolution of sins. Being a sinner, I shall certainly attend that mass.

2) The Pope has acceded to our request that he send us a special video of himself giving a Papal address and blessing to all Thomasians gathered together on the 28th. This video will be shown during the Mass.

3) The Mass will be a spectacle of sorts, with more than 100 bishops attending, more than 350 priests, and thousands of Thomasian students, alumni, faculty members, and employees. It would be wonderful for all of us to see the multitude of Thomasians gathered in one place.

UST HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC.
 

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Hereunder is the schedule of UST Quadricentennial Events.  Batch'68 get-together will be held on January 29 (Saturday) at Club Mwah in Mandaluyong from 6:00 p.m. onwards.

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