CMHS Batch '81

We are non-sectarian, non-religious organization.

FIRST FAMILY ang FIRST PRIORITY.

When I see cats just lying around I take their picture. Ayahay tan awon.

My apo while we were in Cebu. Not in this pix are Edmund, Ace, Gavin and latest addition Zethy and EJ. They are my priceless treasures! I love them all.

With Florpina Barabat Galay – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉

With Josie Cortez – I'm on a streak! I've made it onto their weekly engagement list 5 weeks in a row. 🎉

Travails of a High School Batch President

I'd been longing to write this essay so here it goes!

When our Alma Mater Carmona Municipal High School held an election for Batch 1980-1981 I plead for my schoolmates to vote for me (I needed to score in my extra-curricular to graduate as Valedictorian). I was voted.

Fast forward we were able to hold our 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th anniversaries under my helm with full support from core members who contributed their time, effort, and selfless dedication each time we plan to celebrate.

Our 30th Batch Reunion resulted in losing my job at the Shangrila showroom. It was a time when you get lost to the everyday preparation traveling from Caloocan to Cavite in joining the meetings. That was our 30th Pearl Anniversary- the most colorful and complete reunion in terms of logistics and participation. That was the time when friendships were glued and remained cohesive at this point.

Social media played a part in communicating with our batchmates based abroad. I asked for them to voluntarily contribute and they responded affirmatively. Those who cannot afford to pay the amount due per head they absorbed. The invitation tickets were generously donated by Carla Martinez-Sandejas distributed by going house to house to our batchmates. Encouraging everyone to attend is a tedious process because some are not willing to attend due to financial challenges. We tell them that all they need to do is to attend even if they don't pay. The venue was scouted at Calamba and transportation via bus was provided by Susan Sevillo-Enriquez and Maximo Acbay. There was even a promotion via DZBB at Quezon City where Susan Enriquez was the host of the said radio program. My family hosted a simple lunch at Tala, Caloocan to those who joined.

Elmer Mojica donated our green t-shirts. Before the main event, we held a mass to commemorate those who passed on and their families were given a small token. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Rhouel Castañeda. Teachers and batchmates were in attendance.

A motorcade was held a week before our reunion and a boodle fight followed afterwards at the residence of Marcelino Bobot Capanayan.

We arrived at the Calamba venue around 3pm and started decorating the place with banderitas, put on the drapes, tarpaulins, and practised our hand-shaking (which up to this time remained as the highlight of every reunions). Similar to when volleyball players do their high fives- our hand-shaking, kissing, hugging are part and parcel of the activity as a sincere way of reconnecting to everybody. Two vertical lines are formed, at the center are our teachers; those in the first line do the handshaking, kissing, hugging toward those in the center and second line. Once they reach their place they do the handshaking with those in their own line, the teachers as well, and the other line. We may be sitting side by side in one table without reconnecting but through this activity it's like an ice-breaker.

The 30th Pearl Anniversary was the grandest we have ever celebrated.

Even if I lost my job it was worth it. One of our teachers Mrs. Welmie Vargas-Dilla said that she has attended many reunions in well-known schools but none matched ours.

It was a bar that we tried to scale.

Our 35th was a Throwback Reunion wherein we donned our high school uniform- white blouse and maroon skirt (woven by Irenea Quijano) financed by Manny Oesmer Camba.

Manny and Elmer were chosen as Presidents because I have to beg off.

Being a President is a thankless job and I fear losing my work again should I continue to preside.

There was the pandemic and everything was on a standstill.

I prodded Elmer Mojica to hold the 45th Sapphire Reunion originally set for Nov. 7, 2026 to give those abroad time to come and join. It was not to be because they want it to be held as early as possible. It was successfully held last April 26, 2026 at the OSCA Bldg located at the Carmona Park. One of the highlights was a video message by esteemed Mr. Jose Butch Dalisay author of "Why attend our 45th High School reunion".

Seeing those happy, beautiful faces once again in our sixties reminds us that we are so lucky to be in attendance and we will look forward to our Golden anniversary in 2031!

God-willing, we will see each other again.

Congratulations CMHS Batch '81!

With Sonia Juane – I'm on a streak! I've been a top fan for 4 months in a row. 🎉

Good read good food.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CCY6EB1Ah/

Created by Manny Oesmer Camba President of our CMHS Batch '81

Deepest condolences po sa mga naulila ni M8 Medardo (Toto) Tenedero. Rest in peace Toto.