F. G. Calderon High School is my Alma Mater. It used to be one of Arellano University's branches, which produced its first batch of graduates in 1952. It only lived for 44 years, with its last batch in 1996. I was among the 1964 graduates.
There never was any alumni homecoming initiated by the school till in the eighties, when a group of Calderonians, (that's how we call ourselves), conceptualized and started one. Prime movers were Melencio Santos, Rogelio Tupas, Dominador Badoria, Elias Trinidad and Ruben Sequitin, who now have their addresses in Heaven. Together with them were spouses Harry and Tess Vitalli, Alexander Cabral and Josefino Elipse, who made possible the gathering at the Philippine Racing Club (PRC) Social Hall in March, 1987--which turned their sad graduation "goodbyes" years back to sweet reunion "hellos.
Inspired by the success of the first get-together, batches 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1965 made a second round of sweeter "hello's" in August of the same year at the school campus. It was such a big accomplishment! Imagine, two meetings in a row within the same year! Yet sad to say, that second just became its last! But not with a "group" which regularly met during birthdays yearly in February, May and July to nourish the renewed friendships. Christmastime would also allow them to meet, eat and continue reminiscing high school days. And one memorable day, moments were spent singing, eating, swimming and just chatting after touring the Clark Air Base where Edgar T. Elona from Batch 65 (a member of the "group") was then the Wing Commander and Mayor of the Air Force City.
Subsequent reunions were mostly called by the Arellano Univeristy Alumni Association for all colleges and high school branches where only very few Calderonians joined. One was held in Club Filipino in 2002 where then Col. Edgar T. Elona (Batch '65) became one of the recipients of the MOST OUTSTANDING ALUMNI award. That same night, Col. Elona, Remedios Gloria-Amurao and Romeo Yap, agreed to organize the F. G. Calderon Alumni Association under the guidance of two energetic faculty alumni: Lorna Montalvo and Lumen Garvida-Cruz.
With Edgar at the helm of the FGCHS Alumni Association, the first official homecoming was launched at the A. Mabini High School on December 6, 2003. Thereafter, regular reunions ensued, with the ninth scheduled on December 10, 2011 at the Amnesiac Grill in Malate, Manila.
Truly, sad "goodbyes are not forever. And reunions are sweet "hellos" to renew friendships and acquaintances.
And one sweet truth is this: Even one life's goodbye would not mean an end to a relationship here on earth. We all will be seeing each other after each one's goodbye, where there will be no more tears nor pain but only eternal bliss in the presence of our God!. And the sweetest hellos will just be with our smiles for every soul reunited with the rest of God's family!
Life is begun with sweet hello
Until it's time for it to go
And when the Potter calls it a day
A sad goodbye will end the way.
"Goodbyes" are not meant to be forever
Though sadly it would seem they are
As thoughts of leaving continue to linger
Fear just won't be too far.
Yet there is hope in every ending
And perfect time for new beginning
God knows the best of everything
And "Hellos" are joyfully waiting!
To batch '64, see you on December 10!
Here are some high school and reunion photos. Just find yourself!
Here are some high school and reunion photos. Just find yourself!
Ms. Cruz and Rosalinda Aquitania-Caoile at its 2008 reunion
First year section one class under Mr. Constantino
Batch '64
Fourth Year Section One
Logarta, Aquitania, Saludes, Viclar, Cayetano, Elipse, Samonte
Christening of Ador Badoria's child in 1988 at the St. Andrew's Church
Batches '63, '64 and 65'
Offshoot of the first and second reunions in 1987
At the Clark Air Base, with our host, then Wing Commander, Col Edgar T. Elona PAF
Batches '63, '64 and '65 with high school teachers
Batch '64 at 2005 Reunion
And here are the latest photos taken on Feb. 25, 2012 when we treated treated our teachers to a lunch at Max's. Just click once the photo for full screen.
Find your face please....Click once for full screen.
Below was taken last Jan 24, 2012 at Harry and Tess' place at
BF Resort LPC.....a reunion after 4 years of absence of the Vitallis.
And here below is a remembrance of last Dec. 10, 2011 reunion at the Amnesiac Grill:
Below are shots taken during the internment of one of the prime movers of
reunions, Eleng Trinidad from Batch '64.
From left: Eleng's daughter Rosalie, Ms. Cruz, Rose, Eleng's daughter Natalie and Son-in-law.
