60th General Alumni Homecoming

Here are some of the pictures taken during our batch's latest get together. If you have pictures to contribute, you may add those in the yahoo group photos. Email moderator at cool_grads@yahoo.com

preparing for the motorcade

l-r: zamora, analee, jennelyn, karen, rufino, adelfa, sanelee

l-r: eduardo, lovely jane, rollen (with wife lorena)

l-r: analee, warlet, x2, rosie, evelyn, zamora, hazel
l-r: (anne, richard's wife) lovely jane, adelfa, richard

Wedding Album

breezing through college

December 199x at Rosalie Uriarte's ancestral house, Gurrea St.

December 1991 at Michelle Tumonong's ancestral house, Ogatis St.

Class Prophecy

"As we travel in time..."
by: Ma Carmela B. Valencia Class Salutatorian
It was a high noon of April 5, 2000 when a tranquil sound of a ringing telephone disturbed my miiday nap at my villa in the outskirts of France. Still irritated by the disturbance, I hesitatedly answered the UN's private phone.

Surely, it was a call from the UN headquarters in Netherlands, requiring me to report immediately. I was about to complain for I was still on vacation but the caller, Miss Nenita Trabadillo, the Public Relations Officer and Secretary of the UN Secretary General already put the receiver down. After all, as the UNICEF's chairman for Southeast Asia, I was still under the command of he UN Secrretary General, Rommel Pedrola, so I have to follow orders.

Packing my things, I was saddened by the fact that I'll miss the 2000 Olympic Games in Greece tomorrow because of an emergency mission. I'll be losing the chance to personally witness the kicks of football player Pete Yanson, the powerful serves of Lillibeth Gipanago, the herculean discus throwing strength of Junjun Amarante and the lightning sprints of Henry Villacojer.

My chaufeur drove me to the airport and I was given a seat by international stewardess Jenny May Poblete who was now engaged to Philippine Secretary of National Defense, General John Eden Torrecampo, Jr. She handed me a newspaper and my dozing appepite was gone when I read that painter Ma. Adelfa Samillano has just exchanged vows with Ryan Sanchez, the sole proprietor of Rysan perfumes.

Smiles got out of my lips when I read that an operation in Negros Occidental was in progress leaving many children homeless and were seeking refuge in La Carlota City, my hometown. My reading was disturbed when the plane encountered an air pocket causing the passengers with unfastened seatbelts to stumble. The pilot, airman Elrie Sario, informed us that everything is under control.

Within minutes, our plane landed on the grounds of Netherlands where an escorted Rolls Royce awaits me headed by the chief of the UN Security Council Christopher June Tampo and his wife, pilot nurse Jenn Mae de Paula.

tDuring the meeting, Secretary General Rommel Pedrola informed tha I will leave for La Carlota City to see the situation of children refugees renderred by the military operations in Negros Occidental. He told me thatI will be accompanied by the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Lloyd Sitchon and his wife, supermodel Michelle Tumonong. After a long discussionwe left for the Philippines the next day.

We arrived at NAIA where we were greeted by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, his excellencey, President Eduardo Arro, Jr. and his wife, human rights lawyer Mae Grace Nillos. After so much hugging and kissing, I board a plane bound to La Carlota City with AFP Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Joselito Nochepo and Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Hentjie Huilar.

In minutes, I was already inside the deluxe hotel of Guintubdan,known worldwide for its unique architectural design. The Guintubdan Hotel was owned by Engineer Ronnie Apolinario with lady pastor Jenena Cabrillos who also manages the retreat house. the hotel also offers excelled food cooked by internationally renowned chefs, Lovely Jane Limbo and Mary Cres Tenio. The hotel assures the customers not to worry of their fats because Miss Bodyshots Louela Acosta and Miss Universe Rosalie Uriarte run a health clinic with Dr. Pamela Grace Joseph as their head Physical Therapist. Besides, the hotel boasts that it is the hideaway place of NBI director Rayman Nillos and his wife, singer-model Eufemia Quitco.

Upon my arrival I tried to get my hands on the hotel's offers by having my early morning workout to start my day. It really perked up my day when I say April Joy Millarez with her husband, Judge Vincent Limsiaco on their yearly honeymoon. I also saw the president of the Central Bank Jerry Sia testing his muscles on the barbells with his wife, computer genius Cecile Artieda who was very heavy with their first child.

After breakfast, the three of us, Gen Nochepo and Secretary General Hentjie Huila headed to the City Hospital where the victims were brought. On our way in, I spotted ABS-CBN ace reporter Cyrille Bello who was among the scrambling reporters eager to get my attention. With all my efforts, I personally dragged her into the nurses' station for a statement. What a blessing when I saw Dr. Richard Ginete admitting his pregnant wife, nurse Jirah Amelo who was about to deliver their second born. From a distance, I recognized Prof Bernard PAblo accompanying his wife CI Janice Bello. From them I knew that Board Topnotcher nurse Leila Maquirang and business man Richardter Gumban will be married next month.

After our acquaintance I talked to the refugees and see the situation of children as I distribute their much needed supplies. It was a very tiring day taht I canot wait for my companies so I headed for the hotel alone. On my way, a big trunk of tree barricades the road and masked men encircled my vehicle. Someone got near me and let me smell something that I lost consciousness. Blindfolded, I was brought to a cave where a familiar voice dominates the place. He was Kumander Toteck, once Trex Gan, the champion lawyer of the deprived farmers. On his right was human rights activist Nilo Billones and on his left was Gen. John Erwin Talaver, the succesor of Lt. Gringo Honasan.

LAte in the evening I just heard the negotiations were arranged between the Philippine high ranking officials.

The next day, I was dragged blindfolded at the falls of Guintubdan. Later, I saw the President, Gov. Ferdinand Sia, Mayor Romeo Baga, Agrarian Reform Secretary Rimmon Armones, Budget Secretary Julie Mae Talaver and reporters of TV and radio stations Josephine Tales and Antonette Maghari and Newsweek correspondent Shiella Mae Quilloy.

After the negotiations, the government promised to reinforce the land reform program and is supported by businesswoman Hazel Yee and haciendero Rollen Almacen. Later, a mass officiated by no less than Monsignor Ritchie Guerra. Broadway singers Madilene Casas and Jenny Sortigosa with opera singers Antonio Antolin Aplaon, III and Sidney Villamor were on the choir.

From among the crowd, I saw the familiar faces of my classmates and friends ten years ago, and I have known that it is anothe significantevent in the Philippine history, a day of peace and unity.

Surely, Class 1990-1991 of DHSBNHS left a mark on history.

Let it be...

Class History

Reminiscing the past
By Michelle L. Tumonong
2nd Honorable Mention

It’s amazing how time flies. Would you believe it was already four years ago since we first stepped on the portals of this institution? Yes, we were greenhorns then, shy, hesitant and wary of every step we made should we commit mistakes contrary to the regulations of the school. Now, we are about to leave the four walls of our Alma Mater endowed with knowledge and skills necessary to surmount the next higher level and confident that we could face the world sans fear and doubt.
That was in 1987 when more than a thousand greeners were distributed to twenty-three sections. We found it difficult in adjusting ourselves to everything novel to us – new classmates, new teachers, and new surroundings. Through the guidance of our class adviser Mrs. Eloisa Pineda, we learned to adapt to our new environment. We gained confidence in ourselves and joined in various clubs like the Sigma mu Epsilon and the Speak English Club. We availed of the opportunities much to our enjoyment. Election day came and Michelle Tumonong became our governor. As freshmen we were small in size. It was difficult for us to beat the Juniors and Seniors during the school intramurals, thus, we ended fourth place in the general championship. That same year, Trex Gan, Ryan Sanchez,John eden Torrecampo, Christopher June Tampo and Vincent Limsiaco participated in the 8th National Jamboree held in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.
Before we knew it, the year ended with Michelle Tumonong as the recipient in the leadership and academic awards.

The following year, 1988, found ourselves wearing gold ribbons. But gold didn’t glitter much for us since no outstanding achievements had been realized during the school’s sportsfest. Yet our efforts were not totally wasted. Lillibeth Gipanago, Ella Arzaga and Shiela Mae Quilloy emerged the champions in lawn tennis while Richard Ginete and Ryan Sanchez became the champions in table tennis who were both qualified for the provincial meet.
Ryan Sanchez, Ronnie Apolinario, Christopher June Tampo, Lloyd Sitchon, Richard Ginete, Vincent Limsiaco, Lester Tadlan, Hernani Ermeo, Ian Danao, Hilario Miaga, Vicente Magan, Jr., Lovelyn Excija and Raymund Gareza who persevered to develop their scouting skills passed the Scout Service Badge review.
Recognition Day came. The academic award went to Ma. Carmela Valencia and Michelle Tumonong retained for herself the leadership award. The boy scouts mentioned above were awarded as boy scouts of the year.

Days unknowingly passed by. The gold ribbons we had for a year turned to red. 1989 brought more challenges to us as we took courage and faced it all with the best of our abilities. We were able to get first place in folk dancing during the cultural contest and also in the cheering contest. We did our best in the ball games and we ended second place in the general championship during the intramurals. Lillibeth Gipanago, Ella Arzaga, Henry Villacojer, and Marcelina Tana shined during the Provincial Meet, while Richard Ginete was qualified for the West Visayan Meet.

During the Regional Silver Jubilee Encampment at Camp Marina, Cebu City, four girl scouts were sent namely Jenena Cabrillos, Jenny May Poblete, Jenn Mae de Paula and Jirah Amelo. Several boy scouts were also sent in the NOCIJAM held in Himamaylan.
The most awaited affair in high school life finally came, the Junio-Senior Prom. We sponsored the affair under the leadership of our three-time elected governor, Michelle Tumonong. We were all excited, yet feeling nervous of the responsibilities entrusted by the Seniors. Jenny May Poblete won the coveted title as Miss JS.
Recognition Day came. Michelle Tumonong was the recipient of the Leadership award, Jenena Cabrillos the academic awards, Jenn Mae de Paula and Jenny May Poblete as the girl scouts of the year.
Our final year in high school came. We had become deeply involved in all activities. The challenges were more difficult, yet we were determined and confident we could overcome them.

Election day came again with three political parties vying for supremacy. Again, the Republican Party proved their charisma by a landslide victory. Michelle Tumonong and Jenny Sortigosa led the Supreme Student Government as president and vice-president, respectively. Lovely Jane Limbo took the post as our Class Governor.

We displayed our powers during the intramurals by garnering first place in Balagtasan, Choral contest and in all ball games. At last we became the general champion. Having fully developed in sports, Lillibeth Gipanago, Junjun Amarante and Henry Villacojer represented Negros Occidental and DHSBNHS in the 1991 Palarong Pambansa held in Iloilo City.
On the other hand, yearning for more experience in scouting movement, Jenn Mae de Paula and Jenny May Poblete went to Camp Marina, Cebu City to represent our school in the Visayas Region Junior-Senior Encampment.
Through the military leadership of our commandant P2Lt Marianito J. Heria, ably supported by ex-commandant P2Lt Ely D. Legada, Senior Instructors P2Lt Romulo Cardiente and P2Lt Ronilo Ruiz, and our CAT-1 corps of cadet and cadette officers, we were able to show outstanding performance, thus topping the annual tactical inspection.
Now the time has come. We have to part ways to seek our fortune. Through all these trying years, we have encountered many ups and downs in life, we shared the same laughters and tears. How much we dislike it, graduation day fills the air.
Graduation! Thinking of the word make us feel sad and lonely. Our eyes turn misty, we seem not to stop our tears, remembering the moments we once shared. Yet memories as they are – memories to forever linger in our hearts.
With much anticipation, the final revelation is made. Leading this year’s graduates are as follows: Jenena Cabrillos, Class Valedictorian; Ma. Carmela Valencia, Class Salutatorian; Mae Grace Nillos, 1st Honorable Mention; Michelle Tumonong, 2nd Honorable Mention; Ma. Adelfa A. Samillano, 3rd Honorable Mention; Ryan Sanchez and Lillibeth Gipanago, 4th Honorable Mention;Jenny My Poblete, 5th Honorable Mention; Richard Ginete, 6th Honorable Mention; Cecile Artieda, 7th Honorable Mention; Eduardo Arro Jr., 8th Honorable Mention; Jirah Amelo, 9th Honorable Mention; Ferdinand Sia, 10th Honorable Mention; Trex Gan, 11th Honorable Mention; Rimmon Armones, 12th Honorable Mention; and Jenny Sortigosa, 13th Honorable Mention. Special honors of the Night Class goes to Cesar Togle.