The site was silent for a full three quarters of 2009 and I apologize for the inactivity.

Posting a series of events and milestones from Batch ‘82 in 2009, starting with a recent news on our beloved English teacher Mrs. Luz Arindaeng (“Mrs. Arin”) who was scheduled for cornea transplant in San Francisco on 30 September 2009. From ‘62 Marcia Bundalian-Stephen’s message on the SJA Alumni YahooGroup:

A Special Prayer Request

Dear Prayer Group Friends and Schoolmates,

Our very loved teacher at St. John’s Academy, Mrs. Luz Arindaeng who is currently staying in San Francisco with her youngest son will be undergoing a cornea transplant on her left eye. I believe they did this last year but somehow it was not successful and has caused her more damage than cure. Her surgery will be on September 30th at the Oakland Hospital.

She called me this morning feeling very sad and scared and lonely and very frustrated because her left eye is totally blind and the right eye is blurry. She had asked me to pray for her and I told her I would pass this on to my Prayer Group Friends and she was so grateful, thankful and relieved. The condition of her left eye had deteriorated so fast that she cannot even read (which she loves to do), watch TV, cook or plain go outside and walk.

Please include her in your daily prayers especially on September 30th. Together our prayers will guide the doctors to a safe and successful surgery and her quick and easy recovery.

For those of you who had been under her tutorage, if you wish to give her a call, please do so at (415) 796-2642. I know she will be delighted to hear from you and lift her spirit and ease her worry.

Thank you so much for being there for Mrs. Arindaeng.

Together in Prayers,

Marcia Bundalian-Stephen – Class 1962
President, St. John’s Academy Alumni Association of North America

Also in September, Evelyn Kong-Keyes enplaned to Manila and will be staying in the Philippines for the next three months. A scheduled lunch get-together on 24 October (Saturday) will find many of us over at Dante’s parents’ place in Congressional Avenue, QC, sharing stories again.

It was Evelyn who told us the news of Lanie’s dad’s (Mr Rene Soriano) passing in May. A mass card was sent by Annie on behalf of  SJA Batch ‘82. Our condolences to Lanie and thank you, Annie.

SJA’82 welcomes Leah Ibuna (in May), Dr. Ismael Valeña and Lauro “Ojie” Callanta (in September) to the fold. It’ll be just a matter of time when the batch of 1982 will be whole again.

In July, Alvin, Wilfred, Gerry and Dante, with Dante’s brother Dario, reunited with Pedro “Peegee” Silo (standing, left), a batchmate from gradeschool. From the photo Dante sent, it looks like the boys had a great time.

Finally, for this round-up of events, we all know that the country is recovering from the effects of Ondoy/Ketsana (in Metro Manila and southern portions of Luzon) and Pepeng/Parma (in northern Luzon).

Mrs. Rose Latayan, our math teacher, one-time principal and batch adviser and who now runs an internet business at the ground floor of their property, is now fine after floodwaters brought by Ondoy/Ketsana submerged their first-floor in Brgy. San Perfecto, damaging all computers,  internet connection and furniture. It will be a while before their business gets back on track in the midst of cleaning-up and repair.

We wish everyone well.