Annie, Evelyn (right), and a surprise visit from Gilbert Salinas, had a hearty lunch at Greens Restaurant on Sct. Castor in Morato on October 13, 2009. They were joined later by the fourth maria, Rachel.

Gilbert — who is known professionally as Toji Gastrock — is now into couture and runs a shop in Guadalupe, Makati City.

Gilbert was the afternoon’s livewire, telling us stories about hilarious events in high school, especially the boys’ antics and particularly during Mrs. Victoria Gil’s Spanish classes, the “dangling chalk box” incident, or their run-ins with Mr. Javier. Evelyn had her share of class stories, too, many of which Annie missed when she briefly stayed in Baguio City and studied at St. Louis University in our junior year.

We were mostly in tears laughing at how each reenacted the events that we caught the other diners’ attention several times. Our table was the noisiest in the usually sedate and proper Greens dining that we broke the calm and soothing ambience many times.

Gilbert, you know that the meet-up on the 24th won’t be complete without your presence. Else, you suffer the consequence of being the topic of discussion if you don’t make it then.

>> October 24 Update <<

It is likely that the forthcoming get-together will be graced by some members of Batch ’81, led by Luisa Chan, Christina Zafra and Mary Rose Tajanlangit. Regis has requested for the presence of beloved grade school adviser Ms. Evelyn Bulan, too, and has called out to those with her contact to invite her.

We have, so far, set the potluck menu to the following:

Annie is calling out for the following to be considered in our menu:

A videocam is provided at the venue. The directional map and contact details have been emailed by Dante privately.

Please note: Because we look forward to the arrival of members of ’81, it is advised that each one bring a food token allotted for 8 heads per dish instead of the previous 6 heads/dish.

>> HAPPY BIRTHDAYS in October <<

15th – Leo and Baday

17th – Chili

23 – Gilbert

Happy Birthday!

An update regarding Mrs. Arin comes from SJAAA-NA President Marcia Budalian-Stephen via the SJA Alumini YahooGroup:

Dear St. Johnites,

I just got off the phone with Mrs. Luz Palis-Arindaeng and she had asked me to relay to all of you her deepest gratitude and thanks for all your prayers and your phone calls to her which lifted her spirit and took away some of her fears and worries over her eye surgery.

Her two hour eye cornea transplant went well and she said her eyesight is much better now even though it is only a week. She has a six months restriction on travelling by plane and while she is worried about the flooding over their property in the Philippines, she has accepted the fact that there is nothing she could do but pray.

Thanks to all of you who made those calls to her. It is amazing how a simple gesture like that have made a world of difference to her. I think that no matter where we are, our deep sentiments and memories of St. John’s will continue to keep us all as One Family!

May you be blessed for the blessings you give to others,
Marcia Bundalian-Stephen
Class 1962

While personal and external calamities form part of our life cycles to test us or challenge our resolve, it is always a step into the light, so to speak, when these are overcome through private prayers, internal strength or the imbibed energy and good will from a support group.

Such has been the case with the recent personal calamities as Lanie’s loss, Evelyn’s recovery, Annie’s recent surgery, Mrs. Latayan’s coping with property damage and Mrs. Arin’s regained sight.

And it does make a world of difference when we know that the bigger membership of the St. John’s Academy family can be depended upon for more than just a helping hand. It makes healing faster and easier and, hopefully, more permanent, and makes the rest of our journeys more meaningful.

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.