IT’S in July that St. Ignatius de Loyola, Ateneo’s patron saint, is remembered with a feast: a day traditionally marked with prayer, games, and some food served in the campus. The boys of Ateneo de Naga High School Class 73 (AdeNHS’73) love it. It’s a moment to put away school work—— undoubtedly, the hardest job there is for HS students.

        Thirty-three years after graduation, AdenHS’73 prepares for this year’s mass for St. Ignatius. Memories....Who can forget the grumblings about not having any games on St. Ignatius day? Didn’t teachers learn that sports bridle surging hormones of restless students? Remember the juveniles in white and blue quietly walking towards Bichara Theatre for a movie, like uniformed penguins in their migratory trail?

        AdeNHS’73 members, now calling themselves “the Golden Boys of Quiborak” (GBQ’s) will mark the group’s passage through life’s high noon when the sun is right above. The mass intentions are varied for these midcentenarians who’ll be in the campus church at 10AM on Saturday, July 29, 2006.

        Recollection, bonding, planning, and sharing follow after the mass. The batch’s action list will be reviewed and hopefully pursued before the GBQ’s turn 60. With prayers and good wishes, the event will relive the first held in 1998 for the class. Back then, about 60 classmates attended, marking 25th silver jubilee year, coincident with Ateneo’s 52nd Alumni Homecoming.

        There’ll be second mass and gift-giving co-sponsored with some AdeN alumnae on July 30, St. Ignatius’ day. Slated after the mass are talks on how to improve the batch’s community involvement. From near and far, classmates have a hectic weekend set before Monday’s grind.

        Dick B. Perez, Jr., GMA vice president for legal affairs, made sure Manila’s TV program “Unang Hirit” announces the event. Will we bring back the school band to play the Ateneo March? Will PMA’yer-turned lawyer Rudy Artuz and his men provide the security? Any fireworks?

        “Kumusta ka na, boy?” For six months now, classmates are sending emails to each other, some with emotional glue to cement the HS bond made strong way back when teachers like Fr. James O’ Brien taught Bikol culture, Gilda Abonal, Filipino, Romeo de la Trinidad, English, Luzviminda Barawidan, Chemistry.

        In GQB’s time, Brother Adriatico drove his bicycle. Mr. Greg Abonal coached on tips of gentlemanly behavior in a soiree. Those were the days when Mr. Calandria played the Gym Brigade Commander and Mr. Destura ruled on punishments——those jogs and posts which made students boil and rethink the meaning of revenge.

        From Middle East, William Pante talking about his bond with fellow Ateneans says “We now have a way of keeping in touch.” After three decades of separation, Gisbert Beringuela suggests “before and after pictures” for classmates to be recognized. Rafael Garcia prefers “photos that bring laughter to everyone.”

        Valentin Torrecampo and Juanchito Parma are among the ardent movers of the celebration. They’re as upbeat as Mateo Lamit who just came home from Timor, Indonesia. “There’s no place like home,” says Matt in a phone call from Naga, echoing the nostalgia for Bicol. He likes to be close to his family in Naga and be part of this year’s class reunion.

        Boy Orante, Plutarco Molaer, Bong de la Torre, Larry Limjoco and Boy Estiva are core group members who inform, plan, and trace the crossroads near and far, looking for classmates. They nudge them to touch base, or enjoy the reunion’s fun. They work together “to make the event as memorable as possible.”

        “Who doesn’t want to hear the fates of nearly 180 HS graduates?” asks Oscar Nagrampa. He notes of GBQ’s orbits being skewed and hardly crossing for many years until today. Many classmates are still unlisted, but a good number has the urge to revisit the past— join in whichever way they can to recall and have fun.

        After the batch’s business meeting at Barlin Street’s Residencia RestoBar, a “special event” will be readied in Zagwuan, a trendy R & R hole owned by classmate Francis Peña. It’s in this cozy location where classmates will ask and answer many questions. “How are you doin’?” “How many children do you have?” “Can you show me pictures, old and new?”

        “Cold beer will flow,” Val Torrecampo’s and Chito Parma’s early prediction. Beer, a balm against shyness, primes the tongue to talk fast and freely with candor. Will memories drown the herd? Could this be an overture of unity that the class needs? “An acid test,” says Art Villamor who thinks of future class projects.

        “Where’s he? asks Paulino Cunanan, a water district manager and CSI mentor about a GBQ with unknown address. Some classmates are edgy hoping to hear from old pals like Teddy Santiano, Willy Burce, Diosdado Dizon, Henry Perfecto, Rolly Salazar, Jose Sancho, Bernie Palma, Renato Magnaye, Redentor Morelos, Siegfred Balce, Iggy Camacho, Tong Pilar, Stan Canta, Jesus Carrasco, Alberto Badiong, Sofronio Flotildes, Rafael Salud, Nap Cailipan, Romulo Alajor, Enrique Fuentebella, Proculo Noble II, Baby Obrero and countless more. They’re a motley mix of the herd’s gene pool which assures the perpetuity of Ateneo’s alleged royal germline. But in their silence, could they be busy, uninterested, or plainly unreachable?

        Thankfully, AdenHS’73 has ingenuous ways of finding classmates. Not unlike the Pony Express which rushed mails on horseback in the old West, in record time, at least 25% of classmates went blipping into the cyberspace screen. Like phantoms from the void, they chose to be counted. It’s their homing instinct which draws them to attend, especially those who come from Manila.

        “Here they are,” says the welcoming Arturo Villamor, a Bayer executive who takes a diligent count on GBQ’s entering the fold. He’s absolutely right. Classmates had themselves listed. Numeriano Rodriguez, Jr., Bienvenido Llaneta, Jr. and Ulpiano Sarmiento, Jr., the lawyers; Godofredo Lanuza, the enterprising psychometrician; Rafael Garcia, Leon Pilar, Ely Mabeza, the US citizens; Bienvenido Cortes and Ramon Abracosa, the American-trained economics professors; Errol Angeles, the top gun in SMC; Crispin Cabanilla, Antonio Embestro and Alvin Cledera, the MD’s——to name a few.

        Bong Intia of NBI can do some sleuthing to seek out more GBQ’s. Classmates may find time to teach each other to surf and email for the same purpose. Businessmen David DyChinco, Jose Robredo, Felix Reis, Ricardo Botor, Carlos Agubang and George Tan may offer some leads to reach other classmates. Virgilio Briones, a gifted pianist can render a Chopin to welcome the late-comers.

        “Changes,” observes Rafael Garcia from Los Angeles. AdenHS’73’s changes are more than the visual transformations of the old campus. Classmates now come in different veneers and interiors. With wrappers and labels, altered by time, the majority has improved, inside and out.

        Unlike physical changes of rising Ateneo buildings and moving of high school department to the scenic sprawl of Pacol, classmates have become a mix of gifts, talents and concerns. Having internalized the art and science of living, some GBQ’s have hairlines receding, blood pressures rising, heart racing, pallor worsening, laughter more real than ever——clues that they’re weathering life with resilient courage.

        “Time has a way of carving our looks plus our outlooks,” says Winifredo Dianela from San Francisco, California. “You’ll never know how classmates touch other people’s lives,” adds Arturo Torralba, Jr. of the Department of Energy. “When one is focused on something, time passes by swiftly,” says Numeriano Rodriguez, Jr., a top Manila corporate lawyer.

        From SEA’s largest grain center in Quezon, Gisbert Beringuela speaks of Dr. Ramon Odiamar’s “face with a long shelf-life” shown in a picture during this month’s US travel. Dr. Mon’s beautiful wife Lani brings memories of girls in blue, studying in that school pointed by a white cross atop the four pillars. The cross’ mute advice got a willing audience in some classmates who stood untiring vigils for colegialas in CSI’s porteria.

        The blue knights who used to stare on Grace, Rosabel, Maricar, Mary Ann, and Lizbeth passing CSI’s door have matured. The pictures show. In a recent photo taken in Art Villamor’s Los Banos home, except for Dick Perez, Eugene Briones, Totoy Fortuno, Ed Nicolas, Rudy Artuz, Arturo Torralba and Willie Verdadero disclosed their altered looks. They talk of the effects of testosterone’s decline with some resignation.

        Health and disease have ways of influencing the herd’s character and looks. They don’t spare those who swear they won’t ever need Viagra, Levitra or Cialis at all. It’s swell to know majority of GBQ’s are healthy and optimistic. Despite disheartening personal foibles, frailties, and illnesses plaguing some members, they’re a happy crowd like the rest of the Filipinos.

        Dick P. proudly speaks of bright careers in GBQ’s ranks. MD’s Roy C. Fernando, Hermes Rejante, Delfin Sunga, Bobby Prado and Francisco Sales are physicians with a noble mission to comfort, above the need to cure. Healthcare professionals are what Roberto Paulino, Walter Mendez and Roberto Aquino have become. Miles Evora, George Yorobe, Blacky Nacional, and Ric Botor, the engineers, have gainful strides in their careers.

        Meinardo Salvosa’s finance management parallels with Willie Verdadero’s presidency in a labor union and Arlen Barrameda’s NGO consultancy job. Henry James Cayetano, Jose Fernando, and Reuel Nael are thought to keep strong religious faiths as NPS classmates Fathers Pio Yllana, Wenceslao San Andres, Bishops Jose Rojas and Antonio de los Santos.

        Like animal-buff St. Francis of Assisi, Drs. Esteban Claveria, Jojo Trinidad, Dante Tuyay and Marcial Aguilar, all vetmeds, are friends to pets. Eddie Verdadero edits news and tutors students at St. Agnes. Romeo Pastor teaches food technology. Ramon Cervantes and Adan Botor have become attorneys. Prudencio Boncodin rides the high waves of a mariner. Carlos Agubang, a store-owner in Naga Supermarket.

        Oscar Nagrampa’s knowledge comes handy in his job as a critical care nurse and real-estate investor in America. Architect Perry Nuñez of NY is a testament to Liza Minnelli’s “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.” Toronto Engineer Edgardo Abano is an embodiment of steely courage and hard work which bring success in America

        Some classmates went early past heaven’s door. Roberto Kare, Danilo Brillante, and Jonathan Cleofe separately died of vehicular accidents. PMA’yer Sulpicio Bernardo took the ultimate sacrifice of defending the country. From news under the willows, Edgar Montas succumbed to acute illness. Andres Manait and Ramon Sy, of poorly understood causes. All fine human beings, they’re classmates memorialized for the quality time they shared with the batch. They serve as gentle reminders of life’s ephemeral nature, its vexing ironies, its harvest of joys and sorrows.

        In a nutshell, this has become of AdeNHS’73. The batch still struggles with the Ignatian exercise of consolation over desolation. Guided by their past plus the teachings of mentors like Mr. and Mrs. Olin, Mssrs Galicia, Paraiso, Rubio, Llorin, and De los Trino, the basics of HS ring true. The GBQ’s remain as human beings nurtured in God’s love, made wise by experience, but still prone to commit mistakes.

        Like the blazing comets dashing in the night sky, classmates are now poised to plant seeds, build bridges, tear down walls, and repair wounds. The need for unity isn’t just for them, but to the country as well. The GBQ’s are again asked to share their gifts and stifle their weaknesses. And make the world better than the first time they saw it. It’s a joy to know that a classmate may now come home when the bright sun is right above our town.

        E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one.

About the author: Dr. Augusto F. Mesia is a member of Ateneo de Naga HS’73. A retired OB-Gyn pathologist, he served as faculty member at UP-PGH and New York University Medical School in New York, New York.