Class Photos

The destruction brought about by Typhoon Ondoy last year has left many people scarred for life. Much of these scars are not the physical kind that may have been inflicted by debris during the floods or acquired from wounds or scratches incurred during the clean-up and recovery from the onslaught. I would like to believe that such physical scars are nothing compared to psychological ones (probably even spiritual) that will take a lot of time to heal.

For me, the healing process started when I discovered old negatives of photos I took during my 3 years of studies in Japan (1996- 1999). I felt relieved and happy that physical manifestations of memories were not at all erased by the floods of Ondoy. I must admit that until now, I have reflected on what could have beens if I only made a call to remind people to take my old photo albums to a safer place. Those albums represented my childhood, my growing up years - happy memories with my lolas and lolos, nanays and tatays, manangs and manongs, our family, and of course, close friends. These were practically archives, most of which can no longer be recovered.

Part of those albums were class photos, particularly from my 11 years of grade school and high school at Lourdes School of Mandaluyong. I was never absent when a class photo was to be taken and I knew that in some other albums or collections of past classmates are similar photos. A pleasant surprise was waiting for me when I recently reviewed albums in my Facebook account and found that some former classmates scanned and posted some of their class photos on Facebook. For posterity and to continue the healing process I post below 4 class photos that is proof of my childhood and memories of LSM.

LSM SY1979-80, Grade 2-A (Adviser: Ms. Luningning Alap)

I'm 4th from left in the front row.

LSM SY 1980-81, Grade 3-E (Adviser: Mrs. Purita Umali)

I am 1st on the left, front row.

Mrs. Umali was also my Class Adviser when I was in LSM Prep (Section C). In my 11 years at LSM, I would have the same advisers in 4 levels - Mrs. Umali in Prep and Grade 3, and Mrs. Magno in Grades 4 and 6.

LSM SY 1984-85, I-St. Thomas (Adviser: Ms. Irma Canlas [later Mrs. Irma Agoncillo])

I am in the 2nd row, 4th from the right.

I always wondered why the school decided we have our photo taken with the new San Miguel headquarters as background. Perhaps the administrators were in awe of the architecture? At the time it was the most impressive building in the Ortigas area and it was imposing considering there were no other buildings of note except Philcomcen (with its tall tower on top of the building) and Meralco. No Megamall or Galleria yet, and I remember that EDSA Central was the nearest gimmick place at the time.

LSM SY1986-87, III-St. Lawrence (Adviser: Mr. Clarito Mamorno)

I am again in the 1st row, right smack in the middle.

I will always remember third year high as a time of ups and downs (or highs and lows) that I attribute to my free-wheeling style of studying at the time. I actually got a scare in some subjects I didn't prioritize, preferring to lock on my Chemistry and Math classes. It was around this time that I had decided I would be an engineer. Notable also in the photo is the presence of 3 American exchange students - Tom, Matthew Baker and that other guy who seems to be always absent from class.