”Eight is Enough”, “Charlie’s Angels”, “Voltes V”, “Hello Kitty”, “People’s Journal”, “Ali Mall”, “Patok”, “Led Zeppelin”, “Ace Bags”, etc., etc., etc…

If this list evokes nostalgic memories of a bygone era when carefree days were spent lazing aound under huge acacia trees, or chasing each other around Mr. Trillano’s mini-forest, or stealing romantic moments on the roofdeck of the main building by way of the library – then you are indeed a true-blooded RHS Batch ’81 Alumni.

Fast-forward to 2006 - twenty-five years after we marched into the cavernous hall of the Caruncho Stadium. We, the graduating Class of 1981, can only look back with fondness and longing to what probably were the best four years of our young lives. We may cringe now at the recollection of our sentimental “kabaduyan” when, with tears welling in our eyes, we did a heartfelt rendition of Raymond Lauchenco’s “Farewell", but whether we admit it or not, we will always have that nostalgic longing to see those familiar faces and see where fate has brought us.

RESBAK! Those who lived the glory days of the late seventies and early eighties know how the calculated whispering of this battle-cry can at once evoke fear and excitement among RHS students. “Resbak” means payback time. It means running to the defense of a beleaguered schoolmate. “Resbak” was, rightly or wrongly, risking your own self for the sake of the bigger group.

For Batch ’81, Resbak! takes on a whole new meaning twenty-five years after we left the grounds of our Alma Mater.

“Resbak!” is to get re-acquainted with old classmates and friends.

“Resbak!” is meeting new friends you never had the chance to meet in high school.

“Resbak!” is giving thanks to our teachers for all their effort and patience. As students, all we remember were their ‘terror’ tactics and the endless assignments and exams.

“Resbak!” is about looking back with gratitude for all that we are now because of those four wonderful years in RHS.

“RESBAK! Batch ’81 – The Silver Anniversary Homecoming.” is a call to all graduates of Class 1981 of Rizal High School to come home to where it all began. It is an invitation to relive the happy memories, re-connect with classmates and friends and forge new friendships. It is also the kick-off activity for this Silver Jubilee Year, culminating with the Grand Alumni Homecoming on December 2, and the traditional Holiday Get-Together on December 29.

How else to describe the much awaited silver anniversary reunion of Batch 81 last March 25 at the grounds of our Alma Mater, in the newly constructed Rizal High School Alumni Hall?

Awesome. There can be no other words that can capture how the 130 something alumni who came that day felt. Past RHS Alumni Association president Dennis Concepcion estimated the attendance to reach only 80 people, but he was happily proven wrong. Even as late as 8 o’clock p.m., people still came, and our lovely girls at the reception desk were kept busy the entire time.

Classmates from abroad also took time for the occasion. They were Erlie Fernandez-Flynn (our class valedictorian) who came all the way from New Zealand, Grace Fajardo-Orpiada (from Colorado, United States), Ana Marie Bernabe who came from Sydney, Australia, and Annie Tee-Li from Hong Kong.

More importantly, there were a lot of new faces whom we have not seen in a long time. Indeed, it was a welcome surprise to everyone, especially the core group who planeed and worked for this event. Malou Daria-Villanueva, Tess Banjawan-Paulino, Lorna Dela Cruz-Bandong and Resy Ulang-Santos did a superb job in hunting down our batchmates and inspiring others to bring along their friends and classmates.

Just a few weeks before the reunion, we were still wondering if we can pull this off. Everyone was beginning to think that it will be short of a miracle to fill up even half of the alumni hall. We prayed for a miracle, and a miracle we got. So, the event fittingly started with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Fr. Alvin of the Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish in Caniogan, Pasig City. During the homily, he emphasized the responsibility of the batch to the rest of the community, what contributions we can do so as to raise the quality of reunions to more than just a joyous occasion but one that is meaningful. He challenged us to find ways to make a difference in the lives of other people, especially those who are poor and less privileged. Heavenly music was provided by an impromptu choir, accompanied on the organ by Connie Santos-Cruz.

Sr. Marissa Mendez, SPC (yes, the spunky wisp of a girl is now a nun, believe it or not!) led the opening prayer, well prepared and beautiful. The program was kept alive by the witty team of Leonardo Felipe and Lorna Dela Cruz-Bandong, who emceed the affair the entire night. The rich baritone voice of Amador Nieves reverberated through the hall as he led the batch in the singing of the national anthem. Dennis Concepcion formally opened the program by welcoming the batch and acknowledging the hard work of the core group that organized the reunion.

Batch ’81 proved beyond doubt that it is not lacking in talents. Tony Mattus, still with his boyish looks and charm, took us on a trip back to memory lane through songs from the seventies and eighties. Not to be outdone, Roderick Carullo and Cesar Bernardo also belted our sentimental songs from our era. Tony and Connie Santos-Cruz also regaled us with an instrumental duet of guitar and violin, which drew gasps and applause from the appreciative audience. And who will forget Norman Peco, who brought the house down with his antics while singing a couple of ditties as well?

And the women! You would think age will finally slow them down. We are again happily proven wrong when two groups took the floor and showed everyone they still have what it got to rock the night away. Lorna Dela Cruz-Bandong, Au Marquez-Aquino, Cecil Angeles, Yeyie Lorenzo-Jimenez, Concon Omana, and Claire Reyes-Macuja relived the glory days of the bagets fever with their rendition of the swinging dance steps of the Buttercup era. Sex bomb dancers, move over!

Next on the stage was what Leo affectionately called the “Good Time Girls”. Grooving to a swinging medley of dance music from the seventies and current hits were Genalyn Bocar-Tribdino, Malou Daria-Villanueva, Tess Banjawan-Paulino, Arlene Sales-Manzano and Juliet Salem-San Juan.

The special guest for the night was the former principal of Rizal High School, Ms. Diana C. Santos, now retired but still active as a consultant and adviser for education of the local government of Pasig City. Ms. Santos’s inspirational message once again affirmed that Batch ’81 is closest to her heart. It was during our freshman year that she became Acting-Principal when the then principal, Mr. Tangco retired. In our senior year, she was promoted as Principal, thus our graduation was significant in her career as she considers our batch her first full-fledged graduates as principal of RHS.

Another highlight of the program was the unveiling of the official poster for the 19th RHS Grand Alumni Homecoming and Convention. Batch ’81, as the Silver Jubilarians this year, will co-host this much-anticipated event with Batch ’56, the Golden Jubilarians. Slated on December 2, 2006, it will be held at the RHS Gymnasium. The poster was unveiled by Dennis Concepcion and Rebecca Anonuevo, assisted by Ms. Diana Santos and Ms. Noili Chua, 2006 President of the RHSAAI.

With the unexpected number of attendees, and with 25 years between them, it was hard for most of us to match faces with names. It helped that the members of the batch were “forced” to get to know one another through the parlor games prepared by Dan Raquid, Rescy Ulang-Santos and Malou Daria-Villanueva.

In other gatherings, people would invariably complain that there are not enough raffle prizes. But batch ’81 has always been different. When we called on members to donate raffle prizes, we almost had an exchange gift instead! Raffle prizes were almost endless, and most of the attendees came home with a gift. The solicitation for the raffle prizes was spearheaded by the group led by Au Marquez. Chona Gabriel-Doolittle dutifully recorded and audited all raffle prizes given away.

Rebecca Añonuevo, current president of the class alumni, emphasized during her closing remarks the projects that would have to be continued after the reunion until the grand alumni homecoming. She also took the chance to inform the other members of the batch, especially the newbies, that Batch ‘81 was given the TEODORA Award for School Service in recognition of the scholarship program it established to support young but deserving students. The plans for more outreach projects such as medical missions will be made known to the members in the forthcoming months.

The sentimental finale of the program was when we all gathered on the stage for the group picture. While jostling for vantage positions (how do you fit 130 people on a single frame?), the disc jockey played our mushy graduation song, “Farewell”. And so in the midst of cameras flashing, the group spontaneously burst into an emotional rendition of “farewell to you my friends, we’ll see each other again. Don’t cry ‘cause it’s not the end of everything. I may be miles away, but here is where my heart will stay, with you, my friends with you…” We may have cringed at the thought of singing that “corny ditty” with tears welling in our eyes twenty five years ago, but somehow in the company of long lost friends that night, the lyrics just burst forth from the heart. It was one night we all would like to remember.

While most went home with smiles on their faces and said their goodbyes with tight embraces and firm handshakes, a small group of about 20 die-hard partyphiles stayed behind. Dancing continued up to 1:30 in the morning of the next day, and before long some members still found themselves holed up in a coffeeshop in Libis, Quezon City. Eugene Concepcion took time to give the group a long distance call at 2 a.m. all the way from the USA. We certainly missed those who couldn’t join us, and we hope to see them in December.

A recollection of this wonderful occasion will not be complete without acknowledging the efforts of the many people who pooled their time and effort to make this event the rousing success that it was. At the risk of missing out some names, the batch is grateful to the team of Malou Daria-Villanueva, Tess Banjawan-Paulino, Lorna Dela Cruz-Bandong and Recy Ulang-Santos who led our text and phone brigade. Their patience and persistence paid-off with the good attendance to the event. The venue was prepared by the group led by Conrad Berdos, Ronald Tatco, Cesar Bernardo, Marissa Concepcion, Juliet Salem-San Juan and Marissa Cuz. Dennis Concepcion, Au Marquez and Lorna Bandong led the “hold-up” gang, soliciting support from batchmates to subsidize the cost of staging the event and for raffle prizes.

Credit also goes to our batchmates who religiously attended the weekly meetings and who helped, one way or another, in inviting other batchmates and lending their helping hands in preparing for the reunion. We also thank our generous batchmates, both from here and abroad, who gave financial support. Although they have asked to remain anonymous, we wish to convey to them our appreciation.

See you in our next event! Mabuhay ang Batch ’81!

With contributions from Rebecca Anonuevo, Dennis Concepcion and Malou Daria-Villanueva