By Evelyn (Datoc)

It was in August 1970 when I first started teaching at the Pasay City East High School.  I was young and twenty.  The subjects given to me were World History and Philippine Problems and the classes were five fourth year classes (College Preparatory) and 1 Third Year section 1 (Vocational) which would be my advisory class.  I had just graduated from the National Teachers College in April of that same year and I desperately in need of a job to help my family. 

A former classmate of mine at NTC who later became my comadre, Editha Vidal Baviera, told me that the PCEHS was in need of a History teacher.  She was also a teacher at PCEHS and had started only a few months.  So off I went to E Rodriguez Street in Malibay and met Mrs Rosa Sese who was the assistant principal at that time.  She interviewed me casually and right there and there I got the job.  They too must be desperate to get a teacher I thought.  Apparently, it had been weeks that there had been no History teacher available and the other Social Studies teacher were taking turns in substituting to keep the students together which was a burden on their part.  Little did I know that my teaching career would last for 17 years in this school.  Perhaps it was my fate.

I felt excited and scared when they offered me the job because I knew I would be dealing with more or less 300 students a day.  300 different people with different behaviours, way of thinking, attitudes, moods, social and economic backgrounds and not to mention physical characteristics.  No two people are exactly alike in the principle of Individual Difference.  That was what I learned from my Psychology teacher.  So I must remember them all and cater to their individual needs.  As a teacher, I should always understand their behaviour on a daily basis.  For example, why was Manuel always late in the morning?  Why was Eduardo always tired in class?  Why was Victoria so timid and shy?  Why was Orlando a bully?  As a teacher I have to find out the answers to these questions and as a teacher I should be able to come up with a solution to their problems.  Such was the role of the classroom teacher which scared me because I might not be able to identify their individual needs or I might fail the educational system in their expectations of my capabilities or I might fail myself in my expectations of myself?

However I told myself "I desperately need this job.  I'll work hard to keep this job.  It's very hard to get a teaching position these days".  I have to do the best I can to help mould these young people to become good members of the community, to help them achieve their goal because I knew once they finished high school, the rest would be easy.  They could work during the day and go to school at night.  It was very important that I should be instrumental in fulfilling their dreams.  Not much later in my teaching career that I saw the look on their parents' faces, how important it was for them to see their son or daughter to have graduated.  It was that look on the parents' faces that would make a huge impact on my decision to pass my students or to beg other teachers to pass my students particularly if they belonged to my advisory class.  Like me, the students were also desperate to get a job to help their family. 

However, there were times when you could not really get something out of a student and to fail him would not be of help but rather a burden to the school or the government but most importantly to their parents.  In my 17 years of teaching, I could count from my fingers the number of students that I failed.  You could not fail in World History.  If you were always in my class, you would not fail in my subject.  For me, attendance alone was enough to pass any student.  The reason being was that he was always there and therefore had demonstrated the willingness to learn.  He may not have the capacity to understand the subject but he wanted to learn.  At the end of the school year, his endurance would save him and would get him on that stage to accept his diploma.  On Graduation Day, the recipients of the loudest claps and cheers from fellow students would either be the student with highest honors and the one least expected to graduate.

The 17 years that I spent teaching at Pasay City East High School had been filled with pride and joy, with struggle and challenges and sadness as well.  It had given me great satisfaction because I knew I had been a part of their success not only during high school but more so after graduation.  What happens after graduation was a big question mark because their success would be my success and their failure would be my failure too.  Such was the attachment between the students and the teacher that even after Graduation the relationship would still be there and would remain until the end of time because once you were my student you would always remain as my student and vice versa.  Wherever life takes us, we will always say, "she used to be my teacher" or I would say "she used to be my student."

(Ang sumusunod ay hango sa Isang artikulong inakda ni kay Gng. Consolacion Francisco para sa PCEHS alumni Association.  Isinulat niya ito noon siya' y retirado na sa pagtuturo sa Pasay East)

Paaraalan, dito hinuhubog ang ugali at isipan ng bawa't batang Pilipino. Ito ay isang sagradong pook na dapat ikarangal at ipagmalaki, dahil dito ang isang bansang Malaya tulad natin ay aangat at kayang makipagsabayan sa iba kung nanaisin ng lahat.

Kung tayo'y magkakaroon lamang ng tapat at may dedikasyon sa paglilingkod, walang dudang tayo ay uunlad matapos iwanan ang paaralang minamahal pagkaraan ng apat na taong pag-aaral.

Bayanihan ng Alumni para sa Silangan ng Pasay. Napakagandang pangalan ng paaralan, Bukang Liwayway ng bagong umaga, nagbabadya ng bagong pag-asa. Pasalamatan natin ang Haring Araw sa pagsikat nito, ang buhay at panahon ay mahalagang Handog ng Panginoon.

Napag-alaman ng paaralan na pag-iisahin ang iba't-ibang Batch o taon ang samahan. Para sa akin tama po ang naisip ng pamunuan nito. Dahil iisa lamang ang paaralan natin, dapat lamang iisa rin ang maging gabay ng bawa't mag-aaral na nagsipagtapos dito kaya ito ay magiging PCEHS Alumni Association regardless of what year they graduated. Naniniwala ang pamunuan ng paaralan sampu ng mga nagsipagtapos na lalong higit na magiging matatag, makabuluhan at kapakipakinabang ang bagay bagay kung pag-iisahin ito. Bawa't tulong o bahagi ng isang miyembro gaano man ito kallit ay magiging malaki kapag pinagsama-sama.

At bilang pagtanaw ng utang na loob sa paaralang minamahal na hindi sila magiging matagumpay na mamamayan sa iba't-ibang larangan tulad ng Abogado, guro, inhenyero at iba pa, kung hindi sa minamahal na Alma Mater.

Naniniwala ang bawa't isang mag-aaral na nagtapos sa paaralang ito na dapat lamang mahalin at ipagmalaki ang INANG PAARALAN at ito'y mangyayari lamang kung susuklian ng tapat at taos pusong paglilingkod sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng isang proyektong makatutulong sa pangangailangan ng paaralan partikular sa mga nagsisipag-aral sa ngayon. Dito magsisimula ang pagsibol ng bagong henerasyon.

As Lord told us, "What did you do with what I gave you? What did you do with your life…all the gifts, talents, opportunities, energy relationships and resources God gave you?

Alam nating iisa lamang ang ating patutunguhan. Alam nating HIRAM lamang ang buhay na ito. Gamitin nating makabuluhan ito sa halip na ang SARILI lamang ang ating paglalaanan, ibahagi rin natin ito sa IBA.

Sabi nga ng Panginoon anomang ginawa ninyo sa inyong kapuwa, ginawa ninyo sa AKIN.

Ang matuwid na tao ay hindi nagsasagawa ng ikabibigat sa nangangailangan. Ibahagi natin ang anomang biyayang kaloob sa atin sa ating kapuwa.

Marami tayong maibabahaging tulong sa ating paaralan:

Katulad ng pag-adopt sa mag-aaral na mapagkalooban ng scholarship program sa isang poor but deserving student para makapagpatuloy ng pag-aaral sa kolehiyo.

Magdonate ng mga school equipment na kailangang-kailangan ng paaralan tulad ng Computer Units, CD player, Overhead projector, etc.

Mga aklat para sa ating Library at marami pang iba.

Mga proyektong kapag naisakatuparan at naibabahagi ay walang dudang babalik sa atin ng sampung doble.

Ako, bilang isang dating guro ng paaralang ito, na ang puso ay nasa inyo sayang nga lamang at hindi ako makakadalo dahil sa karamdaman. Ang tanging hiling ko lamang ay ipagdasal ninyo ako na lumawig pa ang aking buhay para makapaglingkod pa rin sa inyo alang-alang sa ating minamahal na paaralan.

Mabuhay ang PCEHS!

Mabuhay tayong lahat!

Salamat po.

By Anton Digohermano, Class 1983

After that simple get-together November 4, 2004 at Jollibee Evangelista it seemed like we really enjoyed each other as the batch has amazingly been involved to a lot of activities since. That initial meeting, 23 years after high school, has inspired us to prepare for our 25th Anniversary this year 2008. But before advancing to the preparation for a grand celebration of our Silver anniversary a rather nostalgic class reunion to most of us successfully took place on August 5, 2006 at the PCEHS campus.  

In our class, like in most other batches, you can go for years without contacting even your closest peers.  But when reunited, the exchanges of high school memories just overflow. No amount of happiness can best describe our emotions when once again our happy days at Pasay East were revisited. Laughter and joy echoed through the night as fascinating stories of "naughtiness-" and "misdeeds"-tinted past adventures were recalled.

What made the gathering unique that gave us much honor was the presence of 60 batchmates from Archie, Boyle, Curie, Dalton, Einstein, Faraday and Galileo and of our former teachers Mrs. Esguerra-Delos Reyes, Mrs. Estella Cruz, Ms. Rivera, Mrs. Dimaguiba and Mr. Quevedo whose teachings we will live on as a result of their patience and love for their profession.   The presence of our teachers and batch mates mixed with the booze, a dance number from the girls, a customary gift-giving, everyone appeared friendlier as they gamely joined the class picture-taking,  and voila! A sumptuous lechon donated by Mayor PeeWee Trinidad through another batchmate and Pasay City Councilor elect Onie Bayona are definitely the key ingredients for this successful batch '83 reunion.

On the organizational side, two section representatives were selected. These representatives are expected to: 1) organize the core of the batch. 2) contact the members, verify and update their contact details, and 3) inform the Class of its projects and activities.

It was indeed a night to be treasured, of sharing talents, ideas, food, gifts, and energies with Pasay East. Seeing your long lost buddies and friends you haven't seen for years and taking a glimpse of your old crushes once again was a moment of greater friendship.

The strength of Class 1983 lies in the spirit, involvement and enthusiasm of its members and teachers. Here is a list of projects and activities where you can participate and get re-united with our classmates and friends:

Gift-giving with Allouette Foundation of Malibay.  Spearheaded by a batch mate based in Japan, Amy Flores-Uchida, the first one was held December 16, 2006 at the gym of Barangay 179 in Maricaban, Pasay City.  50 children mostly residents of Apelo Cruz, Malibay, and Maricaban benefited from this project.  It started at Ms. Uchida's encouragement to continue her tradition for gift-giving in the said communities. 

Class '83 Year-end gathering.  The goal is to hold it annually.  The first Year-end gathering was held December 22, 2006 at Loida Verdadero-Jacinto's residence. We were able to extend some help to Pearly, a batch mate who is at present cancer-stricken.  Also, it was a pleasant first year-end gathering night with Diego Llorico who managed to come to the party despite his extremely busy showbiz schedule with GMA's Bubble Gang.

Batch '83 Silver Anniversary on July 26, 2008, Sunday, at 6 P.M, Pagcor Forum Hall, NAIA Road, Parañaque City. We are calling on all our members to join and get involved too. 

To Class '83, Happy 25th anniversary!

by Josephine Digohermano, Class 1973

(Josephine is now based in Europe working there as a nurse)

Many years ago, my secondary education was made possible through a scholarship grant.  I was fortunate enough to have that chance at quality education.  I owe my present status in life to our school (Pasay City East High School). Nobody can tell me what would have happened if I didn’t get that grant. But one thing I know for sure - those good Samaritans, whoever they were, extended their helping hands and in doing so inspired me to strive further. Those gestures made me realize that dreams are achievable if only we have the will to do so. I gained hope and courage. The school motivated me to be objective in my actions in order to realize my dreams. Some may call it fate (or it might be luck) for the door of opportunity has been opened before me. For all the help and support I received, I would like to take this opportunity to say,

“Thank you very much indeed!”

Now, I see it an obligation for me to return the favour. I was once a recipient of bayanihan and now I want to help.

I went to Europe not because I craved to travel or to experience luxury abroad. There, I struggled my way up, through thick and thin, to realize my dreams. 

Our alma mater is responsible for what I have become and why I am able to support my family now. We were not sufficiently well off - that somehow became a reason why I wasn’t popular then. But I didn’t lose faith. My burning desire to pursue what I believed in paved the way to my happiness.  There’s nothing more important to me now than to express my gratitude to my family. I may not be able to solve problems of global scale but my personal tasks to promote welfare, good health and peace for my family must be accomplished.

Many people tend to take life for granted. Sometimes we disregard our parents’ and teachers’ well-meaning advice and indulge in our own personal whim.  I am proud to say all that advice and encouragement has served as inspiring lessons. It has taught me how dreams can be formed and realised.

We gained so much from the overwhelming support that our school and teachers have given us during our time.  Our theme, “Bayanihan ng Alumni sa Silangang Pasay” is a fitting call to those who have successfully established their life now.  We can contribute worthwhile projects for our school that are highly coordinated with the Alumni Foundation.  We look for alumni connections because we want to reach out. Now is the chance to lend a helping hand.

In this homecoming, our alma mater bring us all together again not only to have fun but to make us aware that up to this time the majority of its students belong to the less privileged class of the society.  For sure, our students now deserve to have the kind of training that we received from our teachers before, from experienced people of integrity and wisdom.  Let us join hands under the “Bayanihan ng alumni sa Silangang Pasay.”

I now live here in Austria but know very well the living conditions in Manila.  My brother Anton from Class ’83 would from time to time update me of the situations especially in our school.  The fact still remains that most of the parents of our youth in PCEHS fail to carry out their responsibility of taking good care of their children, teaching them and guide them through their youthful years.  This is so because most of them still live through this age of social poverty that creates confusion to the parents as to what they should prioritise – shall they find time to teach and guide their children or they will just rely on what the teachers and the school can do for their children.  Another fact remains that not all teachers are qualified to teach.  Because of this, they need more training. 

Poverty and the lack of education or knowledge I think is the very reason why the educational functions of the public school teachers like in PCEHS have weakened now.  They could hardly handle the situations inside the classroom.  I could imagine the very poor condition not only of the students but of the teachers inside the PCEHS premises.

This is the right time to pay back our school.  We can do it in any way we can, not necessarily in cash.  If we don’t have that yet for not all PCEHS alumni are successful yet, perhaps harmony, profound understanding and real love for one another will contribute in creating meaningful projects for PCEHS.  Let’s give the PCEHS youth now the chance to experience a better life inside the PCEHS.  This is our turn to spread hope and faith but mostly the chance to make dreams come true.

Hereby I am going to close my contribution and I just want to say thank you again. Salamat. Thank you. Danke

Roberto T. Capco

PCEHS Class 1981

Following are excerpts of Bobby Capco’s speech at PCEHS Alumni Dinner-Forum 2 at Malibay Plaza in November 2003 and an interview with him in July 2004.

I grew up in Malibay.  Nuong panahon namin, nung bata pa ako, iba.  Naglalakad lang ako from my house to Pasay East.  Four years yon.  Dati, no’n hindi gano’n kasikip ang Malibay.  Ngayon hindi na siya gano’ng klase.

Dati nagtatanim pa ako ng munggo sa tapat ng bahay namin.  Nag-aalaga ako ng mga rosas ng nanay ko.  May garden kami dati sa tapat ng bahay namin.

Ang ikinabubuhay namin, pagtitinda sa palengke.  Nakatira kami malapit sa simbahan sa P. Santos.  Pero iba na ngayon ang Malibay. It is not like before. Sobra talaga. Iyong drugs, sobra talaga.  Ito ang pinakamalaking problema ngayon.

Rehab is not the real solution to the problem. Yung [drugs] supplier ang problema na ando’n right in the middle of Malibay.  To free Malibay from drugs, kailangan arestuhin ang mga protectors.

Tumutulong ako sa Alumni because that is my core value.

“That’s my core value.  Yung desire ko for learning, to excel, yung formative years ko that I spent sa PCEHS.  I would have wanted my own brothers to have the same [opportunity].  But since it’s too late… I’d rather that the children of this institution benefit from whatever I can give.

Kung hindi tayo dumaan sa PCEHS hindi tayo makararating sa kinalalagyan natin ngayon…

Muntik na kong hindi grumadweyt no’n kasi tambay ako sa tindahan ni Aling Chayong at umiinom ng “Mountain gin.” Kung hindi tayo  dumaan sa PCEHS hindi natin mararating ang buhay natin ngayon.  Dito ko sa PCEHS natutunan ang pakikipagkapwa.

Wariin nating mga alumni ng PCEHS kung ano ang nasa puso natin.  Request ko sa alumni, tingnan ang Malibay, itanong sa ating mga sarili, “ano ang gusto natin sa ating komunidad?”  What we want is economic development for our community.  The choice is ours.  I hope I said something good tonight.

Bobby started his career in 1984 as a Business Reporter of the Times Journal, then joined the staff of the Philippine Star where he became Chief of Reporters at first then promoted as News Editor later.  He was assigned to cover the broadsheet’s political beat until 1996.  An expert in PR and media relations, he put up the Signus Consultancy and Management Co. that successfully handled clients like former Sen. Leticia Ramos Shahani, Speaker Joe de Venecia, and former Cebu Gov. Emilio Osmeña. 

His earlier postings include media consultant in 2000 for then Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Press Undersecretary for Operations in 2001 and Deputy Presidential Chief of Staff in the Office of the President in 2003.  A native of Malibay, Bobby received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of the East. 

By Valentine “tine” Balmes Custodio

(Tine Blames Custodio wrote this article on the occasion of PCEHS Class’ 25th anniversary in 2006)

High School Reunions are very special occasions.  It is something which every adult looks forward to.  True, there are times that when we heard about it, we want to shrug it off but deep inside we know we must be there.  It is very special because it is a time where we get to meet again our bosom friends and reminisce the good old boisterous high school days.  It is special because we rekindle the friendship that once warmed our heart and a time to get reconnected with our high school teachers.

Thus, on this occasion of the 25th year homecoming of PCEHS Batch ‘80, we the Silver Jubilarians would like to take this opportunity to thank our teachers for honing our skills and our values.  We cannot repay you for your labours of love but may we from the bottom of our heart say this:  It is not in vain to be a Teacher.

To all our schoolmates, just like the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, we had a humble beginning but if we will keep on doing what is right and good and make the most of the talents and abilities God gave us even with a meager resources, we can be an instrument or a channel of blessing for our family, our community and our country.

 AIM high PCEHS Alumni!

by Anton Digohermano

There are moments that we fall in a trance, when we ponder we are already in a state of trance, though we may not be aware of this but it is actually what is happening when we think of an idea or trying to find an answer to a difficult question or perhaps a solution to a problem. The moment we focused our mind to such activity, we are tapping or connecting to the universe itself which is a vast full of resources, we are somewhat tuned into this alter state of mind, especially during a relaxation or meditation we are drifting into a trance.

At a young age I was already aware of my spiritual orientation, a sentiment I just kept within me.  I wondered about everything that has somewhat aroused my curiosity.  At age ten, I started scouring the verses of revelation in the Bible.  I wondered why my sister and her friends were so worried after expressing their views and concerns regarding the verses.

This experience has led me to asking myself about my existence and my purpose in life as I marvel about the creation of the universe.  My simple imagination was sinking into the rumbling waves of questions in my mind.  It seems that an inner entity has kept on suggesting questions that I cannot understand.  One thing is sure though, that out there, there is an answer to every question that I have in mind.

Silently, I searched for the truth in the hope to find the sanctity of God and my divine nature.  This maxim has opened the door of mystical quest for my craving to unveil a secret horizon.

My attraction to mystiques and other occult's relative phenomena is so great that I cannot resist the alluring features of our mysterious life. To me, life is full of ambiguities; its definition and meanings may vary depending on how we view, accept and express it. Such is an innocent curiosity as that of a child that adds depth of perception to the enigma of life.  

Emptiness

There was a time in my life I felt I was trapped in a personal crisis, and I didn't seem to go right. Indecision has torn me apart; pessimism has denied me the opportune times I had at hand. The thought of giving up has occurred, as I didn't know exactly what to do in a life I have once failed to understand.  This is all but a product of inferiority complex.

A time came when I noticed that the negative thoughts enveloping me were already taking its toll on me. It wasted my time, consumed my effort, and deteriorated my health.  And what is emotionally distressing is the feeling of failure and isolation.

Reflection   

What am I doing here on earth?  Why was the earth created?  Why am I here?  Where do I come from?  What are the reasons of God's creations?  Why there is a God?  Where did God come from?

Those questions accumulated quickly and sprouted from a simple clamor turned into a complicated query.   Realizing then I was searching for God, and I sighed faithfully deep within; "God let me understand the worthiness of my existence!"

Into the fortress of tranquility I lived, serenity flourished within and sheltered me with sentiments of thoughts that gave me dignity, and best aspirations in life no matter how unfortunate a circumstance have unfolded, there's always a new horizon to look forward to…

Now, I understand those consequences I've been through.  Such obscurities were stages of spiritual pursuance driven by an inner force, creating situations of metaphorical acts seemingly illogical.  But, if given proper attentions and deeper insights, only then relevance will make sense.

Failures on material aspects of my life were all opportunities in disguised that shaped my spiritual consciousness into divinity of my being as an important creation of God. 

Ecstasy

I gazed in awe of the prisms of light that flashes through and forth my eyes.  That frantic moment made me breathe deeply while intuitively looked around.  While I was aware of my body lying on bed, I felt I was floating. At one point, I found myself in two different dimensions.  I sensed I was in a state of drowsiness and consciousness.

As I closed my eyes again, my ascension became much faster as I held my breath.  I got up in fear and hurriedly gasped for air.  I felt slightly dizzy and drank a few glasses of water.  It seemed like I have traveled on a desert as I felt dehydrated.

I've noticed those bizarre occurrences on me when I was ten or eleven years old.  That was my first encounter of unknown event in my life.  At such an early stage of existence, I was exposed to a sort of magical or mystical incident I should say responsible in shaping my spiritual belief.  I am glad that my reading of some explanations on paranormal experiences has opened my mind and broadened my views in life.

Why am I saying this?  At the end of the tunnel-like darkness, I noticed a sparkle of lights. From a distance, I saw it was glowing that I can't resist following it.  I noticed that it was leading me somewhere.  I don't know what happened but I found myself placed within the lights surrounded by lights in vibrant colors.  That was my first glimpse of illumination and I savor that wonderful experience of, to me, divine ecstasy.  What a blissful feeling!

Poetry of Life

                Life is like a day that has a destiny,

                Like the plants that come from seeds, 

                Tiny seeds, living seeds…

                All the things around you still and alive;

                People seems to forget, God gave us wisdom,

                I don't understand what life means to me…

The poem was supposed to be the lyric of a short melody composed by a classmate of mine way back elementary days.  Because of its poetic nature, our music teacher encountered difficulty in attuning my verse to the given harmony.  She even edited the words to accommodate the tune, but in vain.  At the end of the school year, I received a ribbon from her with an inscription of the word "Poetic."