It was supposed to be a teaser, so I just posted the picture and nothing else. I wanted my present friends to ask who they are, where they are now, how we met, etc.
However, I changed my mind after posting the picture. They deserve to be named now, not later,
Left to right: Bella Altura-Mitra, Me, Charito Robledo-Tolentino, and Flordeliza Espina-Noriega.
My three friends are all true-bloodied Batanguenas. We bonded at the Philippine Normal College (now, Philippine Normal University), because we belonged to class IV G -10 from first year until graduation. Furthermore, we all stayed at the PNC dormitory- the Normal Hall the whole duration of our college years.
They came home with me to Orion, Bataan on some weekends and me to theirs in Batangas- (San Jose, Tanauan, and Batangas City). We went to church, watched movies, ate in different restaurants, trooped down to Quinta Market in Quiapo for imported soap, shampoo, and chocolates and most of all, shared secrets, which were aplenty at that time. We sometimes wore identical made-to-order dresses, and shared whatever stuff or food we can share with each other. We came to be known as THE GENUINES. It was an in-thing in the sixties for a barkada to have a name.
After graduation in 1967, we lost track of each other and found each other again through the internet early last year. It was only last January 14 this year, that we saw each other again. Bella picked me up at the Naiaa 3; Flor( a balikbayan) picked up Charito in Tanauan, and we met at the San Pedro, Laguna residence of Bella and Andy. All hell broke loose when we saw each other - with all the hugging, kissing, jumping, laughing and crying. Andy(Bella's husband) and Teddy(Flor's husband) could only smile, sharing our happiness.
Andy and Bella (mostly Andy-hahaha!) prepared a very sumptous lunch and plenty of between meals delicacies and chichiria for us, which we ate with gusto, while sharing and giving updates on our life between 1967 and 2010. 43 years, 43 long years! Wow! God is so kind!
We sadly bade each other goodbye, with promises to keep in touch as much as we can, and to be ALIVE FOR OUR NEXT REUNION! That's a tall order, isn't it?
hi, anna! thanks for sharing our joy. that's so sweet!
our picture is the post below this post. it's entitled "Guess Who"
tuwing tumitingin kami sa salamin, napapabuntunghininga kami, kasi bakit ganon, di kami nagbabago? nakakasawa na ang beauty and kaseksihan namin. hahaha!
Dear Miss Josie, I happened to read your blog in my search for Mrs Bella Altura-Mitra, former teacher at ICA Intramuros, as we had a wonderful reunion last July 31, 2010 with teachers and classmates. I asked another teacher, Miss Luzviminda de la Cruz Dabu if your Miss Bella is her friend as well and she said, "Yes, yes, yes." We would like to get in touch with Miss Bella especially her ICA barkada. If it's ok with you and Miss Bella, you can send her number through my email, achirose2002@yahoo.com. Thanks so much! I can relate po to your joy in finding old friends! Sincerely, Rose
I'm sorry for this very delayed reply to your messages. I didn't see it until today when I received an e-mail from a PNC 1967 classmate of yours by the name of Ms Juliet Bala Harrison. She would like to get in touch with you and catch up. This is her e-mail address: j_b_harrison@yahoo.com.
I spoke with Ms Altura-Mitra this morning and informed her that Ms Harrison will be e-mailing her. Happy, happy reunion!
Hi Tita Josie! It was nice to see you. Excited din ako sa reunion nyong 4, parang kasali din ako sa barkada =)
Is there a picture in this post? Di ko makita.
Hope to see you soon!
Regards,
Anna