Chapter 20- My Fourth Year High School & Life After Graduation

In March 1961 we graduated in Dumangas high school. Most of us pursued our studies in college. Many of us worked hard to continue our studies. After 4 to six years, we finished our schooling and were working in different areas and places.

We made good in our different works and callings. One day I sat with Limbay Deza-Lau, a classmate and close friend. We looked at our classmates during the last years. We found that many of them made good in their professional and private lives. They were achievers : Rex Drilon 111, is chief business executive of several big corporations in Manila and author. Jesus Duller a graduate of Philippine Military Academy (PMA), a computer programmer and analyst. Reneo Deocampo a physician. Many became nurses and went to the United States, Canada, Europe, and here in the country. One of our classmates, a nurse was with the US Army and was send to “:Dessert Storm”. Among our classmates were lawyers, engineers, marinners and accountants.

Some were teachers here and abroad. A number became agriculturists. Some in the government service. Delia Tachado was an officer of the US army. Wilfredo Dequina, Nelson Marabilla and Jose Depaloma were officers of the Philippine National Police. Clement Doyo was elected Municipal councilor of Dumangas. Rudy Bernal was a consultant for Boboy Syjuco, mobilizing people’s organizations and cooperatives when he ran for Congressman in the Second District of Iloilo.

We reached out with our classmates’ We tried to find ways to come together for sharing and learning from each other through On-lines lectures, printed words, the internet, Facebook, bloggers and websites. Yes, life has great challenges and opportunities for living our lives today, sharing fully our experiences and services with people.

DHS Batch 1961 had 98 graduates. About fifty five (51 ) of us are still in Western Visayas and other parts of the country. About 34 were working abroad, in the United States, Canada, Europe and some Asian countries.

Thirty years after our graduation, some of our classmates came back again in Dumangas, Iloilo during the town fiesta in May 2-3, 1991. Those from abroad, invited us for sharing and lunch. Then, we decided we’ll meet every 3 years.

A number of our classmates came home. They invited us for lunch and sharing. It was always a great time for us to be together, even for a day. At age 70 to 81 years, we are in the last stage of our lives. We work lightly and continue our different commitments and challenges. Most of us are still active.

We try to discover ways to strengthen our bodies. We're learning ways to rejuvenate and regain the capacity our minds and spirit. We prayed for the strength of our souls. We were reminded always to continue living the best of our lives. We worked and try to leave foot prints, simple land marks along our way, hoping to lead younger generations in their search for life, directions and dreams. We shared our minds on Messenger and Facebook. Some of us wrote books and Memoers.

We tried to meet with our classmates after graduation in March 1961. Our first gathering after graduation was in 1972. Then we have any time if one of our classmates from abroad visits Dumangas and let Clement know where he or she was in town. He or she invited us. And, we came.

Then we have a big get together in 1991, It was the most remarkable gathering of our classmates. It was our Golden Jubilee, the 50th years after graduation in March 1961. Our DHS Class 1961, with our Golden Jubilee celebration and Dumangas town fiesta together. The Queen, the Consort, Princesses and their Consorts were all our classmates and their children. In 1991 we crowned Ms. Cecilia Diancin -Navidad Queen and Lazaro Paguntalan, Jr., King, her consort.

Our class has done lots of things for our Alma Mater under the leadership of Clement Duyo and Limbay Deza -Lau and other classmates here and abroad.

This year according to The BEACON, official publication of Dumangas High School Alumni Association, another batch of the “ Cream of the Crop” from Class’61 received the DHSSA `”Outstanding and Meritorious Awards on various fields of endeavor. DHSAA award annually ``to Jubilarians on criteria set by the association. The Committee on Awards headed by President Mimia Besas, co-chaired by Rosemsrie D. Doromal, Eddie Nilo T. Empedrado with Salvacion Dolorfino and Lanie Definio as members “ awarded the Outstanding Golden Jubilee Award and the Golden Jubilee Meritorious Awards to the following Class ’61 graduates. The awarding was done on May 3, 2011 during the Alumni Night.

Outstanding Golden Jubilee Awardee;

Rex C. Drilon 11 -Best Management & Entrepreneurship

Delia Dumaguin Tachado -Health Services (Diabeties Education)

Jesus B. Duller –Engineering and Technology

Rodolfo C. Bernal –Spiritual Enrichment through Mass Media

Priscy Resurrecion-de los Santos- Education

Clemente Doyo -Civic & Community Services

Marjorie Soriano Docdocil –Legal Services

Golden Jubilee Meritorious Awardee:

Lulu Dolotan -Demagajes -Education

Nestor Depra -Military Services

Cecil Diancin- Navidad -Health Services( Nco- Natal)

Crescencio Evangelista, Jr. -Engineering and Technology

Rene Deocampo -Medicine

Wilfredo Dequina - Police Services

Isaias de la Pena - Agriculture

Fe Delariarte -Charitable Health Services

Elsie Javelosa-Lusaya -Health Services (Critical Care)

Heidi Demaisip-Deocampo -Medical Technology

Madoline Demabildo -Deramos -Health Services (Emergencies)

Leticia Duller -Health Services (EENT)

Blonie Dolutan-Deza - Health Services ( Surgical Care)

There is preparation going on for the Diamond Jubilee next year. We hope and pray that COVID- 19 will soon go away and the problem will be over.

Four years ago, on May 3, 2016, we met. By this time. I thought most of our classmates were younger than me. I thought, I am now the oldest, Most of our younger classmates are now in their 75th year and over. But I was wrong. Limbay Deza chat me last week. He said, Rudy you are not the oldest among our classmates. Jose Lusaya had celebrated his 80th birthday last year.

We met for a mini-class reunion, every time we have chance We had our handshakes and hugs. We looked at each other's eyes, the boy’s thining hairs and wrinkled faces. We looked at the girls eyes that were clear and soft. They remain lovely, despite the age.

We laughed for old time's sake. We shared our thoughts and smiles. We shared ideas and unrealized dreams. We have lunched together. Again, we promised to take care of ourselves well, so that we can attend our next mini- reunion. A great and wonderful time to be together.

This year, 2019, two of our classmates from abroad came back to Dumangas, Ligaya ang Limbay. We met for lunch twice. We have lunch when Ligay and Limbay came with our 10 classmates. Time to share our lives and thoughts together. Then Ligay left us for her home abroad. She invited us for lunch before she left. We have chance to be together again. I just call it our 60th class reunion.

On March 24, 2020, we met again with some of our classmates. It was just a meeting and time to share our difficult life with Covid 19 around. Limbay, Letty and Jemelyn came. Rosemary had arrived but went back immediately to Manila. Clement and his his wife, Mila Delariarte was with us. Another classmate came. We met together at home in Leganes and have time to share our thoughts and lives together. We have lunch with “kulabo”, young coconuts in the afternoon.

We came together, even with Covid 19 in several parts of the country. We have heard the hard situation of Covid 19 in China, U.S.A., Italy, Sweden and other countries of the world. It hit us in the Philippines. There was “locked down” in several places in the country.

I asked our Barangay Captain if my classmates can come for lunch and sharing. Most of them will be going back to the USA and Canada. He said, “No problem Rud.“ Just make sure you and your classmates wore face masks , wash their hands with soap and water when they arrived. Have alcohol for dis-enfectant for hands and arms. And always practice social distancing.

Then, a month ago, Limbay went back to Vancouver, Canada. She invited us for lunch. The following day she left. It was a lonely day for us. But we move on.

In high school, I met often with Atty. Rosario Salas Doromal, the only daughter of Gen. Quintin Salas, a Filipino General who fought the Spaniards here in Panay, then the Americans when they attacked Panay. Atty. Doromal was President of Dumangas Baptist Church. She shared with me her involvement in the political life when she was working, in her younger days with the country's top political leaders: President Manuel Roxas, President Elpedio Querino and President Carlos Garcia. During that time, Atty. Rosario Salas-Doromal was always part of the three Philippine President’s delegations to the United States and the United Nations.

When I visited some Dumangas villages, I also heard stories of Dumangasanons who joined the HUKS (Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon) fighting the Japanese in 1941-1945. And In 1945-1965, I heard quite a number of people in Dumangas who joined the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and fought for the liberation of the country from feudalism and US imperialism.

One revolutionary leader from Dumangas, Fernandito Togonon, (Andres) a former labor leader joined the HUKs to fight the Japanese. Later he joined the People Liberation Army fighting with Guillermo Capadocia in Central Panay from the early 50’s, He fought under the Nom de Guerre “Commander Guevara”. He was captured and was convicted of rebellion with his wife, Coronacion Chiva (Commander Walingwaling). They were imprisoned for 10 years in Muntinlupa, the national penitentiary.

After their release from Muntinglupa prison, they came back to Calinog, There, in their village, they went farming. They wanted to live a normal and peaceful lives. But in mid 1970, Coronacion Chiva was assassinated by the military. Fernandito Togonon, at age 73 years, joined the New People’s Army again and fought government forces. He died in an encounter with the military forces in a village near Dumangas. He was a simple revolutionary firebrand.

The liberation struggles in the Western Visayas continued to get inspiration and guidance from several leaders of the people’s movement in Panay, some of them from Dumangas. These leaders stirred the spirit of freedom and justice in the hearts of people in Panay, Guimaras and Negros Occidental.

Two well-known and greatly respected Dumangasanons, whose names known all over the Philippines were journalists, Amando Doronila and Ma. Ceres Doyo. They were loved, trusted and respected journalists in the Philippines and in many countries of the world.

And in loving memory of our 21 classmates who have gone with the Lord, we always joined in prayer for them: Betty Demabildo, Delia Dime-Doromal, Zenaida Doronila, Ma Luz de la Flor-Depalubos, Nenita Pavillar, Delia Tachado, Rosalinda de la Pena, Nelson Delmo, Nestor Demagajes, Cenon Demetillo, Pedro Deramos, Lemuel Diamante, Robert Diancin; Eduardo Diaz, Wilfredo Diva, Nelson Denasco, Rolando Dondiego, Florencio ;Dorinquez, Agaton Doronila, Jr.,

Raul Dusaran, Nelson Maravilla, Rudy Suspene and Teodore Deramos. Every time, our classmate dies we attend the family wake. We always came, stay with the family for some hours and joined with our classmate who joined the Lord.

Edited……