Memoir of a Monican HS Batch 91

My Sta. Monica days are simply described as such:

Elementary Years: 1984-1987

I was called a "Newbie" and the new girl on the block when I was a transferee from a Catholic School in Manila to a small private school in Baao. I automatically became a member of the "cool" kids, teachers were appreciative of my academic standing, my behavioral trait was awarded and I was having a great time - the only hassle was, it took me a while before I could speak the native dialect which most of my friends thought was great because they also speak Tagalog whenever with me.

...Now here's the bummer:

Before the award ceremony that I was supposed to accept the "Most Behave student", my beloved teacher told me that I was not getting it and I had to give way to a classmate who's been a benefactor to the school and on top of this frustration... I was informed that according to the other teacher who seemed to be "not so fond of me" that time... she told my section teacher that I was not that generous to her in terms of gifts and etc. Yeahh... tell me about it... I was such a Victim of a young age of what you call a "Teacher's Autocracy"!

But hey.. this thing is what you can call : Charge to Experience!

...On being a Gangster....

Little did I know that in grade four there were two powerful gangs present that time. One group was headed by DAD and the other was manned by MP. I was informed that if I need to be "In" in the group, I had to be a member. I was compelled to choose to be with DAD as I was in the same section with her.

All members had one important rule to follow: Once DAD was about to enter the campus, somebody had to take and carry her school bag and the same thing when leaving the school ground. Lucky me... I was only assigned to send Love Letters to the man of her dreams. I was so proud of my stint because I always knew what's the latest when it comes to the "love boat" and I got to be kilig as well.

...The highlight....

With my academic standing doing good and being the declaimer in Elementary, I always got attention and being assigned to be a leader of team projects, school activities and other perks you get once you're "kind-of" belong to the "Astig" kuno. Ha ha ha!

....And now the Sucker....

In grade six, I finally had my first Crush.. yeah girls.... I was a bit curious at this time regarding matters of the heart.. he he he.. I saw my first crush... PT - a Senior in HS. In my young eyes, I could see him with these traits:


Nice & Kind - He was assign to do a volunteer stint in our class for Religion in an hour once a week. He always made an effort to make us enjoy the class with a lot of stories and singing.

Dashing - The Moreno look and the killer smile!

I knew for a fact that a little girl will always just a "Naneng" to him.. I had to SUCK the idea to call him "Kuya" even though our families are never related, but because he and his friends were once close to my Aunts and Uncles that time.



High School Years : 1987-1991

...The Teasers.....

Our first year in High School was pure excitement because we now go to the rooms /bldgs. where HS can only go... wow.. that was cool....but also because we were officially wearing a long sleeve blouse.. what a changed! (ha ha ha). It was also such a tease because we had "newbies" that came from different school within Baao. I remember we had to peak to different rooms just to check the looks of those new batch mates. If I remember their names correctly, here's a list of some of those pretty and cutie newbies...(both freshman & sophomore)

Bella Romualdo and her sister Rosalinda , Gilma Bravo, Ruby Bricia, Reihnard Bracia, Gerry Glenn Servino, Aireen Explana, and Joy Fajardo

I knew that there were more .. I just remembered those names that I thought were the ones that stand out.. (for me lang naman)

...On being the Champ....

Sophomore was one of our best years... we won the first place in Cheer leading competition that first happened in SMA (inda sana so mga unang batches kadto). We thought we never had a chance as we did not know what to do and we did not have any funds to hire a coach like the Juniors that time who had help from the cutie Seminarista from Naga.

It was our very own Mr. Salvadora who encouraged us to be self-sufficient and to use our own creativity as he said our batch was one of the artistic, talented and resourceful students in SMA... and so we did. We wrote our Gigs... and for some miracle.. it was a team effort of the whole batch of 1991 that made our presentation the best.. we had the Sophies' Gymnastic group performing at the very back , The "Rappers" courtesy of Julius Penas and Delfin Barrachina and the rest volunteered to do all the props and etc...

I was awarded the best Cheer Leading Captain and our group received a Cash price which we used to fund our Victory Party at Centeno's La Medalla Farm... It was so much fun!

...The Brat...

Junior was a cloud nine for me because I was a fave of one of my teacher... I was always asked to read and explain the El Fili chapter (tama ba? El Fili a 3rd yr? - whatever di ko rumrom so usad) kaya to the point na I wish I'll be in her class on my Senior year.. this segment is to be continued...

On being bratty... I was asked by my BF then to be his CAT Sponsor, so when it was time for me to pick a dress and shoes.. it took me forever to choose what I wanted. BF and me (with chaperon) went to Naga to buy me shoes and I was happy to find one at Robertson, there was no other options that time. However, picking up a dress that will fit in the "theme" was such an ordeal.. (lalo na aarkilawon sana man.. ha ha ha)... we went to Iriga and found none.

My BF that time being such a gentleman and spoiler.. was so supportive. One time, we went that far to PILI (without a chaperon this time) to look for that specific dress. I tried several outfits and finally got what I like not knowing that it was getting late and realize that there were no jeepneys anymore going to Baao so we waited for a Bus from Naga. We came back to Baao at around seven P.M. and guess what had happened? Both sides were waiting for us in the house - katakot-takot na sermon inabot namo just for the heck of getting the dress!

... The trial for the Homo Genius Class...

Senior year was such a blur as I guess everybody was trying to dream about college. Most of us were busy taking exams to different schools and talking about non-stop comparisons on which one is best. However, there were two specific situations that I could not forget.

1. When we were at CSSAC to take our NCEE I passed out and collapsed during the last hour of the exam. Everybody was so concern if I was able to finish my test and if not... I may not be able to get a satisfactory grade to be accepted to a good University. When the school was releasing the result of the exams I was not into getting mine as I do not want to be frustrated and get embarrassed... did I have choice? none.. so there I went to the Admin office and a teacher handed mine with a sorry face. All my closest friend were quiet and waiting for my reaction... as soon as I opened the card.. I gave them the saddest face they ever saw of me... and showed them a score of 90.. yes, would you believe that??? I passed it with flying colors!

2. Since I was a fave in 3rd year of this nice Teacher, I was so frustrated when I had to go to St. Martin. Being so gutsy and naughty, I went to see the principal and asked for a transfer.

This was what she told me: Joanna my dear, are you not glad to be in the "Homo Genius" class? This is the first year that we are trying to consolidate the top 40 (top 20 girls & top 20 boys) among the graduating class. I know you want to be under with your favorite teacher - but look, hers is section 2 so go now my child.

I left the Principal's office with a big question mark in my head - what a B*** S****!

There you go my fellow Monicans.. I hope the stories you read brought back some memories of yours... and now it is your turn to share it with the rest of us...

Bottom line is - I am proud to be a MONICAN!