The Past - a Reflection

Like any other senior, then, now and perhaps to come, I can't but experience a feeling of mixed emotions because very, very soon, everything that is Tabaco National High School will become but a cherished memory, like music half-remembered. This is then an opportune time to reflect on the past four years before we bid adieu to our dear alma matter.

It was June 1981 when we entered the sacred portals of TNHS, after successfully hurdling the entrance examinations to start carving ourselves on the pages of TNHS history.  Embewed with freshman's enthusiasm, we were eager and ready to experience what it is to be a high school student. The series of orientations were conducted then, emphasizing the different school rules, the school ideals and what were expected on us. In the same month we elected our class officers and Ma. Antonia Mirabona, I-A class mayor, bagged the governorship of the Freshman Federated Barangay with Mrs. Aurora Buiza as the Federated adviser.

As everything seemed new, we lost track of the time and found that it was December. We exhibited whole-hearted cooperation in the celebration of the Yuletide Season. In fact, we capped our Christmas class party with dance to make our affair a success.

We came back in January looking forward to the school's anniversary celebration. Young and neophytes as we were, we competed with our elder counterparts in the various activities and contests. Luckily, Marchall Pacheco bagged the first prize in the science academic contest. Analiza Berces was proclaimed Miss Freshman during the coronation night held at the municipal Plaza.  Soon after, Recognition Day followed. The first year honor roll was composed of Gemma Pelagio, first place; Margarita Bocaoto, second; Marchall Pacheco, third; Luiety Bragais, fourth; Nilo Breis, fifth; Jurissa Silverio, sixth; Ma. Antonia Mirabona, seventh; Amelia Dolosa, eight; Ma. Teresa Balistoy, ninth and Filipinas Reyes, tenth. Freshman Model Boy was Teotimo Clemeña, Jr. and Model Girl was Ma. Antonia Mirabona.

We parted ways during the lazy summer vacation, but Scouts Peter Allan Canafe, Reynaldo Bragais, Joseph Benosa, Teotimo Clemeña, Jr., Wel Come, Salvador Bilono IV, Nilo Breis, Tirso Rodriguez, Gary Gaytano, Jose Elpidio Marpuri, Pedro Corral, Enrico Garcia, Bernardo Villar, Fredand Brusola and Gregory Bogñalbal joined the Summer Work Camp held at Sogod, Bacacay Albay.

Days dragged onto June 1982 and we were initiated into what it is to be a sophomore. Ma Antonia Mirabona was re-elected governor, this time of the Sophomore Federated Barangay, with Miss Soccoro Triumfante as adviser. From August 26 to 27, the Cluster 1 Science Camp was held in Tanawan, Malinao, Albay and the sophomores' able representatives were Marchall Pacheco, Gemma Pelagio, Nilo Breis, Amelia Dolosa and Janet Bodoso. On October 3 to 5, the Scouting Provincial Camporal (Municipal Level) was held at Karangahan, Tabaco Albay were Peter Allan Canafe, Reynaldo Bragais, Pedro Corral, Joseph Benosa, Gary Gaytano, Teotimo Clemeña, Jr., Enrico Garcia, Nilo Breiz and Wel Come were among the school's delegates.

By the next year, on February 3 to 5 1983, Marchall Pacheco and Gemma Pelagio attended the Regional Conference of the Environmental Watchers (RCEW) held at Tabaco National High School. Then, as usual, we celebrated TNHS week. For the second time around Marchall Pacheco won first prize in the science academic contest inspired by the beauty of Margarita Bocaoto, Miss Sophomore. Soon Recognition Days followed with the top ten placers awarded to Gemma Pelagio, Margarita Bocaoto, Marchall Pacheco, Nilo Breis, Luiety Bragais, Filipinas Reyes, Amelia Dolosa, Ma Theresa Balistoy, Janet Bodoso, and Ma. Antonia Mirabona. The Sophomore Model Boy and Model Girl were Marchall Pacheco and Gemma Pelagio, respectively.

The two-month summer vacation that followed was a bit monotonous but not for Peter Allan Canafe, Joseph Benosa, David Bodota, Daniel Fabian Chavenia, Pedro Corral, Garry Gaytano, Tirso Rodriguez, Bernardo Villar and Wel Come who, with Scoutmaster Higinio Manuel, helped in the road beautification for community development during the 7th National Boy Scouts Jamboree at Lamon, Goa, Camarines Sur on April 11-18, 1983.

Then on May 15-24, 1983, the 4th Provincial Summer Work Camp was held in San Vicente, Libon Albay and the Scout Citizen Awards were given to Reynaldo Bragais, Daniel Fabian Chavenia, Enrico Garcia, Pedro Corral, Gary Gaytano, Gregory Borñalbal, Jose Elpidio Marpuri, Nilo Breis, Judel Colipano, Peter Allan Canafe, Joseph Benosa, Teotimo Clemeña, Jr., Bernardo Villar, Fredand Brusola and Wel Come. At the same gathering, Nilo Breis, Pedro Corral and Joseph Benosa were elected vice-chairman, secretary and P.R.O., respectively, of the Association of Scout Citizen Awardees in Albay.

June 1983 ushered us into junior life with its inherent load of activities and responsibilities. We organized the Junior Class Organization (formerly the Junior Federated Barangay) with Marchall Pacheco as governor under the guidance of our adviser, Miss Evelyn Balderama. On July 8, Nilo Breis won the presidency of the Student Council Organization, an event which happened to be the first of its kind in the last six years or so of TNHS history. Senior students used to occupy the SCO presidency.

In spite of added academic loads and problems, we ably maintained the high standard of our school. Marchall Pacheco, Luiety Bragais, Margarita Bocaoto, Bernardo Villar, Pedro Corral, Ma. Theresa Balistoy and a couple of others participated in the Cluster I Science Camp held at Tiwi Agro-Industrial School in Tiwi Albay on September 1 and 2, 1983. And then from September 29 to 30, the Cluster 1 Science Fair and Quiz was held where the following qualified for the 1983 Division Science Fair and Quiz: Nilo Breis, Celerina butial, Yvonne Reonal, Thielda Bruces and Gemma Pelagio; for investigatory project; David Bodota and Victor Cris Silva for Poster-making and Marchall Pacheco for Science-Math Quiz.

Came the second week of November when the Regional Secondary Schools Press Conference was held at Polangui General Comprehensive High School in Polangui, Albay where Nilo Breis attended the activity with the Vanguard/Ang Tanod advisers Miss Purisima Jebulan and Mrs. Candida Enriquez. On November 11, 1983, the Division Quiz Bee was held at the APSTA Bldg. in Legaspi City and Nilo Breis bagged the first place in Pilipino.  Immediately following, Marchall Pacheco garnered the eighth place in the Division Science Fair and Quiz held at Sto. Domingo Municipal High School, Sto. Domingo, Albay. Just before the Christmas Season, Nilo Breis participated in the Regional Quiz Bee held at Albay Central School, Legaspi City.

The most expected event in the life of a junior, the Junior-Senior Promenade, was held on February 17, 1984. Some were really nervous with excitement over their first dance and their first formal attire. We realized then what it is meant by the songs Auld Lang Syne and Among My Souvenirs.

Among the numerous school activities that followed, scouting was not left behind Jessie John Maalat and Roberto Moran served as delegates to the First Provincial Skill-O-Rama held March 7 to 10, 1984 at Bicol University, Legaspi City, with Scoutmaster Abelardo Bola.

The month's activities were topped by the TNHS Annual Fete and Margarita Bocaoto was again voted muse, this time as Miss Junior and with the Junior Governor Marchall Pacheco as her escort. Recognition Day soon came around and the top ten places were garnered by Gemma Pelagio, Luiety Bragais, Marchall Pacheco, Christian Alcala, Margarita Bocaoto, Filipinas Reyes, Amelia Dolosa, Gary Gaytano, Yvonne Reonal and Jurissa Silverio, first to the tenth places in that order.

The end of the school year did not mean the end of the varied activities of the juniors. As future CAT-I officers, 57 junior delegates of TNHS participated in the 1984 Cadet Officers Leadership Training held at the school campus. Marchall Pacheco was elected COLT President and upon graduation on May 10, 1984 the following received different awards: Marchall Pacheco, Leadership Ward; Gemma Pelagio and Luiety Bragais, Efficiency Award; Pedro Corral, Loyalty Award; Dante Bueno, Emelina Macasinag and Grgory Bogñalbal, Duty Award. On May 17 to 24, David bodota, Jessie John Ma-alat and Roberto Moran were proclaimed Scout Citizen Awardees in the 5th Provincial Summer Work Camp held at Nagas, Tiwi Albay. With them were SCA's Pedro Corral and Wel Come.

June of 1984 came and we were addressed Seniors which meant tackling more subjects, assuming more responsibilities and acquiring more guts to face more daring challenges. On August 13, during the senior class organizational meeting, Marchall Pacheco was elected Senior Class governor and at the same time designated CAT-1 Corps Commander. Luiety Bragais assumed the presidency of the Student Council Organization and was dubbed the school's Carlos P. Romulo. Gemma Pelagio was chosen president of the Federated Math club; Teotimo Clemeña Jr., president of the Federated Science Club and treasurer of the Division PSYSC chapter; Victor Camaya, vice-president of the Techno Club. Miss Edna Brizuela and Mrs. Florentina Anzano were appointed advisers of the Senior Class Organization.

Early in September, Albay was struck by the eruption of the beautiful-yet-so destructive Mt. Mayon. Tons of volcanic debris carried by mudflows buried houses, washed out roads and bridges and ravaged agricultural plantations. The first district of Albay was among those heavily destroyed. TNHS houses 1,027 evacuees of the Mayon volcano disaster so that classes went on an emergency schedule to avoid thorough disruption of classes. Student leaders of different school organization distributed used clothing  and collected voluntary contributions for the evacuees in addition to the relief goods from government agencies and private persons and organizations. They redered  services as teaching school-age pupils providing the evacuees entertainment through programs which they organized.

On November 9 the Mayon evacuees were allowed to go home and regular classes were resumed. From November 22 to 24, Amelia Dolosa, Gemma Pelagio, Luiety Bragais and Bernardo Villar participated in the Regional Secondary School Press conference held at Sorsogon College of Arts and Trades, Sorsogon, sorsogon with Miss Purisima Jebulan and Miss Ana Gianan as advisers. Three among them brought home the bacon. Gemma Pelagio grabbed the eighth place in feature writing and fourth places in editorial writing and in copy-reading and headline writing in English. Luiety Bragais got the third and eighth places in news writing and in sports writing (English), Amelia Dolosa won the eighth place in copyreading and headline writing (Pilipino)

The Senior Class convocation took place on December 7, 1984 with Mrs. Henrietta Carreon as guest speaker. And of course, the much awaited two-week Christmas vacation followed.

1985 was welcomed with a faster pace and on February 7, after rigorous and rigid training, the colorful affair no other than the CAT-1 Presentation of Sponsors and Escorts was held accompanied by a ball in the evening. From February 18 to 22, Gemma Pelagio, Luiety Bragais and Amelia Dolosa attended the National Secondary Schools Press Conference held at Zamboanga del Norte National High School in Dipolog City. Luckily, Gemma Pelagio won the second place in editorial writing and was awarded a silver medal for her feat. Hers was the only national award won for the year. Thereafter, on March 11 to 16, we celebrated the usual Annual Fete where Emelina Macasinag reigned as Miss TNHS escorted by Marchall Pacheco. Celerina Butial was chosen Miss Senior with Joel Bolano as her escort.

As the pace went faster and faster, we, the members of Class 1885 found ourselves today in our Senior Recognition Day when, of course, the deserving students are to be awarded with honors and laurels to be added to our achievement. With these, we hope we deserve the place given us in the pages of TNHS history.

Our days here are now numbered. In about five more days, it will be Graduation Day. Will it then mean farewell to our cherished Alma Mater and to our teachers and friends? My answer is Yes and No. Should we sing "Que Sera Sera - what will be, will be?" or "Walk with Faith in Our Heart?" Whatever each of us chooses, this I can be sure of: the sweet and bitter memories, as well as the triumphs and failure acquired at Tabaco National High School will be treasured and from time to time will be recalled and reflected on, to renew our strength  for what's life ahead. It is in looking back to the past that we are guided to the unchartered future. Class 1985 looks ahead full of hope, for behind is the continual guidance of Tabaco National High School, solid and steadfast. Thank you. This is adieu but not goodbye. 

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