My Memories of St. James Academy
"Memories are the threads that hold together the patchwork of friendship".Below are some old pictures of St. James Academy, which I attended from kindergarten to high school. It is located in what was then known as Malabon, Rizal (Philippines). These photos did bring back some memories of my alma mater. The view of San Bartholome Church which is located right beside the school is shown in the first photo below. Seeing this reminded me of the times my father or our family driver would drop me where the church ground was. I and my other classmates would then wait in that narrow paved area close to the church ground for the main door at St. James to open. I do remember the principal would stand near the entrance and greet us as we entered the main door. I also have memories of the vendors on the church ground who sold snacks and toys to students waiting for their sundo or the people picking them up at the end of day.
The picture below shows the quadrangle at the back of the school. One can view the steeple of San Bartholome Church from there. This photo shows some of the Maryknoll sisters who taught us. They are wearing their original habit which they had since abandoned in the seventies.
One can see on the right of the photo of the quadrangle, the windows of the classroom which we in the girls' section occupied during our senior year. The boy's classroom was adjacent to ours and the two classrooms were accessible to each other via a big wooden French door. I remember Mrs. Bantay, our Physics teacher, opening it when she came over from the boy's section to ours. There were times while Mrs. Bantay chatted with the other teacher, some of the boys would motion to us that there was a quiz and we would cram like mad.
The quadrangle was also the place where we lined up in the morning to go to our classes. In this line the more petite girls like Dulce, Zeny Mendoza, Eugenia, Vivian were in front while the taller girls like myself, Vida, Becky, Tessie, Amanda were at the back. I particularly remember Dulce in the line with lollipops on her blouse pocket given by the shorter guys in the other section.
At the end of the day, Paeng Robles played the taps in this quadrangle while the flag was lowered. Our class also held our parties in this same place where one year some of our classmates performed a dance to the music "When You Were Seventeen" by the Beatles, one of the iconic songs of the sixties, while the girls' singing group originally called the Sugarplums and later on the Silhouettes performed songs like "Sealed with a Kiss" and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone".
The photo below shows some of the teachers we had at St. James.
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| From left standing: Miss Hilario, Mrs. Lim, Miss Punzalan, Sr. St Rita and Miss Prospero. Kneeling is Mr. Mendoza. |
Who could forget Sr. St. Rita who we had first in kindergarten and once again in high school. She was lovingly fierce to use the present day lingo. The teacher on the left in the photo is Miss Hilario who had that famous mole on the middle forehead which was the third eye that hovered over the boys' Grade six section. Next to her in the photo is Mrs. Lim our first grade teacher whose "omnipresence" (to me at 6 years old) loomed over us in our classroom located in the so called Annex. This was located between the church rectory and Mang Pilong Punzalan's store where I particularly loved to buy "Hostia" that red, round host looking sweet tart candy. Others in my class preferred to buy "tira-tira", the Filipino-Chinese version of taffy, or the ice-cold fresh "buco" (young coconut) drink which they slurped to their hearts content.
Miss Belen Punzalan, on the left of Sr. St. Rita, was our smiling and soft spoken teacher in kindergarten and once again freshmen high school literature class. I remember her sister, Rufina, had a store across from the school. I used to go there to ogle at the Barbie dolls she sold. Her other sister Aling Reming ran the main store in the school where I used to buy Nestle chocolate bar and chicharon (pork rind) which I ate together. I have continued that penchant of mine for combining sweet with savory by eating onion rings with cheesecake during my early years in the United States. The Punzalan clan had a very vital role in the history of St. James Academy. I have quoted below their part as written in the history of St. James in the St. James Academy Alumni Association (SJAAA) website.
When World War II broke out in 1941, the school was closed down but classes continued at the private residence of the Punzalan family and managed by lay teachers while the Maryknoll Sisters were interned by the Japanese in Los Baños, Laguna and at the University of Santo Tomas.
If you admire the deep Tagalog that some of us exhibited in some emails, thanks to the Pilipino class with Miss Prospero, the person on the right in the photo. Mr. Mendoza, the lone male teacher at St. James at that time, coached the boys' sport teams as well as the dance troupe with Miss Prospero.
In the photo below on the left shows our beloved, unforgettable teacher Miss Salazar who was famous for the tough love she had for her students. She was both our history teacher and Spanish teacher in high school. She had switched to the immersion approach in our Spanish class and to this day we could still recite the "Hola Paco, Como Estas" conversation in its entirety which we memorized in her class. Ms. Lachica is beside her who I think neither the boys nor the girls had.
Below, on the left photo, is the former Miss Gervasio, now 92 years young. who attended the homecoming still wearing her trademark high heels and long red nails. Who could forget those ultra long nails as she shuffled the flash math cards in high speed during our math quizzes while we were in fourth grade. The other photo shows Miss Ray Mendoza during this year's homecoming.
St. James has changed through the years. In 1980, the Maryknoll sisters left to concentrate on the missionary part of their charism and the Dominicans took over. Old buildings were renovated and new ones were added especially on the huge grounds in the middle of the campus. Gone particularly was the giant tree in the middle of these grounds where caterpillars fell from that gave me the rashes. This giant tree had a cement border where we stood as we alternated among ourselves to lead the whole school assembly in saying the Panata or allegiance to the flag during our class' turn to do so. We dreaded this since we did this without any notes and we did forget at times the words.
The drum like auditorium is now replaced by an air conditioned one in the fourth floor of one of the new buildings. Despite all these changes, I could still feel somehow the same St. James spirit when I wandered through the halls and grounds of the present St. James on the day of the homecoming held on February 21, 2015. Below is a video of the St. James song to remind us of the sentiment we felt everytime we sang it and the pride we had of being a St. Jamer.
Unveiling of the Commemorative Marker Honoring the Maryknoll Sisters
At 2 pm on February 21 just hours before the homecoming, Miriam College (which the Maryknoll Sisters also started) unveiled a commemorative marker at St. James Academy as a way to honor the Maryknoll nuns who pushed through their mission of putting up a school in Malabon.
Dr. Rosario O. Lapus, the Miriam College president, explained why it was more appropriate to place the marker in Malabon rather than at Miriam College in Quezon City. “It was the people of Malabon who took notice of the Maryknoll nuns and welcomed them to the community and entrusted their children to the nuns’ care,” Dr. Lapuz pointed out during the unveiling.
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| Bishop Rolly Santos saying the prayers before the unveiling of the marker. |
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| Members of our Class '65 pose with Dr. Rosario Lapuz (lady in pink with corsage), the President of Miriam College, Bishop Rolly Santos and Sr. Bambina Lapara O.P, Principal of St. James Academy. |
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| The merienda prepared after the unveiling. |
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| Florie and Ossie Cruz, Lory Sevilla and Ramon Garcia during the unveiling. |
The SJAAA Homecoming 2015 with Our Class '65 as the Golden Jubilarians
The homecoming program consisted of registration, the Mass, dinner, the awards ceremony, the performances from the Jubilarians, raffle draws and dancing.
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| Glory Camus Orlina with scarf and Eleanor Pali de Alday beside her register for the reunion. |
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| From left, Rafael Regala, Paeng Robles, Dulce Aquino Quimson, Lulu Gutierrez Yambao and Manny Quimzon. At the back, from left: Paeng Robles, Mononi Dalupan and Boy Bautista. |
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| In front semi kneeling is Ester Gutierrez Banaag. Front row from left: Imelda Aguilar Tiongson, Elsie Miranda Rodriguez, Linda Paez Calixto, Dulce Aquino Quimson, Lulu Gutierrez Yambao, Manny Quimson, Glory Camus. The back row from left: Flordeliza Vivandor Ongkeko, Susie Magcalas, Lita Garcia Tangonan, Renato Co (partially hidden), Rafael Regala, Paeng Robles, Manuel Borja, Mononi Dalupan and Boy Bautista. |
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| From left: Myrna Ibaviosa Guzman, Dulce Aquino Qumson, Manuel Borja, Manny Quimson, Glory Camus Orlina, Boy Garcia, Rosemarie Santos de Guzman, Boy Bautistam Eleanor Pali de Alday, Charito Lazcano Lazaro, Zenaida Gutierrez (partially hidden) and Norma Santiago. |
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| Danny Reyes greets Julie Cruz Victoria |
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| Fr. Roberto Reyes, Rudy and Zeny Parayo |
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| In tue foreground, from left: Elsie Miranda Rodriguez, Rosemarie Santos de Guzman, Norma Santiago and Zenaida Gutierrez. |
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| Standing from left: Bishop Rolly Santos, Chona Santos Lazaro, Glory Camus Orlina, Ondes Lucas Herold and Lita Garcia Tangonan. Kneeling from left: Caridad Santos Ignacio and Dandy Santos Gomez. |
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| Bishop Rolly Santos saying the Mass at the start of the homecoming festivities. |
The Five Awardees from our Class '65
Below are the pictures of the five awardees from our Class '65 that were shown on the screen as each of them was called on the stage. Their respective contribution to their fields and service to the community that they are being honored for are under their name.
The Gawad Santiago Awardee from Class '65 -
Bishop Rolly Santos
Bishop Rolly Santos accepting the Gawad Santiago award.
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| The Gawad Santiago Awardees. |
The Four Exemplary Alumni Awardees from Class '65 -
Cecilia Desiderio dela Cruz, Carmelita Tangonan, Victoria Navarro and Dr. Alberto Reyes.
In the pictures below, they are shown receiving their award from Malabon Representative Josephine Lacson Noel, SJAAA President Cynthia Castro Mariano and Sr. Bambina Lapara, Principal of St. James Academy.
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| Cecilia Desiderio dela Cruz |
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| Carmelita Garcia Tangonan |
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| Victoria Navarro, who could not make it to the affair, was represented by her sister, Sally Navarro. |
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| The daughter of the late Dr. Alberto Reyes, Maria Beth Saida Reyes Manlapaz, accepts the posthumous award for his father and gives the speech which is similar to the content in the nomination letter below. |
Since most of us do not remember or knew the late Dr. Alberto Reyes very well, Paeng Robles suggested that I share with you, classmates, and other readers what Paeng wrote about Dr. Abet in the letter nominating him for the award. I actually was very moved and got teary eyed when his daughter read a similar account in her speech during the homecoming. Please read the beautiful and inspiring description of Dr. Abet's contribution to medicine.
Dr. Abet is not similar to the usual physician we know of today, he elected government service to be able to be in the midst of poor, serve the poor, the needy and the less-privileged brothers. He was known as the "Doktor ng Bayan," continuing his service to the poor (still) even after his office hours. He treats patients even when Dr. Abet is sick and not feeling well. He charges very little or none at all depending on the paying capacity of his patients. His house served as an extended charitable institution, treating patients for free, giving or sharing with them the medicines in his possession or even the medicines of his children and even providing the patients transportation money in going home.
He specializes in Tropical Medicine and he was elevated to the title of fellow in this field of specialization. It was in the practice of Tropical Medicine where he truly became in the midst of the poor and less privileged.
The people he served were in the areas of, of Tañong, Malabon City and Wawang Pulo, Valenzuela City.
Dr. Abet does house calls to the patients who are physically unable to consult in his home clinic. House visits--most of the doctors or no doctor at all today--no longer renders to the sick. In fact, it was after making one of these calls to a sick patient in Tañong--during a storm, while negotiating the flooded street--when he fell into a canal and hit his head on the pavement. He was hospitalized because of this fall, this hospitalization however triggered the series of breakdowns of ailments of his vital organs that eventually led to his death.
These are some of his significant services:1. He was head of the Malabon City 177 Emergency where he was on call 24/7.2. During the Marcos Administration, he was head of the group that rescued the first wave of Vietnamese refugees. Their group brought the refugees in Bataan.3. He was active member of Red Cross and was participants in many of its Medical Missions.
It may be recalled that when he received the Most Outstanding Public Servant Award given by in Wawang Pulo in Valenzuela City, he declined to receive this award of recognition including the financial reward, because, he believed that, "his services to his fellowmen does not need any citation/awards or recognition; to be able to help is enough for him." Dr. Abet also declined to received and international award intended to be awarded at PICC to him for the same reason mentioned above.
Many people were cured, many hearts felt relief and joy of being well under the care of Dr. Abet. This is the compelling reason why we, the SJA '65, highly recommend the nomination of this simple laid-back person with a big, loving and generous heart for his less-privileged fellowmen.
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| The awardees from left: Bishop Rolly Santos, Cecilia Desiderio dela Cruz, Carmelita Garcia Tangonan and the daughter of the late posthumous awardee Dr. Alberto Reyes, Maria Beth Saida Reyes Manlapaz. The other awardee, Vicky Navarro, could not make it to the affair. |
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| The alumni that were honored during the homecoming. |
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| The turning over ceremony from this year's Jubilarians, Class '64 and '65 to next year's Jubilarians, Class '62 and '63 |
The Epic Class '65 Performances
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| Bishop Rolly Santos singing La Bamba with our Class '65. Though unrehearsed the performance by the Bishop was the highlight of the night and brought the house down. |
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| Note the show of extreme joy from all. |
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| Thanks to the keen eye of the emcee, Danny Reyes, who observed that Sr. Bambina was swaying to the music as Bishop Rolly was singing and invited her to join the Bishop on stage. Sr. Bambina was such a wonderful sport and joined him. It was genius Danny. We thought we have seen it all but this was such a joy and fun to watch. |
WATCH this awesome and very entertaining video below in its entirety for the Bishop Rolly's amazing performance with Class '65 plus the wonderful participation of Sr. Bambina. You will really enjoy it. Promise.
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| Should we wonder why the Bishop was that good? Look at him with his moves at the second grade under Miss de Jesus. |
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| Not to be outdone, some of the ladies in our Class' 65 had the same promise shown during their second grade Tambourine Dance under Miss de Jesus. See their performance below. |
Our Homecoming Group Picture with the Teachers
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| Class '65 group picture with the teachers during the St. James Homecoming held at the school's auditorium. |
"Friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle,
because the older you get,
the more you need the people who knew you when you were young".
Mabuhay to our Class '65!
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Zeny and Rudy Parayo for the videos and photos. Thanks also to Basilio Bautista, Rafael Regala, Nilda Lorenzo Tuazon, Jun Salumbides, Florie Cruz and Glory Camus Orlina for the photos shown here. The old photos were taken from Google images and thanks to the sources mentioned therein.
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