Ahoooooo! We shall soon “go out”, leave our homes for the usual and normal activities, but please always be protected, healthy and safe as COVID19 pandemic has forced busy cities to a near-halt with millions of people across the globe staying indoors. We can only hope and pray to God that this scourge will soon be over and come to pass.

CLASS ACTIVITIES IN BRIEF

Let’s start off by welcoming Monching Muyargas. It always feels good to see and talk to a mistah whom we haven’t seen for quite a time.

The Class celebrated its 40th RUBY ANNIVERSARY cum Valentines Day Dinner Party at the Manila Peninsula on 15 February 2020 with lots of fun and revelry, dancing and singing, and live performances of Mapitagans that brought the house down.

Mistah Del Lee brought balladeer Jed Madela who serenaded the class with love songs to the delight of the ladies. The event was capped by an inspiring speech by our Class Pres Nick entitled ‘Classmates are forever…Classmates are a blessing’

On 22 Feb 2020, ten (10) Mapitagans represented the class during the PMA Alumni Homecoming. Pres Nick hosted dinner at Baguio Country Club’s Hamada Japanese Cuisine attended by Sammy, Mike, Oby, Monlors, Noel, Gerry, Ric, Juni, Mie and some ladies.

Forty-eight (48) classmates and ladies attended the wake of Nick’s beloved mother on 7-10 March 2020 in Tarlac. May God give Nanay Caring eternal rest and your family the strength to bear the great pain.

It is also with deepest sorrow that we saw the passing of our dear mistah Jibs Ubalde on 17 April 2020. Our prayers to all his family, relatives and friends. Jibs, rest in peace.

Feb. 12, 2020 saw the book launching at The AFP Theater of Jess Lomeda’s (aka J. Irving) “A Time To Heal”, Bloodbath in Pata Island, Sulu – a gripping true to life recounting and portrayal of the Philippine Army combat soldiers’ fierce struggle to survive the relentless attacks of the enemy on 12 Feb 1981, exactly 39 years ago. More than 100 Army officers and men were killed by Moro natives in what was called by retired Major General Delfin Castro as “the biggest number of casualties incurred by the AFP since the start of the conflict in Mindanao and had the dubious distinction of achieving the biggest losses in AFP firearms and equipment in a single incident.”

The book is available at the AFP Museum.

Our class participated in the ‘VMMC AGFO BFF Project’ thru the initiative of AGFO Director Gerry Layug. A total of P90,000.00 was contributed by Mapitagan classmates to support the different needs of the Veterans Hospital in lieu of COVID19.

On 30 March 2020, Alec Cabantac, the fashion designer daughter of Bong in partnership with Dennis Tan spearheaded ‘Donate a Hazmat Project‘ to fabricate and distribute medical suits/personal protective equipment to our medical frontliners who are in desperate need of the same because of COVID19. Some classmates contributed P125,000 to the project with 416 suits distributed to the following hospitals: UST, Capitol Medical, Saint Luke’s, Heart Center, Cardinal Santos, Lung Center, Ospital ng Makati, Amang Rodriguez, Baguio General, Army General, Benavidez Cancer Institute, Jose Abad Santos, among others.

On 23 Dec 2019, the class through Nes Eloja, donated P62,000 to earthquake victims in Mindanao, particularly in Balutakay Managa, Davao Del Sur that benefited 48 Manobo farmers. The class also allocated a portion for another ministry in Maguindanao – an educational assistance program to marginalized Muslim youth in the town of Gen. SK Pendatun. Among the items given were sacks of rice, media-noche stuff, thermos, flashlights and rubber mats.

Congratulations to PAF instructor pilot Lee Van Marayag on his promotion to Major and to the proud parents Epoy and Lita, as well.

BIRTHDAY FELLOWSHIP

The January-born classmates hosted lunch at VMMC Golf Clubhouse on 16 January 2020 while the other hostings will come as soon as COVID19 leaves us.

January: Jess Atoc, Mel Fajardo, Albert Bushen Rivera (+), Ely Tiangco (+), Herold Ubalde (+),Segundo Boy Bolo, Mervin Tiu, Alan Sta. Ana, Lito Cruz (+)

February: Bong De Asis, Ben Noble (+), Marmen Mendoza, Noel Cobar Coballes, Elmo Timmy Garrido Jose Briones (+), Bin Abu Yaakob, Honorato Nene Delos Reyes, Mike Agudo, Bogs Abogado, Eldon Nemenzo, Willy Campos, Santi Pascua (+), Dipon Carado, Jayvee Javier, Tony Baraquiel

March: Joey Madriaga (+), George Regis, Ted Torralba, Herbert Yambing, aymond Yap, Nick Bartolome, Nars Onell Lleno, Obikenobe Antonio, Cecil Sandalo

April: Jake Estrada, Nabil Tan, Pong Arroyo (+), Efren Yebra, Raoul Reyes, Dante Costes, Dick Sugon(+), Leo Kison, Jojie Segovia, Larry Dela Cruz, Joey Zubiri

May: Danny Siongco, Ricky Sandoval, Marvin Garbo, Bobby Calleja, Cesar Yano, Nelson Nario, Manding Guzman, Benjardi Mantele, Tino Pereyra, Raffy Torres, Pol Palacio, Emil Sarmiento