New Zealand Quake: Danao nurse’s fate still unknown
March 3, 2011
From: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national
Ezra Sabayton Medalle
From thousands of miles away, Sophie Olaguir was shocked to see her two friends on the list of names of those missing after the Christchurch earthquake, Ezra Sabayton Medalle and Jessie Redoble, both 25, were Filipino nurses whose first day of English class in the CTV building was the day of the earthquake,
The pair were from Danao City in Cebu, where Miss Olaguir’s sister had been classmates with Ms Medalle since kindergarten through to university.’ The pair had met at college and been together for more than five years. Ms Medalle had tried to apply to become a nurse in Canada, where her mother lived with her Canadian husband, while Mr Redoble had tried for America, where his father lives.
However, New Zealand would take them both.They had left on February 19, after a leaving party on February 15.
“The last time I saw them they were like the happiest couple on earth because finally they could go to New Zealand.”
The trip had been costly, at more than $15,000 each, but they were looking forward to getting qualified and earning money, Miss Olaguir said.
Ms Medalle was her mother’s only child and they had not seen each other in years, she said. She had gone to Canada to make money for her daughter’s education.
“[Ezra is] very sweet, she’s very softly-spoken, she’s a very smart girl.”She and Mr Redoble were “inseparable”, and Mr Redoble was very protective.
“He hugs her and kisses her every single minute of the day. They were very sweet to each other, they were really in love.”
.Both Ms Medalle and Mr Redoble had a high level of English already and were just completing the King’s Education course to get certification, she said.– Stuff
DAUSA Medical Mission Chief Dr. Jackson Reports on 2010 Mission to Danao
October 24, 2010
The Danao Association USA (DAUSA) medical-surgical-dental-scholarship mission has become not only a yearly commitment of the association since 1998 but also one of the highlights of the fiesta celebration of Danao City, Cebu every September, in honor of St. Thomas de Villanueva, the patron saint who was known for his generosity in giving alms to the poorest of the poor.
The sources of medications, medical supplies & monetary assistance for the DAUSA medical mission include charitable donors like the AmeriCares, Medical Assistance Program International (MAP), Inter-church Medical Assistance (IMA), Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB), individual sponsors & pharmaceuticals.
Every September since 1998 is a much awaited month for the DAUSA members because it’s the time to “Balik-Danao” or return-to-hometown Danao City. They are named the “Balikbayans”.
They don’t only visit & enjoy the fiesta-celebration, but also extend blessings to deserving underprivileged fellow-Danawanons through the medical-dental-surgical mission & scholarship program.
The nostalgic ‘Balikbayans’ or those who return-to-hometown, & the DAUSA medical mission team experienced once again the warm hospitality, entertainment, & enjoyable participation in the traditional welcome luncheon at the residence of Mayor Boy & Tita Durano, lunch with the scholars, the Balik-Danao Night, the mission-break lunch in the farm of Sany & Tita Barriga Tomayao, the Fiesta Parade & Culmination Night.
The Balikbayans were also invited to other special events like Search of the ‘Matron of Danao’, Karanza competition & search for ‘Karanza Queen’, Photo Contest, individual Barangay celebration & procession & of course sumptuous luncheons & dinners.
Before the medical mission, a meeting of representatives of the mission volunteers, local & from abroad was called. Danao City Councilor Dr. Cynthia Duterte, previous Chief of Danao General Hospital presided the pre-mission meeting, attended by the DAUSA Medical Mission Team & the chairpersons of the different committees that the Danao City Government organized for the mission.
The DAUSA team was represented by Cecilia Barriga Ford, incumbent DAUSA president, Crosine Roble, head of the dental mission, Nanay Marrieta Palos, preceding DAUSA president, Noemi Laurente Sigrist from Switzerland & outgoing Balik-Danao queen, & Dr. Anita Cal Jackson, Chief of Medical Mission.
There was a good interaction between the “Balikbayan” team & the hosting Danao City government representatives. The family members of Noemi Sigrist & Ricky Mata helped in sorting & labeling the medications, & grouped them according to their indications. Afterwards, the organized boxes of medications were kept in a locked room.
Early Wednesday morning on the first day of the medical mission, the boxes were transported to the civic center. After the first day of the mission, the boxes of remaining meds were transported safely to the house of Genis Cabahug, brother of past DAUSA president Gemma Montegrande.
Genis’ wife Zorina Cabahug served as the licensed Chief Pharmacist of the mission. There was more than sufficient supply of medications for the 2nd day of the medical mission. The free consultation & dispensing of prescriptions at the pharmacy went smoothly at the air-conditioned civic center.
The physicians from the Danao City Health Center & Dental office offered their free services in consultation & prescription, & tooth-extraction. Knowledgeable registered nurses were assigned in the pharmacy.
Since the operating room of the hospital was temporarily closed due to its renovation & expansion to become the Provincial Hospital of Cebu, only minor surgeries could be performed in the emergency room. Surgeons from Cebu City & their resident physicians offered free surgical services.
Since there were extra medications, an impromptu medical mission was extended to a barrio of Danao, Santa Rosa. It was a noble idea of the DAUSA president Cecilia Ford. It was managed by three people, Cecilia & her sister & Dr. Jackson. The barrio Capitan sent a messenger house-to-house.
Patients of different ages, newborn, children, teenagers, adults & seniors came with various problems. Registration & traffic were well-controlled; & consultation, examination, prescription & instruction were accomplished for every patient, one at a time, & in one setting.
The rest of the medications were donated & delivered to a pharmacy for identified indigent residents of the capital of a neighboring island, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, known as ‘Botika sa Katawhan’ established by a previous Chairman of the Tagbilaran Association of California (TAC), of which Dr. Jackson is the incumbent Chairperson. (See, more photos as: http://picasaweb.google.com/DAUSAInc/2010DAUSAMedicalMission#)
Fiesta Santo Tomas in Long Beach – Come, Join us – Cecilia Ford
September 1, 2010
My Dear Friends,
On September 11, 2010, Saturday starting at 03:00 p.m., members of the Danao Association, U.S.A. (DAUSA), their friends and relatives will observe and celebrate the feast of their hometown patron saint, the venerable Santo Tomas de Villanueva, Veteran’s Park Social Hall, 101 E. 28th Street, Long Beach, CA.
We invite you to join us in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist jointly officiated by Rev. F. Ben Ilano and Fr. Johnny Planea. We want you to join us partake in a hearty lunch and share a good clean fun with Danawanons of Southern California.
Being at this traditional yearly DAUSA event, we expect you to experience, like most of us, a gratifying feeling of self-fulfillment for doing a good deed, making a difference in the lives of some less fortunate brothers and sisters back home.
The $10.00 donation that DAUSA is requesting from our guests is enough to cover the cost of surgical supplies for one minor surgical procedure. The DAUSA Medical Mission volunteers do, on average, about 200 minor surgeries, such as abscess or cyst removal, etc. (This year’s medical mission will be at the Danao City Civic Center and not at the Danao General Hospital (which is under renovation)
DAUSA has been doing this, year after year, since 1998. It had assisted 3 children come to Los Angeles; two underwent extremely delicate life saving procedures.
Please, come, join us, spend an evening with super friendly Danawanons honoring their patron saint and do your share in saving a life.
Thank you and God bless. VIVA SANTO TOMAS!
Sincerely,
Cecilia Barriga-Ford
DAUSA President
Darling Barriga Lived a Good Productive Life
August 12, 2010
Mariam ‘Darling’ Barriga passed away at Kaiser Permanente, Woodland Hills, California on Monday night, August 9, 2010, after a long fight against cancer. She would have been 56 on Sept. 24.
Having been born during the Marian Congress held in Cebu in 1954, her parents Amparo (of Asturias) and Teofilo Famor (Argao), named their youngest daughter ‘Mariam’. She had her elementary education at Cebu City Central School, high school at Cebu City Colleges (now University of Cebu). She graduated Bachelor in Commerce major in Management from Colegio de San Jose-Recoletos. At CSJ-R she was very active in the Dramatics Guild, performing in variety shows.
She met her husband, Monching when she applied for a job at the Commission on Population in 1977. Monching interviewed her for the position of outreach worker to educate mothers on family planning. Although sexual harassment complaint was still unheard of in government offices in those days, yet Monching decided to quit his job as supervisor as soon as they went dating. She herself quit the family planning job a year after; got married in 1978, started her own family with Monching, having Mariel and Monette born in Cebu. She put a dress shop at their house in Cebu City while taking care of her two young daughters.
Darling came to the U.S. in 1987 accompanying her sister Helen’s two minor children, Troy and Hyacinth who waited nearly 5 years in Cebu before finally getting their immigrant visa and got reunited with the parents.
Seeing the sad state of the Philippines shortly after the EDSA revolution and the fall of Marcos, Darling saw a great opportunity for herself and her family’s brighter future in California. She then convinced her reluctant husband, Monching, to quit his job (an appointed city councilman in Danao City and running a non-profit foundation providing assistance to small farmers in the Province of Cebu.) He eventually followed Darling in Los Angeles 4 months later; got a work permit enabling him to work with a law office specializing immigration law.
Mariam also got a job as a biller for First Choice Nursing Services, whose Cebuana owner, Leah Rama, R.N., hired her on their first meeting. After a 3-year stint with First Choice Darling also learned the ins and outs of the business. When recession hit the U.S. in early 90’s First Choice closed all their 15 branches all over U.S. and moved to New York to open another nursing registry. Being a loyal and efficient biller, Ms. Leah Rama invited Darling to join her in New York, but Darling kindly refused to go. She just had a baby boy, Matthew. She was a full time Mom for nearly 5 years when Matthew was about 2 years old, and when Mariel and Monette started school upon their arrival in the U.S. in 1993. She started working from, recruiting nurses and as an insurance agent.
With her experience as a biller, she had no problem getting a job despite the massive layoffs in many companies. She soon got a collection job in a Hollywood company supplying lights and special effects to movie production companies in Los Angeles, then later with Catalina Yacht, handling its collection and customer service.
She then went back to the nursing registry business, helped establish then managed the Medical Support Services, which in short time became a very profitable enterprise. Later, May Mallari, her close friend and former co-worker at First Choice asked Darling to also help her establish Master Staffing Inc, and she did. Two years later MSI was a major player among professional nursing service providers in the Los Angeles area, run by 3 best friends, May, Darling and Gloria Madrona.
When Monching initiated the DAUSA Medical Mission and the Adopt-a-Student Project along with U.S. resident friends from his hometown, Darling actively did her share in making the Danao Association USA (DAUSA) projects an institution in Danao City, Philippines, helping the city’s poorest of the poor through the yearly medical mission and scholarship program. She often went with the volunteers that go to Danao City every September to conduct the mission and meet the scholars. So far over 50 of the DAUSA scholars have graduated college and now gainfully employed. Darling herself helped one orphan go to college and became a nurse and now, a pharmaceutical distributor in Cebu.
She enjoyed travel and had so much fun going on weekend Mexican cruises with family and close friends from Danao. She traveled to Europe two times, and also realized her dream trips: to Switizerland, Rome, the Shrine in Lourdes and the Holy Land. Darling and Monching even had their 30th Wedding renewal at the Ecce Homo Basilica within Old Jerusalem, less than a year after a major surgery.
Darling felt so blessed and could not ask for more from God with her two daughters, Mariel and Monette, having finished college, good jobs, married in the Catholic Church; seeing and enjoying two grandchildren, Haley, daughter of Mariel and Brian Noyes, and Nathan, son of Monette and Hywel Paragas. She had no doubt that her son Matthew, would also turn out to be fine gentleman and become successful in his chosen career, presently a 3rd year college at CSUN where his sisters also graduated.
Darling quit her job after CT Scans found cancer had spread in her body late 2009. She showed strength and great courage to defeat cancer, but God’s will be done. (See, Memorial Service & Internment Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/monching/sets/72157624606793921/detail/
2010 Sto Tomas Novena Schedule
July 11, 2010
Taga Danao: Rene Almendras, the new Dept of Energy Secretary
June 29, 2010
Aquino names Cabinet, Old, new faces in official family
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:40:00 06/30/2010
Rene, the youngest among the children of the late "Sir Pinong & Ma'am Rosing" Almendras
The new faces in Aquino’s Cabinet are Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Secretaries Voltaire Gazmin (defense), Br. Armin Luistro (education), Proceso Alcala (agriculture), Enrique Ona (health), Alberto Lim (tourism), Mario Montejo (science and technology), Jose Rene Almendras (energy), and Virgilio delos Reyes (agrarian reform).
Also new are Julia Andrea Abad, Presidential Management Staff chief; Edwin Lacierda and Eduardo de Mesa, Aquino’s spokesperson and chief legal counsel, respectively; and Patricia Licuanan, Commission on Higher Education chair.
The others who have served in previous administrations are Secretaries Alberto Romulo (foreign affairs), Cesar Purisima (finance), Leila de Lima (justice), Florencio “Butch” Abad (budget), Cayetano Paderanga (socioeconomic planning), Jose de Jesus (transportation and communication), Gregorio Domingo (trade and industry), Corazon “Dinky” Soliman (social welfare), and Rogelio Singson (public works), and Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto Henares, and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita “Ging” Deles.
Aquino also chose two career officers to head their departments—Environment Secretary Ramon Paje and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.
Aquino also announced that Maj. Gen. Ricardo David would succeed Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit, and that Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Versoza would stay on until his retirement in December.
He was adamant about not appointing any of his relatives to posts in his administration, although he has a father-and-daughter team—the Abads—in his Cabinet.
A TRIBUTE TO “TATAY”
June 20, 2010
(This article was published in The Freeman on June 7, 2010, by Melanie Marie Ypil-Lachica, who works at the U.N. Headquarters and is the wife of the Philippine Consul to New York, lawyer Leandro Lachica. I just thought today being “Father’s Day,” it may be just fitting to post this eulogy which Melanie delivered on June 5 at the church service in honor of her Tatay, Prudencio R. Ypil, from Looc, Danao City, and former municipal secretary of Liloan, Cebu . Prudencio who was fondly called “Dodong”, by friends and relatives was the elder brother of my good friend and high school classmate, Ben Ypil, now in Indiana. Dodong and I worked in the same building adjacent to the Cebu Capitol Building, he was with the Provincial Development Office and I was with the Farm Systems Development Corp) in the ’80s during Gov. Gullas’ administration. Monching)
On behalf of our family, we would like to thank you for being with us here today and for your comfort and prayers during this difficult and painful time. Yes, he was my Tatay, but he was not only just my Tatay but a Tatay to so many of us here today. Tatay was a good man, a simple man and a humble man. While we mourn his loss, let us celebrate a life well-lived. God, in His great goodness, blessed our lives with Tatay’s presence as a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a grandfather, an uncle, a colleague and a friend. Each of us here has a story to share about Tatay.
One of the things I will miss most about Tatay was his inimitable sense of humor. He never failed, as I’m sure is the case for all of you here, to make me laugh. I’m positive that he wouldn’t want us to be sad, but rather to remember the happy times with him with a happy, nostalgic smile.
His humor was only surpassed by his immense heart for others. I’m sure that Tatay has not only helped, not one, not two, but the entire community of Liloan. He never refused anyone who came to him for help. Tatay served the public diligently and honestly throughout his years in government, and armed only with his wit and genuine care for the people, he always delivered. In his own humble way, he has helped this town to be a better place and we are all the richer for having had him in our lives.
While Tatay’s efforts went unnoticed, he was not to complain. He never complained. But it gives me great comfort and solace to know that during the wake, time and time again people have come up to me to relay how, in one way or another, Tatay has helped touch their lives. But that was the quintessential Tatay.
A humble man who did not seek nor need recognittion. Truly Tatay was indeed valued and appreciated by so many and Tatay’s passing is not just the family’s loss, but the community’s loss as well.
Tatay’s love was an unconditional love. He loved wholeheartedly, without any conditions nor reservations, no matter the consequences. Tatay did not have a mean bone in his body and was ever ready to forgive and let by-gones be by-gones. When he was hit by an overspeeding motorcycle driver, the driver was caught and put in jail. But Tatay decided not press charges because the driver has several children to support and he did not want to further burden the man.
As my Tatay, he never failed me. More than a source of strength, he was my inspiration of love who asked nothing in return. I remember when I was in college in Manila, I fell ill and had to be hospitalized. I was admitted late at night and when I woke up he was the first person I saw the very next morning.
I will also miss his cooking. He knew my favorite foods and everytime I came home to Liloan, he always had my favorite shrimps or ‘pasayan’ at every meal without fail. Though we will crave for his home-cooked meals in the days to come, we will be soothed by the knowledge that Tatay has already filled us up so many times over with his unconditional love and I take comfort in this knowledge that Tatay will live on in my children and in my children’s children.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Ypil family for their outpouring of love and support. As you know, I did not grow up here and did not have the chance to know my uncles, aunts and cousins from my Tatay’s side of the family. But Tatay, in his own unique way, painful the circumstance may be, brought us all close together.
I thank Tatay for giving me the chance to discover and appreciate the truly wonderful people that they are. Needless to say, my cousins from Nanay’s side of the family have been a pillar of strength during this difficult time as well.
When I was a little child, Tatay used to sing the song “You are my Sunshine” to me. Tatay, I want you to know that “YOU” are my sunshine. As sure as the sun rises each day, I know that you will be watching over all of us to brighten our lives and comfort us in the days to come.
I couldn’t be more proud to have you as my Tatay.
Ace Durano maybe out, but Rene Almendras is likely in Aquino Cabinet
June 12, 2010
A cause bigger than one’s own
By Malou Guanzon-Apalisok
Cebu Daily News First Posted 05/24/2010
Rene Almendras
How does Cebu figure under a Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III presidency?
One answer might be forthcoming in the shape of the Noynoy Aquino Cabinet. The names of possible appointees are currently making the rounds of text messages. The list reminds me of the stuff that a bride customarily brings to her wedding for good luck: “something old and something new.”
Former members of the Arroyo Cabinet Dinky Soliman, Cesar Purisima, Avelino Cruz and Florencio Abad are in the list. Members of the so-called Hyatt 10, they turned against President Arroyo in 2005 at the height of the Garci tapes controversy. Dinky is said to be a shoo-in for the Social Welfare and Development Department, Purisima as Finance Secretary, Cruz as Justice Secretary and Abad as Education top honcho.
Also included is Philip “Popoy” Juico, former Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary during the early days of the Cory administration. Online reports say Popoy will be going back to the Agrarian office while his wife Margie, who once served as Cory’s appointments secretary, will be appointed chair of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
The inclusion of the Juico couple in the new Cabinet has triggered the resurrection of issues against the so-called Kamag-anak, Inc. This has incensed former Tarlac congressman Jose Cojuangco and rightly so. The issues are unsubstantiated, rehashed and sound like a broken record. Critics pointing a finger against Noynoy’s relatives better put or shut up.
New names in the incoming Aquino Cabinet include lawyer Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa as Executive Secretary, Bong Naguiat as chair of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and Cebuano Jose Rene Almendras as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways. One of their shared qualities is a long-standing friendship with the incoming president.
Last week’s banner story about Rene Almendras immediately sent ripples in the political circle but especially in the corporate world, where he is held in high esteem.
Almendras is currently President of Manila Water Company, Inc. He also sits in the Ayala Corporation as managing director. Before this, he held top positions with Ayala Land Inc., and was also president and CEO of two listed companies managed by the Ayala Land Group, Cebu Holdings, Inc. and Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corp. He was also Chairman of the Ayala Land Group Bidding Committee and head of the Strategic Procurement Division. Among top 100 business executives in the Philippines, I would say Rene would be in the upper 20 bracket.
Pressed for a reaction, Almendras’ elder sister, Provincial Board member Agnes Magpale said her brother is not likely to accept the offer because “maayo ang iyang pagkabutang” (he is comfortable where he is now). The reactions of Ma’am Agnes though would qualify as the understatement of the year because according to a good friend of mine who happens to be Rene’s co-worker in ALI, “super maayo ang pagkabutang ni Rene.”
Rene’s ability and talent in bringing about success to a number of Ayala big-ticket projects is almost legendary. It is a fact that as one goes up the corporate ladder, one finds himself alienated from ordinary workers, but I gathered that Rene is not only well-respected by his peers but also loved by the workforce of the Ayala group.
Stories about Almendras popping up in the workplace to invite mid-level supervisors for coffee abound, as well as his tendency to join the ‘commoners’ during major corporate events when Fernando, Jaza, etc. descend from the virtual Mt. Olympus. Thus when it was time for Rene to leave Cebu to assume the top position of Manila Water Company and make Makati his home base many workers were teary-eyed.
Very capable, dedicated, a track record for honesty and integrity and a heart that holds a soft spot for the ordinary man are attributes that should put Rene on top of the Aquino Cabinet list but especially in the DPWH. I will not bore readers with the background of the department to explain the urgency of the problem. Suffice it to say that even the World Bank weighed on the issue by exposing the bid rigging of WB-funded road projects in 2009. The report exposed how deep and embedded is the system of graft and corruption in the department. By Noynoy’s own calculation, some P280 billion was lost to graft in 2009 alone.
Will Rene bite? Many think he will not and they understand. Someone gave me a picture of the kind of compensation and perks that a man in Rene’s position receives and my eyes almost popped out. If he decides to stay in the corporate world, it will be on account of his family who wish for him a life of peace and contentment.
However, I think Rene also realizes the challenge of the moment. To be called to the task of helping put the country on the road to moral recovery is the chance of a lifetime. Without a doubt, Rene is in the pinnacle of professional success, but among great men and women, one’s purest possibility can only happen if he goes to battle for a cause bigger than his own.
Unbelievable but true Noynoy won in Danao City
May 11, 2010
In the front page of Sunstar Superbalita dated April 28, 2010, reads: “Mga Durano nipasalig nga mohatag silag makabungog ug dakong kadaugan ni Lakas-Kampi-CMD Gilberto ‘Gibo’ Teodoro sa 5th district sa lalawigan sa Sugbo.
Then on May 12, 2010, two days after the election, Sunstar Cebu reports: “The Duranos, who dominate politics in Danao City and virtually the entire fifth district, endorsed Teodoro. But even in Danao City, Aquino won.”
Aquino got 24,299 votes, compared to Teodoro?s 21,287 votes in Danao City. In the fifth congressional district, the tally showed 148,675 votes for Rep. Ramon Durano VI, compared to 22,784 for Jesus Durano Jr.
Danawanons all over the world must be happy, knowing their brothers and sisters back home have started to experience without fear a freedom of choice – and no more goons, guns and hopefully, no more vote-buying also next election.
For the record I was hoping and rooting for Gibo Teodoro to win, but the Filipino people have spoken, so we must respect, support and pray for our new President to succeed.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. (R. Barriga)
60th Anniversary of the Danao Central School Class 1949-50
March 15, 2010
They were the young “WW II Vets” when they finished 6th grade at the Danao Central School – Upland (now D.T. Durano Elementary School in 1950. They survived the ravaged of war as young kids and their schooling got disrupted for over 2 years.
The Class of 1950 will celebrate their 60th Elementary Graduation Anniversary sometime this year; final date and activities will be announced in due time as the leaders of the class headed by Msgr. Pascual Ypil are still finalizing their plans for a big celebration.
Some of the graduates in this photo were as young as 5 years old when the war broke out. Their schooling were disrupted few days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor when the Japanese Imperial Army also invaded the Philippine Islands, being an American territory at the time. Classes were immediaely suspended when the Japs started bombing Cebu shortly before Christmas in 1941.
The Poblacion residents of Danao evacuated to the mountains and children tagged along. The came down back to the town proper two years later when the American liberators came to Danao driving the Japs away from the poblacion into the hinterlands of Cebu. Elementary school re-opened after the the Japanese invaders surrendered sometime late 1945.
Because of the nearly 3-year “long vacation”, the Danao Central School was overwhelemed with new enrollees when the school re-opened in 1945. This resulted in a large class size in each section according to Nick Gonzalez, a member of this class.
Nick said there were not enough classroom to accommodate returning and new students. Also, during the American occupation, schooling was mandatory; if a child was of school age and was not in school, parents could end up in jail.
Among the prominent member of this class are Msgr. Pascual Ypil, Fr. Mariano Batucan, Dr. Leonara Barriga-Philipps, City Councilor Alice Barriga-Durano, Nick Gonzalez, Ben Durano, among many others. Since they celebrated their 50th anniversary, the class regularly holds a reunion in the month of December.
(Photo is courtesy of Pamela Mayhew-Dos Santos who emailed the 1950 Graduates Class Photo to DAUSA. Pam is not a member of the class, she just found this in the “kaban” of her Lola (2nd wife of the late Cesar Gorre, one of the teachers of the Graduates)