Dear Loved Ones,

Pleasant Greetings from Manila, Philippines! We praise and thank God for the pleasant flights to Pinas onboard DELTA last Jan. 16 from SFO via Narita, Japan then to Manila, and reuniting with family and friends. Since then, I had been enjoying wearing sleeveless blouses and shorts, eating fresh mangoes with every meal, among many other amenities to wallow in this part of the earth!

My plan included participating in activities of the quadric-centennial (400^th) years of my alma mater UST. Since I completed three courses there {BSCE, MBA, and Ph.D.), I deemed it worthwhile the trip. On Jan. 22, I joined the Engineering (EngGaling) alumni homecoming: starting with the 5:00pm Mass at the air-coned UST chapel, took many souvenir photos with co-alumni Lin Castro, Becky Cabrera (from Dubai), Beth Romualdo, Ms. Tansinsin, along the way back to Eng building. There I met up with NPC colleagues Rory Rabara, Carl Aquino and joined the table of Peter Juban and a dozen CE 71 hunks. We had a blast reminiscing our college days and fun times then, updating on career / family whereabouts and circumstances, more photo ops, programs, and awards, sumptuous buffet, then lots of dancing, culminated with fireworks. Everyone agreed to meet again for the Grand Alumni Mass and Dinner Homecoming on Jan. 28. I already got a ticket to that event, with seat assigned at Table 14, Seat no. 5.

By 4:30 pm Jan. 28, I was dropped off by my hubby outside the Espana UST gate where he also parked our vehicle since it was filled inside. I found a good spot for the Mass at the back row of priests. Pope Benedict XVI sent his representative His Eminence Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski to officiate the solemn Eucharistic celebration with the theme: ‘400 years of Unending Grace’. The day was the solemnity of St. Thomas Aquinas, our patron saint - the entire field was filled with dignitaries, alumni, gusts, students to the brim – moving, colorful ceremonies with songs, dances, culminated by mass candle lighting and the live message of the Pope via YM. Then the grand Alumni dinner followed: tickets for PHP 1610.00 were sold via ticketnet.com (originally for 8000 only but increased to 10,000 due to high demand). Proceeds were for the benefit of the Foundation for SIMBAHAYAN (Simbahan, Bayan at Tahanan). The novel ticket distribution afforded me to share a table with 6 medical doctors, 2 accountants, 1 IT. On an adjacent table had 10 male

Engineering 85 graduates, while my fellow ChEng female batch mates Lin and Loida were on a nearby table, fellow GS alumni with Dr. Belen Tangco (current Dean of College of Science) were on nearby tables. As coded Formal, ladies and gentlemen were in their best: gowns, barong/coats, heels, hairdos; many came from overseas; celebrities, personalities – all ALUMNI proud to reminisce beautiful memories with their beloved Alma Mater, enjoy the exhibits, buy souvenirs, updates with friends, enjoy the world-class musical numbers performed by alumni, fireworks, etc. As Fr. Rector Dela Rosa summed up: Most people commented about the over-the-top activities of the celebrations (as in bonggang-bongga talaga!). The response: Definitely, because it took us 400n years to prepare for them!

Busy days followed: meeting up with more friends, lunch meetings at restaurants and malls; my 12 noon Mass at the UP Diliman Church of the Holy Sacrifice is a regular since I am staying at my El Jardin condo in Bohol Ave. while we spend week-ends at our Fairview residence. When I am not in our Fairview Shipping office, I am at the malls. My pleasures include wearing sleeveless shirts and shorts, eating fresh mangoes with every meal, and many related ‘summer’ fun activities. Highlights / Observations include:

· Daily Masses at various churches. Full Mass attendance in churches even on week-days are truly appreciated, like no other;

· Facilities in many malls, like SM, Greenhills had been upgraded – globally competitive amenities; thus, prices of goods / services have gone up;

· Jan. 30: After our SM movie date, we had our reunion with our Couples for Christ brods/sis at the residence of Gammy & Grace Cruz with 4 other couples, with Fr. Bobot Clemen who blessed their home which had been upgraded with new amenities. Their kids Gustav, Calvin, and Janine have all grown up – how time flies!

· Had my regular dental appointment for cleaning;

· Met up with my lawyer for consultations on legal matters;

Attached are 4 group photos of recent reunions with family and friends. Let us continue to pray for our country and people. Peace and Joy to You and God Bless Us All!

Much love and Best Regards!!!