PUBLISHED BY THE MORONG BALIKBAYAN ASSOCIATION, INC.

“A COMMUNITY WITH A PURPOSE...SHARING A COMMON THREAD OF UNITY”

September 2012 Volume 13, Issue 3

BALIKBAYAN NEWS

In this issue

Two Faces of Habagat

Welcome Arch Project:

Lagundi/Baras

Congratulations, Baby Magat

Weddings, Anniversary

Graduation Speech-Edric Calma

Class 2012—Ricki Leanne

Castillo-Knapp

Migo Mendoza: A Pride of URS

and the Philippines

In Focus : Happy 70th Birthday,

Analita Calma

Editorial Staff

Normita Fenn—Editor

Mario Sto. Domingo—

Associate Editor

Bob Fenn—Tech Editor

Monico Mateo—Adviser

Send comments & articles

to normitaf@att.net

Community Calendar

2012 Schedule of Events—See Back Page

2013 MHS Alumni Grand Reunion, Tampa, Florida - Aug. 9-10—Dinner/Dance, Picnic - Aug. 11-15—Bahamas Cruise Contact: Lucy Bautista: rbaut84257@aol.com

In Memory

July 20—Arcadio San Jose Austria, San Diego, Calif.

Editorial: Two Faces of Habagat

By Uro Tahup MVERT Vice President for DRR Advocacy and Initiative August 28, 2012 Morong, Rizal—Like a two-sided peso coin, a disaster like Habagat has two faces. We are too familiar with its ugly face. A community turned into a Waterworld; damaged crops and infra-structures; desperate people sitting atop their roofs; the open palm of an evacuee mother with her little child standing in a relief distribution line. This tragic scene stared us in the face when an extreme weather event with no name poured down a staggering 472 mm of rain in 22 hours on Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, Cavite and other nearby provinces from August 6 to 7. The Ondoy-like disaster, tagged as Habagat, affected almost one million Filipinos in 1,529 villages in 128 towns and 30 cities in 16 prov-inces. The death toll rose to 19 and 3 persons were reported missing. Although there was no casualty in Morong, more than 600 families have been affected by rising flood waters. More than one-third of them have been seeking refuge inside evacuation centers at the Brgy. San Jose La Gym and Santo Nińo Chapel at Sitio Wawa. In a few days, evacuees stay-ing at Brgy. San Jose La Gym will be transferred to the Covered Court at Brgy. San Juan near the

Balikbayan Building. Too often, however, we forget a disas-ter‘s compassionate face. We simply call it Damayan. It is ex-pressed in the outpouring of donations and support from Morongueňos for the benefit of flood victims. From phone calls and text messages to Facebook and Twitter, the response from kindhearted kababayans has been swift and deliberate. As of last count, the Morong Volunteers Emergency Re-sponse Team (MVERT) has received over P 100,000.00 cash donations as

well as thousands of relief goods from kababayans here and abroad. These have been immediately distributed to

most affected flood victims inside and outside evacuation centers. Recently, MVERT started im-plementing the Food-for-Work scheme where evacuees are given relief goods on the condition that they carry out clearing and cleaning operations in evacuation centers and their own communi-ties. MVERT has been carrying out its relief efforts among the evacuees living at LA Gym San Jose and now at the Morong Municipal Gym located near our HQ based on Food for Work scheme. Evacuees must clean their surroundings as well as the areas around Morong Church. Later when the flooding subsides, they will also clean up the area in Dulo, Sitio Wawa. Food for Work is a

Uro Tahup

Con’t on page 2

“Happy is the house that shelters a friend.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Page 2 IN THE COMMUNITY

means to empower the flood victims beyond relying on dole-outs. We also call it Bayanihan. It is manifested in diverse forms of humanitarian assistance: MVERT’s Flood Response and Relief Operations, Operation Habagat, Morong Rizal Open Forum’s Operation Ngiti, Morong Balikbayan’s and High School Alumni’s Relief Drive, Rotary’s ShelterBox Tents, Healthcare’s Distribution of Medicines and many more initiatives of anonymous Morongueńos.

On the one hand, the ugly face of Habagat highlights the urgency of strengthening Morong’s preparedness and resiliency to worsening hazards and future disas-ters in the age of climate change. On the other hand, Habagat’s compassionate face reveals to us the true source of our strength – working together in the spirit

Volunteers sorting and packing relief goods

Uro Tahup is one of the founding members of MVERT and is presently the VP for DRR Advocacy and Initiative. A journalist, Uro is Head of Program and Advocacy for YesPinoy Founda-tion. He is married to Sylvia Feliciano San Juan from San Husep— they have a son Chief, a journalism student at UP Los Banos. Learn about Uro’s advocacy work on his Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/uro.tahup

of volunteerism to make a difference in the lives of our disadvantaged kababayans. It has been said that Filipinos remember the last calamity only when a new one strikes the heart our community. Let us not forget the important lessons taught to us by the two faces of Habagat. In doing so, we do not repeat our past mistakes but build on the gains of the present toward a disaster-resilient and safe Morong.■ Uro Tahup MVERT Vice President for DRR Advocacy and Initiative Email MVERT at: morongvolunteers@yahoo.com.ph

Volunteers sorting and packing relief goods

Ruel Lopez and other MVERT volunteers meeting with evacuees in Sitio Wawa

Two Faces of Habagat (con’t.)

We continue to receive donations from kababayans from different parts of the world for the con-struction of the Lagundi/Baras Welcome Arch. Hopefully, with everyone’s support we can realize the wishes of our kababayans in Lagundi/Baras to have an arch. Below is an updated list of donors. For further information on this project, please contact Mr. Sher-man SJ. Cateria, Barangay Captain of Lagundi, or Mon Mateo, Phone: (415) 334-5594, email: monwlet@pacbell.net. Please make your donation payable to Morong Balikbayan Association and mail to Julie Victorio, 121 Rome Street, San Francisco, CA 94112. Again, our sincere thanks to all. Mabuhay! - Monico Mateo, Jr., President, Morong Balikbayan Association

Page 3 IN THE COMMUNITY

Welcome Arch Project: Lagundi/Baras

Alejandro, Celso and Cora

Alejandro, Shirley Marie

Amores, Nading

Aquino, Drs. Roland and Emma

Balajadia, Myrna and Lety

Bernardo, Bien and Darathy

Bernardo, Peter and Babette

Bonifacio, Joselito and Leona

Bulatao, Emmanuel and Marie

Cabrera, Mars and Mamerta

Canote, Zoraida

Capili, Melchor and Helen

Cerrado, Tony and Lynn

Clemente, Eving and Puring

Crisologo, Ponce and Milagros

Cruz, Fely and Bernie

Cruz, Joe and Alice Cruz

Curtis, Dr. Thomas and Cathy

De Jesus, Ely and Anita

Del Rosario, Nellie

De Rosas, Cris

De Rosas, Nemy and Dee

Dennison, John and Emma

Deseo, Ced and Mena

Dolores, Eranio and Susan

Dy, Philip and Yolly

Estabillo, Lito and Marlene

Feliciano, Aurelio and Ofelia

Feliciano, Cris and Annalyn

Feliciano, Jacinta

Fenn, Bob and Normita

Francisco, Dr. Emil and Linda

Francisco, Prima

Garrovillas, Edna

Geronimo, Laarni, SJ

Gonzales, Julius and Annabelle

Gonzales, Eriberto (Chacac)

Hutchison, Nida

Llagas, Romeo and Baby

Magat, Luisito and Consuelo

Manzana, Dante and Sonia

Matignas, Jonathan and Jocelyn

Mateo, Maria Neri

Mateo, Mon and Lety

Mateo, Remy and Norma

Mendoza, Herman and Paz

Millare, Bert and Marilyn

Millare, Coro and Connie

Natividad, Ronnie & Gemma

Pantaleon, Emilio

Pascual, Dante and Monina

Pascual, Felix and Celia

Ramos, Apolonia

Raymundo, Emelita

Reyes, Cesar and Juliet

Reyes, Neil and Alona

San Diego, Lythesia and Gavin

San Diego, Roy and Mimi F.

San Felipe, Paulino & Marcela

San Jose, Eloy and Susie

San Juan, Atty. Julie

San Juan, Atty. Del

San Juan, Frank

San Juan, Joe and Melody

San Juan, Segundina

San Juan, Virginia

Santos, Nick and Virgie

Sherman, Russell and Gerlie

Sicat, Carlos and Emma

Sto. Tomas, Jimmy and Lily

Tiratira, Richard

Torres, Brian and Lillian

Trinidad, Domingo

Trinidad, Don and Claire

Victorio, Julie and Vicky

Villagracia, Pacita and Joven

Organizations, Clubs

Barangay Lagundi—Sherman SJ Ca-

teria, Barangay Capt.

Cowboys Club, Dr. Odilon Olivas, Pres.

Flat Top Club, Engr. Ed Sanga, Pres.

MHS Class ‘49, Alicia C. Angeles, Pres.

D-One Restaurant, Baras, Rizal (Gemma

Santos, owner)

PYMA, Eloy San Jose, Pres.

Congratulations and good luck to Consuelo (Baby) Magat, MHS ’72, on her recent retirement from AT&T after 25 years of service. She started with Pacific Bell Directory in 1988 and retired in May 2013. Baby en-joys more free time with her husband Chito and their two daughters, Cath-erine, 21, who attends Sacramento

State University taking Physical Therapist, and Lauren, 17, a senior at St. Patrick-St. Vincent high school. She said, “Now, I am also concentrating in developing my team with

Transamerica Financial Group, my license num-ber is CA Lic #0H34002. We do life insurance that you don't have to die to get the benefits, we do rollovers from your 401K, college planning and retirement planning.” Her office is located at 4731 Mangels Blvd., Fairfield, CA 94534, with main offices at the Pyramid Bldg. in downtown San Francisco. Baby is building her team and if anyone is interested to join, contact her at 707 319-8396, her email address is cgmagat@sbcglobal.net. Their training/meeting is every Tuesday at 7:00pm at the Fairfield office.

Page 4 WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY

Congratulations to Kristina Feliciano Kavanaugh and Tyler Neish on their wedding on March 25, 2012. Kristina is the daughter of Elizabeth Feliciano and granddaughter of

Mrs. Estela Feliciano and the late Teotimo Feliciano from Morong. They reside in Oregon.

Tyler and Kristina with Grandma Estela and family The wedding entourage of Kristina Feliciano

Kavanaugh and Tyler Neish

Best wishes to Jesusa (Jesue) Santos Javier of Lagundi on her wedding to Roger Vergara De Leon from Tagaytay City on

July 21, 2012. The ceremony was officiated by Brother Ruben Grande held at MONWLET Terrace in Morong, followed by a reception. Jesue is the daughter of Angelina Mateo Santos of Lagundi and the late Ezer San Jose Javier, Sr. of Teresa. She

has four siblings—Romeo, Fernando, Glenda and Ezer, Jr. The newlyweds met in Dubai in 2009. Congratulations!

Congratulations to Dennis and Nida Nuque Millare on their 19th Wedding Anniversary. Nida is the youngest daughter of Bienvenido and Eladia Nuque. Dennis is the eldest son of Severo and Aurelia Millare of San Guillermo. Dennis and Nida were married on July 17, 1993 at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Charleston, South Carolina. They are blessed with three sons— Dean Reuben (17), Dennson Robien (13) and Dylan Raven (7). They are both proud graduates of Morong High School (RTPI) – Dennis, ‘84 and Nida, ‘85.

Dennis attended the University of the East before he migrated to the US in 1992. He cur-rently works for the US Postal Service. Nida migrated to the US in 1986, immediately after graduating from high school. She attended Trident Technical College in North Charleston, South Carolina, where she earned an Associate Degree in Health Science. She is currently employed at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Ralph H. Johnson Medical Center as a registered radiologic technologist. They currently reside in Goose Creek, South Carolina.

Dennis and Nida on their wedding day, July 17, 1993.

Dennis and Nida today

ALUMNI IN THE COMMUNITY Page 5

Mapapalad kayong mga narito, dahil ngayon ay nagsi-sipag-tapos kayo sa high school. Dobleng palad pa ang magtapos sa isang paaralan na nag-tataglay ng pangalan ng isang kiniki-lalang high school noon hindi lamang sa buong lalawigan ng Rizal, kundi sa buong Pilipinas, ang Morong High School. Bagama’t wala na ang dating Morong High School, at naging labor-atory na lamang ng URS ngayon, napasainyo naman ang bahagi ng kanyang pangalan. Isang malaking hamon para sa paaralan at sa inyong mga nag-sisipagtapos ngayon na mapanatili ang mahusay na pagturing sa aking paaralan. Doon ako nagtapos. Alam ko kung gaano tingalain ang dati kong paaralan. Dahil bilang estudyante, napapadala ako sa mga iba’t ibang mga paligsahan sa pagtatalumpati, pagsulat, mga conventions at conferences, regional man at national. At maipagmamayabang nang walang kurap na isa rin ako sa mga batang nag-ambag ng maraming mga division, regional at na-tional honors sa paaralang iyon. Dala dala ko noon ang pangalan ng paaralang Morong High School, na noong nagtapos ako ay naging Rizal Technological and Polytechnic Institute. Dalhin nyo rin ang pangalang iyan ng may pagmamalaki at may kaakibat na hamon na patunayang ganoon pa rin, gaya ng dati, mahuhusay at matatalino ang mga bata na nag-aral at natuto sa aking dating paaralan. Hindi lahat ng mga kabataan ay pinalad na makapagtapos ng high school. Marami ang hindi nakapag-aral. Marami ang na-katuntong sa eskwelahan pero hindi natuto. Marami ang hindi makabasa at makapag-bilang. Ang iba, nakababasa at naka-bibilang pero hindi naman maunawaan at magamit ang mga kaalamang ito sa pang-araw araw na buhay. Sa sampung batang pumasok sa grade 1, anim o pito lamang daw ang makatatapos ng elementarya. Lima o anim ang maka-pag-eenrol sa high school. Lima lamang ang makatatapos ng high school. Dalawa ang makapag-eenrol sa kolehiyo. At isa lamang ang makakagraduate ng kolehiyo. Ano ang mangyayari sa iba? Maraming dahilan ang sinisisi. Ang kawalan ng pera para mag-aral. Ang pangangailangang magtrabaho ng maaga para makatulong sa pamilya, o para may kainin sa araw araw. Ang kawalan ng interes sa pag-aaral. Not everyone could be, or is as lucky as you are. Kaya naman sa pagkakataon at kapangyarihang maibibigay sa inyo ng pagtatapos, kaalaman, at pagsabak sa buhay nang may matibay na sandata: kaalaman at pagkatuto, ano ang dapat gawin? Magpatuloy ka sa pag-aaral. Pangaraping magtapos sa kole-hiyo o kumuha ng mga makabuluhang skills o kasanayan. Kung ako ang tatanungin mo, ang mga plano at direksyong ito ay pawang may kabuluhan. Ang mahalaga: may plano ka at may direksyon. Kung papalaot sa dagat ang isang bangka, dapat may matuwid itong pupuntahan. Kung hindi, magpapaikot ikot ito sa tubig at mag-aaksya ng gasolina o krudo, lakas, at panahon.

Matatapos ang araw, o lingo, o buwan, na walang mararating, dahil nga wala namang pupuntahan. Dahil nga wala naman talagang tiyak na gustong puntahan. Kung mamimisekleta sa T. Claudio Street, nang walang direksyon, saang direksyon ka susulong, pa-Namay ba, o pa-Paglabas? Ano ang hahabulin mo? Kailan ka hihinto? Mahalaga ang tama. Ang tama ay mahalaga. Sa buhay mo, sa buhay nating lahat, sa gumagawa ng maayos, may naghihintay na tamang gantimpala. Ang lumalaban ng patas ay iginagalang, hindi lamang ng mga nakapaligid, kundi pati ng mga kalaban. In life, you have to believe and honor what is black, and what is white. Sometimes, you will see shades of gray. It is your convic-tion and character that determine how you deal with these. Sa pagkakataong hahamon sa iyong integridad, dadayain mo ba ang mga pangyayari, o kahit simpleng numero, para sa kapakanan ng sarili at kung sino? Huwag naman. Walang kasing sarap ang mabuhay ng ayon sa tama, sa malinis, at sa kunsensya. Sa mga pagkakataong babayaran ng pera kapalit ng tama, at kapalit ng karangalan, tanggihan ito, nang wagas! Kung sa hinaharap, papiliin ka sa gawain, proyekto o tra-bahong magpapayaman sa iyong sarili lamang; laban sa tra-bahong magbibigay ng pagkakataong maglingkod sa kapwa; piliin mo ang huli. Kung nasa harapan mo ngayon ang dala-wang klaseng gawaing iyan, kung ano ang magkakaroon ka ng kaganapan o fulfillment, at kabuluhan sa sarili at sa iba, ang siyang magbibigay ng totoong saya. May mga kwento ng mga taong kayod nang kayod para dumami ang pera. Naging matagumpay at yumaman. Pero patuloy pa rin sa paghahanap ng magpapaligaya sa kanila. Palagi nilang sinasabi na may kulang raw sa buhay nila. Kahit may maganda o gwapong asawa at matatalinong mga anak, malaking bahay at mamahaling sasakyan. Wala kasi silang itinalagang direksyon na may mas malaking dahilan sa buhay. May saysay lamang ang buhay kung may pinagsilsilbihan ang pagsisikap. At dahil haharap ka sa buhay na may maraming pagkakataon o oportunidad, at mga pagpipilian, mamili ka. At mamili ka nang tama. Piliin ang mga gawaing may kaakibat na paglilingkod sa kapwa. May saysay lamang ang buhay kung may pinagsilsil-bihan ang pagsisikap. At dahil haharap ka sa buhay na may maraming pagkakata-on o oportunidad, at mga pagpipilian, mamili ka. At mamili ka nang tama. Piliin ang mga gawaing may kaakibat na paglilingkod sa kapwa. Maging mabuti kang anak, kapatid at kaeskwela. Mag-aral nang mabuti. Matuto. Magtapos sa college nang maraming alam. Huwag yung basta nagtapos lamang. Mangarap at mag-aral maging guro at tumulong sa pagtuturo ng kaalaman at wastong asal sa mga kabataan. Maging negosyante ka na magtataguyod ng mahuhusay na produktong Pilipino sa lahat ng panig ng Pilipi-nas at mundo; gagawa ng mga produktong tutugon sa pan-gangailangan lalo na ng mga kapus palad; at magbibigay ng mga trabaho sa mga kapwa Pilipino. Magsilbi ka sa mga hindi napaglilingkuran ng pamahalaan

(Con’t on page 6)

Speech delivered by Edric Calma before the graduating class of Morong National High School on April 1, 2012

Edric Calma

Page 6 ALUMNI IN THE COMMUNITY

at lipunan, o doon sa mga kulang sa buhay; sa pamamagitan ng pagtuturo sa kanila kung paano mabuhay, at magtrabaho ng maayos para may kitain at makain sa araw araw. Maging tagapagbalita ka at tagapaliwanag ng mga pangyayari para matulungan ang ibang magdesisyon ng tama. Mahalin mo ang bansa. Mahalin mo ang Pilipinas. Sino pa ang tutulong para mapabuti ang kalagayan ng bayan at mga kababayan mo, kundi ikaw rin na kapwa Pilipi-no. Kung hindi mo gagawin ngayong bata at punong puno ka pa ng lakas, kalian pa? Ngayon ang panahon para tumulong iwasto ang mga mali ng nakaraan ,at ang pagmamalabis ng mga gurang. Kung matalino ka, gamitin ito para sa mga proyektong magpapaunlad ng pag-iisip, talento, at kabuhayan ng bawat isa. Maging world class o primera klaseng Pilipino ka. Paano ba maging ganito? Nabanggit lamang ang pangangarap, bakit daw kailangang world class agad? Hindi ba pwedeng petiks muna? Hindi. Ang pagiging “world class” ay ginagawa hindi lamang sa abroad, sa ibang lugar ng mundo o sa ibang bansa. Ito ay ginagawa dito sa Pilipinas: Ng mga guro sa mga silid-aralan na nagtuturo ng maayos at gumagabay sa paghubog ng kamalayan ng mga kabataan; Ng mga nurse at doctor na nagsisilbi sa mga pasyente nang buong giliw, may pagmamalasakit, at hindi inaalintana kung magkano ang maibabayad ng may sakit; Ng mga abogado na naglilitis o nagtatanggol ng mga kaso nang walang kasinungalingan, hindi binabaluktot ang matuwid, at itinutuwid ang baluktot; Ng mga nagluluto ng iba’t ibang putahe ng pagkain sa mga kantina, na hindi niloloko ang mga kostumer sa klase at kali-dad ng mga sangkap, at hindi gumagamit ng mga makasasa-ma sa kalusugan; Ng mga nagtatrabaho sa mga harap ng computers sa mga opisina mula umaga hanggang gabi, nang may pagmama-lasakit sa kumpanya; Ng mga kabataang nagsusunog ng kilay para matuto at maging kapaki-pakinabang na mga mamamayan; Ng mga batang sumusunod sa tamang ipinag-uutos ng mga magulang, matatanda, eskwelahan at pamahalaan. Kung sinasabing hindi magandang asal at maduming

gawain ang dumura sa kalsada, huwag mo itong gagawin. Kung sinasabing hindi mainam ang magtapon o magkalat ng wrapper ng kendi sa kalye, ilog o kung saan saan lamang, maliban sa tamang basurahan, huwag mo itong gagawin. Kung alam mo ang mga masasamang idinudulot sa ka-tawan, isipan, ugali at pakikipagkapwa tao, at pag-aaral, ng mga bisyong tulad ng paninigarilyo, pag-inom ng alak, pagto-tong its, o maging ng pagkain ng sobrang taba, sobrang tamis o sobrang alat, huwag mo itong gagawin. Being world class is being the best that you can be using your God-given talents, in whatever you do, in your homes, in the schools where you study, in the places where you work, and in your country. Being world class is being passionate to a preoccupation in such a way that one would do everything to make whatever he or she doing, perfect. It is also dedication and passion for a greater cause, other than yourselves. Being world class is serving your countrymen. At dahil isa ka sa mapapalad na anim o pito sa sampu na nakapagtapos ng elementarya, at isa sa lima na nakapagtapos ng high school, ibahagi mo ang magandang hinaharap at kapalaran. Huwag kang maging makasarili. Harapin mo ang buhay nang paglilingkod sa sarili, sa kapwa, at sa Pilipinas. Maligayang pagbati sa mga guro at pamunuan ng MNHS. Para sa akin, mga bayani kayong mga gurong nagtuturo sa kabataang Pilipino dito mismo sa Pilipinas. Hindi biro ang hirap magpalaganap ng kaalaman at wastong asal sa kabila ng maraming kakulangan. Maligayang pagbati sa mga magulang. Salamat sa inyong pagtataguyod sa inyong mga anak para matuto sila at lumak-ing kapaki-pakinabang, hindi lamang para sa kanilang sarili at pamilya, kundi para rin sa bayan. Ipagpatuloy ninyo ang pag-tataguyod hanggang sa sila ay makatapos at maging handa sa hamon ng buhay. Congratulations, Class 2012. Keep up the good work. Con-tinuously strive to learn and be useful citizens and movers of this town and of this country. Maraming salamat. ■

Edric Calma is the eldest of two children of Ton and Analita Cal-ma of Natividad Street, Ibaba, San Pedro, Morong, Rizal. He attended TCMES (first honors, ‘82), RTPI (salutatorian, ‘86) and UP Diliman (BA Broadcasting, cum laude ‘90) and Master in Philippine Studies, 2009. He was a news reporter (RPN and ABS/CBN); a newscaster (ABC) and a university professor (UE Manila, Miriam College, AMA Computer College, Mapua IT, La Salle). He is currently the Channel Manager of Knowledge Channel, the country's first and only all-educational and all-curriculum television seen nationwide and in Southeast Asia and Pacific regions. He also hosts 'Wow,' a travel and culture program.

(Con’t from page 5)

Congratulations to Ricki Leanne Castillo-Knapp, daughter of Jojie Castillo-Knapp and Rick Knapp, on her graduation at the California Academy for Liberal

Studies Early College High School at World Trade Cen-ter-Los Angeles. Ricki was the recipient of the 2012 Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Excel-

lence. She will be studying psychology at UC Merced in the spring. Her sister Lindsay Ann, the recipient of the

same award in 2010, is now attending UC Irvine.

Page 7 PRIDE OF URS AND THE PHILIPPINES

Jay (Migo) Mendoza (second from right, front row), a 2012 graduate at URS-Morong with a Bachelor in Second-ary Education, Major in Mathematics, is among the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) in 2012, recognized by President Noynoy Aquino. The TOSP 2012 awardees are: Kenneth Isaiah Ibasco Abante, Ateneo de Manila University; Angelita Adajar Bombarda, De La Salle University; Jerome Ven David, De La Salle University-Manila; John Michael Flores Del-lariarte, Ateneo de Zamboanga University; Daniel Philip Villaranda Dy, Ateneo de Naga University; Jay-R Mesa Mendoza, University of Rizal System-Morong Campus; Ruthell Angusto Moreno, West Visayas State Univer-sity; Maria Janua Bacolod Polinar, Central Mindanao University; Kurt Gerrard Tiu See, De La Salle University-Manila; and Juan Carlo Pe Tejano, University of the Philippines-Diliman. “The TOSP, established 51 years ago, honors students exemplifying exemplary leadership and superior aca-demic performance and actively contributing to nation-building through the auspices of RFM Foundation Inc. in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and National Bookstore,” said Jose Concepcion Jr., chair of the RFM Foundation. “TOSP awardees and finalists represent our greatest hope and brighter tomorrow for our beloved country.” Migo is the son of Edwin and Charito Mesa Mendoza from Cardona, Rizal. He was the recipient of the Teacher Education Scholarship Program for 2011-2012, under the sponsorship of the Conrado and Adela Sto. Domingo Memorial Fund, administered by Dr. Mario Sto. Domingo. Migo is now reviewing to take his Licensure Examina-tion for Teachers this September. He works at St. Martin Montessori School. Congratulations, Migo!

Greetings to Migo: Dr. Nancy Pascual, URS-Morong: Congrats to URS student Jay R Mendoza for being hailed as one of the ten outstanding students of the Philippines.

Dr. Mario Sto. Domingo: Congratulations to our very own TESP Scholar, Migo Mendoza, for being one of the TEN OUT-STANDING STUDENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES (TOSP) 2012!! Normita Fenn: Migo, congratulations on this momentous achievement! Continue your dedication to education as you will inspire many students as you have inspired us.

Aurora Dela Rosa: Congratulations again, Migo..You are truly the pride of URS and TESP...I am very, very proud of you!

Anita De Jesus: Congratulations Migo...wow...very proud of you.

Roger Arcia: Awesome! Congratulations! As true believers in URS-Morong educational system and TESP program in particu-lar, there will be more Jay "Migo" Mendoza to hit the summit in the future and we guarantee it.

The Balikbayan News is the official publication of the Morong Balikbayan Association, Inc. For further information, contact: Monico Mateo, Jr., President, 170 Naglee Avenue San Francisco, CA 94112 (415) 334-5594 Email: monwlet@pacbell.net

Association Officers

Monico Mateo, Jr.— President Dante Pascual—Vice President Eloy San Jose—Vice President Doris Cruz—Secretary Claire Trinidad—Asst. Secretary Julie Victorio—Treasurer Paz Mendoza—Asst. Treasurer Lina Pangasnan—Auditor Susie San Jose—Asst. Auditor Cris De Rosas—Sgt-at-Arms Bob Fenn—Sgt-at-Arms Lety Mateo—Public Relations Yolly Dy—Asst. Public Relations Normita Fenn—Information Officer Directors Leo Alejandro Ernie Cruz Aurelio Feliciano Benedicta Francisco Claudio Pangasnan Segundina San Juan Sibert Santiago Domingo Trinidad

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70th Birthday story on my mom, Analita Calma

I don’t know how to write about my mom's 70th

birthday that was celebrated on July 13. This was one evening when some 300 people from Morong gathered, mostly family and friends from all over, neighbors, her classmates in TCMES ‘55 and MHS ‘59, her kabalikat multi-purpose cooperative (where she is chairman), staff, her fellow church workers (where she is very active as a lector and commentor on Sun-days, and a volunteer catechist on weekdays). Also present were her colleagues when she was teaching in the Morong district of DepEd. Attendance and participation of everyone were awesome. Most of the guests wore maroon, the party color motif. They must love my mom that much! We all know that we, Moronguenos, when going to events like these, are known to 'come, eat and go,' but this time many stayed the entire evening—probably because of the very good emcee and the clowns that tailor-fitted games for the mostly senior citizen-guests. They laughed, took part in games, even did line dancing. My mom thanks everyone for making her 70th a fun-filled blast." Happy Birthday, mom! With love, Edric

Analita on her 70th birthday

Community Events Morong Bayan Picnic and San Geronimo Fiesta Saturday, Sept. 15—Shadow Oak Park, West Covina, CA Hermanos/Hermanas: Stony Club San Geronimo Fiesta – No. California Saturday, Sept. 29 – Cunningham Park, San Jose, California Hermano: Remy F. Feniquito and Family San Geronimo Fiesta – Florida Saturday, Sept. 29 – Eagle Lake Park, Largo Hermano and Hermana: Mike & Norming Patag

Pista ni San Geronimo, Morong, Rizal Sunday, Sept. 30 - Hermano/Hermana: Agustin and Priscila Ramos Bernal PYMA Fundraising trip Saturday, Oct. 27 MHSAAI-No. California Chapter – Fundrais-ing trip Saturday, Nov. 10 PYMA Family Christmas Party Sunday, Dec. 16 – 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Doelger Café, 101 Lake Merced, Daly City