Our baby graduates

Although she is not my daughter, Ma. Angelica "Bujoy" Garrido is more than a daughter to me. We shared many happy moments and most of my angels know her since she spends time with me whenever I have no one to bring in some events. I am happy of her achievement and is excited of her when she enters High School in june. Do remember I am always here for you baby. I love you.

Ateneo High School 1987 launches plans for homecoming

Ateneo High School 1987

The Ateneo de Manila Homecoming is one of the biggest alumni event of the Ateneo. My first exposure to the Ateneo Alumni Homecoming was twenty five years ago when me and good friend Jeffrey Tan introduced the 1987 UAAP Champion Ateneo Blue Eagles to the Ateneo crowd. I have visited the homecoming the past few years and this year is our time to be host of this prestigious Alumni event.

Yours truly was the host with

Givens Teves and Jed Montero

March 27 was the official launch of Ateneo High School 1987 as the hosts of this year’s homecoming. Although still premature, the batch laid out some plans for the December 8, 2012 event and ambitiously targetted Five million pesos as the target money that the our batch should raise in order for the event to be a success. Most of the money will be going to the main beneficiary of the batch which is the Tulong Dunong foundation.

Pike Feranandez was there to enjoy the launch

One of the more important things that were laid down were the immediate projects of the batch and sponsors who have signed in. Although I think we will be adding more events in the next few months, the important events that we have lined up is the play Rock of Ages in June, a Basketball event featuring the Ateneo Blue Eagles in July and the Ateneo Golf Tournament in September.

Ferdie Ordoveza won the LED TV raffle

courtesy of Duty Free Philippines

It will be a long road to meet our goal but with the rest of the batch putting our minds together we believe that the goal will be reached. Our event sponsors as of now include Smart Communications, San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Airlines, Coca- Cola, Jobs DB, the Stratford Residences, Johnny Rockets, and Buddha Bar and Duty Free Philippines. So let the fundraising begin.

Ateneo High School 1987 launches plans for homecoming

AHS Batch 1987

The Ateneo de Manila Homecoming is one of the biggest alumni event of the Ateneo. My first exposure to the Ateneo Alumni Homecoming was twenty five years ago when me and good friend Jeffrey Tan introduced the 1987 UAAP Champion Ateneo Blue Eagles to the Ateneo crowd. I have visited the homecoming the past few years and this year is our time to be host of this prestigious Alumni event.

Yours truly with Given Torres and Jed Montero

March 27 was the official launch of Ateneo High School 1987 as the hosts of this year’s homecoming. Although still premature, the batch laid out some plans for the December 8, 2012 event and ambitiously targetted Five million pesos as the target money that the our batch should raise in order for the event to be a success. Most of the money will be going to the main beneficiary of the batch which is the Tulong Dunong foundation.

Batchmates having fun 

One of the more important things that were laid down were the immediate projects of the batch and sponsors who have signed in. Although I think we will be adding more events in the next few months, the important events that we have lined up is the play Rock of Ages in June, a Basketball event featuring the Ateneo Blue Eagles in July and the Ateneo Golf Tournament in September.

Ferdie Ordoveza won the LED TV raffle

courtesy of Duty Free Philippines

It will be a long road to meet our goal but with the rest of the batch putting our minds together we believe that the goal will be reached. Our event sponsors as of now include Smart Communications, San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Airlines, Coca- Cola, Jobs DB, the Stratford Residences, Johnny Rockets, and Buddha Bar and Duty Free Philippines. So let the fundraising begin.

AHS 1987 Fundraising event

SEE YOU AT STRUMMS

Ateneo Homecoming 2012 Launch

The Video says it all.

Let the fun begin, let the fundraising begin.

Support our homecoming season

More to come.

Team Garrido wins in ABL AHS 87 Division

Team Garrido hoisting the trophy

Pat Ildefonso was named MVP

Time flies fast when you are having fun. When the Ateneo High School Batch 1987 met to plan for the 2012 Homecoming , one of the ideas brought out was a batch tournament in the ABL which was gamely accepted by all class representatives. When the final day of submission for the line ups came out we finally came out with four teams. The first team was led by our Batch head for the homecoming Rufi Parpan whose 4A got help from a lot of batchmates who we have not seen for a long time. Our High School COP President Dong Feliciano on the other hand was very confident that their 4D team was intact and that they never asked for other batchmates to join them. Not limiting ourselves to Ateneo High School batchmates, the third team was composed of our Xavier 1987 batchmates who was led by Buboy Go and Lawrence Cobankiat. The last team was the class of 4E and 4F which I organized which was eventually called Team Garrido.

How we have grown since 1987

When the games opened in January, the atmosphere was more fun and laughter which made the winner of each contest suprised rather than desired. Bulging bellies, aching knees and tongues sticking out were common place with most players which made the more conditioned players control most of the scoring. There were no more strong drives to the basket, hard fouls nor fist pumps but it was replaced by jumpshots, more jumpshots and a once every twenty five years miracle shot.

Let the games begin

When the championship came, Team 4D did their homework by playing man to man defense which made the Team Garrido scorers Pat Ildefonso, Gary Roca and Bong Berbano grope for form with only bull strong Jonjie Deomano scoring inside which made Team Garrido come close with Team Pineda. Sadly missed by the 4D team was former UAAP star Jo jo Habana who was injured. Funny thing was that it was football sensation Jong Castaneda who canned two successive three pointers to put their team on top by six points at the end of the third quarter. It was at that point that Team Garrido unleashed its ace playmaker that got mixed reactions from both sides supporters. Enter 4E star Olsen Racela whose canny orchestration sparked a 16 – 0 run that made the tight game into a rout. Racela played for six minutes, scored only 4 points but his presence rattled the opponent whose respect for the ace playmaker was so much that the pressure was too much for them to handle. Eventually Team Garrido came out on top to win the batch title. Good job to the rest of the team, the 4E guys, Yours truly, Jerome Buhay, Badong Natividad, Bong Marquez, Snoops Montero, Jerome Mendoza, with Binggy Lopez and Dino Tanjuatco not playing. The 4F players included Jacob Divino, Wally Cruz, Paolo Magpale, Boyax Galicia, Dino Quiroz and class representative AA Aquino.

Team Garrido and Team Pineda

The objective of the tournament was for our batch to spend more time with each other and bond once again since most of the players and supporters where batchmates we have not seen for ten to fifteen years. Because of this, the bonds made because of the tournament made our batch stronger and is more confident that the Homecoming of 2012 will be a success.

(L-R) Standing: Jacob Divino, Deo Deomano, Jerome Mendoza,

Olsen Racela, Pat Ildefonso, Wally Cruz, Jerome Buhay

(L-R) Squatting: Bong Berbano, AA Aquino, Gary Roca, Snoops Montero

STI College Santa Rosa wins 3rd title in a row

Three straight for STI College Santa Rosa

STI College Balagtas’ Cedric Ablaza drove to the hoop, sank the basket and drew a foul to give the Bulacan based cagers more hope as they rallied to come to within one point 60 – 59 with Ablaza ready to equilize. Unfortunately, Ablaza muffed his free throw while STI College Santa Rosa guard Aldrin Del Rosario sank the insurance free throw baskets to give the STI College Santa Rosa dribblers more breathing room with a three point lead. On the ensuing play STI College Balagtas hotshot guard Albert Pepito missed his three point attempt to tie the game that enabled the Santa Rosa dribblers to escape with a 62 – 59 win in the knock out match of the 12th STI Basketball showdown to notch their third straight title.

Cedric Ablaza of STI College Balagtas

Although Del Rosario provided the needed support and winning baskets, it was veteran guard Russel Parala who took control in the fourth quarter as the Laguna based dribblers erected an eight point lead in the last five minutes of the game. Parala was a cut above the rest as he led all scorers with 18 points together with 4 steals, 2 rebounds and one assist. Because of his tournament long brilliance Parala was named the tournament MVP as he edged out two of his team mates in probably the closest fight for the top individual plum.

Aldrin del Rosario scores

Providing support for Parala are veterans del Rosario who added 15 points, Armando Ferrer who scored 10 points and hauled down 9 rebounds, and Mark Arzola whose inside presence got him 7 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals. The veterans came through as their defense made it hard for the Balagtas cagers to score specially in the second half. Leading the way for the Bulacan team were Ablaza and Pepito who both scored 13 points apiece. MVP candidate Patrick Pascual had 11 points with only one point coming in the fourth quarter.

Tournament MVP Ruzzel Parala scores on the drive

STI College Balagtas dictated the tempo of the game from the opening tip as their defense made it hard for the Laguna dribblers to penetrate and at the end of the first half the Bulacan cagers were on top by a basket 27 - 26. At the start of the third quarter the Santa Rosa quintet finally found their mark when Parala sank two three pointers and del Rosario added another one as the defending champions threatened to break the game wide open with an 7 point lead 40 -33 which prompted Coach Carlo Tan to call time out. Patick Pascual scored 8 points in the third for the Bulacan 5 to inch closer at the end of the quarter as the Laguna team led 45 -42 with a quarter left. In the fourth quarter Parala went to work early as the Santa Rosa quintet erected another eight point lead. Team Balagtas refused to wilt on the pressure as Pepito waxed hot by canning two consecutive three pointers and a basket and togethe with Ablaza came up with the Bulakeños final rally until Ablaza missed his free throw. It was the second time Team Balagtas lost to Team Santa Rosa in the finals. This is the third consecutive title for Coach Leo Callado who has steered the rebuilding Santa Rosa team to STI immortality.

Jonathan Teraña on the drive

In the battle for third place the other team from Bulacan, STI College Malolos, avenged their final game loss to STI College Global City with a masterful 89 - 61 drubbing of the host team. Do it all guard Jonathan Teraña led the Malolos dribblers as he combined with Abram Pineda to orchestrate a first quarter onslaught that saw the Bulacan team on top after one quarter 24 -13. The Global City squad never got their game going as Jim Patrick Lontoc was held to 16 points and was the lone cager from the hosts to score in double figures.

Alvin Detubio scores on a jumper

Teraña scored another nine points in the fourth quarter that doused all hopes for the Global City squad as the Bulacan cagers scored a total of 28 fourth quarter points. Ably backing up Teraña and Pineda who scored 17 points were Alvin Detubio who canned 13 points and inside operator Ronel Catahan who tallied 10 markers. The Malolos team is a young team so expect them to give their Balagtas counterparts and the defending champions a run for their money next year.

Jim Lontoc drives to the hoop

Box scores:

Battle for third:

STI COLLEGE MALOLOS (89)

Teraña 23, Pineda 17, Detubio 13, Catahan 10, Jimenez 9, Victoria 8, Quetua 4, Hernandez 4, Manaot 1, Alinas 0, Lazaro 0, Ecleo 0, Tolentino 0

STI COLLEGE GLOBAL CITY (61)

Lontoc 16, Baquiran 8, Acuña 6, de Belen 6, Lim 6, Sarmiento 4, Bernal 4, Arcilla 3, Español 3, Lagrimas 3, Magsalos 2, Transporto 0, Sarabia 0, Bungar 0,

Quarterscores: 24 - 13, 47 - 27, 61 - 45, 89 - 61

Championship:

STI COLLEGE SANTA ROSA (62)

Parala 18, del Rosario 15, Ferrer 10, Arzola 7, Maunahan 4, Almadovar 4, Mamaed 2, Jaspe 2, Salazar 0, Manipol 0, Lapidario 0, Batiquin 0, Marqueses 0

STI COLLEGE BALAGTAS (59)

Ablaza 13, Pepito 13, Pascual 11, Leguin 7, Asuncion 5, Crisostomo 4, Hernandez 4, Macapagal 2, Labastida 0, Guhiting 0,

Quarterscores:

10 - 12, 26-27, 45 - 42, 62-59

Olympians new NAASCU Track Stars!

Dan Marasigan's golden run

Dan Marasigan hesitated and faltered as the rest of the runners raced towards the finish line and finish well ahead of him in the Men’s 100 meter dash of the 10th NAASCU Track and Field Competition. Rookie jitters got the better of Dan which was the perfect motivation for him to train and hopefully do better after his woeful finish in that race. Back with a vengeance, the now sophomore and highly motivated Dan Marasigan from STI College Fairview used his experience to bag the gold in the 100 meter dash to anchor the STI College Olympians Men’s Track and Field team to the top of the 11th NAASCU Track and Field Competition at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum track stadium.

Mark Mollenido crosses the finish line well ahead of the pack

Marasigan added another silver medal in the 200 meters and together with his colleagues from STI College Fairview he teamed up with Mark Mollenido, Aljon Fostanes and John Jabinal to bag the 4 x 100 meter relay Gold. Inspired by that win, the 4 x 400 relay team of Bona Aman of STI College Novaliches, John Jabinal & Aljon Fostanes of STI College Fairview and Rhomer Clutario of STI College Global City, led from start to finish to win the gold and sneak past the Our Lady of Fatima Phoenix which was leading on points to get the overall team title in the Men's Division. The Olympians ended with 84 points while the Phoenix ended up at 76 points. Romeo Divinagracia of STI College Marikina was the other gold medalist as he ruled the Walkathon event. Clutario also picked up another silver medal in the Men’s 10k run while Mollenido got the bronze in the Men’s 100 and 200 meter dash.

Suzanne Prado is the first Lady Olympian

to win a gold medal

The Women’s team faced a stiffer opposition as the defending champion St. Clare Saints and CEU Scorpions got the stronger finish as the Lady Olympians settled for third. Leading the cause for the Lady Olympians was STI College Novaliches 2nd year BSIT student Suzanne Prado who won the gold medal in the Women’s walkathon. Veteran Joan Beriño added a bronze in the 100 meter dash and a silver in the 200 meter dash. Their efforts were enough to place them third as most of the other team members placed fourth in other events. Other members of the team include Kristina dela Cena of STI College Taft who is playing her third sport besides Volleyball and Badminton, Xyra Gomez, Sherianne Vidallon and Jen Brillantes of STI College Novaliches and Anna Mabanglo of STI College Fairview.

Bona Aman paved the way

for the 4x 400 meter lead and win

For the STI College Track and Field team, hardwork has its rewards as shown in what Dan Marasigan has done. Rising from the ashes of last year’s botched run Marasigan rose to the occasion to lead the Olympians to victory. This turnaround can be attributed to the exemplary discipline and hard work he put on to improve his craft. Truly a story worth being told to STIers for a long time.

The Victorious team

Remembering Larry Marasigan

As a young Atenean naughtiness was always a common place in my mind. Imagine, almost every minute that our teacher is working I was doing something that my teachers would definitely make me go out of the classroom or even go the distance of putting masking tape on my face, slapping me or just plain shout at me. That was me a young naughty kid who was out of control and unaware of the consequences that my actions would bring. When I was in grade 5 a temporary substitute teacher came to our class and taught us the rudiments of the English language. Lo and behold this teacher was a no nonsense guy who would often make me stand up in fear everytime I see him. He is no other than Mr. Hilario "Larry" Marasigan. I remember that the first time I was really serious in reading and studying it was because of him. Unknowingly, he motivated me to study and made me understood that rules are suppose to be followed and that I eventually mellowed down on my naughty nature. I later on became friends with his son Alain who is just a batch ahead of me and also a school mate in PSBA. When I heard about his illness I was quite sad knowing that my idol was stricken down. He eventually was taken by the Lord and I am quite sad to hear that he has left us all. To Mr. Marasigan thank you for all the things that you have done and I know that a lot of Ateneans are thankful that you laid good foundations to our future.

*pic of Mr. Marasigan from Alain's FB account

Lady Olympians repeat as NAASCU Billiards Champions

The STI College Olympians Billiards Team

The STI College Olympians Billiards team dominated the Women’s Division Team event and placed second in the Men’s Division of the recently concluded 11th NAASCU Billiards tournament which was held at the Star Paper Billiards hall. The Lady Olympians topped the Women's division by beating New Era University, Our Lady of Fatima University, Centro Escolar University and AMA to arrange a titular showdown with CEU. The Olympians beat the CEU Lady Scorpions in the finals 2 – 0 as Tapang and Dado won 3 - 2 and 3 – 0 respectively as the the doubles finals was not played anymore because of the win of the Olympians in the two tables.

Bea Dado for the win

Leading the way for the Lady Olympians is fourth year graduating BSIT student from STI College Quezon Avenue Beatrice Dado who will end her two year stint with the Olympians with back to back Golds in the 9 Ball and 10 ball category. Dado has never tasted defeat since last year and her experience proved to be the moving force behind the Lady Olympians rise to the top.

Diane Tapang shows them how

STI College Caloocan Third year BS HRM Olympian Diane Tapang likewise got the Gold medal in the 9 Ball Category. Unlike last year, Tapang was undefeated this year and she showed her resiliency as she clawed back time and again from losing positions and even on the brink of elimination to rise to victory. The tandem of Cherissa Tan and Cecilia Cid backed up the duo by getting the silver in the Doubles category.

Alex Aquino on the move

The Men’s team almost made it to the top but failed to win it all as the Fatima Phoenix won the deciding doubles match 5 – 3 to thwart the Olympians bid for a double championship. Leading the way for the Male Olympians is 2nd year HRS student Alexander Aquino from STI College Caloocan. The Olympians placed second in the eliminations and had a better tie breaker than last year’s champion AMACU Titans to advance to the finals. Aquino settled for silver in the 10 Ball category but it was his all around brilliance in the 10 ball and doubles category that made the Olympians a stubborn team to put away. Aquino beat Melvin Tan in the 10 ball finals but Jhay Dayo of STI College Quezon Avenue lost in the 9 Ball finals. The two eventually yielded to the streak pocketing Phoenix team to settle for second place. Dayo also got a silver in the 9 Ball category while the doubles team got the gold. Other members of the team are Wilmer Fagyan and John Rey Tapalla of STI College Global City and Ghino Pascual of STI College Novaliches. With the two best players in both divisions graduating, the Olympians hope that next year the elusive double championship will be attained.

TOURNAMENT SUMMARY

(L-R) John Rey Tapalla, Wilmer Fagyan, Alexander Aquino,

Jhay Dayo, Ghino Pascual

MEN’S DIVISION – 1ST Runner - UP

Individual Awards

Nine Balls - Silver Medal

Jhay Dayo, STI College Quezon Avenue

Ten Balls – Silver Medal

Alex Aquino, STI College Caloocan

Doubles - Gold Medal

Wilmer Fagyan, STI College Global City

Ghino Pascual, STI College Novaliches

John Rey Tapallam STI College Global City

(L-R) Cecilia Cid, Bead Dado, Diane Tapang, Cherissa Tan

WOMEN’S DIVISION – CHAMPION

Individual Awards

Nine Balls - Gold Medal

Diane Tapang, STI College Caloocan

Ten Balls - Gold Medal

Beatrice Dado, STI College Quezon Avenue

Doubles - Silver Medal

Cherissa Tan, STI College Quezon Avenue

Cecilia Cid, STI College Quezon Avenue

To view photos please click this LINK: