This blog was created as a tool to help the IHS Class73, Iloilo High School Alumni Group locate as many members of our graduating class 1973 as possible. This is my way of saying THANK YOU to all of those who work tirelessly in bringing us all back into the fold. Please enjoy the reminiscing, the tour down memory lane, and be updated with the latest news from home and other parts of the world.

Friday, November 20, 2009

#020-Herman Basbaño reelected KBP President








Here is a snippet from The News Today Online/Iloilo News:

19 November 2009

Bombo exec reelected KBP prexy
Herman Z. Basbaño, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer AM Division of the Bombo Radyo Philippines network, was recently reelected president of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).
Basbaño’s reelection to the position for 2010 came during the recent Top Level Management Conference held by the KBP at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City last November 12 to 13, 2009. As one of the few Ilonggos currently holding a key position in an influential and nationwide organization such as the KBP, Basbaño’s relection was seen as a recognition of his outstanding performance as KBP President and an affirmation of his leadership qualities.
As the first Ilonggo and “provinciano” to become KBP President, Basbaño held together a usually fractious and difficult to manage association composed of 134 member networks, with a 771 radio stations and 171 television stations from all over the country. Under his term as president this year, the KBP came alive with a lot of activities that revitalized the organization and made it more relevant to the members and to society in general.
Read the Full Article from   The News Today Online  


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Monday, November 16, 2009

#019-About Solar Cars and the Alumnus' Son

Jamie Tabanao is the son of Jimmy Tabanao (alumnus IHS Class73).
Jamie was  featured in one of the articles in the Hudson Valley Magazine  published last Nov. 12, 2008. The article "Race to the Future" was written by Elizabeth Stein.

Race to the Future
The Newburgh Free Academy’s Solar Racing Team takes the lead in building energy-efficient automobiles
BY: ELIZABETH STEIN PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 12, 2008 AT 03:05 PM





Space-age speedster: This Solar Racing Team car appeared on the Discovery Channel’s Battleground Earth

Photograph courtesy of Dell-Winston Solar Challenge and NFA Solar Racing Team
Eachus, a physics teacher at Newburgh Free Academy High School (NFA), is the advisor of the school’s Solar Racing Team, a unique club that designs, builds, races, and exhibits its own solar and electric vehicles. The club — the most established group of its kind in the state — has been one of the school’s extracurricular activities since 1993, and their cars have been traversing the country for years competing in (and winning) races. Their latest vehicle, however, recently zoomed into the national spotlight after appearing on the Discovery Channel’s new series, Battleground Earth. The reality show features Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee and hip-hop superstar Ludacris going tête-à-tête in a rock-versus-rap series of eco-challenges — such as making bio-fuel — as they learn how to reduce their carbon footprint.
Eachus and team cocaptain Jamie Tabanao flew out for the week to be with the car during taping. “It was a fun experience,” says Tabanao, now in his first year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy. “I got to meet Tommy Lee and Ludacris. That was really cool. They were asking me a lot of questions. One of them was, ‘Is this really safe?’ ”


Photograph courtesy of Chris Eachus
TV junkies may be shocked to learn that “reality TV is not really reality,” according to Eachus. “Although they got in the cars and drove them a little, the celebrities did not actually compete.” It would have taken too long for the musicians to learn how to drive the cars: The brakes and other systems work differently than those in conventional vehicles, and the cockpit space is too small to comfortably accommodate a person of average size. So Tabanao “raced” the car for Tommy Lee, “beating” Ludacris, who “drove” the Stanford car. “It’s funny that people look at things on reality TV as if that’s how they happen,” says Eachus. “We actually did the race about 20 times. The producers were like, ‘That was great! Let’s do it again!’ ”   Read Full Article Here
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Thursday, November 12, 2009

#018-From Daisy's family

Daisy Espalabra is an alumna of Iloilo High School (Batch 1973). The IHS Class 1973 wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the Ponteras family (especially Cherry Ponteras-Quitzon) for allowing us to share some of Daisy's photos and also include the acknowledgement that another sister, Rosette, gave during Daisy's wake.
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"a collage of pictures when Daisy was still healthy with her friends in New Jersey."
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"These were taken months before Daisy passed and some when they went home to Iloilo last Sept.  She was so happy to see her two kids and her 4 apos. "
















Daisy's health deteriorated quickly within such a short space of time. She and Joash planned to go back home to the Philippines once more last Oct 26, but she quietly passed away then.
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"There must have been 200 people at the wake! Her new-found friends and even strangers came to pay respects. "





Joash (Daisy's husband) with two of his sisters Cherry (left) and Rosette (right)

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(Acknowledgement delivered by Rosette on behalf of the Family)


"GOOD EVENING!

Daisy was 17 and my brother was 18 when they fell in love and eloped. That was 35 years ago. Her parents insisted they had to get married. They didn’t have to twist Daisy’s & Joash’s arms. So we had the wedding at our house. Daisy wore a pink dress (her favorite color). A close friend played the “wedding song – there is love” on the guitar.
Like any teenagers, they had a lot of growing up to do. As I was away at college at that time and eventually moved to the U. S. I wasn’t a witness to all the growing up they had to do but our youngest sister was and may have a lot of interesting stories to tell.  They went through tough times, raising 2 children, working & getting their college degrees. Through it all their love for each other kept them together. 
Then Daisy made the biggest sacrifice for her family when she moved here, leaving her loved ones behind. Through hard work, she was able to help provide for them. She was homesick, she was lonely but she was able to cope with it because of all of you. You gave her a job, you befriended her, you cared for her, you gave her a chance, you made her feel wanted.
Life was about to get even better when my brother’s immigration papers were approved. They would finally be able to start a new life together. She was excited about making their rented room a home. Soon after, she was diagnosed with cancer. She was so optimistic about a cure and about their future together. I’m so thankful for their time together no matter how short. She really put up a good fight. She never complained but she was in constant pain. HE didn’t want her to suffer anymore. She’s now in HIS comforting arms.

In behalf of my brother Joash, their children Joash Louis, Jade, daughter-in-law Rosalyn and grandchildren J’Rose, Jared, Renzo & Rouge. My parents, Moises & Amparo, my sister Bethany & family, sister Cherry Joy & my husband Bill & children, I would like to express our sincere & profound thanks to each & everyone here tonight & to those who can’t be here but have known & loved Daisy. Thank you for your kindness & generosity. Thank you for your love & friendship. Thank you for being her extended family.
Because of your generosity, she was able to see her children & grandchildren for the last time. She loved every minute of the time she spent with them. No words will ever be enough to convey how grateful we are. 

We will forever miss you Daisy. You were not our sister-in-law, you’re our sister! Till we meet again at Jesus’ feet. We Love You!

Lastly, let us take comfort with these words from John 14:1-3
Let not your heart be troubled; You believe in God, Believe also in ME.
In my Father’s house are many mansions; If it were not so, I would have told you,
I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again & receive you to Myself. That where I am, There you may be also.

We know where Daisy is right now and she’s happy. "

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"With this, I would also like to say “Thank You” for the prayers & support that you have given me and our family." - Cherry (Bingbing) Ponteras-Quitzon

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NEWS UPDATE:
 the memorial service in Iloilo will be this coming Saturday (November 14) at Jaro Evangelical Church and the burial of her ashes will follow at the Evangelical Garden in Balantang, Jaro.


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14 Nov 2009, Jaro Evangelical Church




"just this afternoon (2 p.m.) cho ramos, arlene donasco-celiz, haydee geganzo-jimenea and yours truly attended the mass ( 35.6 C...as n grabe kainit) for the eternal repose of the soul of our dearly beloved daisy espalabra-ponteras...so solemn and almost all were teary eyed..."
- Atty. Allan Ladrido




Four of our IHS Class73 members were able to attend the memorial service in Iloilo.
(LtoR) Melchor Ramos, Joash Ponteras (Daisy's husband), Haydee Geganzo-Jimenea, Arlene Donasco-Celis, Atty. Allan Ladrido




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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

#017-Our Manila group's latest meeting


(LtoR) Lyn Verdeflor-QUICOSA, Sally Alemania-VELARDE,
Ruth Jagarap-PADILLA, Genie Limoso-SEBASTIAN,
Jo Basbaño, Mopet Almonares, Herman Basbaño, Ednathan Almonares


More Photos Here


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Monday, November 2, 2009

#016-They Long To Be CLOSE TO YOU


(Song and Lyrics by The Carpenters)

Dedicated to all the romantics of IHS Class73 
led by Atty. Allan Ladrido



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