Central Philippine University

By Sarla Ferrer-Duller and Emelda Frange-Valcarcel


Golden Jubilarians with Delia Gumban-Daus and husband Steve at the Delia Mansion and Gardens.

Memory … just like the famous song from the Broadway musical Cats, the Central Philippine University (CPU) College of Nursing class of 1969 AKA the 69ers, dreamed of the old days and remembered that life was beautiful then as they commemorated their Golden Jubilee from February 7 to 12, 2019. Attended by 25 69ers and some 12 husbands, the class reunion was celebrated in the provinces of Iloilo and Antique, and in six different venues: CPU; Iloilo Mission Hospital (IMH); Tambaliza/Pan de Azucar Island in Concepcion, Iloilo; Dingle, Iloilo; San Jose, Antique; and Pavia, Iloilo.

Day Six – 12 February 2019. Pavia, Iloilo (by Emelda “Daday” Frange Valceral)

It can be best described as the “icing on the cake” day of the six-day reunion. Fully aware that it was the last day of the reunion, the group resolved to make it fun and enjoyable. Hosted by Delia Gumban-Daus and husband Steve, at the Delia Mansion and Gardens, the venue is situated between the cheerfully painted lime yellow-green ancestral house and the new terracotta and cream Mediterranean-inspired mansion. There were interesting garden nooks and corners and an abundance of varieties of plants and fruit trees. The weather was pleasantly sunny to our delight, notably to the “sun worshipper” Dieter Kraseman, Lucille Palabrica’s husband. The cool breeze was felt from the river beside the house even through the high fences.

The Jubilarians enjoyed the lunch fare of laswa, fresh lumpia, chicken tetrazzini, beef stroganoff, valenciana, escabeche, pancit bijon, beef ribs, adobo and shrimps served under a sprawling mango tree, in peach/brown colored tablecloths over round tables. For desserts, there were star apple, alupe, chico, guinatan, suman, lanzones, maja blanca, fruit salad, and mango. Thanks, Angel, for supplying the sweet mangoes for several days for us to enjoy.

Memories are one of life’s cherished possession, someone once said. Reminiscing our college and dormitory years, rekindled friendships as we shared bittersweet memories of our unique experience as Centralians, and as student nurses with an internship in IMH and Capiz Emmanuel Hospital. Our looks may have changed, but our fond memories remained the same, and all the more made significant because we were sharing them with friends and kindred spirits. Collectively, we were grateful for our many blessings personally and professionally both in the homeland and abroad. We shared travel plans, we talked about children and bragged about grandchildren and hardly discussed problems or maintenance medications. On our last reunion day of togertherness, we chose to regress and transported ourselves back in the day when we were teens aged between 16-20 years old, full of dreams, hope, and energy. We asked each other: Were you a fan of Susan Roces or Amalia Fuentes? We wondered how we survived our tours of duty as student nurses, although sleep-deprived yet we were able to bounce back and attend our firt-period class. We recalled Miss Tupaz bringing us sandwiches for our lunch during our nursing board exam in Manila. We remembered Dra. Hofilena’s teaching style and her writing encouraging notes on our test papers. We remembered Dr. Viterbo’s wit and wisdom, scrubbing for prolonged surgeries of Dr. Muyco’s thoracic, and Dr. Padilla’s neuro cases (and green jokes). Oh yes, how Akay in the Kitchen and Boning in Central Supply intimidated us as student nurses especially during our junior year. And more…

Switching gears, we played the Siomai, Siopao, and Suman with flamboyant actions accompanied by shrieks and laughter. We also played the Balay ni Belay that was a little bit challenging to one’s concentration especially when the onlookers tried to distract by teasing the players. Congratulations to the winners: Cochiao and Lydia. By the way, who else got the third Texas T-shirt? (Senior moment!)

Indeed, time files, and before we knew it, our rides were already fetching us. It was 5:00 P.M. Once again, we joined hands and sang Blest Be the tie, had our group pictures taken yet under the tree, in front of the Bahay Kubo, fountain and mansion and said good bye to each other for at least ten (10) times. We bagged some plant cutting and seeds, the green mangoes we harvested off the tree, and of course the customary Ilonggo “Putsiko” for the food to go. Other loots included handmade bracelets and necklaces by Edith Villaruz. More hugs and hysterical laughter as we waved, “until next reunion!”

We parted with sensory overload, full of nostalgic memories and great experiences! Once again, thanks to our hosts Delia and Steve Daus, the Organizing Committees in Iloilo, classmates and their spouses in attendance and God for our safe travels and provisions to be able to attend out 50th college reunion. I was such a gift and profound blessing!

Post Note:

“No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other’s worth.” – Robert Southey

While we sorely missed our classmates who were unable to join us to celebrate our Golden Jubilee due to illness and other compelling priorities, however, we were blessed with the presence of the following 69ers and husbands who attended some or all activities. Above all, we thank the Iloilo-based Planning and Organizing Committee: Angel Robles (coordinator), Angie Majaducon, Lucille Krasemann, Lydia Robles, Miray Pedregosa and Ruth Griño, for your hard work behind the scenes in making our 50th fun and memorable event!

Hasta luego, fellow 69ers…and let the memory live again!