Sunday, May 31, 2009
Write your own poem
By Willie Jose
Once more I’m writing my poem
A poem that’s worth something or nothing at all
Will it get published; does it have a measure, rhythm or tone?
Who cares? After all, it’s for me and mine alone.
My poem carries the thoughts that come
from my restless consciousness
Thoughts that are formless but begging
to be dressed up or else they take flight and gone no more.
What a joy to see them becoming visible to my eyes
Quickly coming to mind some fleeting moments and
memories that can easily be lost by the speed of our time
Time is gold, so write your own poem even without a rhyme
I’m penning this little poem early in the morning
right on the bus where most people seem visibly not moving
They look harassed, stressed out— what a sad kind of living
Then, silently I pause and wish them more of life’s blessings
Write your poem as you reflect and mediate
Ask questions, either big or small: who am I?
What’s the meaning of life? Whereto should I
go when I die? Can I draw close to my Creator?
Why is life’s success not giving us peace?
As happiness eludes us, why worries and anxieties instead?
Where to find life’s contentment is everybody’s guess.
Well, one need not gaze any further–the answers are just around the corner.
Draw close to Jehovah God, our Creator while there is still time
Like a thief in the night, His Day will come surprising everyone
Let’s read His Holy Writings and change our lifestyle now
It’s now or never, for tomorrow might not come
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
We are poor, but the PLM education has changed our lives
By Willie Jose
TORONTO, CANADA Feb. 20 (PNA) -- We were poor and struggling young men and women then studying at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila but because of the free education given to us by the city of Manila, most of us have become successful professionals working both in the Philippines and overseas.
We all feel greatly indebted to our alma mater for whatever comforts we are now enjoying.
In the next few days, we alumni mostly based in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia will heading home to attend the school’s 42nd Foundation Day festivities (Feb. 25- 28) to once again reconnect with former schoolmates, batch mates and friends in reminiscing with them some fond memories and dreams that have been kept through the years.
We, the first four batches of PLMers who graduated from 1967 to 1972, would have a lot to look back on and be grateful to our school simply because we have really experienced how to be full-time iskolar ng bayan-- enjoying free tuition, lunch, books and the school/ROTC -WAC uniforms.
As I recollect our freshman days at PLM, which officially opened its door in 1967 to the first batch of 556 talented but poor students of Manila, I cannot help but feel how blessed we are to be given a chance to get the kind of education we need to break free from poverty.
Most of us came from impoverished families and our parents were ordinary workers-- carpenters, vendors, laundrywomen, machine shop operators, drivers, office clerks, dressmakers and ordinary civil servants who were trying to eke out a living to make both ends meet.
In short, we really had a hand-to-mouth existence. Majority of us also lived in shanties or for-rent small rooms in Tondo, Sampaloc, San Andres Bukid and at the railroad tracks “ sa gilid ng tren” (by the railways).
A few of us could afford to live in apartments but this was more an exception than the rule.
Although the jeepney fare was only 10 centavos, we’d rather walk from the PLM in Intramuros to Quiapo or Sta Cruz and from there, take a jeepney home. Doing this was a good way to save money for the snack.
There were times when we had no choice but to walk all the way home. For meals, we’d normally bring our "baon” (packed lunch), consisting of rice, boiled eggs, daing or itlog na maalat.
Once in a while, we’d buy adobong or fried vegemeat sold at the school canteen for 20 cents per order.
Jun Mercado, B.S Computer Engineering ’72 remembers those days when a friend or classmate would bring a can of Ligo sardines, then “we’d ask Tatang, an owner of a small carinderia near the Allied Warehouse to cook it for us, requesting him to mix it with more water to make “sabaw” (soup) because six of us would share it.
The golf caddy’s canteen located beside the Intramuros Wall was also our favorite eating place”.
Another alumnus, Danny Nacua, BSBA ’71 recalls that with his allowance of one peso daily, 40 cents was for transport fare and the rest would be enough for him to take his lunch at the school canteen: a plate of vegemeat (20 cents, rice (10 cents) soft drink (10) cents. For my snack, I’d buy a stick of fried banana at 10 centavos a piece from a vendor whose mobile Kariton was always parked in front of the PLM building on Muralla St.,
However, not everybody could afford to have a decent breakfast before going to school
The Free World magazine in featuring the PLM, says “one incident led to a new program: when a student suddenly collapsed in the classroom. The guidance counsellor found that he walked two kilometres to class without breakfast.
The result was the establishment of a Student’s Assistance Program (SAP) which calls on philanthropic groups or individuals to donate transportation and meal allowance to deserving students.”
“Another case involves a high school valedictorian who tendered a letter of resignation. Dr. Reyes found out that the student was being forced by his poor parents to stop studying and sell newspapers instead to bring in money for the family.
Dr. Reyes succeeded in convincing the parents to let the boy continue his studies with a “ foster father” contributing to meal and transportation expenses,” the magazine says. Dr. Benito Reyes is the first PLM president.
Vicky Servillon Calub BA Psychology batch 1971 has this recollection: “I have smiles all over my face when I read about the vegemeat, specially the handloom weaving. I vividly remember that some of my classmates borrow money for their daily jeepney allowance and that it means they don’t have anything for lunch. I share my sandwich from home and mom would say I am eating for two.”
Despite these hardships, we were determined to stay focus on our studies, to finish our courses and to hurdle whatever obstacles that might come our way, believing that PLM educational system could make a big difference in our lives.
We felt that being poor should not prevent us from achieving our dreams and that there was no way to go but up, up to success.
I also remember our professors who inspired and guided us to reach our dreams. But being under their tutelage was not easy: it was all hard work and more hard work. Every semester, we could always feel the anxiety and stress, realizing that another block of 50 students had been expelled for failing to make attain the minimum academic grade requirement.
of the 556 students that started in 1967, 300 made it in 1972. Since it was a privilege to get the PLM education, only those who meet and maintain their academic standing could stay and get the free education.
But to be in good standing, we had to obtain at least 2.5 grade or better and without getting a failing grade on a semester basis.
To survive Pamantasan, we realized the truism of the saying “no man is an island“ because we really have to help each other in doing assignments, exchanging notes, finishing term papers and doing research work at the National and the Kamaynilan libraries and the Surian ng Wika.
We had to really sweat it out with the proverbial lamp burning through the night because having a load of 26 units every semester, plus some summer classes was not an easy task.
For our uniform, we were supposed to don white shirt with necktie and black pants but it was a common sight on the campus to see men wearing rubber shoes with that kind of attire. It might look awkward to some people, but we could easily dash off for our next PE classes or play basketball after attending the academic classes.
Just having a pair of rubber shoes would spare us from the hassle of having to bring an extra pair of shoes to school. Frankly, I would say that for most of us at that time, it was still a luxury to have another pair of leather shoes.
Also adding to our anxiety was the fact that we had already begun studying but still there wasn’t enough funds to cover the PLM’s expenses for its first year of operation which led us from time to time hold gatherings in front of the Manila City Hall to appeal to the city councillors to approve the school’s regular budgetary requirements.
I also remember one professor, Ms. Gajo who awakened us to view Philippine history from our own perspective as Filipinos, stressing that the Philippines could not have been discovered by Magellan as taught to us in high school because the country had been in existence as a self-governing nation, exchanging trades with its neighbors even before the Spaniards came on our shores.
She instilled into our young minds that the country’s Mutual Defense Pact with the US is not a defense pact in a real sense because of the absence of any immediate retaliatory response on the part of the US in the event the Philippines is attacked by a foreign aggressor. Citing the obvious disparity in the US-RP pact, she said, the Defense agreement signed by the Japanese with the Americans, there is an automatic response from the US in the event Japan attacked by an enemy
During the students’ activism of the 70s, some of us were also active in the protest movement. We joined rallies and demonstrations and shouted denunciation against the Marcos regime but something was noticeable: the school’s walls remained clean, free from the graffiti of the popular slogans at that time.
Though these fond memories are now water under the bridge, they still serve to unite all alumni together.
But what matters most is that these PLMers all over the world have not forgotten their Pamantasan Mahal and they are doing whatever projects they can from scholarship drives to computers and books for the students, donation to the Enterprise Center, honorary bust for Gat Puno Villegas and others to help their alma mater.
Doing this is their way of thanking the university that has given them the best quality education in life.
After four decades, our beloved Pamantasan has produced thousands of professionals: nurses, doctors, entertainment executives, lawyers, journalists, actors, singers, engineers accountants, teachers, deans, CEOs, congressmen, award-winning scriptwriters, and Palanca awardees
The country’s newspapers scream with headlines such as “PLM No.2 in engineers exam, PLM 2nd among top performing schools in CPA exam; PLM College of Medicine ranked No. 2; PLM bags 2nd slot in physician licensure exam; PLM nursing cited as one of the best and PLM tops Physical Therapy exam”.
The PLM is proud to be among the top universities in the country today.
“I am thinking now of the Pamantasan, this newly established city university of Manila, which I am the first president. How my heart enfolds it with love and care… How my being glows with pride at the mere thought that this completely free university (free tuition, free books, free everything), this wondrous experiment in social justice in education, is now in operation. How brighter and warmer the glow becomes at the thought of how the poor but brilliant students of Manila are getting their opportunity to become future scientists, philosophers, thinkers, artists and leaders of the country."
“The redemption of ignorance buried in poverty. I am thinking of the unforgettable words of Thomas Jefferson.” –Dr. Benito F. Reyes. PLM 1967 (PNA)V3/WJ/mec
By Willie Jose
TORONTO, CANADA Feb. 20 (PNA) -- We were poor and struggling young men and women then studying at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila but because of the free education given to us by the city of Manila, most of us have become successful professionals working both in the Philippines and overseas.
We all feel greatly indebted to our alma mater for whatever comforts we are now enjoying.
In the next few days, we alumni mostly based in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia will heading home to attend the school’s 42nd Foundation Day festivities (Feb. 25- 28) to once again reconnect with former schoolmates, batch mates and friends in reminiscing with them some fond memories and dreams that have been kept through the years.
We, the first four batches of PLMers who graduated from 1967 to 1972, would have a lot to look back on and be grateful to our school simply because we have really experienced how to be full-time iskolar ng bayan-- enjoying free tuition, lunch, books and the school/ROTC -WAC uniforms.
As I recollect our freshman days at PLM, which officially opened its door in 1967 to the first batch of 556 talented but poor students of Manila, I cannot help but feel how blessed we are to be given a chance to get the kind of education we need to break free from poverty.
Most of us came from impoverished families and our parents were ordinary workers-- carpenters, vendors, laundrywomen, machine shop operators, drivers, office clerks, dressmakers and ordinary civil servants who were trying to eke out a living to make both ends meet.
In short, we really had a hand-to-mouth existence. Majority of us also lived in shanties or for-rent small rooms in Tondo, Sampaloc, San Andres Bukid and at the railroad tracks “ sa gilid ng tren” (by the railways).
A few of us could afford to live in apartments but this was more an exception than the rule.
Although the jeepney fare was only 10 centavos, we’d rather walk from the PLM in Intramuros to Quiapo or Sta Cruz and from there, take a jeepney home. Doing this was a good way to save money for the snack.
There were times when we had no choice but to walk all the way home. For meals, we’d normally bring our "baon” (packed lunch), consisting of rice, boiled eggs, daing or itlog na maalat.
Once in a while, we’d buy adobong or fried vegemeat sold at the school canteen for 20 cents per order.
Jun Mercado, B.S Computer Engineering ’72 remembers those days when a friend or classmate would bring a can of Ligo sardines, then “we’d ask Tatang, an owner of a small carinderia near the Allied Warehouse to cook it for us, requesting him to mix it with more water to make “sabaw” (soup) because six of us would share it.
The golf caddy’s canteen located beside the Intramuros Wall was also our favorite eating place”.
Another alumnus, Danny Nacua, BSBA ’71 recalls that with his allowance of one peso daily, 40 cents was for transport fare and the rest would be enough for him to take his lunch at the school canteen: a plate of vegemeat (20 cents, rice (10 cents) soft drink (10) cents. For my snack, I’d buy a stick of fried banana at 10 centavos a piece from a vendor whose mobile Kariton was always parked in front of the PLM building on Muralla St.,
However, not everybody could afford to have a decent breakfast before going to school
The Free World magazine in featuring the PLM, says “one incident led to a new program: when a student suddenly collapsed in the classroom. The guidance counsellor found that he walked two kilometres to class without breakfast.
The result was the establishment of a Student’s Assistance Program (SAP) which calls on philanthropic groups or individuals to donate transportation and meal allowance to deserving students.”
“Another case involves a high school valedictorian who tendered a letter of resignation. Dr. Reyes found out that the student was being forced by his poor parents to stop studying and sell newspapers instead to bring in money for the family.
Dr. Reyes succeeded in convincing the parents to let the boy continue his studies with a “ foster father” contributing to meal and transportation expenses,” the magazine says. Dr. Benito Reyes is the first PLM president.
Vicky Servillon Calub BA Psychology batch 1971 has this recollection: “I have smiles all over my face when I read about the vegemeat, specially the handloom weaving. I vividly remember that some of my classmates borrow money for their daily jeepney allowance and that it means they don’t have anything for lunch. I share my sandwich from home and mom would say I am eating for two.”
Despite these hardships, we were determined to stay focus on our studies, to finish our courses and to hurdle whatever obstacles that might come our way, believing that PLM educational system could make a big difference in our lives.
We felt that being poor should not prevent us from achieving our dreams and that there was no way to go but up, up to success.
I also remember our professors who inspired and guided us to reach our dreams. But being under their tutelage was not easy: it was all hard work and more hard work. Every semester, we could always feel the anxiety and stress, realizing that another block of 50 students had been expelled for failing to make attain the minimum academic grade requirement.
of the 556 students that started in 1967, 300 made it in 1972. Since it was a privilege to get the PLM education, only those who meet and maintain their academic standing could stay and get the free education.
But to be in good standing, we had to obtain at least 2.5 grade or better and without getting a failing grade on a semester basis.
To survive Pamantasan, we realized the truism of the saying “no man is an island“ because we really have to help each other in doing assignments, exchanging notes, finishing term papers and doing research work at the National and the Kamaynilan libraries and the Surian ng Wika.
We had to really sweat it out with the proverbial lamp burning through the night because having a load of 26 units every semester, plus some summer classes was not an easy task.
For our uniform, we were supposed to don white shirt with necktie and black pants but it was a common sight on the campus to see men wearing rubber shoes with that kind of attire. It might look awkward to some people, but we could easily dash off for our next PE classes or play basketball after attending the academic classes.
Just having a pair of rubber shoes would spare us from the hassle of having to bring an extra pair of shoes to school. Frankly, I would say that for most of us at that time, it was still a luxury to have another pair of leather shoes.
Also adding to our anxiety was the fact that we had already begun studying but still there wasn’t enough funds to cover the PLM’s expenses for its first year of operation which led us from time to time hold gatherings in front of the Manila City Hall to appeal to the city councillors to approve the school’s regular budgetary requirements.
I also remember one professor, Ms. Gajo who awakened us to view Philippine history from our own perspective as Filipinos, stressing that the Philippines could not have been discovered by Magellan as taught to us in high school because the country had been in existence as a self-governing nation, exchanging trades with its neighbors even before the Spaniards came on our shores.
She instilled into our young minds that the country’s Mutual Defense Pact with the US is not a defense pact in a real sense because of the absence of any immediate retaliatory response on the part of the US in the event the Philippines is attacked by a foreign aggressor. Citing the obvious disparity in the US-RP pact, she said, the Defense agreement signed by the Japanese with the Americans, there is an automatic response from the US in the event Japan attacked by an enemy
During the students’ activism of the 70s, some of us were also active in the protest movement. We joined rallies and demonstrations and shouted denunciation against the Marcos regime but something was noticeable: the school’s walls remained clean, free from the graffiti of the popular slogans at that time.
Though these fond memories are now water under the bridge, they still serve to unite all alumni together.
But what matters most is that these PLMers all over the world have not forgotten their Pamantasan Mahal and they are doing whatever projects they can from scholarship drives to computers and books for the students, donation to the Enterprise Center, honorary bust for Gat Puno Villegas and others to help their alma mater.
Doing this is their way of thanking the university that has given them the best quality education in life.
After four decades, our beloved Pamantasan has produced thousands of professionals: nurses, doctors, entertainment executives, lawyers, journalists, actors, singers, engineers accountants, teachers, deans, CEOs, congressmen, award-winning scriptwriters, and Palanca awardees
The country’s newspapers scream with headlines such as “PLM No.2 in engineers exam, PLM 2nd among top performing schools in CPA exam; PLM College of Medicine ranked No. 2; PLM bags 2nd slot in physician licensure exam; PLM nursing cited as one of the best and PLM tops Physical Therapy exam”.
The PLM is proud to be among the top universities in the country today.
“I am thinking now of the Pamantasan, this newly established city university of Manila, which I am the first president. How my heart enfolds it with love and care… How my being glows with pride at the mere thought that this completely free university (free tuition, free books, free everything), this wondrous experiment in social justice in education, is now in operation. How brighter and warmer the glow becomes at the thought of how the poor but brilliant students of Manila are getting their opportunity to become future scientists, philosophers, thinkers, artists and leaders of the country."
“The redemption of ignorance buried in poverty. I am thinking of the unforgettable words of Thomas Jefferson.” –Dr. Benito F. Reyes. PLM 1967 (PNA)V3/WJ/mec
Saturday, October 25, 2008
That's All--" Yun Lang ": My favorite song
'YUN LANG
Pagsasalin ni Pete Lacaba ng awiting "That's all"
Tunay na pagmamahal sa habangbuhay'
Yan lamang ang aking maiaalay
At ang tanging puso ko'y nakalaan sa 'yo'
Yun lang, 'yun lang
Alay ko sa 'yo'y pamamasyal sa araw
At kamay na kakapitan sa ulan
At mainit na dibdib sa gabi ng taglamig
'Yun lang, 'yun lang
Ang iba ay maraming pangako
At handang ibigay ang mundo
Tunay na pagsinta at pagsuyo'
Yan lang ang maihahandog ko
Kung pangarap ko ay ibig mong malaman
Ang isasagot ko'y simple lang naman
Basta't sabihin mong ako, ako lang ang mahal mo'
Yun lang, 'yun lang ================
THAT'S ALL (Original English Lyrics)
I can only give you love that lasts forever.
And a promise to be near each time you call.
And the only heart I ownFor you and you alone
That's all,That's all...
I can only give you country walks in springtime
And a hand to hold when leaves begin to fall;
And a love whose burning lightWill warm the winter's night
That's all,That's all.
There are those I am sure who have told you,
They would give you the world for a toy.
All I have are these arms to enfold you,
And a love time can never destroy.I
f you're wondering what I'm asking in return, dear,
You'll be glad to know that my demands are small.
Say it's me that you'll adore,For now and evermore
That's all,That's all.
If you're wondering what I'm asking in return, dear,
You'll be glad to know that my demands are small.
Say it's me that you'll adore,For now and evermore.
That's all,That's all.
Pagsasalin ni Pete Lacaba ng awiting "That's all"
Tunay na pagmamahal sa habangbuhay'
Yan lamang ang aking maiaalay
At ang tanging puso ko'y nakalaan sa 'yo'
Yun lang, 'yun lang
Alay ko sa 'yo'y pamamasyal sa araw
At kamay na kakapitan sa ulan
At mainit na dibdib sa gabi ng taglamig
'Yun lang, 'yun lang
Ang iba ay maraming pangako
At handang ibigay ang mundo
Tunay na pagsinta at pagsuyo'
Yan lang ang maihahandog ko
Kung pangarap ko ay ibig mong malaman
Ang isasagot ko'y simple lang naman
Basta't sabihin mong ako, ako lang ang mahal mo'
Yun lang, 'yun lang ================
THAT'S ALL (Original English Lyrics)
I can only give you love that lasts forever.
And a promise to be near each time you call.
And the only heart I ownFor you and you alone
That's all,That's all...
I can only give you country walks in springtime
And a hand to hold when leaves begin to fall;
And a love whose burning lightWill warm the winter's night
That's all,That's all.
There are those I am sure who have told you,
They would give you the world for a toy.
All I have are these arms to enfold you,
And a love time can never destroy.I
f you're wondering what I'm asking in return, dear,
You'll be glad to know that my demands are small.
Say it's me that you'll adore,For now and evermore
That's all,That's all.
If you're wondering what I'm asking in return, dear,
You'll be glad to know that my demands are small.
Say it's me that you'll adore,For now and evermore.
That's all,That's all.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Is this life all there is
By Willie Jose
Yesterday, it was work, eat, drink, and be merry
Buy that, buy those– and then sleep
Today, it’s more work, more eat, more drink, and be merrier
Buy more of that, buy more of those—then sleep again
Tomorrow, it’ll be much more work, eat, drink and be the happiest
Buy all of that; buy all of those— then have more sleep
Is all this life has to offer to us?
Is this why we are here on this world,
To satisfy our insatiable selves?
If this is the only thing, we have
In life—then something is very
Wrong in our own existence.
Is this not all emptiness
As if everything hangs in the air
And striving after the wind.
Then, let’s all wake up my dear friends
And look around—reflect and meditate,
Now, we know: life’s nothing sans Jehovah God in our lives.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
PLM alumni host grand reunion in Manila
to mark school’s 42nd anniversary
The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Alumni Association (PLMAA) is hosting a grand alumni reunion & homecoming in Manila on February 25 - March 3, 2009 to commemorate its school’s 42nd anniversary.
The PLMers belonging to Batch ’68 led by Richard Prado are spearheading the weeklong event. And they are inviting all alumni to join the affair and meet up and renew their bond of friendship and camaraderie with their former classmates and schoolmates whom they have not seen for years.
Prado said the celebration’s theme “4 Na Dekada…Walang Kakupas-kupas”marks the 42nd year since the PLM opened its gates to the first batch of scholars in 1967, thereby making the school the country’s first city-supported university for the poor but intellectually gifted students
As he expressed his gratitude to PLM President Atty. Adel Tamano for “re-opening the campus gates to the alumni community”, Prado also issued the invitation to all alumni to attend the reunion, saying “let us re-trace our steps back to our alma mater, to feel and celebrate the PLM spirit once more”.
The organizers are expecting a big turnout of alumni attending the reunion and this early, some PLMers living overseas—Canada, US, Australia—have informed the organizing committees on their 100 percent willingness to attend the event.
At present, the alumni hosts are bracing up for the coming busy months, preparing the various reunion’s activities such as the holding of sports games , cocktails, bus tour, symposium and Coffee Hour, all aimed at making the homecoming “ An Affair To Remember”.
To insure the success of the event, the Batch ’68 aided by some alumni from the pioneers group have lined up a number of activities that will give those attending the reunion enough time to be together in reminiscing their fond memories and dreams that they have kept to themselves through the years.
On Day 1, there will be a parade and review with President Tamano making the welcoming remarks and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, delivering the keynote address. A symposium on the” PLM—Responsibility to Moral Accountability and Social Responsibility” and a Coffee/Music Hour with Tamano, faculty members and the students body are scheduled in the afternoon session.
On Day 2, the whole morning is reserved for the holding of a medical/ dental project billed as “ Mula Sa Puso ng Nagbabalik-tanaw”.And cocktails/dinner/dance is slated at the Manila Hotel Fiesta Pavilion-- alumni groups including those from PLM overseas chapters are expected to show off their musical/ entertainment talents.
On Day3, it’s a 3-day, 2-night “Sagada Tour”. See you all on this once-in-a-lifetime homecoming!!
For particulars, call or contact the following:
The Secretariat: e-mail: jeyeyvee@gmail.com
Jojo Velasco, 869-2623 or 09218582911
Marketing & Invitation:
Cesar San Pedro, 932-5767 or 09175293289
E-mail: cesar_sanpedro@yahoo.com
Steering Committee:
Richard Prado, 09205914701 or rprado@yahoo.com
Racie Freires, 562-2787 or 09214305099
E-mail: schytech@yahoo.com
For alumni living in Canada, please call:
Lilia Jose, 416-265-3129
Ping Nacua, 416-439-5427.
Delia Manguba,416-444-7340--WJ
Posted by williej at 9:46 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Our Manila PLM reunion--"An Affair To Remember"
Let’s make the PLM reunion
“Our Affair To Remember”
I’m very sorry for this late response; I was so busy the past week. Anyway, I read the minutes of your meeting-- and that you’re planning to get a high profile speaker to grace our forthcoming alumni homecoming, hoping that with this popular speaker we could get enough media mileage and exposure
If I may suggest, I think our reunion should focus more on the alumni and the members of the university community: the teaching and administrative staff and the students. We are supposed to hold this affair with one objective in mind—to meet up and renew our ties with our classmates and schoolmates whom we haven’t seen for years, thereby reminiscing with them our fond memories and dreams
Our reunion is a great time to relax, exchange a never-ending kamustahan and be ourselves, free from the cares of the world. In short, let’s make this gathering Our Affair to Remember. After four decades, the PLM has produced outstanding men and women in various professional fields- school deans, lawyers, doctors, nurses, journalists, professors businessmen, engineers, board topnotchers, officials of national and international organizations and many others. I strongly believe we can get one good, home-grown keynote speaker among us who can speak for all of the alumni--.someone who’s the epitome of the PLM ideals. If we could do this, then we have all the reason to commemorate our “4 Na Dekada na Walang Kakupas-kupas”
.
Being an alumni event, could we possibly de-politicize the reunion, meaning no-speeches from politicians and I’m sure even our school president Tamano would understand this stance. Well, we can just have a tour on the PLM with him and a courtesy call with Manila Mayor Lim.
Another point is why we don’t take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime gathering to come up with a big, really big project for the benefit of the poor students. What I have in mind is the putting up of The Pamantasan Café. We have a captured market, the thousand alumni the PLM has produced’ through the years and the profits generated from this venture could be used to fund the scholarships and other programs. To raise the needed capital, all we have to do is, invest $ 100 each, and if there are 500 alumni joining in, then we can have enough capital to start the business. The 500 investors will have one share of stock each, entitling them to have one vote and no one should be allowed to have more than one share of stock, thereby preventing anybody from having controlling interest in the business. So all the 500 will be shareholders of the corporation. As shareholders, now we could elect the members of the board who would eventually manage the business. This is just an idea, I don’t know if the project is feasible.
As regards, Edith’s concerns on generating awareness and insuring maximum attendance to the event, I think all the committees should get involved in making sure that all these alumni are contacted through e-mails, phone calls and text messaging Aside from on-air plugs, press releases, web sites reports, we can also have banners and posters placed in some strategic places in Manila to generate awareness.
Another way to create enough stir is to revive the Coffee Hour and through this program, these students will have a chance to hear some encouraging and inspiring stories from the alumni themselves while enjoying their free coffee/tea/cookies. To get the students attention and interest, we can hold an exhibit of old photos, books, uniforms, souvenirs and other memorabilia. Willie Jose.
Posted by williej at 10:59 AM 0 comments
to mark school’s 42nd anniversary
The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Alumni Association (PLMAA) is hosting a grand alumni reunion & homecoming in Manila on February 25 - March 3, 2009 to commemorate its school’s 42nd anniversary.
The PLMers belonging to Batch ’68 led by Richard Prado are spearheading the weeklong event. And they are inviting all alumni to join the affair and meet up and renew their bond of friendship and camaraderie with their former classmates and schoolmates whom they have not seen for years.
Prado said the celebration’s theme “4 Na Dekada…Walang Kakupas-kupas”marks the 42nd year since the PLM opened its gates to the first batch of scholars in 1967, thereby making the school the country’s first city-supported university for the poor but intellectually gifted students
As he expressed his gratitude to PLM President Atty. Adel Tamano for “re-opening the campus gates to the alumni community”, Prado also issued the invitation to all alumni to attend the reunion, saying “let us re-trace our steps back to our alma mater, to feel and celebrate the PLM spirit once more”.
The organizers are expecting a big turnout of alumni attending the reunion and this early, some PLMers living overseas—Canada, US, Australia—have informed the organizing committees on their 100 percent willingness to attend the event.
At present, the alumni hosts are bracing up for the coming busy months, preparing the various reunion’s activities such as the holding of sports games , cocktails, bus tour, symposium and Coffee Hour, all aimed at making the homecoming “ An Affair To Remember”.
To insure the success of the event, the Batch ’68 aided by some alumni from the pioneers group have lined up a number of activities that will give those attending the reunion enough time to be together in reminiscing their fond memories and dreams that they have kept to themselves through the years.
On Day 1, there will be a parade and review with President Tamano making the welcoming remarks and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, delivering the keynote address. A symposium on the” PLM—Responsibility to Moral Accountability and Social Responsibility” and a Coffee/Music Hour with Tamano, faculty members and the students body are scheduled in the afternoon session.
On Day 2, the whole morning is reserved for the holding of a medical/ dental project billed as “ Mula Sa Puso ng Nagbabalik-tanaw”.And cocktails/dinner/dance is slated at the Manila Hotel Fiesta Pavilion-- alumni groups including those from PLM overseas chapters are expected to show off their musical/ entertainment talents.
On Day3, it’s a 3-day, 2-night “Sagada Tour”. See you all on this once-in-a-lifetime homecoming!!
For particulars, call or contact the following:
The Secretariat: e-mail: jeyeyvee@gmail.com
Jojo Velasco, 869-2623 or 09218582911
Marketing & Invitation:
Cesar San Pedro, 932-5767 or 09175293289
E-mail: cesar_sanpedro@yahoo.com
Steering Committee:
Richard Prado, 09205914701 or rprado@yahoo.com
Racie Freires, 562-2787 or 09214305099
E-mail: schytech@yahoo.com
For alumni living in Canada, please call:
Lilia Jose, 416-265-3129
Ping Nacua, 416-439-5427.
Delia Manguba,416-444-7340--WJ
Posted by williej at 9:46 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Our Manila PLM reunion--"An Affair To Remember"
Let’s make the PLM reunion
“Our Affair To Remember”
I’m very sorry for this late response; I was so busy the past week. Anyway, I read the minutes of your meeting-- and that you’re planning to get a high profile speaker to grace our forthcoming alumni homecoming, hoping that with this popular speaker we could get enough media mileage and exposure
If I may suggest, I think our reunion should focus more on the alumni and the members of the university community: the teaching and administrative staff and the students. We are supposed to hold this affair with one objective in mind—to meet up and renew our ties with our classmates and schoolmates whom we haven’t seen for years, thereby reminiscing with them our fond memories and dreams
Our reunion is a great time to relax, exchange a never-ending kamustahan and be ourselves, free from the cares of the world. In short, let’s make this gathering Our Affair to Remember. After four decades, the PLM has produced outstanding men and women in various professional fields- school deans, lawyers, doctors, nurses, journalists, professors businessmen, engineers, board topnotchers, officials of national and international organizations and many others. I strongly believe we can get one good, home-grown keynote speaker among us who can speak for all of the alumni--.someone who’s the epitome of the PLM ideals. If we could do this, then we have all the reason to commemorate our “4 Na Dekada na Walang Kakupas-kupas”
.
Being an alumni event, could we possibly de-politicize the reunion, meaning no-speeches from politicians and I’m sure even our school president Tamano would understand this stance. Well, we can just have a tour on the PLM with him and a courtesy call with Manila Mayor Lim.
Another point is why we don’t take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime gathering to come up with a big, really big project for the benefit of the poor students. What I have in mind is the putting up of The Pamantasan Café. We have a captured market, the thousand alumni the PLM has produced’ through the years and the profits generated from this venture could be used to fund the scholarships and other programs. To raise the needed capital, all we have to do is, invest $ 100 each, and if there are 500 alumni joining in, then we can have enough capital to start the business. The 500 investors will have one share of stock each, entitling them to have one vote and no one should be allowed to have more than one share of stock, thereby preventing anybody from having controlling interest in the business. So all the 500 will be shareholders of the corporation. As shareholders, now we could elect the members of the board who would eventually manage the business. This is just an idea, I don’t know if the project is feasible.
As regards, Edith’s concerns on generating awareness and insuring maximum attendance to the event, I think all the committees should get involved in making sure that all these alumni are contacted through e-mails, phone calls and text messaging Aside from on-air plugs, press releases, web sites reports, we can also have banners and posters placed in some strategic places in Manila to generate awareness.
Another way to create enough stir is to revive the Coffee Hour and through this program, these students will have a chance to hear some encouraging and inspiring stories from the alumni themselves while enjoying their free coffee/tea/cookies. To get the students attention and interest, we can hold an exhibit of old photos, books, uniforms, souvenirs and other memorabilia. Willie Jose.
Posted by williej at 10:59 AM 0 comments
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