MALATE CATHOLIC SCHOOL'S CENTENNIAL KICKOFF DAY

A year ago our high school batch celebrated our 20th year anniversary as MCS graduates. It was one memorable night where we reminisced the good times, met our former teachers and got in touch with other classmates. That was also the first time I saw the new MCS directress Sr. Ma. Rosalina Cristina Asuncion, RVM. Also known as Sr. Sally, she said she was glad to meet the 1994 batch, because we were able to witness the transition from Columban to RVM school administration. She also invited us to take part in the MCS centennial celebration, with so many activities leading up to the culmination in 2017. 

During the early part of this year, I started to follow the MCS 100 years Facebook page and got excited to be part of it. I contributed some of my old MCS photos as part of a Throwback Thursday posts and eventually I volunteered to blog about the events. How can I pass up this chance, it's an honor and I wouldn't live to the next hundred so this is a once in a lifetime thing. 

The official 3 year countdown launch to MCS' centennial happened last November 14. It's called the Centennial KickOff Day filled with 3 major events participated by students, alumni, faculty and non-teaching staff. 

Blessed with great weather, the festivities began as early as 7:40 am with a grand motorcade featuring Batch 1991 silver jubilee alumni, Parents, Teachers, and Administration Council (PTAC), Mr. & Ms. MCS 2015 candidates. It passed through Manila, Pasay and Makati with a joyous fanfare.

At 1pm, the highlight of the day commenced at the MCS gym with a Eucharistic celebration officiated by no less than His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle D.D. The Gospel that day was especially significant because it was about the parable of the mustard seed. Cardinal Tagle spoke of humility and complete dependence on God. Just like the mustard seed, MCS started small and now has experienced bigger and brighter things through the grace of God.

Right before the Liturgy of the Eucharist,  there was a special unveiling of the 25th year seal of the Religious of the Virgin Mary's (RVM) presence in Malate Catholic School.

Since the next event which is the Kickoff party is still hours away, my batchmate bffs Thelma and Anne headed out to our former campus for a tour. The first thing we saw was the new chapel built in what used to be the "old building". Back in the day, we had to go to Malate Church for our mass but according to the nice teacher Ms. Aileen who was gracious enough to be our tour guide, they still go to the main church for 1st Friday masses.

The quadrangle took my breath away. It was so small now. I remember it to be huge where we played volleyball during free time, where we held our flag ceremony and we sat on the pavement for recess. So many memories flooded over me. I missed my friends, my youth and my school of 10 years.

There was the canteen where I bought snacks and yummy melon drink. The red phone booth was no longer there but everything else is still the same like the speaker system used for Angelus, the Registrar windows and the AVR Little Theater signage. For a moment I closed my eyes and got transported back to the past.

I passed by the old gate where my mom gave me food for lunch and where my dad picked me up, the corridors who heard the shrieks of teenage joys,

the classrooms were silent witnesses to our difficult exams and fun times, the library where I borrowed a lot of books and old elementary building with spooky Martha ghost stories.

I blinked and I was 6 again. It was magical Malate. This was the place I learned not only academics but my core values. I met my life-long friends here. Discipline, hard work and deep faith in God - all within these walls of MCS.

We had a grand time at the MCS museum which houses a collection of yearbooks, old school photos and our favorite school uniform. Our skirt looked simple but there are so many requirements for properly wearing it. 

The Clarionette staffers were fun to talk to and took our photos. There are new facilities like the souvenir area, chapel and offices. Some school memorabilia include MCS 100 years shirts in varied colors and hoodies at very affordable prices.

 

 

For the Kickoff night, we had a quick dinner at McDonald's and Shakey's, just some of the food concessionares in the event. We had a grand time "stalking" our former elementary teachers - Mrs. De Leon (Religion) and Ms. Rossini (Science). It was great to see Ms. Soriano, our Religion high school teacher and SCA head, Ms. Castillo, Algebra teacher and Mrs. Caburian-Vargas, the Julia Roberts lookalike and inspiring music teacher who composed the theme song for MCS diamond jubilee and helped produce a musical held at the Folk Arts Theater.

But the clincher for the night was when we approached Ms. Ofelia Meneses (principal) and Mrs. Sonia Madrid (vice-principal), the pillars of our MCS education. I was literally starstruck. I couldn't believe I had a conversation with them and a hug from Mrs. Madrid, the most fearsome character of our highschool days. She was the epitomy of discipline and proper decorum. I remember during JS prom, she would go onstage and tell people to keep their distance while dancing, and broke the romantic mood for them. We are better individuals because of their teachings. 

Ms. Meneses meanwhile is the iron lady with grace. She has this aura of strength and dignity. Looking back, I grew up knowing these fine examples of great women way before feminism became a battlecry.

The KickOff program began with the flawless performance of the MCS Phoenix Pep Squad. During our time, the cheering contest during Intrams were the main event. This group is amazing, looking forward to seeing them soar high in the future.

Part of the program was an official countdown launch headed by Sr. Sally as she pressed the giant red button, a start of great things to come for the 2017 centennial. 

Give it up for some fellow batch pride as our batchmate Faith Cuneta gave an amazing rendition for the first time of the Centennial song "Malate 'Yan", written and composed by Mr. Rey Vargas, a former boys' high school teacher. The lyrics and melody evoked feelings of nostalgia and gratitude to our dear alma mater. Faith Cuneta has been recognized for being the voice behind some of the best Korean drama theme songs and a winner of major local and international singing competitions.

Another proud alumna and a generous benefactor is none other than Ms. Kuh Ledesma. She sang her top hits "I Think I'm In Love" "Till I Met You" and a touching cover of "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan". She paid tribute to Ms. Meneses for her outstanding contribution to the school. 

Lance Raymundo, although not an alumnus is a friend of the RVM congregation and gave some "kilig" moments while serenading the female crowd.

There was a poignant presentation of the school history since 1917 featuring the valiant efforts of MCS founders and the milestones reached by the school throughout the years.

The MCS Alumni Association had a video highlighting its significant project of providing scholarships to worthy students. Lastly, Sr. Sally presented the pledges, design and plans for the Centennial Gymnasium.  

The Centennial Kickoff Day was a rousing success and I can't wait for the events lined up next year. My dream is for the 2017 Centennial to be the ultimate homecoming. Home is where you feel most alive and most loved. Let's give back to our dear Malate Catholic School, the grand old lady deserves it.  

Photo credits: Anne Marie Alim

Walking Tour of Ermita and Malate with Carlos Celdran

The Backgrounder 

I'm such a fan of Carlos Celdran, he's the most famous Old Manila tour guide where he conducts walking tours with performance art of Intramuros, CCP and Ermita/Malate areas. His tour rate is around P1k for adults and P600 for students. What's great about him is his barter tours, where you can give him anything - food, books or even items in exchange for the tour. I always wanted to see him in action and last June 28,  my dream finally came true with a barter tour of Ermita and Malate through EMBOA (Ermita Malate Business Owners' Association) and Viva Manila. 

I have fond memories of both places. Ermita being my neighborhood of 25 years, this is the only one I consider home. While Malate Catholic School was my beloved alma mater for 10 years. Growing up in the 90's, these areas were known as the seedy red light district littered with cheap bars so I felt ashamed of it somehow. It was only when I read about the Manila prewar history that I appreciated its rich cultural heritage. Daniel Burnham, the American architect and urban designer who made master plans for Chicago and Washington DC also made a grand plan for Manila. Back in the 1920s to 30s, Ermita and Malate were considered the Forbes Park or Ayala Alabang, home to the wealthy families of Nakpil, Guerrero and Ayala. Schools such as Ateneo de Manila, Assumption, Saint Paul were located in Ermita. After the war, these two areas were badly damaged and most affluent families transferred to other cities. 

The Tour

My son Riley and I registered at Malate Pensionne around 3pm. I brought old books for the barter. Carlos invited everyone, all 220 of us - a mix of foreigners and locals to sing the national anthem. I swear I got goosebumps. He then introduced the pensionne owner and he talked about the property. The original building was built during the U.S. Commonwealth period. It used to be called Dakota Apartments. It was converted into a pensionne house in 1974. We took a tour inside the rooms and room rate is around P2k with breakfast for two. 

We then proceeded to Remedios Circle where Carlos gave a brief lecture on Burham and his master plan for Manila. Malate is also famous for its church built in 1591 in honor of Nuestra Senora de los Remedios. The church is currently undergoing major renovation. I was also delighted to tell Riley about Malate Catholic School who will celebrate its centennial anniversary on 2017. 

Carlos instructed the group to take a jeep and go to Tesoro's along Mabini Street near Padre Faura. Founded in 1945, Tesoro's is the place for authentic quality Philippine handicrafts. He also said there's a 20% off for those who will purchase items there. I like the intricate designs of the souvenirs and the miniature tricycles. 

1335 Gallery is a space for contemporary art and supports artistic creation through diverse exhibitions, workshops, lectures and artist-in-residence programs. The multimedia presentations were interesting for me since it was my first time to see these types of exhibits. 

Next stop is the Lotus Garden Hotel, The Marilo Wing is an old art deco apartment used by the Americans in the 1950's. It was refurbished and now an extension of the hotel. Room rate is around P2,200 twin sharing. 

An abandoned old building was pointed out by Carlos as a property of GSIS and this might be demolished anytime to give way for another condominium I bet. Such a sad state for our urban buildings, the local government don't seem to care about preserving these gems. 

Along Arquiza Street is F. Sionil Jose's ancestral house. He is a National Artist for Literature and has a bookshop in Faura Street called La Solidaridad. I still need to visit that store and buy his "Ermita" book. 

Further down the street is Hizon's Bakeshop and  Za's Cafe. It is popular to its yummy ensaymada and other pastries plus it was Dolphy's favorite cafe. Another must try restaurant on my to do list. I passed by this place so many times going to Robinson's Manila but still never entered it until now. 

This renovated structure that's still in the works was home to the original Filipino rock and roll. It used to be a famous bar back in the 70s. It is in Engracia near Orosa Street. 

The 1948 old Supreme Court building was built in 1933 and originally part of the UP Manila campus. Another building along P. Faura Street was built in 1930. 

The Philam Life building in UN Avenue corner Orosa St. was made in 1961. This landmark structure also housed the Philam Life Theater which has the best acoustics space in the country. I am proud to say that I once performed here during the Center for Pop Music Phils. show back in 1998. The property was bought by SM and hopefully they will preserve it. 

Hiraya Gallery was established in 1980 and welcomes unknown new artists and offers refuge for unpopular ones. My close friend Jenny used to work here. 

The Miramar Hotel was built in the late 1930s in the art deco style. It used to be a serviced apartment run by the Japanese and converted to Miramar Inn after the war. 

Beside Miramar, is Bel-Air Apartments, designed by National Artist Pablo Antonio in 1933 and also survived World War 2. My parents worked here since the 1960s and we made it our home until 2004. It has 9 stories and residents include politicians, celebrities as well as foreigners. The rooms are spacious with a great view of Manila Bay and Luneta. My dream project is to gather photos and research material of this building together with my father. d

Back to Miramar Hotel, it has a sky roof with lovely lounge areas for guests. 

The Luneta Hotel, first opened in 1918 and designed by Spanish architect-engineer Salvador Farre. Society's elite and foreign dignitaries frequent this place during its heyday. It was neglected in the 80's after the Marcos era. The good news is that it re-opened in 2014 and the grand dame is back. 

The tour ended with a selfie group shot in Rizal monument together with Torre de Manila, the country's photobomber which drew a lot of protests. The Rizal memorial is the work of Swiss sculptor Richard Kissling who cast the the bronze figure in Switzerland. It was completed in 1917. Rizal and fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora were executed in Luneta. Today, Rizal Park is constantly being improved and provided with cctv cameras for added security. It is one of the last remaining green spaces in the metro. 

Information of some landmarks were lifted from the EMBOA tour flyer. 

For details, please visit www.emboa.com.ph 

For Carlos' tour schedule, visit http://celdrantours.blogspot.com/