Life is full of many surprises. After sending my Christmas yearly family update to family and friends, I heard from a dear friend, Maria Lourdes “Baello” Toloza, whom we lovingly call Didi or Di. She was planning on a family summer trip to Hawaii, and since Hawaii is a place I also call home, she e-mailed and asked for places to tour. Through the e-mail exchange, she asked about classmates we have seen last and she mentioned in particular, Ira Luz “Garcia” Advincula. I told her that I’ve lost touch with her since I last saw her in California. She did her magic search and lo and behold, Ira came into the picture and others came along as well. Through this networking, we found Gertrude “Ycu” Tan and the list grew to over a dozen of us now “in touch” with one another after so many years. What is so great about this whole thing is the fact that “FRIENDSHIP” can lie dormant for years but like life itself, it can be revived with our willingness to participate in cultivating and nurturing what we had from childhood to adulthood. I am completely amazed of how deep our roots are, deeper than most friendships are in today’s world. It is a friendship and a sisterhood! So let’s vow to always keep in touch no matter what our individual lives may bring us in our day-to-day lives.

This website, with the help of Diviña “Cueto” Violago’s son (we all thank you very much) will serve as a place for us to visit, to reminisce, and to stay connected.


Gracia “Marquez” Bauer
Kindergarten to 7th Grade
St Joseph Academy