Group Profile

Marist Batch 82: A Brief Background

"when you part from your friend, you grieve not; for that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence”
– kahlil gibran

Sometime in March 2001, our batch mate Jun Alban started the marist82@yahoogroups.com egroup. That was about month after our batch mate Socrates de la Cruz passed away on February 18, 2001. A series of reunions were held before that date but it was during that time that a small group of batch mates had started to get in touch with each other through the internet. A year or two after the egroup started, gatherings were held to celebrate visits of batch mates Louie Carlos and Nonie Leseñana from the US and Armin Bernardino from Canada. In 2002 and 2003, Marist 82 was able to spearhead and finance, together with the Marist Alumni Association, medical/dental missions for our less fortunate brothers and sisters residing in the vicinity of Marist School, Marikina. These medical missions, which were held at the HS Gym, were headed by our Marist ‘82 doctors: Joey Chanyungco, Gilbert Gonzales, Dennis Garcia, Jumiely del Corro, Rommel Caballes, Alvin Nucum, and Raoul Siasoco. Also in attendance were Marist82 dentists: Sonny Boy Gonzales, Joeffrey Madarang, Toto Mina, Danny Songco, as well as doctors and dentists from other Marist batches, from the Marikina Medical Society, and from the Amang Rodriguez Hospital.

In December 2003, in time for the Christmas celebrations, Marist 82 led by Richard Santos and ably supported by Armin Bernardino, Mong Rendor, Eric Domingo, Ronnie Merino, Danny Songco, Andy delos Angeles, Raffy Gabriel, Gerald San Pedro, Jay Arriola, and Jung Camua shared Christmas cheer with residents of Luwalhati Ng Maynila (home for the aged – boys town in Parang, Marikina) by dancing, singing, and eating with the residents. Batch mate/comedian/actor Jon Santos also performed his version of Armida Sigiuon-Reyna during the festivities. Food, gifts, and supplies were given to the residents. The event could not have been realized without the moral and financial support of batch mates here and abroad. The rest of the afternoon was dedicated to taking care of one of their own. Marist 82 visited Sonny Arada, who, at that time was very ill. Sonny’s condition deteriorated fast since the batch parted ways in High School. That afternoon was the last time the batch was able to be with him because he passed away a few months after.

Marist 82 was also able to give moral and monetary support to some of our batch mates who at one point in their lives encountered some trouble and difficulties. With blessings from the Almighty, they are all
doing very well right now. Marist 82 in North America is now well organized. The West Coast is led by batch mate Joey Santos, the Midwest and East Coast by Arthur Dizon, and Canada by Ariel Pigao. The Middle East branch will soon be organized by Henry Desiderio who is now based in Qatar.

This year, Marist 82 will be celebrating its 25th year since graduating from its Alma Mater, Marist School. In line with the celebrations are a Badminton Tournament, Outreach to Margaretha Home for the Blind and the Marcellin Foundation, dinner with teachers from Marist, and the annual Homecoming Night. The preparations for the jubilee celebrations had an impressive headstart, thanks to the initiatives of batch mates Wick Veloso and Rommel Caballes together with Jun Arriero, Jon Santos, Joel Orense, David Narvasa, Danny Songco, Jundio Salvador, Tony Bobis, Toto Mina, Toby Tamayo, Ed Daya, Arthur Dizon , Ariel Pigao, and the rest of the organizing committee.

Of course, worth mentioning too are the efforts of other batch mates here and abroad, who, despite living apart from each other for so many years, have given their time, effort and unending support to all of the batch activities.

Marist 82 is now solid as ever and has committed to a shared vision. Together, the members of Marist82 are committed to helping the less fortunate brothers and sisters in our society and to continue upholding the very ideals that Marist School has instilled in their hearts and minds.

Ad Jesum per Mariam