Ataboy is Aurora 'Rory' Asperilla-Santiago.
Dear Ana B.,
There's nothing very much to say really since we saw each other yesterday
only. I felt so down-hearted when you told me the news that almost half
of our classmates were transferred to the second section. Maybe I'm
being a bit too sentimental, but I think you understand the way I feel
because I know you and I share the same feelings, at least most of the
time.
I'd like to tell you that this letter of mine is not going to be the usual
run-of-the-mill. I mean it's not going to be like my other letters (I know
I wrote you only once, but by this I mean letters in general) - newsy,
gossipy and full of girlish talk. For once I'd like to write you about
different things.
To start with, I wasn't too keen on entering the third year. Of course
there was the usual excitement of a new schoolyear, new subjects and teachers
to cope with. But this excitement comes around at the start of every
school year. Then also there were misgivings about leaving the second year
(which, as you very well know, was a very happy one for me) and then the
thoughts of what my former group would be like - since most of them
had been transferred to Champaca. If only I knew then what was in store
for me.
Then ther was that group system in Bio. Little did I know that that was
the start of what was going to be a very close friendship. To tell you
the truth, I wasn't exactly very happy over the prospect of having you
as a group member. You see, I only wanted to have my close friends and
you weren't exactly what one would call a close friend. I hardly
got to know you at all during our second year. How clearly it all comes
to me now - our fear of getting called to recite, of being subjected to
what could be termed "brainwashing", those group points, those data notebooks,
those wonderful and at the same time awful experiments, Florante and his
questions, Ericson's patience and level-headedness, Gil and his concern
for the famous Group 5 (remember those flowers which he used to bring,
the ascaris and the small pig, too?) those assignments to each member which
were seldom fulfilled, that famous phrase - ("Pahingi naman diyan, o"),
Dennis and what a wonderful leader he made, and that "field trip" to Mauban
- how can I ever forget that one? What wouldn't I give to have that happen
all over again!
Then too there was ______________-alias Boots Anson, alias Suzanne Pleshette,
alias Jackie Kennedy, alias Grendel - her dresses (one of the Azucena class'
hobbies was commenting on her fashion sense), Chemistry, Algebra, Daddy
(how I'm going to miss his sense of humor) - why, he was practically the
life of the Azucena class! There were our experiments (how hard I worked!)
Tatang, Tenggoy's sermons, Tinte and her blue-books, her sense of interpretation,
her fashionable dresses, her much -hated quizzes, oh evrything about the
Azucena, the so-called most notorious section. You know something? I loved
being a part of the most notorious section.
Then came the revelation of you-know-what last December, the Christmas
party, the Prom and all the lovely memories that went along with it. Not
to forget was our pagwawala after our departmentals - our pagwawala as
a whole (all those destroyed chairs) and our sariling pagwawala, the movies
remember? Ngayon hindi na puwede, may curfew na! Tangang Villegas talaga.
oo.
I could write reams and reams about this last year, what a wonderful one
it has been. There just isn't enough space. if I start on a new sheet of
paper, I won't be able to finish this letter. So I leave the rest of the
memories to you - I know you've had a treasure chest full of them.
You've been a wonderful friend, and I hope it will always be so. You've
helped me know myself a lot better - with your constructive criticism and
all. I guess the only thing I can say is thank you.
Love,
ATA
The nickname Ataboy was derived from her initials ATA (Aurora Tadiar
Asperilla).
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Summer of 1964
June 28, 1964
Dear Ana B.,
Alright, alright, so I should have
written sooner. You know me - good, old, lazy me. I'm not as lazy as you
think though - in a fit of nostalgia over the good, old Azucena days I
scribbled you a note - full of sentimental recollections - which (you guessed
it!) I never got around to mailing. I'll let you have a look at it the
next time we meet. Come to think of it, it is rather too private to send
by mail. Don't want to take any chances. Well, I've finally gotten down
to write you. What is there to say?
This, for one thing. Oh, before I
blurt it out, take a good hold of yourself now, relax, take a seat as it's
a cinch you'll burst into a hysterical fit of laughter. Try not to laugh
now, ready? Okay, here goes. Our mutual friend, Miss - pardon me - Dr.
_______________ has finally hooked her man. She is now Mrs. ______________
(I didn't quite get her husband's first name). Her husband has been
a widower twice and obviously, she is his third wife. That's not all, he
has six children. Can you imagine a man ever falling for Dr. ____________'s
"charms", if you could call it that? Well, for one thing, she's pretty
lucky to have a, how would you call it, a ready-made family? By the way,
her husband has that word "Dr." prefixed before his name too. I should
have known she wouldn't settle for anyone less than a doctor, she being
a doctor herself. That proves the truth of the saying, "Birds of the same
feather flock together", I guess. Wish I could picture her husband to you.
On second thought, I'd better not - too dangerous you know. Someone might
catch hold of this letter and well, who knows what may happen. Poor guy!
he probably is too lovestruck to realize what he has let himself in for.
So much for that.
believe it or not, I've actually learned
to whip up a few dishes. For once, I made good my word, huh? Unfortunately,
I don't have all the time I would like to devote to acquiring some skill
in this field. You see, I'm brushing up on my swimming again. I still haven't
learnedthe breathing part of it. i hope to learn it within the next month.
I believe in the saying, " Practice makes perfect" now more than ever,
I have to, if I want to pass this darn swimming. What's more, there is
a possibility of that odious Olivar becoming my teacher. that's the worst
part of it. You'd better come down here and lend me a hand; I could use
some help. I'm bent on learning how to swim if I have to move heaven and
earth to do so.
Haven't been doing anything different
fromthe usual stuff and by this I mean reading, taking in some movies,
learning how to cook, cleaning and listening to "All Night Stand." I honestly
think that yours truly is a victim of insomnia. I finally drifted to Dreamland
at 4:00 this morning. Well, the heavenly music was some sort of compensation
for that horrid tossing and turning stuff which I had to go through before
I finally it the sack.
Well, vacation's half over. I rather
wish it would last a bit longer. There are so many things I want to learn
which I'm sure I won't hve time for when classes start. I can't even finish
a novel when classes are around, and it's not necessarily because I'm wrapped
up in my studies, you know.
How have you been faring out? have
you improved, in one way or another?(Don't flare up now) I suppose you
could qualify as a secretary by now, what with those steno classes you've
been taking. I know of one person who'd be more than glad to accommodate
your services - me. I rather tire out easily when it comes to writing
you know. Things are going to be better, I hope, with you as my amanuensis
(Look it up in the lexicon). How's that for big words.
Do me a favor - answer this letter.
Tell me how your vacation has been so far (There's still one whole month
to go), when registration starts, when you're going to have your medical
check-up and when I am to expect you. Please drop me a line, will you?
Come to think of it, I'm not the only lazy one around. You are too, otherwise
you would have written me, which, if my memory serves me right, you promised
to do the last time we met.
This is all for now. Till next mail.
Love,
ATA
This is not a letter, but I think it should belong to this page. Ataboy wrote this feature on the class and published it in 'The Scroll'.
With the Classes: IV-Dahlia
Up six flights of stairs at the Rizal
Hall, the first room you see is 307 -- the homeroom of the Dahlia class.
Now that you've seen the room, let's meet the occupants -- a group of thirty
eight students, seventeen boys and twenty one girls.
What's this we hear -- glory of the
fatherland, nationalism, patriotism? Now what high school student could
possibly be engaged in a conversation of such depth, you might ask. Well,
let's take a look. Little wonder then, for one of the animated conversationalists
happens to be a politician himself -- he is none other than Danilo Morales,
Student Council and class president. "Dennis" to many of his friends, he
is leader, dynamic speaker, history whiz and practical joker all rolled
into one.
For the other equally voluble conversationalists,
we have PMT officer Luis Liwanag and would-be-physicist Mario Rabanal.
Chubiness and cordiality have become, thought the years, the trademarks
of Luis, who is seriously eyeing politics as a future career. Mario, besides
being an active Explorer, is "Tatang" to a bunch of girls composed of Ana
B. Urbina, Agnes Penaflor, Leah Perez, Esperanza Ranin and Features Editor
Fidela San Juan. A very closely-knit family, these girls live up to their
"Tatang's" name by being active members of the Girl Scouts and of a number
of othe school organizations.
The trend among the Dahlians nowadays
seems to be terming the group they belong to as their "family". Another
such group is the one made up of luminous-eyed and intelligent Cynthia
Navarro (one of our two Pilipino Editors for this year), shy, soft-spoken
Ermie Fernando, who possesses that true Filipina trait of modesty, and
Linglingay Fonacier. Ling, aside from being one of the Senior representatives
to the Student Council, has put many a young heart into a flutter by merely
being herself. Not to be left out is Ruth Monserrate -- "Mommy" to the
three. Incidentally, the name is a carry-over from last year.
Science seems to be the field wherein
Andres Sta. Maria, Vergel David, Jose Osteria and Benjamin Bello excell.
Consequently, when the Physics experiments called froa grouping, these
four banded themselves together and well . . . did the other Dahlians protest!
However, they seem to have adjusted themselves to the idea already. After
all, "Birds of the same feather stick together."
For those who love history, here's
something that might be of interest to you -- you have found your match
in the persons of two bespectacled young men, namely Camilo Reyes and Agustin
Sevilla. Proof of this is the fact that the two have been observed to be
oftentimes engaged in a lively discussion during the history period, sharing
their opinions of the world's fascinating past. Another history lover is
Felixberto Bustos -- who continually amazes the Dahlians with his skill
in the subject. It gets to a point that we sometimes think that he has
actually seen all those events transpire . . . especially during the Japanese
Occupation, according to the Dahlians.
Were Euclid alive today, he would
most certainly not be in for any disappointment in this class -- for Elmer
Sta Ana, Proceso Balauag and Jose Singson can sure stretch their imaginations.
It is in Solid Geometry wherein the student is at a complete loss as to
where his imagination has gone, but such is not the case with these three.
They have theirs on hand anytime it is needed.
They say that "Music is the universal
language." If such be the case, then linguists we have in Raquel Roa and
William Lagpacan -- for Raquel's lovely voice and William's deft fingers
tinkling magically on the ivory keys create an ethereal atmosphere where
one's cares pop as bubbles do.
Edith Sangalang, Perla Aragon and
Laurella Fuentes (Philately Club President) are the class' bibliophiles.
Whether a book be a paperback or a cloth-bound edition, a dime novel or
an acclaimed classic makes little difference to these girls; they love
anything that provides decent reading and a chance to augment their knowledge.
Speaking to anyone of them would surely be enough to alter the prevalent
notion among students that books are for "queers."
Whenever the need for good dancers
arises, there are no problems at all -- for News Editors Ma. Flor Esguerra
and Aida Caballes, along with Zenaida Kagawan, are the very picture of
grace when dancing. Zeny doesn't only dance, she swims, too -- "like a
fish", as the saying goes.
Still on the subject of swimming --
it is, anyone would aver, a herculean feat to tread water continuously
for six minutes (three hundred and sixty seconds). Ruth Ramos has been
able to do so and with such admirable style at that, but she's no Hercules.
She's as feminine as can be. What better proof can we have of this than
the well-known fact (among the seniors, that is) that she has conquered
a Dahlian staffer's heart?
Getting back to the gentlemen of the
class, meet three of the most diligent ones. Cesar Cifra, Rodolfo Victoriano
and Gil Gotiangco. As a PMT officer, Cesar sets a fine example by being
reasonably lenient with the cadets. Rodolfo, on the other hand, is another
of our Senior representatives to the Student Council. Along with his very
nice smile (a lot of Senior girls will agree), Rodolfo has a natural way
of winning friends. Ask the girls about Gil and you'll find out the same
thing-- that he has undergone quite a change during those three months
of vacation. Aside from an addition of a few inches to his height, he seems
to hve grown more reticent. Ther is, however, one thing about him that
has survived all these change and that is his sense of humor. His jokes
still evoke the same infectious laughter and laughter is what makes life
wonderful.
Shifting our attentiononce more to
the ladies, there is Leni Lontok -- who, in spite of numerous activities
has managed to stay on top of the class -- a task worthy of our admiration.
Then, too, there are Evelyn Madrazo
and Evelina Ruiz. Although having similar names, these girls ar a
little bit different from one another, Evelina being the more lively of
the two. But both of them can "take a joke as they find it," to quote.
Last but not least is Mr. Constantino
Torralba, the class adviser. It is he who guides us in our every endeavor
and for this the Dahlians are most grateful.
Aldous Huxley once said that it takes
all sorts to make a world. We fervently hope that meeting the Dahlia class
has afforded you, in the midst of the turmoil that is life, a pleasant
moment with the world. -- Aurora Asperilla
Dear Ana B.,
I received your letter this
evening as I was watching a television program entitled "The World
of Jacqueline Kennedy." I tell you it was what I least expected to arrive!
(That excalamation point was intended to convey to you the idea of how
least I expected it.) I remember quite well your saying that
I was supposed to write first and that you were to answer. Well anyway,
I was very glad to receive some news from you although I must say
that your introduction was not too flattering. I'm not as lazy as you say,
you know. I did make a move to write you a letter a week after you left
but I never got around to finishing it, probably because I started
writing it at around 11:30 P.M., just after coming from a party in honor
of an about-to-be-married auntie of mine. Just to show you, I am mailing
that page I wrote together with this letter of mine. Also, I do have a
lot of work on my hands these days. I didn't know what I was letting myself
in for when I became the editor. The Scroll was bad enough but the annual
is simply terrible. I really don't know how I am going to finish it within
three weeks - that's how much time I've left before classes start. So you
see, the NSDB hasn't given me enough time to finish the annual since the
results, according to Edith, were supposed to be released today. Probably
they won't have it published in the papers. Even if they did, I couldn't
care less. I don't know what's happened to me, but I'm not scared anymore
of facing the results, at least not as scared as before. God has answered
my prayers. He has given me the strength I need. He has been very good
to me. I think I owe Him a nice annual at least. So I am going to try not
to shirk my job as editor anymore,bearing in mind your chosen motto -
"Once you know what you want . . . " - you know how the saying goes.
I've been doing the same things as
you - reading, going to the movies - mostly reading, however. Right now
I'm reading "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo. It's over 1300 pages. My father
says that if I finish reading it, I shall have read one of the three greatest
novels ever written, the other two being by Tolstoy, both of which I have
not yet read."Les Miserables" is really beautiful, judging from what I've
already finished.
Pati yata hanggang sa sakit e magkatulad
tayo. I've had the fever for the last two days and a mild case of tonsillitis,
the first I've ever had.
You certainly did
a good job of reminiscing the events of the past year. I enjoyed reading
that part of your letter. I will miss those days we had at Prep. All we
have left of high school days are memories now, memories which I will always
treasure and which I know you will too.
Ever since you left, I've spent almost
everyday at school working on the annual, working with Delay, Ericson and
Benjamin, mostly. The others haven't shown up except for Girlie, who comes
irregularly. We usually work in the library or in Room 307 (Good old Dahlia
room). We only work up to twelve noon but I suppose this coming week we'll
have to work double time. It's not surprising of Delay to be faithful to
her job but I can't say that for the other two. They have been a lot of
help to me, especially in the designs. If things go well, we'll have a
different annual from that of Victor's: and I hope it will be a better
one, although I must say that theirs is a hard one to beat. I still have
faith in our capabilities, however.
As I said, we usually work until twelve
noon and then we go to the canteen for a snack and a chat.
. . .
Delay calls Espie once in a while
but most of the time she's out, tending to her auntie's store.I haven't
seen Cynthia since we had our check-up but I've seen Mila every now and
then. She says she still can't go home because her parents are still here.
She brings Suzette every now and then to school. As for Ling, they say
she's been to Baguio for about a week or so and that she's home now. I
saw Agnes once when she came for her card. She sports a new hairstyle now,
a short one that is quite flattering to her. It makes her look as htough
she had gained a few pounds. Danilo comes around every once in a while,
and he often goes playing you-know-what with Carmelo and Agustin.
Several people took the entrance exams
at Prep.
Among those who passed were Rowena
(Danilo's sister) - she's number two in the Everlasting class - and Benjamin's
sister, who landed in Sampaguita. The topnotcher was a boy named Quiogue,
son of the owner of the famous funeral parlor. By the way, Trolley is on
leave.
. . .
I guess this is all for now. I did
what you pleaded me to do - I answered your letter. I hope you answer this
one too. Write me and tell me when ou suppose you will be arriving so that
I can meet you at the station and carry your bags for you. Are you laughing?
Love,
ATA
Aurora Tadiar Asperilla
May 29, 1967
Dear Urbi,
O ano? Kumusta ka? Nagsusummer ka ba
ngayon sa Diliman? Sina Cynchito, sina Mila at Eds nagsusummer din ngayon.
Hindi ko pa rin sila nasusulatan.
Ang liit liit pala ng U.P. Baguio.
There are probably only around 15-20 classrooms and the present enrollment
is approximately 250. I am taking Spanish 117 and PI 100. It's a good thing
that my teacher in Spanish, Dr. Botor - he's the husband of one of the
former teachers in Prep - is a real nut. We don't even speak Spanish in
class and this is supposed to be the last course in Spanish. However, his
leniency is more than compensated for by the efficiency of the teacher
in P.I. - Prof. Laus. Everyday, we have graded recitation. Panay na panay
nga ang 3 natin. Ling and Nilda are my classmates in P.I. together with
Gus, Conrado and William. Ling and Nilda are classmates in their other
subject - Spanish 40. Ang guwapo guwapo ng instructor nila - si Jose Mejia.
Ang laki ng katawan, cho. Manlyng-manli. Madalas namin makasabay pag-uwi.
Our classes are from 2:40 - 4:20 and then from 5:40 - 7:20 but we actually
end up at around 6:40. Tamad ang lahat ng teachers dito at ang babait pa
ng mga tao. We are all beginning to enjoy our stay here but there is still
nothing like Diliman. Write me about whatever exciting life you lead now
and please fulfill my one great desire, TSISMIS!!
Love,
Ataboy