Hi, everyone!!!

i know, i know! i've been 'missing' (from the JRI and TITAJO blogs) for several months now. MEA CULPA! no excuses this time. just that - MEA CULPA!

nice to be back.

belated greetings to those who celebrated their umpteenth birthday during my 'hibernation' days.

HELLO to all of you, Batchmates! i'm well. everything's just fine.

KUDOS to those who have been keeping the blog alive. not an easy task, i should say.

MABUHAY ang JRIORIONBATCH1963 BLOGSPOT!

Australian Inferno - Batchmates Update

Batchmates, you will be pleased to know that Anselmo, Cora and family as well as Letty (nee Mercado) are safe and well. Except for the sweltering heat and the greyish sky, they are not severely affected by the inferno in the state of Victoria that has so far taken over 180 people (with more missing and unaccounted for). The fire is still raging in about 23 suburbs with no rain expected today.

They wish to thank you all for your concern.

On a lighter and happier note, Anselmo and Cora's daughter, Grace is soon to wed Rodney Guinto of the USA in November in Melbourne. You may wish to know more about this happy event so here is a link: http://www.gracerodney.weddingwindow.com/

P.S. Benruben is well.

Don't lose hope

It's been a while since I have contributed to our blog.It's just that there's so many things going on.Last Sunday the Vietnamese priest in our parish shared with us his story.Because there are so many who lose hope and their faith in God whenever their lives have been shattered by some kind of misfortunes.It's so easy for them to blame God ,which is the cause of so many,leaving the church. He is one of the boat people who came to the US after the Vietnam war.About 31 people got into a small boat,about 4 feet in diameter with very little food and water and crossed the Pacific with the hope of escaping the govt.The first few days of their journey was fine but in the middle,they got caught in a very bad storm.It was so bad that he prayed to God as he has never prayed before.He told God that he is still too young to die and he could not accept the fact that everybody in that boat can possibly die.But the more he prayed the more the storm got worse.When he finally realized that it's impossible for them to survive,it was then that he surrendered to God and left everything to Him.Wether the storm stops or not it's now all up to Him.Then ,as if some kind of miracle happened,the storm stopped and now he is one of the priests in our church.

Once again,I'd like to remind us about our faith,no matter how small, even as small as a mustard seed,can move mountains.

Science finds the secret of a hot kiss

Jonathan Leake --London Times

IF you always thought you had a special chemistry with your loved one, you may finally have been proved right.

Researchers have found that a passionate kiss unleashes a complex chemical surge into the brain which makes a lover feel excited, happy or relaxed...

Batchmates, we may not the youngsters we were once upon a time but surely we can still handle a bit of excitement, can't we? If you are game enough to revisit the passion of our youth, read on:

Meeting of lips can spark chain of chemical changes that really turn your head

Australia burning

See gallery of images from disaster Down Under
--News.com.au

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS

All the best to all Batch mates who are February born :

1. Emma Rodriguez Magpoc---- Feb.7
2. Adoracion Swin Apolinario-- Feb.8
3. Danilo Quicho ----------- Feb.20
4. Antero Quicho ----------- Feb.22
5. Ofelia Reyes Reyes --------- Feb.25
6. Corazon Carlos Ramirez------- Feb.?????

At Pilar's Place

Batch mates, here are some photos taken at Pilar's place just this evening when we gathered there .Only a few were able come because of the very short notice. Rollie was not around because he was in Tagaytay but we are lucky to have Aida Mendoza Sison . With pancit guisado and luglog ,suman and litsong manok we had a grand time eating and sharing some stories. We also talked about the next reunion, the details of which will be relayed to Pres. Mike by Pilar. Some initial activities will be done by us like looking for venues for the overnight,the picnic and the dinner dance.