CLASS OF 1968
Article written by Malu Engalla
For Maryknoll Times Coral Jubilee Issue September 2003

We are daughters of the '60's, now celebrating our Coral Jubilee. We call ourselves the “M&Ms” (Maidens & Matrons): Maryknoll High School Class of 1968.

35 years since we walked those hallowed halls in Diliman....we are now in the US, Canada, the UK, France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, the Middle East, Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Hard to believe our global re-connection began only two years ago, when Elen Samonte married and moved to the United States, wisely taking with her the class directory that Marite Balingit had started many years before. Seeking old friends in new territory, Elen picked up the telephone .. calling first her 'neighbors' on the East Coast .. and then Malu Engalla in California. The rest is history, still in the making.

We've located 92% of our class and, to date, 80% (100 plus!) of us are in touch by e-mail. Our class directory is online and kept current by Malu in collaboration with Marite.   Medy Santiago now hosts a website that keeps us posted on class projects ...and the many reunions, large and small, that are happening all over the world. From these few photos, perhaps you can hear our excitement and joy, feel our comfort in finding kindred spirits... and smell the familiar aromas of a Filipino kitchen?

May 2002 • AN EAST COAST REUNION ~ Modeling our "True BLUE and GOLDen" T-shirts at the Connecticut home of newlywed Elen. We came from all over the US, Canada and the Philippines to  welcome her to America and meet her new life partner.   L-R .. STANDING: Vangie Andal (far left), Dada Tan, Chit Santos, Dely Torrecarion (half-hidden), Marichi Atienza, Girl Fontanilla; SEATED: Evita Valencia, Beth Roldan, Grace Feliciano, Doris Umali, Tess Bustamante, AU Hernando, Jojo Floro, Malaine Valenzuela; on FLOOR: Carol Coreces, Malu Engalla, Elen Samonte, Fay Dy. [missing is Celia Bautista, who was still en route from Canada]

L-R, from top .. 1st ROW: Garnet David, Mad da Silva, Dido de Leon, Medy Santiago (top), Zelie Santos; 2nd ROW: Marimil Enage and JoAnn Maglipon (standing), Malaine Valenzuela, Gracia Jhocson, Cynthia Alfonso, Olivia Sanvictores, Missy Ungson, Betty Lopez and Doris Ragasa (kneeling), Nieves Campa, Evelyn Lopez, Charlie Baizas and Ads Lagman (standing); 3rd ROW: Bonnie Balderrama, Marite Balingit, Jopie Santos, Marie Nicandro, Leni Indiongco, Chi Casteneda, Farah dela Cruz, Girl Fontanilla;front ROW: Fay Dy (sitting), Linda Tinio