Sunset @ VSU

by: Yekyek Paa

I still remember the many afternoons I spent at the then ViSCA beach. In my favourite duffle bag I carry a novel, my pad and pen my miniturized radio (a gift from my girlfriend..ahhh the heartaches are starting to resurface again), a few sticks of Winston and sometimes a bottle half full of Tanduay.

The novel will almost likely be a Robert Ludlum and everyone else of that genre. The pad may or may not have a few lines of poems (Yes...I admit now...I was a hopeless romantic...and really, really hopeless) that never made through to any campus paper except that my roommates at Mahogany used to wait to read it in the early hours of the morning when I was still sleeping. I knew why they like to raid my table at that hour, it was always those "little left overs" which seems to be so sweet when the day has just begun. My writings were just something they read like a morning newspaper though all it did was add to the melancholic feelings the twilight brings.

A phrase - "bukas saan ako pupunta" , is one thing that always remind me of someone I probably hurt so much I don't know if I am worth forgiving for. Because right beside the gently slapping waves of Camotes Sea, I have experienced both joys and heartaches of loving and being loved.

I have spent many mornings swimming as far out as I dared to beyond the bamboo poles before I come back for coffee at the Pavillion or at the Zea Maize kitchen which ever is easier to get which depends whether freshmen are in the kitchen or a friend of mine is manning the counter at the Pavillion. These are the perks for an "overstayer".

One of these days I hope I will find myself back at Kiosk #1, or is it still there?

THE SOUR SOP (Guyabano)

by: Luz Brenda Balibrea

The Sour Sop or the fruit from the graviola tree is a miraculous natural cancer cell killer 10,000 times stronger than Chemo ..

Why are we not aware of this? Its because some big corporation want to make back their money spent on years of research by trying to make a synthetic version of it for sale. So, since you know it now you can help a friend in need by letting him know or just drink some sour sop juice yourself as a prevention from time to time. The taste is not bad afterall. Its completely natural and definitely has no side effects. If you have the space plant one in your garden. The other parts of the tree are also useful. The next time you have a fruit juice, ask for a sour sop. shfoong: guyabano.

How many people died in vain while this billion-dollar drug maker concealed the secret of the miraculous Graviola tree?

If there ever was a single example that makes it dramatically clear why the existence of Health Sciences Institute is so vital to Americans like you, it's the incredible story behind the Graviola tree.The truth is stunningly simple: Deep within the Amazon Rainforest grows a tree that could literally revolutionize what you, your doctor, and the rest of the world thinks about cancer treatment and chances of survival. The future has never looked more promising.Research shows that with extracts from this miraculous tree it now may be possible to....
Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss

Protect your immune system and avoid deadly infections

Feel stronger and healthier throughout the course of the treatment

Boost your energy and improve your outlook on life

The source of this information is just as stunning: It comes from one of America 's largest drug manufacturers, the fruit of over 20 laboratory tests conducted since the 1970's! What those tests revealed was nothing short of mind numbing... Extracts from the tree were shown to:
Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer.

The tree compounds proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug!
What's more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the Graviola tree selectivelyhunts down and kills only cancer cells. It does not harm healthy cells!
The amazing anti-cancer properties of the Graviola tree have been extensively researched-- so why haven't you heard anything about it? If Graviola extract is as half as promising as it appears to be--why doesn't every single oncologist at every major hospital insist on using it on all his or her patients?The spine-chilling answer illustrates just how easily our health--and for many, our very lives(!)--are controlled by money and power. Graviola--the plant that worked too well
One of America 's biggest billion-dollar drug makers began a search for a cancer cure and their research centered on Graviola, a legendary healing tree from the Amazon Rainforest.Various parts of the Graviola tree--including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit and fruit-seeds- -have been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indians in South America to treat heart disease, asthma, liver problems and arthritis. Going on very little documented scientific evidence, the company poured money and resources into testing the tree's anti-cancerous properties-- and were shocked by the results. Graviola proved itself to be a cancer-killing dynamo.But that's where the Graviola story nearly ended.The company had one huge problem with the Graviola tree--it's completely natural, and so, under federal law, not patentable. There's no way to make serious profits from it.It turns out the drug company invested nearly seven years trying to synthesize two of the Graviola tree's most powerful anti-cancer ingredients. If they could isolate and produce man-made clones of what makes the Graviola so potent, they'd be able to patent it and make their money back. Alas, they hit a brick wall. The original simply could not be replicated. There was no way the company could protect its profits--or even make back the millions it poured into research.As the dream of huge profits evaporated, their testing on Graviola came to a screeching halt. Even worse, the company shelved the entire project and chose not to publish the findings of its research!Luckily, however, there was one scientist from the Graviola research team whose conscience wouldn't let him see such atrocity committed. Risking his career, he contacted a company that's dedicated to harvesting medical plants from the Amazon Rainforest and blew the whistle.

Miracle unleashed
When researchers at the Health Sciences Institute were alerted to the news of Graviola, they began tracking the research done on the cancer-killing tree. Evidence of the astounding effectiveness of Graviola--and its shocking cover-up--came in fast and furious..........The National Cancer Institute performed the first scientific research in 1976. The results showed that Graviola's "leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells."Inexplicably, the results were published in an internal report and never released to the public.......Since 1976, Graviola has proven to be an immensely potent cancer killer in 20 independent laboratory tests, yet no double-blind clinical trials--the typical benchmark mainstream doctors and journals use to judge a treatment's value--were ever initiated.......A study published in the Journal of Natural Products, following a recent study conducted at Catholic University of South Korea stated that one chemical in Graviola was found to selectively killcolon cancer cells at "10,000 times the potency of (the commonly used chemotherapy drug) Adriamycin.. ."....The most significant part of the Catholic University of South Korea report is that Graviola was shown to selectively target the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched. Unlike chemotherapy, which indiscriminately targets all actively reproducing cells (such as stomach and hair cells), causing the often devastating side effects of nausea and hair loss in cancer patients.....A study at Purdue University recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer cells among six human cell lines and were especially effective against prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers...

Seven years of silence broken--it's finally here!
A limited supply of Graviola extract, grown and harvested by indigenous people in Brazil , is finally available in America

This is where I Live

by: Yekyek Paa

Hawthorne Park is home to 133 families of which presently, 51 are Filipinos. The North and West side boundaries is the Rotary Club's Hawthorne Park. 104th Avenue on the East and 141st Street on the South side.

Suite #110 is where you ring the bell to see me or my family if you ever find your self in the Hawthorne Neighborhood.

The Place is quite except by 104th avenue which is one of Surrey's main roads. My home is located at the opposite side of the compound and you can hardly hear the trucks and cars speeding through 104.

The only noise you'd hear is the whirring of the lawnmowers and edgers as Lois and Paul's Landscaping team works early in the morning to maintain the grounds and trees around the the Park.

I have spent the best part of my summer last year trying to repair my fence and adding a couple of feet to its height so nosy neighbors does not keep on peeking over my fence and reporting to the Strata Council whenever they see a few clothes hanging on a rack in my backyard. My mother-in-law keeps doing it trying to save power and I just can't argue with her. Well, would a son-in-law be brave enough to? I opted to keep my mouth shut or else.......

So my only other option is to make the fence higher to the maximum allowable height according to the strata standard - 6 feet.

Behind my backyard is a lush green lawn with the trees starting to grow their leaves after a long winter.

My parking spot is by the north side with Canada Post's mail box as my markerThe 9th Gate. It is our private entrance to Hawthorne Park. The trail winds through a mini-forest. Excellent for an afternoon walk or a bike ride.

Of course like any other residential areas, there has to be a line drawn-up between having fun and respect for others.Ahhhhh, summer, it's just a glorious season when you are living in the Best Place on Earth as what British Columbians call their province. But honestly, I wish I was in Molave looking down the hill contemplating what the Cafeteria is going to offer me.

Alumni Homecoming May 8-9, 2009

Hi, Mates!

I'm trying to adopt to Yekyek's new way of posting--thru his created blog. I don't think it will clatter our existing egroup coz it's under a different account, right, Yekyek?

Finally, the Alumni Homecoming is over. I felt relieved especially on Day 2 when I had the chance to be with our mates. On Day 1 kasi I was with the registration committee and I had a big role to play. Nilda couldn't make it but there were others who joined me. Only Grace Delalamon-Cagabhion, Cookie, Ira, and Dodong Napiere joined the VSU mates in the general alumni activities. In the grand alumni night, si Dodong nalang nahabilin with us VSU mates. On Day 2 which was devoted to parlor games in the morning and batch reunions in the afternoon, Mardel Pastoril-Cajate, Pinpin Capa-Avellana, and Dodong Tan were present. Jinggay arrived later and you can imagine how the group was with Jinggay around.

Who were present: Mardel, Pinpin, Jinggay, Dodong Napiere and wife Charrie, Jaime and I, Nena and Daboi, Nilda Tutor-Amestoso, Sonnie and wife Weng, Marisse, Caning, and Senio. Dodong Tan unfortunately joined another group and forgot that he promised to be with us later. As I mentioned in an earlier mail, Papang went to Cebu for his Mom's birthday. Thanks a lot to Annie Humangit-Flores who increased her contribution to P1,000. We had delicious sinugbang fish and pork, litson manok, Sonnie's delicious pansit, and fruits.

Of more importance is our discussion on our 2011 hosting. I will start by retrieving the masterlist of Batch '81 and group them with their identified leaders/coordinators. The lists will be sent out for updating by the leaders. Leaders are requested to take care of their members in terms of collecting our P3,000 contribution on installment, say monthly or quarterly. The deadline of contributions is December 2010.

Pinpin Capa suggested that I will also send letters to the leaders for them to distribute to their members.

Sonnie will study the budget of the 2009 homecoming and see how we can adopt or adjust it for 2011.

Jinggay suggested that we have a motiff for 2011--I hope Jinggay will elaborate on this. I forgot her term but all I can remember is we'll all wear malongs or Hawaiian attire and have some for sale to those who are not able to bring theirs.

Batch 1984 is our partner host. Since there are only two members visible to us now--Sonnie's wife Wengweng and Dayli Juego, we weill help them search for their batchmates and organize.

May 8 Attendance: Senio, Caning, Sonnie, Ira, Cookie, Nena, Daboi, Grace Delalamon, DodongNapiere, Lilian

May 9 Attendance: Senio, Caning, Sonnie, Nena, Daboi, Dodong Napiere, Mardel, Pinpin Capa, Lilian, Jaime, Jinggay, Nilda, MarisseMay 9 batch meeting agreements:

1. Help organize Batch '84 who will partner with us as 2011 host. Only two are presently visible: Sonnie's wife Wengweng, and Dayli Juego.

2. Proceed with the P3,000 contribution per mate including Batch '84.

3. Lilian will divide our whole batch into groups with the earlier identified coordinators or leaders. Copies of the groups will be furnished to the coordinators.

4. Roles of coordinators:

4.1. Update the list of mates assigned to you (subtract or add mates to your list; get their contact info, etc)

4.2. Inform them of our hosting in 2011. Convince them to join the homecoming and also to contribute P3,000 each.

4.3. Agree with them how to pay the contribution in easy terms (say, monthly, quarterly, semiannually) .

4.4. Collect their regular contributions and remit to Nilda Tutor-Amestoso.

5. Lilian will also prepare letters for the coordinators to distribute to their members. The letter will contain the info regarding our hosting.

6. Sonnie will see the budget/plan of the 2009 host so that we can study it and see how to do our budgeting.

7. The Visca mates will prepare a tentative program for the 2 days of homecoming and will post it for you to comment on. Walay particular person gi-assign nato ani, although we think we can adopt the program of activities of May 2009 and make little improvement so that there won't be idle time. We'll also consider the Odd and Evens, variety show, etc. Nena and Marisse, can you both take care of this task? Thanks...

8. Nilda delivered the financial statement, I couldn't remember the details. But we'll post it later for your info.

9. Pinpin Capa is willing to let our group join the Sociedad in Mahaplag where she acts as the manager. We'll simply put in capital (is P5,000 okey from our general fund?) and it will be loaned to individuals during the year. Then we'll get a share of the profit. Tess Monter also suggested this last year because she's managing a group in Utod. We'll see if her offer is still there. Senio reported that Litoy Palermo is also proposing that we put up capital for a similar activity which he will manage among market vendors in Baybay.Kung okay mo niani nga business venture--putting up capital lang and having our mates manage it and return it to us together with the profit after a certain period--then let's start the ball rolling.

10. Raffle and door prizes should be attractive like electric fans, iron, kitchen ware set, etc. Was it Mathel or Efren or Vicvic or Sol who volunteered to provide some electronic items for prizes? Alumni will be happy to bring home something (relatively) valuable, instead of candies.

11. Observation: Only about 230 alumni registered this year and we believe it's because the registration fee is too high at P500.00. They don't consider that the fee already includes a good bag, shirt, 2-day snacks, 2 lunches, 1 breakfast, and the grand alumni dinner. How much do you think we'll charge for registration? Here are some old and new suggestions from our mates:

11.1. No registration fee. Implication: host batches will do their best to come up with the budgetary requirement thru contributions and solicitations.

11.2. Minimal registration feeMao lang sa ni, Mates, kay taas na akong report. basin dili successful ang sending. More of the report coming up...Byebye!

God bless!

Always,

lilian

Genesis

June, 1981
I can't remember the events on the first days of my college life but I do remember the awe as I went around the campus that was to be my home for more than 5 years.... oh ok let me see...how long did I really stay in ViSCA?........thinking......thinking......thinking......

Anyways it was longer than I was suppose to stay but then again I could have stayed much longer for I loved the place so much, I was always one of the students who went home last and came back first during sem brakes.

Life then was sweet and slow...the endless strolls along the beach..sometimes a hug here and a kiss there..the loves you gave and those that you just can't let go, it hurts when you remember them...hahahahaha them jud ha!

Ah...and the frustrations when you just can't get your grades to the level where you aimed and you blame your GF/BF, your frat/sor or everybody else except yourself.

Fastforward.......March 30, 2006

Sonny and Caning,
Hi to both of you!
Thanks for joining the egroup. 3 pa lang ta. If youhave the email addresses of other batchmates, please let me know paramodaghan ta.Wala pa koy update sa atong lone scholar. Mograduate kaha to karongApril 1?Ning, denied akong application sa e-learning training in Germany.Mangita na pod ug lain. I feel pressured sa akong further studies kaykahibalo na mo sa atong system. And most of the scholarships availabledili field nako ug ninglapas na ko sa age requirement. The older youget in the academe, the less opportunities you will have. Right? right.Akong last recourse is going to a Cebu university nalang. This summer Iwill be scouting for possibilities of enrolling for weekend classes,maayo unta naay sociology, nihit raba kaayo ni sa local. Akong secondtry will be UP Diliman.

Bye for now.
Lilian

I congratulate both of you kay very dynamic gyod. Good luck and keep up your good work.

The first entry at the ViscaFreshmen1981yahoogroup. The beginning of history as we know it today.

Update: Alumni Home Coming

To all Mates,
It's sad that many will not be attending the alumni homecoming this Friday and Saturday, May 8-9. I texted many of our mates but only Annie Humang-it, Perlie Verzosa, Nilda Ulbata, Melendres, Jojo Abogado, and Ira replied. Negative pa gyod except Nilda, Melen, and Letty who didn't really say whether they're coming or not. Annie naman is sending her contribution of P500 to make up for her absence. Papang also contributed our agreed P100 because most likely, probably, perhaps he's taveling to Cebu for his mom's birthday. Marisse and Nilda have other appointments. Lina cannot make it, too, because she has an appointment with her surgeon. Sina Bem and Lolit kaya? I'm still going to text the rest whose numbers are in my fonebook--Christian , Felcaps, Gwargz, Melbie, who else ba? Caning and I decided that we have to push thru even if we're very few. The alumni at VSU were called to a meeting yesterday by Bert Guarte, the president of the sponsoring batches, and we were briefed on the general program. He announced that Batches 1980 and 1981 will host next year's homecoming and I told him it's year 2011 we're preparing for. So they decided that Batch 1983 will pair off with Batch 1980, while we go on with 2011 (with Batch 1984 as our partner batch.) Nakuratan ko kadjot... That's all mates.

Always,
lilian