Another Jubilarian - Our Loving Teacher

Another Jubilarian - A Special Guest Of Honor

Our Unforgettable Loving Teacher


Mrs. Trinidad Macugay-Guerrero was born in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She completed her secondary school studies in Jose Abad Santos High School which was under the Arellano University during those times. She then completed Bachelors Degree in Education at the Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines.

She taught mainly Home Economics and Physical Education, as well as some substitute teachings when no one was available at St. Joseph School in Olongapo City, Philippines from 1952 to 1958. After the graduation of the Batch ‘58 and after the blessings by Fr. Auburn (Fr. Coneely’s assistant at SJS), she left SJS to come to United States. So, while the SJS Batch ‘58 is celebrating their golden jubilee, so is Mrs. Macugay-Guerrero.

Shortly after arrival to the US, in 1959, she got married. Contrary to her husband’s disapprovals, she managed to enroll at San Francisco University for some masters courses but didn’t complete the degree. She also enrolled at various community colleges for some vocational courses and got a certificate on Bookkeeping which she used in her employment at a bank and at the credit department of certain stores as her part time job. She continued to work for another ten years after her husband passed away in 1976 and retired for good in 1986.


She is now 84 yeas old and is very energetic and healthy. She loves vegetable gardening. She still drives. Among her cars, her favorite is her 2006 Jaguar.

Mrs. Trinidad Macugay-Guerrero will always be remembered because of her cheerfulness and versatility.

She planned to attend this Oct. 2008 LV reunion to see her former students most especially the golden jubilarians as she is one of them.

Contributed by Dorothy Mae Bennett, M. D.
SJS Batch ‘57

My Filipina Motherhood Way

My Filipina Motherhood Way

Written by Evelyn Reyes-Co

Tuesday, 24 June 2008

The hardest obstacle that I encountered into that chalenging journey of motherhood is how to discipline my four rambunctious sons. My husband was usually too busy at work so there's no such thing as ' wait till your father comes home!' in our house. The rigid task was left to me and thanks to the strict and intimidating 'penguins of SJS' I have learned to be a strick disciplinarian.

When my four boys were growing up there will be many times and places especially in public, that they will be acting up, out or engaging in silly fights. I confront them in a very intimidating manner and in a harsh stinging tone bark out the words "Sasampalin Kita!".

You'd be surprise at how dramatic the results can be.

Many years later, at my second son's bachelor party in the Philippines the four brothers were talking and reminiscing about the good ole' days, the subject of the phrase came about.

"What exactly does 'Sasampalin Kita really mean'?.

" Isn't that a swear word?' the MD son asked.

' It means 'Danger' that's what it means!' the JD son remarked.

' It means....Run! for your dear life" the Georgetown Law student said.

" Even to this day whenever I hear those words spoken my eyes starts to water ", the youngest son confessed while drinking his beer.

A Filipino friend quickly told them what the literal translation was. And after years of not knowing the meaning, now they knew.

O yes....yes...even to this day in their adult lives, there are times when we disagree and I will say in a very disheartening and glaring manner the words "Sasampalin Kita!'. They are not afraid of me anymore....

Birthday Greetings on July Fourth

Birthday Greetings on July 4th

Written by Dorothy Mae Bennett

Friday, 04 July 2008

Birthday greetings to Ianne Ridon-Barredo and Lourdes Almandrez-Hernandez on this fourth of July 2008. Evelyn Reyes-Co's garden has this live bouquet for everybody especially so for Ianne and Lourdes.

Batch '57 Most Loyal Alumnus

Batch '57 Most Loyal Alumnus

Summary written by Marita Daluz-Webster

During the 1957 Graduation Ceremony, I received the “Most Loyal Award” for attending Kindergarten to high school at St. Joseph’s School. I did my observation and practice teaching there too. In 1963, I started teaching kindergarten, first grade, and sixth grade classes at SJS. (Very loyal indeed!)

I continued teaching at Fr. James B. Hay Catholic School when my sister, (Sr. Maria Lucia), invited me to come to Alamogordo, New Mexico in 1968. I met Bill, (my husband) who is from Michigan. We were married on April 8, 1969. Our first child, Mary Joy was born in 1970; then we had twins, Pamela and Patricia, born in 1971. Finally, Robert John was born in 1976.
From 1972 to 1997, I retired from Alamogordo Public School as a classroom teacher and as a reading specialist. Then, I decided to teach preschoolers at Fr. James B. Hay that same year (I just couldn’t stay retired yet.) until 2003. That’s when I put the chalk and eraser down for good, after forty years of teaching.

Since we started teaching catechism in high school, I am continuing to do so to help our catholic churches here. I have been working with First Communion Class for eight years now. What else are we doing now? We love to babysit our grandchildren. They are our precious jewels!

The Day of the Hearts

The Day of Hearts "Happy Valentine's Day" To All The Girls I've Loved Before

Written by Delfin Raymundo

Thursday, 14 February 2008

HOW SWIFTLY THE DAYS FLY ON THE WINGS OF TIME! IT SEEMED THAT IT WAS ONLY YESTERDAY WHEN WE GRADUATED FROM ST. JOSEPH. I COULD STILL SEE HER STANDING THERE AS LOVELY AS A DREAM, HER FACE FLUSHED WITH FAITH AND HOPE. YES, I REMEMBER , SHE WAS MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATE----THE ONE I HAD MY FIRST CRUSH ON. IT WAS UNFORTUNATE, IT WAS ONLY IN MY DREAMS. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU ALL AND MAY YOU FIND YOUR TRUE LOVE AND HAPPINESS..........

The Call

We welcome creative contributions from our readers/members. If you have any short poems, original jokes, or some 'food for thought' you'd like to share, please submit...

The Call

Written by Concepcion dela Rosa-Wolff

THE CALL Who calls on a night such as this, Pleading, sighing, crying? Ah, it's only the movement of the cold November winds, Or the sound of sad music vibrating in the air. "Child, I need you, I love you, come to me." Words that seem to pierce your heart, Like Cupid's arrow has captivated your heart. To refuse you cannot do Because you know He calls only someone special as YOU. "I love you Lord, here I am. Take me, be with me."

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 24 June 2008 )

Fantasy Bio

By SJS '57 associate, a 1955 graduate

Written by Anita Vidal-Wales

Tuesday, 24 June 2008

A FANTASY BIO It starts with my favorite nursery song: When I grow to be a lady, I’ll be a queen, a lovely queen. Walking in a garden shady, In gown of green, with silver sheen. Maids in gold and white shall Follow me and … Suitors of a high degree. When I grow to be a lady, A fine and noble queenly lady Then my Prince will come To claim his own And love will crown me On my throne. And my story goes… My Prince in the flesh… In the person of Douglas Guilbert Wales!! My Hero, my true love. We got married and he won a Package deal…an instant family! My twin daughters became his daughters too. And we all live happily ever after.