By Jennifer Ellson Seventeen “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” ~ Germaine Greer Some people say it is in Paris where one would find romance. Others say it is Venice where passion could be found, as lovers glide down the canals aboard the Venetian gondola. But one only has to go to that little town of San Agustin in Novaliches, Quezon City, to witness a love that has traveled across continents, has weathered some tough challenges and continues to thrive, against all odds. “NGCMLFY.” Those were the letters that has adorned her notebook all throughout college. It seemed random at first, but those were the letters she uses to end her every note to him. “NGCMLFY.” It is a code of love. Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You. It has been their song for the last 17 years. It all started in the ‘80s, when he moved a few houses from hers. Jeng saw Boyet for the first time as he drove by her house in his blue-green ford fiera. She was 17, he was 20. Little did they know that two decades after, on February 17, 2006, they would be celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary. They grew up together. They laugh and cried together as teens. It didn’t take them long to realize that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. She cried when he proposed for the first time, circa 1988. A gold ring fell as she opened his letter by her doorstep. She declined his offer of marriage, saying she was too young to marry at 18. He patiently waited and more than a year after, he asked for her hand again, but this time, she gladly accepted. At 20, Jeng knew she was still young, but more matured to receive the sacrament of matrimony. And so on February 17, 1989, they got married. She cried; he shed some tears of joy. The stork came a year after, when they had their first born, Justin. More than a year after that, the stork came again, delivering their second son, Jerel John. Boyet showed her the world; Jeng in turn gave him a family that he once had only dreamed of. And this is the part where it normally would say, “and they lived happily ever after.” But no, for this is where the story has just begun. Jeng woke up feeling dizzy that one balmy day in 1991. She thought it was just from lack of sleep caring for her toddler and the new born baby. She complained of numbness and triple vision. By then a San Miguel Corp. employee on a fast-track to success, Boyet took the day off and brought her to a hospital. Not even 10 minutes after leaving the doctor’s office, he was once again crying. This time, it was not tears of joy. He was just told that his young wife had a mild stroke, resulting to multiple sclerosis – a rare condition that affects one’s nervous system. This is enough for any young love to crumble, but instead, they wrote each other a note that only had gibberish letters in them: “NGCMLFY.” No words needed to be said. They were both devastated and they knew it. But they also both knew that they have each other to weather the storm that just came. Jose Miguel & Jean Jewel. Others would have given up, but not Jeng and Boyet – they vowed to be together in sickness and in health, and that’s what they continue to do up to this day. Her health was supposed to make her weak, but our Jeng is different. She has defied all odds. While an ordinary patient’s health deteriorates as time goes by, our extraordinary Jeng gave birth again years after being first diagnosed. Twice! On January 2001, another bundle of joy, Jose Miguel, was born. On October 2005, Jean Jewel became the fourth child and only daughter of the two, but not without another round of heartaches. Jeng suffered another stroke, putting her life in great danger, not to mention that of her then unborn child. No husband and father would even want to experience a fraction of what Boyet felt the day Jeng was brought to the Intensive Care Unit of Medical City. Armored with prayers from her battalion of families and friends, Jeng fought for her own life, with her baby Jewel battling with her. They both won and their sweet victory served as an inspiration to all those around them. All those times, Boyet did not leave her side, showing strength despite his bleeding heart. Indeed, he serves as the family’s pillar of strength, while she is the light that illuminates their lives. He strove for his career to flourish to ensure his family’s future; she gave up hers to care for them all. And in between they wrote each other little notes that said, “NGCMLFY.” As the cliché goes, “behind every man’s success is a woman.” This is especially true for the couple. Jeng has been Boyet’s coach and cheerleader all these years, offering advice when needed, and cheering for his every triumph. Ever since they met, when he was just a fresh graduate trying his luck in the corporate world, she has believed in him. With his every fall, she cries with him; with his every conquest comes her cheers. In any case, she would write him a note that would always lift his spirit. The note would simply say, “NGCMLFY.” Having been married at a young age by today’s standards, they often witness their childhood friends go from one marriage to the next, as what seems to be the norm for those who married young. But the couple instead goes to one prom to the next, one graduation after another, as their little boys grow up to be young men. Just 17 years ago, they were witnessing the day of their lives, when she was walking on the aisle, with him waiting at the altar to receive her hand. Now, they are celebrating their 17 years of marriage. As to what’s in store for the future, nobody really could tell. But one thing is constant: on February 17 of this year, two Hallmark cards would bear a little note, as it always had every February 17 for the past 17 years: “NGCMLFY.”       SUMMARY OF NHS LOST FRIENDS New entries were added on our Lost Friends Forum and our Message Board under Topic "I'm Looking For". If you have any information on the whereabouts of any of these individual, please take the time to contact the requester. For most of them, the requester's email addresses are provided on the Lost Friends Forum web page. I am sure they will be very happy to get whatever information you can provide them. THANK YOU! Does anyone know about the current whereabouts of the following NHS graduates? 1. Febie Torres Batch, Herminda Canlapan, Dolores Encarnacion Francisco Batch 1977 (Submitted By: Consuelo Torrente Dela Cruz Batch 1977) 2. Orlando Tabbay Batch 1975 (Submitted By Gerry Bayona Batch 1975) 3. Annaliza Arceo Batch 1985 (Submitted By Ruben Esperanza Batch 1985) 4. Mary Ann Cruz Batch 1985 (Submitted By Emilio Penaranda Batch 1985) 5. Ruby Asupan Batch 1990 (Submitted By Jay E. Flores Batch 1990) 6. Ronald Dable Batch 2003 (Submitted By Cathlyn Mel Imbao Cando Batch 2003) 7. Jeff Parajinog, Jose, Ronald Q. Batch 1991 (Submitted By Elizalde Muyon Batch 1991) 8. Arnold Carpio Batch 1982 (Submitted By Rodelio Ramos Batch 1982) 9. Buddy D. Julaton Batch 1994 (Submitted By Sheryll Ann Bognot Batch 1995) 10. Art Gimelo Pagar Batch 1988 (Submitted By Cherleen Manette Flores-Aquino Batch 1988) 11. Gisela Santos, Yolly Orbeta and Virgie del Mundo Batch 1969 (Submitted By Erlinda De Leon-Del Rosario Batch 1969) 12. Ariel M. Mamansag Batch 1982 (Submitted By Elizabeth Ellson-Fernandez Batch 1984) 13. Rebecca Madrigal, Rosa Briones, Teresita Daez, Maura Juan, Rosario Cruz, Teresita Regenio, Catalina Dizon and the rest of Batch 1968 (Submitted by Pia Vaughn-Canton aka Pet Licarte Batch 1969) 14. Lilibeth R. Mamon Batch 1984, Reynaldo R. Mamon Batch 1980 (Submitted By Alona Basa-Ducut Batch 1984) 15. Adoracion Clamor, Reynaldo Ronquillo & Nora Mojica Batch 1968 (Submitted By Hernani Del Rosario Batch 1968) 16. Jeffrey Echano and Vergel Ramirez Batch 1985 (Submitted By Janette Ellson-Espinosa Batch 1985) 17. Looking for classmates from Class 1977-78 IV-2: Raul Rodrigues, Regina Galve, Armando Musngi, Vangie Ibarra (Submitted by Arlene Gentapan-Weber) 18. Looking For Batch 1981 (Submitted by Jonas Maceda) 19. Looking For David Cuezon, Eriberto Nicanor, Guillermo Tiburcio, Guillermo E. Casing Jr. & Laudemer Ilasin Batch '81 (Submitted by Jonas Maceda) 20. NHS Lost Friends Batch 2003: Cristal Gay Oh, Kathlyn Joy Matutina & Erwin de Jesus (Submitted by Lord Alfred Dela Cruz AKA "L.A.") 21. Ricardo "nguso" Tuazon NHS Lost Friend Batch '82 section 2 (Submitted by Eduardo B. Soliman) 22. Ferdinand Petot Cabigting NHS Lost Friend Batch 1985. (Submitted By Virgilio C. Bilaw Jr.) 23. Hilario Bagacay Jr. Batch 1995 Section 4 (Submitted By Russel Fuentes Balete) 24. Graduates of Batch 1986 IV-5. (Submitted By Rommel Buriel) 25. Batch 1994 IV-2. (Submitted By Gladys Gabronino Cahepe) 26. Evelyn Sandoval, Elizabeth Dagandan, Fe lina Azana NHS Lost Friends of Batch 1969 IV-1. (Submitted By Rebecca Madrigal) 27. Ronald Cervas NHS Lost Friend Batch 86 IV-4 (Submitted By Noe Clavecilla) 28. Arlene Gaerlan, Leticia Penaflor, Achilles Buriel NHS Lost Friends of Batch 1980 (Submitted By Cherrylene T. Viola-Monreal) 29. Teresita Pamintuan, Conception Santos, Elena Olaes, Glenda Perillo NHS Lost Friends of Batch 1975. (Submitted By Editha Alix Magat) 30. Alfredo (Bong) Rosadino Serrano' Birthparents (Submitted By Joycelyn Espiritu David at jespiritu@kpmg.ca or Alfredo (Bong) Rosadino Serrano at arserrano@lycos.com 31. Henry Joson NHS Lost Friend Batch 81 IV-3 (Submitted By Batch 81) 32. Melanie Verde NHS Lost Friend Batch 85 IV-1 (Submitted By Ma. Cecilia Chua Pascual) 33. NHS Lost Friends from Batch 1986: Silverio Cid, Paul Baladad, Ma. Fe Quibic & Elmer Reyes (Submitted By Ferdie Mar Abesamis) 34. Wanted Batch 1989 specially the PIE BUNCH of Class IV-1 (Submitted By: Maryknoll Bathan-Zamora) 35. Ma. Antoinette SJ. Maningas NHS Lost Friend Batch 1990 (Submitted By Loida Baylon Sevilla) 36.  Cornelio "Jessie" Angeles NHS Lost Friend Batch 1980 Section 1 (Submitted By: Josh L. Ampil) 37. Emmanuel Francia Garcia NHS Lost Friend Batch 1990 Section 1 (Submitted By Claudette Lirio Serrano-Raymundo) 38. CLASS OF 1989 IV-I "THE MATADORS" & "PIE BUNCH" (Submitted By Arvin B. Angeles) 39. Leticia Mananquil, Florinda Dumo, Lolita Dimaano, Marineth all from Batch 1974 (Submitted By Jane Manahan Alberto) 40. Norberto Taguba & Ronald Catacutan both from Batch 1986 Section 3 (Submitted By Jonel Alegre) 41. Rebecca Baraceros Batch 1976 (Submitted By Myrna Manzano) 42. Class of 1974: Asher Elenzano, Eduardo Cuizon, Glenda Perillo ( now a high school principal?), Teresita Pamintuan, Elena Olaez, Petronila Roldan, Arleen Salva, Precy Poblete (married to camagay - both batch 1974), Rosario Ignacio, Tony Guarino, Joselito Tomas (Submitted By Editha Alix Magat) REMINDER: Please notify the website administrator to remove the request when you successfully reconnect with your friend or provided enough information. This will help keep these list updated. Thank you! LOST FRIENDS NO MORE: 1. Art Gimelo Pagar Batch 1988 2. Arnold Carpio Batch 1982 3. Jeffrey Echano Batch 1985 4. Vergel Ramirez Batch 1985 5. Vangie Ibarra Batch 1978 6. Rebecca Madrigal Batch 1968 7. Laudemer Ilasin Batch 1981 8. David Cueson Batch 1981 9. Arnaldo Cando Batch 1986 10. Ronald Ducusin Batch 1986 11. Dolores Encarnacion Francisco 1977 12. Lilibeth R. Mamon Batch 1984   "Salamat Sa Inyong Lahat" By Ronaldo Dalistan aka fLik Batch 1985 "Salamat Sa Inyong Lahat" Bilang pagsunod sa nakakarami na ako na ang gumawa Nitong maikling tula na sa puso ko ay nagmula Isang makahulugan hindi mawari ng aking diwa Ang nais ipahatid sa inyo mga kaibigan na aking nakasalamuha Aking sisimulan ipakikilala at ng malaman nyo Mga taong nagbigay kulay ng ating unang anibersaryo Mga committees, mga taong bahagi na nahirang dito Atin pong ikarangal at palakpakan naman po ninyo Una sa listahan itong ating kagalang galang na chairman, Direct from Japan, Virgilio Cruz yan ang kanyang ngalan Galing sa Pinas naman ang may pagka wonder woman Si Julie Sudla ang aming secretary, sa sipag at tyaga sya ay no. 1 Ang ating mga ingat yaman, susi ng kaban, sila ang may tangan Cherrylene Viola-Monreal ang una at George Calicdan ang isa naman Roll Call & Registration Committee ang sa kanya ay ibinigay Enid Pablico-Casiño, ang pag-tulong walang patid at walang humpay NHS Special Gift Committee ay tatlo naman sila Sila ang nag-isip kung ano sa Pablik ang maganda Sila ay si Ruben Esperanza na nasa Amerika, Si Noi Buriel at si kasamang Norman Garcia Finance Committee apat na tao ang magkakaugnay Sila ay si Emmanuel Udtuhan, pag-follow up ay panay Si Janette Ellson-Espinosa, si Mitch Andres Fujita Japan din sya day At si Gloria Cecilia Galgana, hindi pahuhuli, galing naman ng Dubai Registration & Raffle Prizes Committee, apat sila ang dami Rickson Arches at Joselito Febrada ano ang inyong masasabi May kasama pang Rick Flores at Carlos Sia na ang sipag naman talaga Kaya nga salamat at matamis na ngiti ang sa inyoy igaganti nila Nais ko ring tawagin ang mga nagkaisang magtulong tulong dito Mga nag ambag John Clive Valena, Virgilio “Jun” Bilaw at Luisito Olero Oooopps wag ko sanang kalimutan, meron pa at dalawa pa ito Vladimir De Castro at si kaibigan at kaklase kong Si Obet Odulio Sanay wala na akong nakalimutan na pasalamatan sa mga committees This time ang wala naman dito, ay dapat namang magreets Thanks a lot to our Website Administrator na nandun pa sa Tate Chona Villafuerte-Go ang galing galing mo talaga mommy IC.. To our website past and present moderators, thank you rin po Hindi ko na iisa isahin dahil baka magalit na sila sa akin dito Basta ang aking masasabi, kaming lahat sa inyo ay saludo Dahil Novaliches High School ay nakikilala na sa buong mundo Salamat sa inyong lahat na nandito, nagbigay ng kanilang oras Sa ating mga panauhin, mga naging guro natin, nakita ko at last Salamat sa nagbigay ng pledges at gift items para sa pa-raffle Kahit sa bisperas ng reunion, meron pa ring gifts na pahabol Susunod na reunion, ating hintayin dahil ang taon ay mabilis Announcement, tiyak makakarating sa inyo, yan ang aming promise Basta may oras sa ating website ay mag-visit lang please Ang www.nhsqc.info naghihintay sa inyo, samahang magkakapatid Hanggang dito na lang po, “PABaLIK Tanaw sa Ating Pinagmulan” Ang Bagong Taon ay salubungin, pasalamatan ang Poong Maykapal Ito po ang inyong lingkod na nahirang na Vice Chairman Now a name, soon a legend, my name is Ronald Dalistan (This was Ronaldo Dalistan's (NHSOC Reunion Committee Vice Chairman) Closing Remarks at NHS On-line Community's First Year Anniversary Celebration)   SUBMIT YOUR SPECIAL NHS MEMORIES High School is definitely an important part of our lives and we want to know: 1. What was your NHS education experience like? 2. What was the emphasis of your high school education? 3. What kind of discipline was enforced? 4. What kind of literature did you experienced? 5. What is your most vivid memory of high school? 6. Do you have any school related stories from your batch? If so, what are they? 7. How has high school shaped your lives and your batchmate's lives? How has it changed? How is it affecting the lives of your own children and grandchildren? Send me your stories today at nhsqcalumni@gmail.com or post them in our Member’s Lounge! Please include: your name, batch/class year, location, and your e-mail address. We look forward to sharing some fun and intriguing stories with you on the months ahead! THANK YOU!! Any comments, suggestions and/or ideas are always appreciated. Please drop me a line at nhsqcalumni@gmail.com Until the next update, take care and thank you all for your continued support! *PLEASE NOTE: By submitting questions, comments, tips, stories or letters to the website administrator of Novaliches High School On-line Community (nhsqcalumni@gmail.com) you grant NHS On-line Community a license to distribute or republish your contribution at its discretion, with credit to you as the submitter. We may edit your contribution for content, length and/or clarity. "My sincerest apologies to all of you if I cannot respond to all questions, comments, tips, stories or letters you send to me (your website administrator) immediately. But I will try my very best to get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you for your understanding & cooperation." - Chona Villafuerte-Go Batch 1986 NHS On-line Community Website Administrator