Under The Acacia Tree

by 

Reynato SM. Aquino, Faculty 1955-57

by Reynato SM. Aquino

The only school in town with a school bus was SJA. Well, actually it was a green converted pickup truck that the late Fr. Kaiser was able to get from Nebraska. It was used only to pick up and hater students from Teresa and on the way often times picked up students walking by the street.

"It cost 25 centavos to ride the pickup and I always was the kundoktor but more of a chaperone. It was always tuksuhan during the trip. Sometimes Gil Francisco (now a municipal official in Teresa) will open his maluto and eat it even if we are halfway to SJA. There was the boisterous Cesar Cruz and Ito who were the comedians. The girls-Mila Del Rosario (now in LA) and others always has to sit very quiet or reading their lessons. There was Sonya kapater ni Ito and also mga tiga Iba.

Narding Pinto (Tio Narding of SJA students) was the driver and talaga namang kapag nakantiyawan ng mga istudyantes na lumusot ay hirit at lusot ang mga Raytranco at jeep - aba ay paligo naman kami sa alikabok (no offense Obet).

Pag-uwian naman ay sometimes ay may tigil pa sa may istasyon ng San Gilmo, either para magbawas sa tabi ng bakuran or maghanap ng gagamba.

Remember...

I started teaching sa SJA in 1955, just fresh from college. My first homeroom class ay iisang mukha - kamag-anak na lahat. Kaya naman they hated me because I picked on them a lot. Baka kasi ako masabihang paborit an mga kamag-anak.

When I left SJA in 1957 there were many students from all barrios and neighboring towns. The most sikat at mga medyo sikat were Jorge Atendido, Flor Aquino, Barok Pillas, Lino San Jose, Rico tiga Namay. Bano Claudio, Chata, mga anak ni Dami Martinez, Datdat Millare, Aguy, Bert at Francisco, Juling Palaka, Gloria Alabok, Girlie Angeles, Linda at Elvie Torres and I know there are many that I know and barkada with, and apologize for not remembering your names (gingkoba time) at matanra na si Mr. Aquino. Recently I met Abella Ramos in Union City, ay aba naman at lumalagapak na, "Ay, si Mr. Aquino pala." Huwag na ang Mister at lalo akong tumatanra, I said.

The boys I remember well because they were members of SJA basketball team that outplayed many schools around Rizal and almost beat La Salle HS. We even won over TCMC during an exhibition game desperas ng pista.

I always had hard time looking for the boys before every Friday benediction, which was a requirement on attendance. Hanggang latori ay nasususog ang mga lintik na iyan at mga nag-aaral manigarilyo. Hindi na bale kung blue seal - aba ay Fighter ang sigarilyo. Minsan naman ay pang matanrang yosi.

The late Fr. Kaiser always reminded me to go after the basketball players - kaya naman maski na mga good ang test papers - ang character and conduct ay mga 70 yata according to Miss Rito. She was the rayuhang principal until Tia Edita took over.

September is always the fun month for us. Isang linggo ba naman ang palabas eh. May drama at mga sayaw. The best show when we put up a ala-sarsuela. Si Juling ang Nanay at si Bano Claudio ang walanghiyang anak hanggang mapiriso - iyakan ang mga manunuor for Juling at Bano's acting. Ako yata ang direktor at Girlie Angeles background music sa organo. Ang set ay painted by Kanding tiga Wawa at ang mag magt-tilon ay mga eskwela rin. Minsan ay dapat isara na ang tilon ay tulog si I-me. Kaya mga naka-istatuwa ang mga aktors at wala nang script!

The other play was "Naku! Nariyan na ang mga G.I." Flor played the part of a Kano. Comedy ito at nagkakang-i-i-kuwan ang mga tawo katatawa. Sa lakas ng tawanan ay ang diktador sa script ay halos naririnig na ng mga tawong nanonoor sa unahan.

Ang light and sound effects ay si Fr. Kaiser eh, maski may palabas na kung todo arte sina Juling ay bigla na lamang pupunta sa stage at i-a-adjust ang mike. Naku poooo. Si Father. Hanggang sa ma-untog sa spotlight - eh kalbo pa naman. Arrrraaaay! Sometimes his sound effect is late. Binaril na ni Bano ang kontrabida, si Cesar Cruz, ay wala pang sound na bang! Eh di nag adlib si Bano, at binunut ang balisong sasaksakin ang kontrabida - sabay naman putok ni Father. Tawanan pati mga nasa intablado - wala namang magsara ng tilon at tulog na tulog si Ime'.

O, sige, next time na uli. I have more 1955-1957 SJA stories to tell.

Mr. Rey (Petag) San Miguel Aquino

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Last modified: November 25, 2002