Vingt-cinque (25) Encore: My Sci Hi

Off-shoot from the notes-tagging activity over at my facebook account, here are 25 random experiences and facts about me and my Science High School Life.

1. Five (5) Oplimo siblings got in and studied at Cebu City National Science High School:  Beverly, Myself, Karen, Ellen and Lester. Yes, we helped our parents save a bit of moolah.

2. I was a non-commissioned officer.  I was ambitious in spite of my height.  CAT officers gave me the MP post. I think I was the shortest MP ever.  I was cadet of the year and I didn’t ask why.

 

3. I belonged to Sections I- Earth (Ms. Conrada B. Guia); II-Jupiter (Mrs. Severina B. Chin); III-Pluto (Ms. Rebecca Langomes) and IV-Aldrin (Mrs. Canindo).

 

4. I made Mrs. Chin cry. She mispronounced the word Stretch as “STREEEEETCH” and I echoed what she uttered. She left the class, hid inside her office which she shared with Mrs. Conejos and wept like crazy. From then on, I called her “the Bride of Chucky.” And oh, I would never forget her CCNS “eeeech” S when she hosted the BB. Agham. It was classic.

 

5. I sported a moustache. Mrs. Creus, the principal, called my attention and demanded that I should shave and take off my moustache. I was in first year when I used the razor for the first time. I shaved both my moustache and my pubes that time.

 

6. The requisite SAYAWIT for Linggo ng Wika or Nutrition Month were hell times. We once represented the batch for the Sayawit contest and we were all dressed like kids, and we sang “Eh Kasi Healthy.” It was horrible.

 

7. Batch 95 was the last batch to organize the JS Prom and held it at the school grounds. We were also the first Batch to experience the PROM outside of CCNSHS at the Social Hall of the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

 

8. “It’s a shame to break TRADITIONS”: The frequently used excuse by the principal.

 

9. Foot mops were useless. We brought in dirt and dust inside the classroom all the time.

 

10. I never brought coleman jugs to school.  Ice cold water scavengers were rampant that time. I was one of them.

 

11. Diorama, scrap books and home reading reports rendered everyone sleepless, especially days before the periodical exams.

 

12. Nang Mely’s , Doria’s Kitchenette and the isaw-tongol-pungko-pungko had a lucrative food business. The school canteen was insignificant.

 

13. Foundation day was fun. But I was sure Kathy Talatala was hapless when she and I won the popularity contest for the King and Queen of Hearts. I guess it was nullified. Both winners were queens. The price was a dinner date or something, and an ube roll from goldilocks.

 

14. Mrs. Lumayno was a diva who could not even say SEWING MACHINE properly. She was a saddist. She takes pleasure in screaming and banging too. Her cleavage was visible even if you’re seated at the last row.

 

15. Mrs. Cabrera, the nurse was a non-entity in high school. I am quite unsure if she ever administered first aid or assistance to the students. Mrs. Josefina Paler, the librarian was significant only during clearance period.  The geese at the soccer field were far more interesting and visible.

 

16. Science Investigatory projects were taxing and costly. Felt papers and display boards and set-ups were done in a rush, in time for the Science Fair. Our projects were mostly about how to put an end to cockroaches and garden slugs.  We studied on organic pesticides. We wanted to eradicate some pests in the faculty too, and we failed.

 

17. They said the intelligence and the mental abilities of the graduating batch could be measured by the results of the NCEE or the NSAT. We were told that most of the batch got 98 and above grades in NSAT. Most of us were elated and the admin was very glad. Some who didn’t get 98 were devastated.  But we were misinformed. It turned out that the grades that were announced were from one subject only. The batch wanted to cut off the heads of the principal and the guidance counselor.

 

18. The “Prayer for the Nation” worked for and against our advantage. But most of the times it’s a great way to kill the time.

 

19. Most of our classmates did not bring any intermediate papers to school. So when the teacher announced spot examinations, classmates transform into vampires and monsters for a ½ lengthwise or crosswise paper.  After the exams, the teacher would say “finished or not finished pass your papers clockwise or counter clockwise . . . ready 1 2 3 4 5?”

 

20. The popular sports in high school were Sepak Takraw, Football, Soccer Baseball, basketball and volleyball. I am quite certain that I played football in my freshmen years but I stopped because I hated being baked by the sun. The school yard, the oval grounds especially, was not encouraging.

 

21. The Plutonians were responsible for the horrible plant box under the stairs of the science building (the one facing the school gymnasium). The whole class cut off the old bamboo and built the ugly concrete enclosure. We were not able to kill the vast network of bamboo roots. Ms. Langomes, the troll, was not amused.  By nature, trolls are unpredictable and hard to please.

 

22. Certain teachers sold reference books to their student’s parents. Some conducted sales of “ice candy”, blank composition sheets (sulating pangwakas), ballpens, snack items and even sanitary napkins in class.

 

23. Ask me to sing the school hymn and for sure I’ve forgotten the lyrics. But the song starts with “Oh School of Wisdom dear and great, to thee we bid adieu!” Sing the rest of the lines please.

 

24. I realized the DEPLETION and DEFLATION could sound the same, especially in the ECONOMICS CLASS of Mrs. Serundo. “ Am I right Wen (Wayne)? No, not you Wen (Wayne Seguerra), I men (mean) ahh you Wen (Rowena Mesola). You get the stek and you bet et, okeh?”

 

25. Classes on Fridays are often shortened for first Friday mass, Sayawit contests, Bb. Agham, and other school programs. Those were opportunities to leave school early.