Issue No. 1 Vol . 1 December 2005

The official Newsletter of Malate Catholic School Batch 1988

In this Issue ..........In this Issue ..........In this Issue ..........In this Issue ..........In this Issue ..........

January 2005 Event

A follow-up reunion was held on LaCorona Hotel, Ermita, Manila, on January15, 2005, a hotel endorsed by Ms. Vangie-Abaquin Baraquiel.

The party started at 7:00PM with anice-breaker game called Human Bingo, agame that initiates camaraderie amongBatch 88. It was then followed by a sump-tuous dinner served by the hotel. Moregames and raffle went after.

by Jasmin Osilla - Ortillo

It was the first time the girls andthe boys, who are now ladies andgentlemen, joined in one meaningfulactivity after 14 years being separated fromeach other.

Our batch would not forget our spon-sors for the raffle and game prizes: Alma“Bubut’ Ferma, Cleotilde Jalimao-Tenorio,Monette Suratos-Alaquin, Jasmin Osilla-Ortillo, Vangie Abaquin-Baraquiel and An-gela Villanueva-Cruz.

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January 2005 Event ............. pp 1 & 3

Editor’s Note ........................ pp. 2

Batch 88 Summer Outing ..... pp 4

Zoom In .............................. pp 5 - 6

E - Legal ............................. pp 5 - 7

Life’s Colors ........................ pp 8

G.I.S. .................................. pp 9

Badminton Games .............. pp 9

BoC and Mission Statement .. pp 10

Feature WritersFeature WritersFeature WritersFeature WritersFeature Writers

Jasmin Osilla - Ortillo

Cleo Jalimao - Tenorio

Atty. Mike Limosnero

Rene Navarro

Catherine Sunga

Randy Datan

Editor - In - ChiefEditor - In - ChiefEditor - In - ChiefEditor - In - ChiefEditor - In - Chief

Alma Ferma

Left - Right: Abby, Aleli, Aileen, Vangie, John, Christian and Raynil

Editor’s NoteChristmas is the season of giving and hope!

For kids all over the world, Christmas is waiting for Santa Clausfor the greatest gift. For us who are kids at heart and are hopeful,Christmas is a time of thanksgiving and hoping.

Many have been accomplished this year -January gathering, our summerouting in May, Grand Inuman Session in July, badminton fellowship in Septemberand October and the birth of our newsletter-Malateans 88!

This year the challenges were great. Despite that, we have been blessedwith many moments of victories. We have tons of good things to look back atand even better to look forward to.

Many thanks to... great friendships built from the gatherings and conversations in yahoo groups... great ideas of social projects... the support from dedicated and willing batch members... financial help from many generous hearts

But most of all, e give back our thanks and praise to our Lord for allblessings in our lives, family, children and friends.

Surely, there is no reason to pout, no reason to cry Santa Claus has cometo our lives and filled our socks with gifts.

So we remain thankful and hopeful.For next year will be a better year for us for sure!

Merry Christmas!

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January Event ...... continued from page 1

The winners for the 2 major prizes of free nights at La CoronaHotel, Pagsanjan, Laguna were Ms. Vida Vasquez-Gonzalesand Ms. Aileen Ventigan. Congratulations to all the winners!

Towards the end of the event, plan for the batch wasinstigated. Nine Board of Conveners were elected to act asOfficers of Batch’88 namely:

Rene Navarro, Michael Ross Limosnero, Randy Datan,Nicanor “Koi” Roxas, Alma Ferma, Aileen Ventigan, AlmaNimfa “Anfa” Bentilanon- Nicdao, Cleotilde Jalimao-Tenorioand Jasmin Osilla-Ortillo.

They are tasked to manage the Batch activities. ReneNavarro then became the Chairman of the Board; MikeLimosnero became the Vice Chairman; Jasmin Osilla- Ortillobecame the President; and Ms Cleotilde Jalimao-Tenoriobecame the Secretary.

Good luck to all the BOC members!

Batch 88 Summer Outing by Cleo Jalimao - Tenorio

It was the14th of May but it’s not just an ordinary day... It was our Batch Summer outing!!! Yes... when mostpeople are still sleeping, my whole family was all busy pre-paring .... ... swimsuits, trunks, shorts .... what else? Ofcourse food .... Sure it saves us a lot for we got Vickoy’sCatering ... (also an Alumnus).

For very reasonable cost,we had crispy noodles, bar-becue, adobo, stuffed shrimps and sandwiches......

.But of course, let’s not forget to thank our very gener-

ous batchmate, Raynil who allowed us to use their familyowned resort in Laguna at NO COST....

The program was simple... all the kids and fellowbatchmates enjoyed the swimming and glorious food ....add to that, the continuous flow of drinks that the food com-mittee prepared. While some take turns in the karaoke,reminiscing the old days singing some of the hits of the80’s....!

Taken from MCS 88 Outing last May 14, 2005 at Pansol, Laguna.Back /Left - Right: Rajesh and wife, Raynil, Cleo and AileenFront/Right - Left: Randy, Andro, Rene, Nikka and husband, Thirdy, Toto and Wife

( Do you see something strange in this photo??? )

We can surely call it a day!!! Exhausted but it was a memorable experience with all our batchmates and theirfamilies......

For our next summer outing, we are hopeful to see more familiar faces as this year’s team strive harder to increaseour active 88 alumni participants.

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Engr. Estelito G. Perello

Contributed by Rene M. Navarro ( from EVP Writer )

Or Kuya Lito as he is fondly called by family andfriends is the President and the man behind EVPConsultancy Services Corporation, One of the leading mi-gration companies in the country and the corporate Vice-President ofa top caliber Orient Aviation Flying School.

He is an Engineer, entrepreneur, pilot, art patron anda pious person. Engr. Estelito G. Perello is indeed a man ofmany facets and pursuits, a “jack of all trade.”

Born to middle-class and religious oriented parents inIndang , Cavite, Capt. Perello scaled up the ladder of thecorporate and business industry in the year 1995. A youngFilipino entrepreneur,who has so much ardor and commit-ment in providing assistance to every family who aspiresand long for a better future, financial stability and develop-ment. Taking part in this humble mission is an amiablecharacter that Capt. Perello maintains to bear in mind andheart.

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by Atty. Mike Limosnero

Annulment? Get over it.

In my line of work, I often get asked by people want-ing or needing an opinion on some legal concern or an-other. The more interesting, of course, are actual caseswhere one gets to match wits with the other party or evenwith the entire court (particularly, if you get to representthe less popular side).

But the queries that really pique my attention are thecasual ones that go, “Attorney, gaano ba kabilis ang an-nulment?” or, “Attorney, may kaibigan akong gustongmagpa-annul…” They grab my attention not only for thefrequency they get asked, but especially in the offhandway the questions are poised. About one in four casualacquaintances result in such a query and they cut across

Such conversations tend to be carried on in the thirdperson and it is only at the last instance that the askeradmits being the subject, if at all.

After going throughthis a couple oftimes, it becameapparent that,somehow, the

message came across that remaining married is now amatter of choice; and if you chose not to, you could simplyhave your “annulment” drawn up and be free.

This is a mistaken notion. And this mistake haslead to a lot of disappointments for people filing “annulment”cases, expecting the courts to hand it to them as a matterof right, only to have the results come up very differently.

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Psychological incapacity isNOT a ground for “annulment”.

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Zoom In ....... continued from page 5

Engr . EstelitoPerello held various expe-riences in different notedindustries like Saudi En-gineering Group Interna-tional, Siemens Interna-tional, PLDT andETISALAT. His previousjobs here in the countryand abroad polished hismanagement andentrepreneural skills. At

present he continues to be an active service provider, thecreation of EVPT Trade and Technology Training Center, atechnical vocational school is an evident proof of his greatdesire to participate in providing quality education to ev-ery Filipinos. At this time he also holds position as Trusteeat JAFFA Educational Foundation Inc.

Aside from the migration company and the school thatEngr. Perello is maintaining which he had practically builtfrom scratch, different company affiliates have been con-scientiously created like EVP Travel and Mind Designand thus, continuously growing.

Born with humble beginning on April 1, 1971, his el-ementary days at Villamor Airbase Elementary School andcompleting secondary at Malate Cathilic School, he ob-tained tertiary degree in Electrical Engineering from theUniversity of the East and attended trainings on BusinessManagement, computer Systems, Private Ground Pilot andflight courses. All of these were tediously accomplishedby Engr. Perello because of his vision in life. He is a be-liever and has a strong faith on the potentials andcapabilitites of every Filipino to turn this country better.

After graduating from college, Engr. Estelito Perellodid not waste time and money. He has been consistentlylooking for possible means of improving himself and takesevery challenge of opportunities.

More than being an expert in business, Engr. EstelitoG. Perello at 35 years old is also a faithful husband to ViolaVicedo - Perello and a dedicated father to Vernon, Vincentand Via, a pious and devout catholic an inspiration to hissiblings and to the rest of the Perello clan, active membersof various non-governmental organizations including reli-gious and charismatic groups. Engr. Perello’s reason forhardwork straddles both for business and passion to be agood provider to his family and he is one of the few whomanaged to excel in both.

-Legal ...... continued from page 3

A Mistake Revisited

The culprit in all this is the invention of“psychological incapacity”.

Psychological incapacity, as a ground to terminatea marriage, has been both praised and reviled by the twosides of the divorce issue. On the one hand, supporterssay this provides loveless marriages a way to peacefullyresolve and allow the parties to licitly look for their blisselsewhere. On the other, opponents charge that thisrewards irresponsibility by permitting a partner to withdrawfrom the marriage at the slightest inconvenience.

In the midst of all this, the Supreme Court steppedin and, exercising its prerogative to interpret the laws,imposed a very strict standard in the application ofpsychological incapacity. But why did the Supreme Courtdo so?

Correcting a Mistake

Let’s start at the top. Psychological incapacity is NOTa ground for “annulment”. It is a ground for “declaration ofnullity” of a marriage. What’s the diff? Annulment meansthat the marriage is valid until annulled. Something de-clared a nullity retroacts to its beginning, meaning,

it was never valid to begin with. Some practical differencesare that cases for annullable marriages, such as wherethe consent of one of the partners was obtained throughintimidation, must be filed within a deadline or else, themarriage is considered ratified and can no longer beannulled. In the case of declaration of nullity, there is nodeadline. The last reason is perhaps the most significant.

The Supreme Court got involved because peoplewere going to court in literal droves on the banner ofpsychological incapacity and the trial courts were equallyat a loss to dispose of the cases. The problem was thatthe law does not define what psychological incapacity is,but leaves it to the courts to decide on a case-to-case basis.The mayhem that ensued was epic. At one time, the Officeof the Solicitor General reported that as many as 400 casesfor declaration of nullity based on psychological incapacitywere being filed a day! The nightmare scenario of thisturning out to be a most liberal divorce law was comingtrue…. And so the Supreme Court stepped in.

Enter Molina vs. Molina.

In a few short years, many cases involvingpsychological incapacity reached the Supreme Court,mostly on the vigorous opposition by the Solicitor Generalwho fought valiantly the tide of cases exploiting the law’sambiguity. None has been as significant, however, as thecase of Molina vs. Molina (1997).

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E-Legal ...... continued from page 4

The Molinas were an ideal test case. Mrs. Molinafiled a case for declaration of nullity of her marriage basedon a charge of psychological incapacity against herhusband who, she alleged, failed to fulfill the essentialmarriage obligations, and for being highly immature andbeing habitually quarrelsome. She presented her owntestimony, that of her two friends, a social worker and apsychiatrist. Her husband did not show up during the trialat all.

The case terminated and the trial court declared theMolinas’ marriage void. The Solicitor General, however,decided to fight this and brought the case up to the Courtof Appeals. The Court of Appeals likewise declared themarriage void. And then the case was elevated to theSupreme Court.

Reality Bites

At the time the Molinas’ case reached the SupremeCourt, the number of cases based on psychologicalincapacity was cresting at an all-time high. The irony wasthat, since the Molinas represented a typical case study, italso provided the perfect opportunity for the Supreme Courtto intervene. And so it did.

When the dust finally settled, all prior notions and in-terpretations of psychological incapacity had been sweptaside, and in place was a very rigid criteria which effec-tively disqualified every applicant up to that time. Amongthese criteria were: That the root cause of the incapacitymust be medically and clinically identified and proven byexpert testimony; it must be subsisting at the time ofthe marriage; it must be grave, incurable and permanent,among others.

Such a restrictive verdict pre-empted all would-befilers and, indeed, the number of cases filed based onpsychological incapacity practically went nil.

Before this, countless cases similar to the Molinaswere decided in favor of nullifying the marriage. TheMolinas were just out of luck.

Back to the future

As is the nature of things, the Molinas’ fate was soonconsigned to history and hopefuls once again test thewaters of judicial tolerance by asking the courts formatrimonial reprieve. By this time though, the courts havelikewise mellowed to the concept and a new consensus ofsorts was reached – giving due regard to petitions fordeclaration of nullity that comply with the Molina restrictions,

but little resembling the unrestrained propensity of the goodold days.

What this means for the rest of us

In the numbers game, pre-Molina, the success rateof applications for declarations of nullity based onpsychological incapacity was about 80%. Immediately afterMolina, it was down to about less than 10%. Presently, Iwould estimate it to be about a conservative 15%, to aliberal 25%.

But why, one may ask, even after the clear statementin the Molina case, is the figure of successful applicantsvery low? After all, we may reasonably assume thatpotential litigants should have taken consideration of therestrictions before filing their case. The sad thing is thatfew applicants do.

When the tremors caused by the Molina casesubsided, so did people’s memories. What was left wasthe notion that psychological incapacity was just anotherdivorce-in-disguise, and people acted accordingly.Unfortunately, the restrictions are very real, and so arepeople’s disappointments when they come to court oneday and realize their case became just another statistic infailure.

The truth is, there is no divorce law in the Philippines;and, if the CBCP has their way, there never will be. This iseither a good or bad thing, depending on which side of thesecular fence you’re on. What is important though is thatpotential applicants know about it and so avoid needlessand costly lawsuits; or else find alternative ways to achievematrimonial liberation.

Next issue: The Great Escape And The Other WaysOut

e-mail: mikelimosnero@yahoo.com

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Life’s Colorsby Catherine G. Sunga

I was sorting out some papers that one afternoon inMay the year 2002. In fact it was the only productive thingI thought I could do. I had the liberty to do as I please theentire day for I was jobless. I was terminated from my jobas a Legal Secretary by the Managing Director of the lawfirm I was working for. I made a mistake in sending out adocument to a client and my boss hasdecided that my mistake was so grievousthat I had to be disposed like tissuepaper.

Everything was black and grey thatafternoon as I cleared my desk of whatyou may call ‘abubots’. In my head is apicture of how could I have preventedthe situation from happening and how Iblamed myself for not paying moreattention. But it was too late. My bossdidn’t even have the courage to tell mepersonally that I was fired. He had theFinancial Controller break the news tome an hour after my lunch break. Theoffice boys who grew very fond of mewere teary eyed as I stood up carryingmy box filled with my things, thankedthem for their assistance and bid themgoodbye.

I wish I could erase the memory of that painful daybut it still lingers, to this very moment. As I go through withmy sorting I found my water colored pencils and mysketchbook which I have set aside. I had the urge to makeuse of it since now I had the time. In the middle of thistorment, of not knowing what will happen to my future, Iwas blessed with time. The time to express in color, anythought that I see in my head. A passion whichunfortunately can not be relived every single moment notbecause I don’t want to but because I just won’t have thetime if everything was the way it was.

I guess the situation at that time was not the way itwas supposed to be so I sat and laid my sketchbook onthe table and started to look out for an inspiration. In frontof me was an empty white mug. The mug I used earlier inthe morning to have coffee while I was reading theClassified Ads section of a local newspaper in looking for a

new job. It was empty. It wasempty but in my head I beganto picture it with freshly pickedflowers. It contained flowers ofmy favorite colors. And myhand started to move. Thewater colored pencil, the brushdabbed in water took turns inmy hands maneuver. Timestood still. I was submerged ina very deep state of thought thatfor some time made me forgetthe worries of what’s next tocome. I forgot about the moneythat needs to be sent home atthe end of the month, I forgotabout the bills to be paid, I forgotabout the visa that would becancelled very soon unless Ifind a new job. It made me

forget.

At present, whenever I look at the expression of colorsI have made on that piece of paper. It reminds me of colors.That black and grey day of my life and a thought thattransformed into an image of beautiful colors on that oneafternoon of May 2002.

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In celebration of the 1st year anniversary of the firstjoint gathering of Batch 88 graduates from Boys & GirlsHigh Departments that was held on July 30, 2004 at Pen-cil First office in Makati, the Board of Conveners (BoC)had come-up with the G.I.S. last July 29, 2005 also in Pen-cil First Office but in thier new location on Bautista St., VitoCruz, Manila. The event was aimed to serves as a followthrough fellowship activity and to increase camaraderieamong our batchmates.

There were new comers arrived namely Jorge deGuzman, Noemi Pamintuan and Margarita Ravina. Theparty lasted until 4AM (para sa mga matitibay sa puyatanat malalakas sa inuman...)

Another fellowship activity organized by the BoC was sports oriented in nature, as it is the newest trend and fastestgrowing sport in the country.

The Badminton Fun/Fellowship Games were held in the afternoon of September 24 & October 15, 2005 at PlanetBadminton, J. Victor, Makati City.

Maybe you are wondering why the event was calledG.I.S., its a well known fact that the spirit of San Miguelbrings people closer. Be it on parties or just want to talkthings out. Sabi nga nila, “Iba ang may pinagsamahan”Kaya tagay na!!!

by Randy Datan

by Rene Navarro

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MCS Batch 88 Board ofMCS Batch 88 Board ofMCS Batch 88 Board ofMCS Batch 88 Board ofMCS Batch 88 Board ofConveners (BoC)Conveners (BoC)Conveners (BoC)Conveners (BoC)Conveners (BoC)Chairman : Rene NavarroVice Chairman : Atty. Mike LimosneroPresident : Jasmin Osilla-OrtilloSecretary : Cleo Jalimao-TenorioAsst. Secretary : Anfa Bentilanon- NicdaoTreasurer : Alma FermaConveners : Randy Datan Aileen Ventigan Koi Roxas

MCS Batch 88Mission and VisionMCS Batch 88Mission and VisionMCS Batch 88Mission and VisionMCS Batch 88Mission and VisionMCS Batch 88Mission and Vision

to gather the members of MCS Batch 1988;to serve as the support system of its members throughnetworking, financial and community services; and,to help MCS, our alma mater, in its diverse causes.

MCS 88 Board of Conveners (BoC)L - R: Rene, Jasmin, Alma, Aileen, Cleo, Anfa, Randy and Mike