As planned, the UCHS Batch ’65 Diamond Jubilee 2025 Yearbook (134 pages) came out today, according to Atty. Mario P. Bravo, co-chair of the Diamond Book ’65 Yearbook Committee High school reunion.

The Yearbook was delivered to Urdaneta City by Rene Ico, owner of the ICOR Printing Press based in Santa Barbara, Pangasinan that was contracted by the committee to print their yearbook this year.

The traditional grand high school reunion held every year sponsored by the Urdaneta City National High School Alumni Association, Inc. (UCNHSAAI) led by its current president Urdaneta City Councilmember Aurelio “Auring” L. Agsalud will be on November 29 (Parade around the city) & November 30 (Gala Night), 2025. The UCHS Batch ’65 Welcome Party will be held on November 26, 2025 at the Balikbayan Hall, Cultural Center, Urdaneta City starting from 3:00 pm with Hawaiian Motif/Attire.

“Early planning paid off,” Atty. Bravo said. “The committee started as early as August this year based on the planned schedule of activities crafted by our chairman Prof. Elpidio R. Estioko (based in Milpitas, California, USA) who religiously presided over our weekly online meetings through our messenger account, the Diamond Book ’65 Group Chat,” he continued.

Other members of the Yearbook Committee that made things possible included Batch ’65 President Luzviminda “Minda” V. Tomines, Outstanding Alumnus Jose “Joey” D. Sumait based in Chicago, USA, Batch ’65 Past President Arsenio C. Dulay, San Diego-based Eliodoro “Greg” Calacsan, and Urdaneta-based class officer Judina “Judy” Cadiente.

The committee likewise recognized the efforts of some batch mates who acted as guests during meetings in the persons of Canada-based Fe Malagayo Alluri; also based in Canada Rosalinda Tangalin Santos who designed the cover of the yearbook; San Diego-based Victoria “Vicky” de Gala Calacsan who single-handedly solicited ads abroad; and Urdaneta-based officers Tita Umipig, Aida Moreno Ambrosio and Herminia G. Mendoza.

Urdaneta City Mayor Julio F. Parayno 111, in his message said: “It is with great pleasure to greet you, the Urdaneta Community High School Batch ‘65 as you celebrate your Diamond Jubilee Reunion this year. Your theme – Rekindle, unify old ties, Urdaneta Community High School Batch 1965 FRIENDS FOREVER is a strong message of commitment, when you think back of our time in your prestigious alma mater, you are reminded of the connections that you forged – connections that extended beyond classrooms and textbooks… Cheers to the bonds that foster unity and the bright future that we will create together.”

Some features of the yearbook include articles reminding us of our high school years, reminiscing past memories, witnessing the transformation of the school and observing the rise and involvement of the graduates in the mainstream of society.

“A Living Legacy: Urdaneta City National High School (1965 – Present)” written by Atty. Mario Bravo tells us that the 1960s marked a period of transformation and expansion for Urdaneta’s premiere secondary school Urdaneta Community High School steadily growing in enrollment and facilities reflecting the unwavering commitment to education. He recited success stories of Batch ’65 graduates in their chosen fields and how they are contributing to the community.

Fe M. Alluri’s “Reunion Reminiscences” describes how reunions enabled our graduates in mingling with the people, visiting places we love and reminiscing the memories we made. She considered herself lucky because she experienced such best things in life, making and keeping many friends in high school, in the university and in places she worked. She enumerated going out with former classmates and friends going out and visiting beautiful places they enjoyed during their high school days.

Simeon V. Calacsan, Jr. article “There but Not There: A Boyhood Reflection” talked of Batch ‘65 graduates whom he said served as his inspirations in life to succeed because of their impact in his life. He talked of people in his neighborhood of Calle Garcia who all were graduates of Batch ‘65 and reflected on how their actions served as examples in his life and how he admired them the most as they shaped his future.

Of course, Elpidio R. Estioko’s article “Reunions Break Boundaries, Alumni part of a family” spoke of Batch ’65 graduates who were everywhere in the world, but decided to go back and joined the reunion thereby breaking boundaries for them to attend and be with their former classmates and batchmates in high school. He talked of alumni, local or foreign, who anxiously waited for the day of the reunion for them to be able to attend with pride and dignity despite their busy schedules and their proximity from their alma mater.

Eliodoro M. Calacsan and Victoria Benito de Gala-Calacsan article “1965-2025: 60 Years of Memories” speaks of how unforgettable time it is to be young in 1965 being the year of the Beatles, Elvis Presley – the year of excitement and full of surprises. Their article also reminded people that education could open doors that’s why she and her husband went to school and got their degrees to succeed in life. They lauded Batch ’65 – to the past that that shaped us, the present that gathered us, and the future that will await us!”

Another article by Elpidio R. Estioko titled “A Reflection: Best Friends Forever (BFF)… Right?” talks of Batch 65 graduates being BFFs (best friends forever) despite being dispersed and separated by physical boundaries all over the world. They are so close that wherever they are, they consider themselves as members of an extended family and finding a way to meet despite the distance to be together and be able to reminisce their high school days.

Happy Diamond Jubilee to all Batch ’65 and happy and enjoyable reunion to all graduates of Urdaneta City National High School!

See you all on November 26, 29 & 30, 2025 during the Grand High School Reunion!

Mabuhay tayong lahat!

(Elpidio R. Estioko was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and an award-winning journalist here in the US. He just published his book Unlocking the chain of Poverty: In Pursuit of the American Dream which is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Xlibris Publishing. For feedbacks, comments… email author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com).