Notre Dame of Greater Manila Batch 1994 is flying high at 30!

By Jose Guillermo – Sunday Punch

NDGM Batch 1994 is marking its 30th anniversary this year. To celebrate, Sunday Punch correspondent Jose Guillermo shares his heartfelt memories of those cherished high school days. He recounts unforgettable moments that defined Batch ’94, bringing readers back to an era filled with camaraderie, school traditions, and youthful adventure. Guillermo’s nostalgic reflection is a tribute to the shared experiences and lasting bonds that continue to unite this remarkable group.

Wow! Can you believe it? Thirty years since we walked the halls of Notre Dame of Greater Manila—Batch ’94! 

It feels like yesterday we were wearing those uniforms, hanging out with friends, and making memories that would last a lifetime. Sure, some of us have drifted to different places, and some of our batchmates are no longer with us. But they’re always in our hearts, and when we get together, it’s like we’re right back in those hallways.

I still remember my first day in June of 1990, stepping onto campus as a freshman from an Adventist school. 

Notre Dame was a bit of a shock! 

It was the only Notre Dame under the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Metro Manila, right there in the heart of Caloocan. Being Catholic, it felt like home, and it was the closest private school to where I lived. So I quickly found myself becoming part of the NDGM community.

My first section was 1-Daniel, up on the second floor of the high school building. Almost everyone already knew each other, especially those who had come from NDGM’s elementary school. 

At first, I felt a little like the new kid, but with those nameplates we all wore on our chests, I quickly learned names. I remember our classmate, Mr. Marlon E. Batac, and his nameplate: “Batac, M.E.” Funny how details like that stick with you!

And who can forget that July 16, 1990 earthquake? 

Most of us were in class when it happened. I remember our teacher telling us to stay calm, but as soon as we saw students outside the window evacuating, we bolted out of there. Running as fast as we could, we were too spooked to listen to our teacher. It’s a memory that’s hard to shake.

And oh, the chaos of recess! Some guys were so desperate to get to the canteen that they’d jump from the second floor off the railings when the bell rang, all to snag the best food before it ran out. 

With so many students sharing break times, it was every person for themselves. Luckily, I usually brought my own food, so I just watched the madness unfold from the sidelines.

By sophomore year, things felt different. We were starting to really know each other, and the NDGM traditions started to feel like ours. 

Foundation Day in September was everyone’s favorite event. Those three days of fun, rain, and laughter are unforgettable. 

Anyone else remember wading through knee-deep floods around campus? It was almost a rite of passage!

Of course, it wouldn’t be NDGM in the ‘90s without the occasional canteen brawl! The fights weren’t common, but they were enough to keep things interesting! 

There were also different Groups like the Home Boiz Posse, Minor Threat, DRI, and Dirty Dozen and others whom I cant recall the name but they have their own trouble.

Our annual retreats were another highlight—especially at the OMI Retreat House in Quezon City, a place filled with ghost stories. 

People swore they heard ghostly knocks and saw apparitions, and some rooms were rumored to be off-limits because they were haunted. 

Manresa Residence in Banaue was another retreat spot, and it was during these moments that we’d bond the most, reflecting on life and making memories that still make us smile. 

There was also the St Michael Retreat House all the way up in Antipolo. The experience there was also great. There was this big mango tree that looks like a throne and spook the hell out of me as it faces our windows.

One memory that stands out is the time we did outreach in Pampanga after Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991. It was heartbreaking to see the devastation and meet people who had lost loved ones and homes. We went there with relief goods, handing out whatever we could. Seeing entire towns covered in lahar, with people forced to live on hills, left a lasting impression on me.

Field trips were a mix of fun and learning. 

I remember trips to Laguna, visiting a Coca-Cola plant, and a small place where they made paper from grass. That last one stands out because they supposedly supplied Papemelroti with their paper! 

Then there were school events like the battle of the bands and dance contests—anyone remember the Universal Goiter Dancers? We laughed at the name, but those guys could dance!

Music was everything back then. From hip-hop to grunge to rock, everyone had their own style, usually blasting from a Walkman. CDs were just starting to come out, and piracy was still mostly limited to cassette tapes.

After Christmas break, a group of students brought firecrackers to school and set them off in the library, yelling “Happy New Year!” Some even tossed them from the third floor. 

I still laugh thinking about our prefect of discipline, who almost got hit by one. He chased the pranksters, but one guy got caught with the match still in his hand—straight to the office!

Sports events were huge. We had intersection basketball games and NMMAA interschool tournaments. I still remember our championship game against Philippine Chinese High School. We were winning until the fourth quarter when our principal asked us to quiet down. We lost the momentum—and the game. The next day, some of us couldn’t help humming “Kill Joy” whenever we saw him!

One thing our batch missed out on was the JS Prom and grad ball. It was a bit of a letdown, but looking back, we didn’t really need it. We had our own unforgettable memories, the kind that make us proud to be part of Batch ‘94. We were cool kids, part of Generation X, and we made high school something truly unforgettable.

VENI, VIDI, VICI

See you on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 6 PM at High Grounds, QC

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