MARCH 1997 7,k GLOW March 1997 The Glow 33 Class Prophecy My soul is thirsting for sips and whiffs of modern civilization, to share with and shower my values and capabilities on my hometown Cabatuan. Indeed, I am what I am, because of her. Last December 1996, I spent my Christmas vacation in the land of my birth, Davao. On my trip back home, I took a ride in a PAL jet and it took us only one and a half hours to reach Iloilo domestic airport. While we, Iloilo-bound passengers, where inside the plane's cabin, a hidden, soft and clear, female voice, announced that the plane was ready to take off in a short while. The same voice advised us to fasten our seat belts. A moment later the plane's engine roared and began moving speedily. The next thing I knew, was that we were in the sky up and up and away. This time, I noticed that the passengers momentarily were in silence. I joined them with eyes dosed and suddenly I fell into a deep slumber. I was holding a conference with my staff in my office in Beijing, China, when a messenger handed me a message coming from Hon. Stephen Baldeviso, municipal mayor of Cabatuan. The message was an invitation to the official proclamation of Cabatuan as a new chartered city in the Philippines. On the same occasion will be the official conversion of Cabatuan Polytechnic College to Cabatuan State University. The joint affair will be by: Noel A. Tolentino Jr. graced by the presence of the President of the Philippines, Her Excellency, President Beulah Grace Portillo. The grand occasion is slated on April 9, to coincide with the Foundation Day of the Municipality of Cabatuan. In the evening, before I slept, I opened my T.V. set. In a short moment, CNN news reports came in. It was Mr. Melecio Angelo Jr. who anchored the evening's news reports around the world. Coincidentally, his reports included the newly opened Cabatuan International Airport in the Philippines which can accommodate 60 planes and several Boeng Aircrafts everyday. Overjoyed of the news, I gasped and exclaimed to myself "Wonderful... Cabatuan is now in the limelight!" Eager to witness and get involved in the historic events of Cabatuan, I reported to my office early the following day and filed a 3-day leave. I then, sent a reply to Mayor Baldeviso that I accept his invitation and my arrival would be on April 8, at 8:30 AM. Hence, I soon found my way home. I have booked my flight on a Boeng aircraft which had made a brief stop-over at Singapore International Airport. Late in the evening, in the lobby of Singapore's terminal, I met six of my former classmates, Batch '97, with bags of goodies and ready for home with the same purpose. Mind you, they were the first to greet me in chorus "Hi Noel, we are glad to meet you." They were Razel Mondia, Julie Gay Blason, Ma Renee Acanto, Kieth Garret Lauresta, Artemio Supeda, and Paul Elvic Razalan. From the pre-departure area of Singapore terminal., up to our seats inside the Boeing Aircraft, we were so gay and hilarious that the spirit of camaraderie was very cordial just like the one we enjoyed during our high school days. On the early morning of April 8, the sun was shining brightly when our plane finally touched down at Cabatuan International Airport The check-out inspection was short and orderly. As we entered the terminal building, we were handed a small booklet, "This Is Cabatuan." Actually the booklet contains a list of various tour packages being offered. It also contains detailed description of places and events to see. Incidentally, the fellow who distributed the booklet was my former classmates, Ma. Christine Amoto, Officer-in-charge of the Department of Tourism with sub-office at Cabatuan Intl. Airport. After I was cleared by the Customs Bureau, I found out that the persons who signed my clearance slip were my batchmates: Mr. Marc Prieto, Chief of the Bureau of Customs and Ms. Rowena Panadero, Asst. Chief of the same department. The airport terminal building is big, spacious and completely installed with airconditioning units. Passengers and tourists with