Memories of Edsa, Cory & St. Scho in a Swatch
MANILA, Philippines – St. Scholastica’s College Manila High School Batch ’86 celebrates their 25th anniversary with the St. Scholastica’s College Watch by Swatch, which was launched last Sept. 10 at The Gallery, second floor, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.
This project started in March 2010. At that time, though the design was not final yet, one thing was for sure — that part of the proceeds of that project would be for a cause in honor of an esteemed Scholastican and the first Filipino woman President Corazon C. Aquino, whose rise to power they have personally witnessed.
In 10 days, the watch was sold out. Kulasas of Batch ’86 share:
Myra Castillo: Proud of my St. Scho Swatch! It’s classy. It’s sporty. It’s blue. Happy that I’m Batch ’86, the main reason why the St. Scholastica’s College watch by Swatch was conceptualized. Never mind if we missed out on having a real grad ball as what was “in” then was to be in EDSA with baskets of sandwiches for the soldiers and the nuns. Think EDSA ’86, Think Cory = Our Swatch.
Ellen Sto. Domingo-Santeco: The minute I wore my SSC Swatch, I was immediately transported back to 1986. Memories of that sea of yellow along EDSA remain vivid to date. It was one shining moment for every Filipino!
Elaine Saul-Baloloy: I am reminded of two things when I wear my St. Scho watch by Swatch: the turbulent yet wonderful year of 1986, and my SSC family. It is just like recalling a part of your childhood, when there was trouble threatening your home and yet you feel safe because your family is there around you. It would be an understatement to say that I am proud to wear my Swatch. It’s my family, I feel safe, I feel at home, I love my Swatch.
Chinky de Leon: My dad, a pilot, was employed by the Romualdezes at the time of the EDSA 1986 revolution. Of course, he prohibited me from going to EDSA, but I disobeyed him! My friends and I went and it was like a fiesta. All I remembered was eating fish balls and cheering with strangers as though we were friends. I love the St. Scho watch because it’s “sporty” — truly reflects the kind of person that I am. I’m proud to have been part of this project.
Vicky Leyson-Bitanga: The year 1986 was a year of change and reform not only for our country, but for me as an individual as well. It was a time of self-realization and transformation from being a girl to a young lady. Opening my Swatch watch was like opening a door to the past. It made me proud of where I came from and who I’ve become.
AC Legarda: The year 1986 was our last year in high school, but it wasn’t at all ordinary as it was a year of uncertainty. I remember my father sitting down with our whole family and talking about our future being bleak. My parents would always bring us to all the rallies especially the ones initiated by Cory. So when Cardinal Sin asked the Filipino people to go to EDSA, we were there from day one to the last day. We even prepared sandwiches and snacks for the soldiers. The atmosphere in EDSA was full of hope and you could really feel the Filipino’s piety and patriotism.
I even celebrated my birthday in EDSA (Feb 24). And when the news broke out that the Marcoses had already fled the country, I prayed silently to God to thank him for the best birthday gift! I will definitely share my 1986 EDSA revolution experience with my children.
Becky Malto-Feliciano: The February 1986 revolution was truly unforgettable for my family because my dad, then an officer of the Philippine Constabulary and working directly under Gen. Ramos, was actually one of the soldiers holed up inside Camp Crame. I remembered thinking to myself: “If we can only make thousands of sandwiches and thousands of wet towelettes (for the people to use if they get teargassed) then the people would stay and protect my dad.” Well, we didn’t get to make thousands of sandwiches and towelettes (though we did make a lot), but the people stayed! To those who went to EDSA in those days, thank you!
Myla Muñoz-Maru: The year 1986 was the year that awakened my consciousness to the realities in our country. Lessons learned: justice finds its way even in death, good always triumphs over evil, freedom must be protected by the people, faith, hope, love and courage are more powerful than guns, goons, and gold. A country changed, people changed, and I became part of the change.
