From the inbox
Forty-three (43) years ago, Mr. Cicero A. Bernales wrote a letter to the editor and it was published in the October 25-31, 1982 issue of this paper.
The letter with the title “Tribute to a teacher” was the reaction and recollection of Mr. Bernales after this paper published a profile article about Mrs. Conchita D. Bibit, his English teacher at the then Capiz High School.
Mr. Bernales also mentioned key figures from his Capiz High School Class of 1959.
Here’s a follow-up to his original letter written in 1982:
July 2, 2025
Dear Editor:
Greetings from the Land of Aloha!
By now in the year 2025, our English teacher extraordinaire Mrs. Conchita D. Bibit has passed away a long time ago.
Our valedictorian Sister Dolores Aranda, nee Lolita Aranda, is still a nun somewhere in Iloilo province (that I know of anyway).
Roberto Barrios passed away about 20 years ago. He was a lawyer and later a high-ranking judge.
Edgardo Navarra also passed away a few years ago. He retired as an automotive engineer at Ford Motor Co. in Michigan, United States.
Romeo Bocala, a cardiologist (MD) has probably retired by now from practicing medicine. If he is still practicing, my apologies! The last address I know of him is in Albany in upstate New York, United States.
And myself, Cicero A. Bernales, I have retired. I worked as a chemical engineer, a nuclear engineer, and a research & development engineer in the United States. I worked for a total of 45 years in five (5) different industries: cosmetics, chemicals, metals, nuclear power, and food. I now call Hawaii my home.
As I said 43 years ago, I am sure the rest of the members of the Capiz High School Class of 1959 have achieved their respective goals in life—wherever they may be.
All our teachers then at Capiz High School did a pretty good job! No, make that an excellent job in preparing us for the challenges of the outside world.
Sincerely yours,
Cicero A. Bernales
Kailua, Hawaii
