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If you've never been to Las Vegas, you've missed the most exciting place on Earth--drums up one travel agency ad in Canada.

Not to miss this excitement, Quezon High Class 68 led another North American reunion, this time a grand slam, the fifth in ten years to include other QPHS/QNHS batches, friends and family members last July 7,8,9, 2000.

Graduates residents from Cologne, Germany; Sydney, Australia, Toronto, Canada; continental USA and direct from the Philippines had the taste of legendary Las Vegas when it sizzles day and night.

The Excalibur, the medieval castle- themed hotel located at the south of Las Vegas Strip was home to the more than 40 attendees who braved the steamy hot temperature of July to reunite with some of their colleagues, classmates, teachers and friends.

"Class 68 had reunions at Los Angeles, Niagara Falls/ Toronto, Canada, New York, Atlantic City, but this time it is different, within 100 meter radius alone where we slept, we're just overwhelmed with so many entertainment galore to chose from", said Bal Yujuico, coordinator for the reunion.

"You can't beat that-- Studio 54 disco, MGM Grand, New York, New York, Luxor and the most successful show in Las Vegas, Folies Bergere at Tropicana are just across" relates Agot Bermudez, coordinator for the Grand Canyon Tour of the group.

Before you know it, this reunion is planning to have the 6th get-together in January 2002 this time straight downunder at Sydney, Australia.

In preparation for the 100th birthday of Quezon Provincial/National High School in 2002, the attendees inked a plan to organize contacts with fellow North American graduates to streamline communication via e-mail for any cause or call from their Alma Mater.

Representatives (East Coast USA, West Coast, Canada, Australia etc) will be announced for each region to coordinate any projects in place.

The COCONUT, official school organ will likewise celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2003. Staffers present in the reunion were also mapping out plans for this milestone.

The school administrators are still to come up with official plan for both celebrations.

Here are some of the interesting sidelights of the reunion:

Attendees include 15 from class 68, 10 from other batches, 6 former teachers,
14 family members and friends. ( a total of 45)

Nick Ramos won $200 in the slots easily. Lost it quick. Won $1,500 and lost $1,300. Net gain, back to $200.

Puro talo ang umattend ng reunion. Otoy Concepcion brought 6 dozens of pan de sal as consolation prizes for the losers.

Coincidentally three couples attending were celebrating their wedding anniversary.

The Natividads and The Reyeses of Sydney, The Pagsuyuins of Atlantic City.

Six former teachers present are: Milwida Sevilla Reyes, Nila Barrantes Abeja, Lourdes Ramos Rafael, Amy Hernandez, Josie Resuma Valdeabella, Mariano Valdeabella. Esmeraldo Palomar could not make it for the last minute due to her 95-year old mother's serious health condition.

Former Physics mentor, Naning Valdeabella who had taught since 1959 generations of the Gamboas, the Magbuhoses, the Malaluans, the Llaves etc etc. forgot his favorite word expressions in high school- UTITA.

Two former upstair/downstair neighbors in Lucena met for the first time- Dennis Lagrosa and Blanky Hernandez since early sixties.

Not to be excluded from the fun, Alice Zoleta Robite '68 even brought with her some neighbors from Woodland Hills, California and family members. Palagi kasing nangangapitbahay eh.

Most funny story award- went to former teachers Lourdes Ramos Rafael and Amy Hernandez who left for USA in 1968. Attempting to rent a car for the first time without driver's license: "What do you mean driver's license?" both asked in exasperation when required by the rental agent. "Don't you include driver for the rental?" they continued. Absolutely, no ma'am, that's only in Lucena.

Agot Bermudez 68 was puzzled when he heard a senior couple inside the shuttle bus talking about the class 68 Las Vegas reunion upon his arrival at McCarran airport….. Mas matanda sa akin sila, hindi ko kaklase ito ah…..but they mentioned Bal's name (reunion coordinator). They were invited former mentors Naning Valdeabella (Class 49) and Josie Resuma who were basking in their sporty and slim looks.

What is Josie Resuma Valdeabella's secret for maintaining slim figure and youthful energy? RELIV, a high quality herbal drink from USA which she markets and lots of TLC (tender loving care) from husband Naning.

Nonoy Magbuhos, class 68 valedictorian and practicing internal medicine physician from Washington DC failed a guess who game when he met some of his former teachers and classmates face to face for the first time since 1968, immediately after his midnight check- in at the hotel. This is his first class 68 reunion ever.

Of the 10 inside the room, he was only able to recognize Noemi Esguerra and former teacher Amy Hernandez. In return, he almost drowned with welcome kisses from both. Para bang nanalo sa Who Wants To Be a Millionaire sa TV. He did not use his three lifelines though- ask the audience, 50-50 or call a friend to help him out. Pinagpapawisan talaga. "I still have my jet lag, so folks pls .forgive me"

Tommy Palanca '67 was handed a copy of The COCONUT April 1967 issue showing a brief description of himself written by former staffer and Las Vegas attendee, Agot Bermudez. '68 He read it for the first time since 1967. It read: "Singing, playing and collecting Beatle records are Bart's hobbies." Hindi na daw ngayon.

Carmen Malaluan Francen '68 flew from the Philippines just for this Las Vegas reunion. She brought with her sister Elenita and husband Ramon Vega Obciana both class 1972, sister Paz Malaluan de la Cruz '65 from Germany came with her son, a tall and dashing teenager.

Reunion attendees attempted to get in the famed Studio 54 disco at MGM Grand. The Saturday night line was still frustratingly long during the wee hours of the morning. On separate occasions, Otoy Concepcion, Nonoy Magbuhoso and Bal Yujuico finally got in. Seny Pagsuyuin, Noemi Esguerra Saboura and Ethel Ramos' patience ended up in the comforts of the Casino at New York, New York and Excalibur instead.

A case of mental telepathy? Same brain wavelengths? Maybe. The reunion attendees were given instruction to converge at the Venetian, the 1.8 billion dollar casino complex, newest in Las Vegas where the planned Strip Night Stroll immediately will begin at 8pm after group photo sessions at Excalibur.

Amidst the frenzy of some 80,000 weekend crowd, the group got separated into splinters as they walked past trendy Ceasar's Palace Forum Shops, The Mirage, Bellagio, Treasure Island etc. With no synchronized sked they found themselves back together after three hours at Excalibur McDonald at exactly midnite . Sa hinabahaba daw ng procession ay sa McDonalds din pala raw ang urong.

Favorite expression during group photo sessions: Bilis, tostado na kami….

The drive back to San Diego after the reunion took 10 hours instead of the normal 4-5 hours due to an overturned truck transversed on the Interstate highway delaying a 35 kilometer long convoy of Las Vegas weekenders for 3-4 hours..

Bal Yujuico brought his 68 high school transcript of records showing 85% mark he got from Physics teacher Naning Valdeabella. "Mataas na yan ah. Hindi ko na puwedeng baguhin ito", Naning seriously pointed out. The videoguy Tots Cuya 68 from Chicago must have captured Naning's face as he explained his grading. Nag-uutita lang po kami.