Naughty or Nice, Martinians Unite for the 2nd Time!

Back in the 70s, there was this school that stood proud among the other schools in Pasig. It was a school where public transportation was scarce and at the same time, it sits right on top of a plateau. It overviews the entire valley or as we call it, the industrial city of Pasig. It was St. Martin Technical Institute.  The school where the term discrimination was never heard of.
It was a tough school. There was a time when a Martinian is in a mall or shopping complex, everyone will know about it. Schools like Lourdes, PCC, Ateneo, La Salle would unite against a Martinian, but won't dare touch one if they know there are several scattered all over the place. They know that the students of St. Martin are united by brand, that the brotherhood and sisterhood that each one has. They're protective of each other. So in cases where something goes wrong and you're up against one Martinian look again. They're everywhere!

The same is true in the professional world.When you know you're dealing with a person from St. Martin, they'll listen only to a fellow Martinian. They're born stubborn and with a strong disposition in life.You have to be tough in school because that's the atmosphere we have. The bathrooms explode with locally timed firecrackers that everyone in school knows how to make. Water bombs and pranks are very common, and everyone is proud to say that we survived them all. The school accepted any student in need of education. The students that other schools won't give a chance will have a second home in St. Martin and they are welcomed well as a brother. All this changed when the government bought the school and improved the grounds. They converted the place as a government institution for higher education and kept the facade of the buildings and how each room looks like. The big trees that grew there survided, I'm not quite sure about the berry tree that we love climbing. When the school closed, everyone was taken by surprise. In just one click the old school is gone...
After several years, the Martinians got together again. This time, one by one, we regrouped ourselves in Facebook and became one big organization again. Thanks to Willie Robles and all the efforts of our fellow brothers who are not living abroad. Then later, they organized a reunion and it was attended properly and because of time constraints, there were familiar faces that didn't make it. As a result, a 2nd Grand reunion was organized. This time in the old home. In the same grounds that we all grew up in. At first we thought it was impossible. But Martinians will make things happen. Months and months of planning paid off. Everything was set for a grand assembly.

Wow! you should see the place. The familiar faces all started coming between 2 to 4. Early dinner was set and a program was all arranged. Every year level was represented. Everyone talked about their personal adventures and misadventures as a student of this great school. The plus factor was having some pioneer teachers around like Miss Empe and Mr. Calacal. They brighten up the evening. Each student had their chance to thank the old teachers for their efforts to teach us. We didn't understand it at first but eventually we later found out that their efforts on us was worthwhile. Each Martinian in that party became somebody. No matter how big or how small each one's accomplishment was, it doesn't matter. A Martinian's virtue is being resourceful. We produce when there's nothing and we survive the changing times. To all my brothers and sisters in St. Martin Technical Institute, I love you all and may the spirit of St. Martin be with you always and forever!