Hello SMS Alumni,

   Like the lofty idyllic setting of your school, the way you  raise funds to sustain SMS is indeed a spectacle to behold.  With some batches sponsoring the salaries of your teachers, with Manong Bomie (Rufino) spearheading the golf fund-raising, and with your selfless and devoted principal and his assistants transforming the school into world-class, SMS should continue flying high. (I will no longer say- second only to Bauko Catholic School he he). 

    I gave though an unsolicited advice to Manong Bomie to consider incorporating the school into a stock corporation and offer at par the 60% majority block to the SMS alumni and other Sagadians while the rest will be sold at a premium to your corporate and benevolent patrons.  This way, each year will no longer depend on donations but rather on the initial capital raised as well as on capital calls on stockholders when necessary.    That's looking at the long term viability.  And the best way to do it is now that SMS is the darling of civic-minded companies within the circle of Manong Bomie's influence.  Of course, a separate foundation can be organized to accept donations. 

    About golf, the Igorot golfer sensation Ver Bucat (Sagada Builders) and my friend Fernan (I-tadian) really dwarfed us with their incredible scores.  I enjoyed though my flight with Cong Domogan, Cong Agiaw of Kalinga, and Arnel Peil (I-mainit who is also a  land dev contractor doing mostly projects for Ayala through his AIP Const. Inc.).  While Arnel got the longest putt award and I managed to scrape the longest drive award, Ver and Fernan (who are partners vs. me and Manong Bomi in our almost regular Friday Hi-Lo match), really showed that Golf is a game meant for the Igorots.  As Edwin Bobo said, we were honed in our youth to swing those 'wasay', 'bangig', 'gabyon'.  That makes us also good in ball room dancing despite those shapely leg muscles ('butoy'). 

    Again, congratulations to your concerted effort to keep SMS not only a beacon of excellence but also of Igorot cooperation.  That spilled over to infect even foreigners who donate much everytime they are mesmerized at how Manong Bomie at 67 can swing his golf driver like a 49er. 

Harry Paltongan