About UIC Batch '97

We are members of the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC), class of 1997, approximately the fifth batch of the course program to finish the curriculum in the University. UIC used to be called Immaculate Conception College and became a university when we were freshmen.

We belonged to an era of post-new wave and in the midst of punk rock age; entirely during the administration of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos. Davao City was peaceful and progressive under the leadership of Mayors Rodrigo R. Duterte and Benjamin C. De Guzman. The City registered double digit growth in investments and revenue income.

The President of the institution was Sr. Raphaela Singson of the RVM congregation but her stint during our stay in UIC was short as she was replaced by Sr. Ma Jacinta De Belen. Sr De Belen was then replaced by Sr. Ma Consuelo Alvino towards the end of our term.

Being with the University in its inauguration year as freshmen we were proud to be in an institution that prides itself with talented pool of professionals with excellent educational facilities. UIC is in itself a class of its own in various fields such as Medical Technology, Pharmacy, Education and Engineering. UIC is the first to open our course, Bachelors of Science in Computer Engineering in the whole of Mindanao, a remarkable vision of what's to come in computer technology. The fact that the school opened our course, the industry of computer technology was limited in scope compared to now. By the time we graduated, the Internet Bubble began to grow which triggered further excitement in opportunities in our field.

Our stay in the University has been eventful. We were on our third year when collective bargain agreement between the faculty union and the administration wore off and resulted to a strike and lockout of our classes. A much more tragic event was the rape-slay of a Commerce student supposed to walk with us in the same year of our graduation. A so-called rebellion by student leaders also took place during our reign demanding the ouster of then President Sr De Belen.

Student vigilance grew and as a manifestation to that, student government has evolved from mere handpicked leaders to elected officers by virtue of the then newly-established Student Supreme Government by-laws. Vigilance also spread in the media where the alleged administration dummy, The Collegiate Immaculate (TCI) sought membership to the College Editors Guild of the Philippines. There was also a healthy competition between TCI and SSG-backed University Forum in promoting welfare of students while informing them of current events.

Our class has been taking pride of the fun we shared in the five years we were together may it be in classroom or in any extra curricular activity. We were together to denounce the 1993 bombing of San Pedro Cathedral; we were together on fact finding mission in the hills of North Cotabato; we were together in Super Ferry on our way to Manila and Baguio for our Study Trip as well as in cities such as General Santos; Digos and the outskirts of Davao City; we had fun in the sun at Palm Hill Beach Resort in Samal Island, arguably our last trip together before graduation.

To conclude, we're ready to remember the past and share the present and future with everyone in the group as we collaborate in this website.

About This Site

Hello and welcome to the Internet home of UIC Computer Engineering Class of 1997. We are a family of professionals molded at the University of the Immaculate Conception, in Davao City, the Philippines, bound together with the same set of interests and skillsets. It has been years since we got together and firmly believed that while it's not impossible for a grand reunion to take place in the future, an easier and more convenient way of coming together is by producing a homepage for us.

At A Glance

COLLECTIVE NAME	UIC Computer Engineering Class of 1997
YEAR ENTERED UIC	1992
FRESHMEN SECTIONS	12
SECOND YEAR SECTIONS	6
THIRD YEAR SECTIONS	4
FOURTH YEAR SECTIONS	3
FIFTH YEAR SECTIONS	3
GRADUATION POPULATION	117
CURRENT LOCATION	Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, United States, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, Germany, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Australia
SSG MEMBERS	Anecito Dumdumaya, Elmer Cagape, Edison Escala Vincent Guerra
ROTC OFFICERS	Vincent Guerra, Mark Anthony Contemplo
THE COLLEGIATE IMMACULATE	Melecio Cordero, Ronald Andulana, Elmer Cagape
DEPARTMENT VARSITY	Jose Arevalo Jr, Danilo Quevido Jr, Everette Niog Jumar Donque, Jay Binatero, Gary Binatero, Garizaldy Jaravata, Lawrence Pantalla, Allan Indie, Christopher Sofe, Joannato Sundiam, Jerry Tuston, Joseph Galimpin, Alex Cabang, Eliza Evangelista, Jo Anne Conejos, Ianne Abrasaldo, Novy Saure, Allyn Lyll Amo, Rowena Constantino
UIC MILESTONES	· Introduced the new Computer Engineering wardrobe · Pioneers in the Student Supreme Government · First batch to pursue field trips to Baguio and Manila · Inaugurated Engineering Basketball League
TRIVIA	· Earl Alegre used to model some Davao commercials · Jose Arevalo has worked in Taiwan & Singapore · Rowena Constantino is the only class cum laude · Janafe Suico & Janice Dofeliz are HS Valedictorians · Jonilie Echavez, Rosalie Taga-an, Mary Joy David also   studied in UIC Grade School and High School · Ana May Flores, Ariel Nermal and Mary Ann Beringuil   were the first set of honor students in the Class
MOST VIEWED PROFILES	· Elmer W. Cagape (1496) · Edison Escala (1191) · Everette Niog (1150) · Gary Binatero (1121) · Allan Indie (1099) · Rendell Alpas (1052) · Michael Angelo Cagape (983) · Daisy Balabag (959) · Christopher Sofe (924) · Rizza Rizada (907)

Web Development Team

EDITORIAL BOARD
Elmer Cagape	Raquel Montecillo	Ronald Celestial	Jose Punongbayan Jr
CONTRIBUTORS
Jose Arevalo Jr	Joel Galang	Baldwin Baldos	Raul Ramirez
Amerrynor Malilong	Florrey Pedroso	Psyche Martirizar	Jonilie Echavez
CORRESPONDENTS
Flint Hernaez	Gary Jaravata	Jonilie Echavez	Raquel Montecillo
Vincent Guerra	Bibiano Tee Jr	Amerrynor Malilong	Jose Punongbayan Jr
Joseph Galimpin	Anecito Dumdumaya Jr	Jerry Tuston	Janafe Suico
Ronel Hubahib	Michael Nono	Earl David Alegre	Veda Joy Victorio
Elmer De Vera	Edison Escala	Ana May Flores	Elmer Cagape

Acknowledgments

Thank you: Engr Allan Gierran, Engr Rey Deypalubos, Engr Jun Abad, Engr Leo Usa, Engr Ray Moso, Engr Louis Nadela, Engr Rolando Baes, Engr Erlinda Solito, Engr Ellmar Rosales, Engr Minette Ybanez, Engr Caballo, Engr Magallen, Engr Marife Negrido, Engr Juvenal Bajo, Mr Jesus Reyes, Ms Lumain, Mrs Lucia Escudero, Mrs Agton, Engr De Leon, Engr Ubas, Engr Mercado, Engr Ian Bernales, Engr Randy Gamboa, Engr Raganas and the entire UIC Faculty for implanting knowledge into our brains; nobody can take them away from us; Chris Sofe for forming the Yahoogroups, King and Amy for the articles and photos, Flo, Joshua, Psyche and Joel for being featured in the Q&A, Baldwin and Raul for the news items, Lorellee for the Taiwan info, Jonilie for the article about Makati. Allan, Mark, Raul, Rosamie, Ana May and Baldwin for the baby photos. And those not mentioned but played a part in this endeavor. Mabuhay, Batch97!