Batch 97 is well known in many aspects. Talking about who’s who in the batch, you may as well be confused who is the most popular. Vincent Guerra may qualify as he is almost everywhere, along with the equally gutsy Anecito Dumdumaya (Jr) in the field of leadership and exemplary patience or Marlon Pabilona who may well be a man coveted for his looks and demeanor, not to mention his expertise in software development even while still in the University. Rosalie Taga-an can also be a strong bet while being popular not only in the Engineering family but also with the academe as a whole, being able to study in UIC for the past 16 years or so. Darkhorses Allan Indie or Jay Pabualan are often recognizable too.
But nobody is more recognizable than Jose. Jose who? Jose Arevalo. Yes you got it right and that’s not a typo.
Jose Arevalo (R) with fellow Batch 97 classmate Ana Mae Flores-Arnaiz.
Born as the only boy of the three children of Florencia and Jose Sr, Jose finished his primary education at San Roque Elementary School before finishing secondary at Davao City (now National) High School. While studying he spent time helping his mother earn a living by selling banana cue, pan de sal and vegetables in the neighborhood. While his older sister pursued Nursing, he decided to take Computer Engineering. UIC, along with AMA Computer College, was then the only school which offered Computer Engineering.
Thus he joined his fellow City High schoolmates Mary Ann Pajarillaga, Janice Dofeliz, Raquel Montecillo, Mary Ann Beringuil, Elaine Valenzuela, Baldwin Baldos and Jose Punongbayan Jr among others who comprise 12 freshmen sections, then the biggest group of aspiring computer engineers, now more aptly termed as IT professionals.
In school, he quickly got into the thick of events. He joined the Engineering Cheering squad for almost every year, even running the 100m dash in the 1996 staging of the UIC Intramurals. And winning it. Apart from being an active member of several clubs, he also is active in the class, whether it’s serious business or joke time. For he values love and friendship that much, he has gained and truly valued friends. He considers his sister Josephine as his closest friend along with long-time pal Lorellee Bacuag, fellow batchmates Oscar ‘Jun’ Barabona Jr and Harold Daron. From College, Jose did not hesitate to try sailing to Manila and try his luck there even if he tried working in Davao. As others would say Manila is a place for the hardworking people, it’s indeed a suitable place for Jose. He worked as Systems Engineer for Quest Technologies before moving to NM Computer Enterprise as Technical Administrator. By April 1999, he left for Taiwan. As he would quote his favorite line: dare to dream!
There, he worked for two years and enjoyed the company of batchmates Regiette Tecson, Malou Trespeses, Henry Serafica, Pamela Anne Estevez, Jay Maraug, Florrey Pedroso, Oscar, Glenn Albarracin, Baldwin, and Lorellee among others. Taiwan, after three years continued to be a top destination of the batch accounting for more than half of the total number of expatriates from the class through the years, which seemed enviable to the loner types in the US, Germany and Hong Kong. Singapore is far second.
Q and A Proper
Where do you hear Mass on Sundays?
Most of the Sunday we go to Good Shepherd Church (Singapore) together with some of our batch mates Joel (Galang) and Rendel (Alpas). The place is so solemn.
Are you the chef in the house?
Yes, I normally cook some basic Filipino style dishes like adobo, sinigang, ginataan, afritada, etc.
How far is your Office from home and how do you get there?
About 30 mins to travel I think. I usually take the bus from home which stops at the MRT station, then, train going to MRT station near to my working place then take another bus to my office. Sounds troublesome right? But it’s normal here there’s traffic congestion to worry.
What is you favorite ice cream flavor?
I really love mango and durian… but sad thing I can’t find the same taste that we had.
Jose Arevalo at the cover of an unpublished magazine. Kidding.
Ally Mcbeal, because I can project myself in the movie. I also like, The Amazing Race and Survivor.
Who do you talk to before you hit bed?
Butch because he is my roommate.
Where do you go to after office?
I go straight home and cook for our Dinner. Then I go swimming later or watch TV/VCD/listening to music together with my housemates.
Are you dating anyone currently?
Currently? Gosh what nationality you want to know first? (giggles)
Favorite place for date (park, moviehouse, elegant restaurant or beach)?
PARK I think. Right, Amay?
Any other countries visited?
Taiwan and Malaysia. And I am planning to visit Hong Kong this December.
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
Probably LOVE and FRIENDSHIP; I don’t think you are somebody unless you have close group of people around you who love you for who you are.
What do you think is your best asset?
My “sweet and irresistible” smile (smiles)
Has anyone commented on your eyes before?
Once when I was in High School, one of our neighbors said that my eyes could kill a woman. I was wondering what on Earth that meant. Yah, people do tell me that
once in a while, but not “woman” anymore,“gay” killer instead..
What kind of friends you would like to have?
Any kind. I am a person who believes that FRIENDSHIP doesn’t have any qualification it just a matter on how they present their self in a very natural way.
Do you see any difference between being a teenager and being 26?
The thinking. As a person becomes more mature, his perspectives change. More responsible I guess.
How do you stay contented with what you have?
Greed will kill. What happens when you become greedy? You tend to want more things in life. I’m very fortunate, not because of the things that I own but because of the fact that I am normal. Normal means that I have my limbs; a thinking mind, feelings, and a compassionate heart.
Are you perfectionist?
Absolutely not! In life there’s no 100%. When you know it’s the time to stop, you stop.
Do your friends see you as someone who is more successful than them?
I don’t think so. Because I’m not!
There he goes, my bet for The Most Popular Batch97 pal.
