Ever so candidly, AJ shares his thoughts about our beloved alma mater – well, maybe not-so beloved for him. AJ may have summed up for many of us adolescent kids in those days, all trying to fit in our new environment, our need to belong to help us define or find our own identities. Our names are an unquestionably important part of our identity. Many of our names are deeply connected and rooted in our heritage and belief systems which in turn provide us that sense of meaning. So what is the origin and who is Aniano Jose?

Genuinely sincere, Renan shares some of the struggles he continually faces in his life and ministry. If anything is constant in Renan’s life, it may be that these challenges are here to stay in this life. But there will be an end to all of this, and that is the promise he dearly holds deep in his heart that he wants to share with all of us here in this week’s episode.

A first step – if not the first step – in becoming the best version of ourselves is an honest look into our lives, while staring into our very own eyes in the mirror as a form of self-reflection. Many times we tell ourselves we are going to change our ways for the better only to never do anything about it. Think New Year’s Resolutions. Judy Grace, on the other hand, sets the example for all of us by first owning up to something, albeit uncomfortable, which is uncharacteristically Judy Grace. Holding oneself accountable is a true mark of excellence in one’s character. This is Judy Grace’s story – Mindful Living: Mindfulness in Times of Excess.

A proud mother of two brilliant young boys, Gemma shares her struggles in raising both of them on her own during the most impressionable years of her boys’ lives. Solely figuring out things her boys may need is no easy task. This, on top of making a name for herself in her industry to make sure she can provide a good quality of life for her family, can exhaust even the strongest person in all of us. This is Gemma’s story – “Shock and Awe: And Muling Paglipad ni Super Nanay.”

When an illness enters the home, what does someone who is a wife, a mother and a bank executive -- all rolled into one -- do to make sense of it all in the midst of crucial times both at home and in the office? Things couldn't have been more ill-timed with a bank merger on the horizon where Irma had so much on her plate to do the bank's due diligence when the news broke out about her husband's health. There was no time to think. Decisions had to be made. This was not an easy time in her life both personally and professionally. Irma might bend but not break. This is Irma's story.

Batch '87's very own Stormin' Norman tells his life's story of constant change (or it may even be viewed as a story of uncertainties at first). Make no mistake, however, one thing is for certain -- Norman's determination. And despite the detours in his life and a few provocations life is known to throw at people, Norman makes sure that those who matter most in his life take center stage. The role he chooses to live may be viewed as out of the norm by many. Nevertheless, it is without a doubt that the sacrifices he's made and continues to make all lead to a life-fulfilled. This is Norman's story.

A bonus micro episode from the Pauline episode.

The Little Punk Rock Girl of Batch '87 takes us on a journey of her life aboard luxurious cruise ships, sailing the high seas. For seventeen years she enjoyed the travel aspect of the work she did, but she also had to weather some of the not-so good things that happen onboard before docking herself on land forever to focus on being a mother -- a dream which didn't come without its set of challenges. This is Pauline's story.

Sharlene shares her story of determination to face her fears in life, not letting any of those fears stop her in her tracks. And while her transition into living in the U.S. with her entire family might appear to be an easy transition, it didn't come without a couple of things that shocked her in her early twenties and in her late forties. Living now in her Golden Years, Sharlene is ever more wiser and in harmony with her whole being, and it shows. She lives her life her way -- a beautiful life of exuberance. This is Sharlene's story here on There Are '87 Stories -- A Batch '87 Podcast with Dr. Roger and Jeremy.

A listener sent in a question around the subject of "Happiness." It's the one thing that many people seek in life. The subject can be a full episode in itself. However, this is a quick 5-minute episode on what makes us -- the three of us, Roger, Sharlene and I -- happy.