Philip Ocasio:  

Life I graduated from Ben. Franklin H. S. in Jan. 1971. I was supposed to graduate with my class in June 1970, but because I was missing a grade in language I missed that graduation, but ironically I performed with the school band and watched as everyone else marched down the aisles for their ceremony. To rebel, I did not stand for the pledge of allegiance nor did I sing our national anthem. I was that angry with the school system and remember looking right at my Italian Language teacher as I played my solo to People Got To Be Free with the school band. She had such a sorry look on her face, like to say, I should have made an effort to help this student, but she didn't. She did not care, as many other teachers, not only at our HS but many of the city schools of NY. I paricipated on the Track team, Mr. Goldburg was our coach. (Just got to see Mr Goldberg at out reunion this year of 2013, also Mr Meyers) Competing in the High Hurdles, 60 and 100 events. With only two months of practice, came in third place at the all city track meet at the armory in Manhattan. In the spring I ran the 220 yrd dash and the running broad jump, did very well, but my main talent came in music. I recorded with the Benjamin Franklin High School Senior Band with Mr. Horace Donnell. I really miss those days and would give anything to relive them and correct many mistakes I made, but then again, don't we all...LOL I attempted to attend Lehman college, only to get myself involved with some radical group called the Young Lords, my girl friend became pregnant, and compiled with the seek program losing much of its funding through Reaganamics, remember him? that I lost my funding through the seek program. I then join the ranks of the blue colar workers and trained to become a Class Ten machinist at the WashBurn Wire Company, if you remember it was right across the street from the school, there I obtained my class 10 machinist status. Made a very good living and lived at 519 east 117th street for while, and moved to my old building where I lived before at 429 east 117th street. I also played with the top Latin Bands. The LeBron Bro. Ray Rodriquez, Yambu, Cimaron, King Nando, Steve Colon, Orq. Cima, and many others till 1979, became a born again Christian, Then married and have 4 children to date. I tried so hard to record Christian CD's and was confrounted with more resistance then, that Li couldI imagine. It would have been easier to record in the secular world than in the church where the indifference was the norm for musicians that could read music. I've had my small business in Pest Control since 1978, and I have done much with my life and the business, I thank God for all he has done for me. I went back to college in 1995 and obtained my bachelors degree in music, taught music at Community School 211 in the Bronx for 3 1/2 years, but my music program was cut, and I was let go till I can become certified by taking the 2 tests I needed to pass. I've passed 1 and need one more, the ATS-W. Update... I passed the AST-W, and may work in the Florida School Education System. Once I'm certify I'm thinking of teaching in Westchester County till I move to Florida. If I can teach in Spanish Harlem where I grew up, all the better. I've had my share of up and downs through out the years and remember very fondly the years when I attended Ben. Franklin H. S., and the many friends, the talent shows and the many performances I performed in, including the School Prom in the Gym in 1970 with a couple of bands. I'm still performing and playing the saxophone, only now I play 16 instruments and plan to either reorganize either a Christian or Latin Jazz Quintet. I'll have to pray on this issue. Update.... I have chosen to play with a Latin Rock Group Named Sequida, and a big band called the jumpstart big band. I have become an avid Metal Detectorist. I have also appea...Expand for more