Elaine's December 29 Diary

by Elaine Joy P. Gador

So what happened during the Dec 29 Alumni Homecoming? It was really hard work for Batch 82 to have done a whole day affair. We learned a lot from that experience or rather that day. It was, however, a great relief that the sun shone the whole day after continuous rain of at least 3 days already. Grabe jud ang prayers sa mga pipol oi.

Only Homer & I (with our 2 sons, of course) representing batch 83 attended the morning mass. Well, we had to because Chit called us the night before that we will be offering. We had to rush for something to offer the next day `coz we thought we would just be assigned the candles or something there. We ended up offering cakes from Anita's (kay mao ramay maagi-an ug open na) while the only other offerors (Mike & Beverly Pato) brought Mompo wines.

After the mass or when the program was starting a fire ignited on one of the electric fans. Everything had to be stopped for a fire extinguishing event. It was really memorable but still did not dampen the spirits of everyone. In fact, picture-taking lang gihapon with the fire. ( he he he) Later on, however, gipaningot na ming tanan ky wa nay electric fans nga mingandar.

Then arrived Benedict a.k.a. `Dodong Banquil'. Wow! Nakapolo ang atong Dean. Lipay kaayo si Sir Juni nakakita ug additional sa atong batch. Way libog si dodong, palit dayon ug tickets for Homer ug register dayon didto sa alumni membership table.

Batch 82 hired a good host from USJR, kaila pa jud ni dodong. He was very good considering he had no background of our `upbringing' in science hi. Interview niya ang mga pipol didto. Suroy-suroy jud sya with his cordless microphone unya game man sad ang mga pips kay pa interview sad.

Wa jud madayon ang releasing of balloons or doves because of the reactions from our environmentalists and medical professionals. So the opening ceremony in the gym was with the bursting of balloons by children of alumni and popping large party poppers.

Part of the program was the giving of Certificates of Appreciation of our then teachers. Some of the teachers did not get the invitation, I heard, nevertheless we were happy with the presence of Mrs. Creus, Mrs.Samson, Mrs. Canindo, Mr Juni, Mrs. Conejos, Ms. Vicvic (admin) and Mr. Nacua.

Lunchtime came so balikbalik mi palit ug chits to be used to buy food. But it was not a `fund-raising business' for batch 82 coz everything was sold at actual cost of their concessionaires.

Then arrived Manfred with a thick brown envelope of letters ready with his proposal for the Wall of Achievers. All business talk dayon atong Presidente with teachers, the school principal and alumni officers. Maayo kay approve dayon and I left them with Gigi Franza signing the letters prepared by Manfred. ( I apologize for the ‘wrong entry’ of name in my previous email on this. I really meant Gigi Franza as President of the Alumni Foundation. Gerty was and is always there to assist Gigi with all her hard work for the Foundation).. I had to go home to get the Magic sing kay pakantahon jud nila si Homer. Si Dianne man unta to pero wa man jud moabot hangtod sa gabii. Batch 82 even contacted her ahead to also sing with the band pro wa man moappear.

Anyway there was the presentation of their CAT officers and Cheering Exhibition of the 2nd and 3rd yr students. When I came back games na. Batch 83 was with the Blue Team. Akong naapilan kay Maria & Mario Went to Town na. We started out in 1st place but ended last. Unsaon ang atong Arlene Rivera kay very hinhin man diay. But it was fun & nakadawat gihapon mi ug consolation prize nga dominoes & cd holders.

Only three batch idols were there, Dr. Emerson sang and Mr. Espina had a ballroom dance with a batchmate (wait… I might have interchanged the names). Anyway, wa jud ka kanta si homer ky wa man niwork ang magic sing. Wa sad ang band na set-up pa. mayo na lang gain pud kay kung nakakanta pa to, manguli jud siguro tanan (he he he).

Niabot na pud diay si JJ Cirunay, Normina & Ricardo (with family). Pinirmahay intawon ni Tetchie sa 50 tickets assigned to Ricardo D. Gigi's mom (Donya Concordia) won the DVD. I remember 2 prizes won by Batch 76 which included the TV.

After the announcement of batch idol winner we all sang the Alma Mater song holding hands together forming a huge circle. That was quite touching for the few alumni who joined the singing kay hugging & hand-shaking man. At last nag sugod na ang band playing while we dined. There were also performances from Batch 77, 82 and other batches.

Finally, dinner time na kay niabot na among lechon. Timing pud niabot sila Delight & Danny, nadugangan mi ug pork barbecue. Lami baya ang lechon labi na kay init-init pa. Unya kay busog na, impatient na kayo mi sa turnover of responsibility para makalakaw na mi.

After some chika chika, we all went to Starbucks BTC (Banawa Town Center... it's a local joke) at around 8:30 pm. Dante texted that he was at the school campus but when I called him immediately when I got the message he already went home and dili na daw sya makabalik kay close Cabreros.

Well, we ended late at night with a lot of accomplishments bisan gadukaduka na. It turned out to be a good day and evening after all. Thanks to Batch 82 for hosting the 2007 grand homecoming! And see more of you for this year's reunion.