Happy 3rd Anniversary ! NBI Batch 69-70 The Concept & Its Founding HS days had long gone by – 41 years to be exact yet I can still remember the sweet smiles, recall the teeny-weeny jokes & hear the laughter of the young Mr. & Miss wandering around the campus. HS days, HS days… It was sometime in Oct. 2010 while browsing @ the market when someone hailed. It was my cousin Danny Reyes – a classmate who asked if I still remember Amado. Of course, I remembered. He was TV-viewing @ the tricycle –stand that time. Not sure if he felt the same way, I extended my greetings to which he said he was OK, then returned to the ‘Eat Bulaga’ noon-show. Realization came after a few seconds then I brought out the subject of a reunion. We parted with his pledge to help to the success of such an occasion. And the hunt was on! When we ‘caught’ one, the routine was inquiry of others’ whereabouts & the additional assignment to spread the word. The 1st miting-de-avance took place on Dec. 29, with 21 in –attendance. A follow-up was scheduled on April 25 this year @ my Pentor residence , hopefully a bigger crowd that time if those present each could invite a ‘batchmate’. Of the anticipated ‘double’ in number, a mere 15 answered the call, nonetheless, a motion to hold a ‘reunion’ – the very 1st batch reunion was passed. It would be celebrated in my humble abode & it would be a KKB (kanya-kanyang baon) affair until an alumnus informed classmate Erlinda Vergara. It was fortunate that she loved the idea that, she offered the entire 5th floor of the downtown VM Mall for the event & for good measure, took care of the reception as well. The weather was bad – flooding everywhere come natal day, June 25, 2011, a day after the town fiesta. At the mall, 2 individuals, did final-preparations of the place. ‘Maganda ang arrangement ng venue’- complete lighting & sounds, courtesy of Erlinda’s son-in-law and the food was a king’s banquet. I was having butterflies in my stomach awaiting the appointed hour & then, one by one, classmates & batch mates trickled in, shouting, laughing, hugging & hand-clapping followed- the most touching scene I had witnessed in my whole life. Members of a ‘Lost Command’ welcomed each other with open arms even if names, sections escaped failing memories, savoring the moment & enjoying the company after a very long absence. Pure joy & laughter permeated the hall. The congregation was called to order, held an election of officers to run the group’s state of affairs, then, we played like kids. Many may have appeared faded but at the flick of a hand, went back to the HS spirit. It was in a way a ‘homecoming’, held at an agonizingly-late yet right time at an appropriately fitting if not right place. The rest is history…
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 03:00:09 +0000