(By Vera Villocido and Maria Melvic Palac Garces)
Rocking our 40th #HSSHSBatch83 reunion
As I stepped into the function room of Metrocentre Hotel for our registration and breakfast on Day 1, I couldn’t help but feel a whirlwind of emotions engulfing me. It had been four decades since we graduated from the Holy Spirit School of Tagbilaran (HSST), and the excitement and nervousness mixed with nostalgia were overwhelming. The familiar faces of my old classmates whom I havenât seen for some time, now adorned with the marks of time, brought back a flood of memories from our youthful days.
Reconnecting with old friends was a heartwarming experience. Each hug and handshake carried a thousand stories, a thousand lifetimes that we had lived apart, and yet, in that moment, it felt as though we had never truly been apart at all.
There was mix of excitement and bittersweet emotions as we gathered at the new HSST school grounds consisting of new buildings, modern facilities, and expanded parks â a far cry from the school we once knew. The highlight of the visit was at HSS Makerspace and Robolabx where Sr. Soking did a presentation impressing us all and which inspired us to double our donation to our alma mater.
As the day progressed, we laughed and danced at the river cruise at Rio Verde Floating Restaurant, reliving those carefree days of our youth.
Also memorable was a visit to the Holy Trinity Angels Care Home (orphanage) where we donated customized childrenâs beds complete with beddings. This was a living proof of our singing âfor truth in loveâ in high school.
The Eucharistic celebration that I was assigned to prepare was extra special for me because not only was my boss celebrating the mass, but I was also playing the accompaniment and singing at the same time.
The evening socials was a night filled with laughter, tears, and endless toasts to the memories that have stood the test of time. The realization that time was fleeting and that we shouldn’t wait another 10 years to reunite hit us all.
Day 2 was more bonding and sharing and laughing and celebrating the gift of friendship and the joy of togetherness. Rope flowing with the girls was memorable, too, because at this time and age, we need to stay fit and active, and I am hopeful that this encourages everyone to join the movement.
Our 40th high school reunion at the exclusive girls’ HSST was an unforgettable journey down memory lane. It was a celebration of not just who we were back then, but also of the women we had become over the years.
Leaving the reunion, my heart was filled with a mixture of happiness and sadness. Happy for the beautiful moments shared with old friends, but also sad that we had let so much time pass before coming together again. From that day on, I vowed to cherish the connections I had renewed and to try to stay connected, even if it was just through a phone call or a message. Our 40th high school reunion had taught me that no matter how much time passes, true friendship has the strength to endure and flourish. – Vera Villocido
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Photographs and memories
Photography and videography are particularly useful in capturing moments that are worth preserving and cherishing! The volume of photographs and videos shared in our group chat speaks immensely of the overall success of our #HSSHSBatch83 Ruby Jubilee or â40th Reunionâ!
As loud as this documentation manifests, it only catches a glimpse of our individual and group experiences amassed through the delightful encounters, sceneries, and activities! We are blessed and thankful to have participated in the event despite our individual challenges and circumstances!
The program of activities was carefully designed and effectively executed so that the event achieved a dynamic equilibrium, giving importance to our Lord God, Almighty, in a Eucharistic celebration; concern for others by our campus visit at HSST and donating cash to our alma mater, and outreach to the Trinity Angels Care Home Orphanage donating wooden beds and beddings; and fostering genuine camaraderie among us.
The registration and buffet breakfast at Metrocentre Hotel, the river cruise with mouth-watering buffet lunch, singing and dancing at Rio Verde floating restaurant complete with a special tribal representation, the âhalo-haloâ and âhalo-litâ at Buzz CafĂ©, the socials and delicious buffet dinner with lechon pork, the raffling of prizes at Modala function hall, all happening on Day 1 were truly mind-blowing!
As if Day 1 was not enough, this was immediately followed on Day 2 by the gourmet buffet breakfast at Mangaon Ta, pictorials on the beachfront and at Moadto Strip, breathtaking views of the clear blue seas and white sandy beaches in Modala, captivating sunset cruise, and immersion into organic farming and buffet lunch with native lechon pork at Egayâs Farm restaurant.
All these activities were done in comfort and style because an airconditioned bus transported us from one venue to another which allowed for pleasurable sightseeing and animated conversations.
We are grateful to the core group, our organizers, donors and contributors, suppliers, and everyone who made the event worthwhile! – Maria Melvic Palac Garces
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The writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City every Saturday, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. She can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
