(By Ma. Jane Tabalong Ydulzura, Nelda Relamida, Vera Villocido)
#40in23!
Celebrating life four decades following our high school graduation is such a great blessing! I had no contact with classmates nor schoolmates since 1983 as I got busy working my way through college and social media was unknown then. So, when Facebook thrusted itself into our consciousness, we somehow got reconnected with each other!
But nothing beats a face-to-face get-together! Meeting all of you in person, feeling your warm embrace and your stories of past and present experiences, will forever be etched in my heart.
Our time together brings back memories of field trips, celebrations of feast days, intramurals, and high school days. I hope we will all be blessed with good health until our next round of reunions.
To our classmates who went ahead of us, I’m sure they are looking from above and are happy for us, too! We surely miss them. And for those who were not able to attend due to distance, work, and other reasons, we hope to see you next time. Let’s go for GOLD! – Ma. Jane Tabalong Ydulzura
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Reliving #HSSHSBatch83
Celebrating Holy Spirit School High School (HSSHS) Batch ’83 “40 in 2023” creates an opportunity to connect and catch up with people you have not spoken to in years. Seeing classmates after forty years was indeed a happy occasion!
I have lost contact with most classmates since we graduated from high school at our beloved Alma Mater – HSS-Tagbilaran City. I have joined two reunions of our batch in the past, but this year was entirely different! Kudos to the organizers led by Rosario Chatto.
The core group gathered almost forty out of the more than ninety batchmates. It was so far the most attended #HSSHSBatch83 Reunion!
The first day gave us a glimpse of the new HSS of Tagbilaran campus. I missed the old one! Who wouldn’t, huh! However, the new campus offers technological competency skills and educational programs congruent with the HSS mission. The batch handed part of the raised funds to our alma mater which is our way of giving back to the institution that helped fashion us into the productive adults that we are now.
We had our lunch at a floating restaurant along the tourist packed Loay River. We enjoyed the view and the yummy assortment of food and thereafter had our outreach at Little Angels Orphanage in Alburquerque, Bohol. We had been there in past reunions hence it was nice to return and see the improved facility. It touches my heart to see the little ones.
We ended the day with a Holy Mass and spent the rest of the night dancing and laughing.
Fun, poses, and clicks summarized the second day spent with glee and laughter. We wrapped up the event with an orientation and lunch at Egay’s Farm in Dauis, Bohol, owned and operated by our batchmate Marilou Mejia Escalona.
The two-day reunion was never enough to mingle with everyone. Yet, a quick embrace and hello somehow satisfied our longing. – Nelda Relamida
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Core Group niche
The Holy Spirit School High School Batch 1983 was brimming with nostalgia and excitement as we gathered to celebrate our 40th high school reunion with joyous laughter, as old friends embraced and rekindled connections that time had momentarily blurred.
The event was a testament to the enduring bonds formed during our formative years. As we shared stories and memories, it was evident how each of us had grown in our unique paths, yet a part of our hearts remained forever intertwined with the school that shaped us.
The Eucharistic Celebration highlighted our Catholic upbringing and foundation with the Holy Spirit Sisters. The evening socials included heartfelt speeches from our mentors who emphasized the impact of Holy Spirit School on our lives and their profound influence having nurtured not only our academic growth but also our character and values.
The highlight of the evening socials was the dinner and dance, where we grooved to the tunes of our era, momentarily transforming us back into carefree teenagers. As we danced together, we realized that though years had passed, our friendships remained as vibrant as ever.
Amidst the laughter and cheers, a bittersweet note lingered, as we paid tribute to the departed souls, remembering those who couldn’t join the reunion but were present in our hearts.
The 40th high school reunion of Holy Spirit School Batch 1983 was two days of cherished memories, renewed friendships, and a celebration of sisterhood. As the event concluded, there was a collective realization that no matter where life took us, the unique and enduring spirit of our alma mater forever bonded us. The reunion has revived our sense of belonging to a sisterhood that would continue to thrive for many more years to come. – HSS High School Batch 1983 Core Group
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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
