words by : Sally Faraon
(Photos by: Jenny Bicomong, Sally Faraon & Pinky David-Moredo)
After months of preparation for the Big Day, we finally concluded our Batch 91 Grand Reunion last December 30, 2006. Spending the end of the year with long lost and closest friends in high school was the most meaningful way to begin and welcome the year 2007. As each one arrives, the chatting became non stop and the familiar voices were heard in the hall. It was a sight to see everyone (well almost everyone) in green and red carrying their gifts. It was Christmas once again.
I had the privilege to welcome the
early birds who arrived at exactly 5 pm, Benette Nicolas-Apostol and her husband, Neph. Benette and her family flew in from Seattle last December. It was her first homecoming since 2002 and it’s great that she was able to join us in our reunion. Everyone arrived with smiles on their faces after being “tormented” by heavy traffic caused by the New Year’s rush.
Mike Emlano and Monette Aranza-Alvarez, our gorgeous emcees of the night, kicked off the evening with the roll game. I leave it up to you to guess how the game goes (just look at the picture!).
After months of preparation for the Big Day, we finally concluded our Batch 91 Grand Reunion last December 30, 2006. Spending the end of the year with long lost and closest friends in high school was the most meaningful way to begin and welcome the year 2007. As each one arrives, the chatting became non stop and the familiar voices were heard in the hall. It was a sight to see everyone (well almost everyone) in green and red carrying their gifts. It was Christmas once again.
I had the privilege to welcome the
early birds who arrived at exactly 5 pm, Benette Nicolas-Apostol and her husband, Neph. Benette and her family flew in from Seattle last December. It was her first homecoming since 2002 and it’s great that she was able to join us in our reunion. Everyone arrived with smiles on their faces after being “tormented” by heavy traffic caused by the New Year’s rush.Mike Emlano and Monette Aranza-Alvarez, our gorgeous emcees of the night, kicked off the evening with the roll game. I leave it up to you to guess how the game goes (just look at the picture!).
Right before dinner, Jenny Bicomong led the opening prayer. Dong Mangaron suggested that we all sit together for more intimate “chatting”. As everyone settled down with their dinner, Monette and Mona rendered a song for us. Nere, our high school singing champ, also graciously sang for us.
The night was interspersed with games, giving out raffle prizes and singing. Our two guest 
teachers,Mrs. Salvosa and Ms. Lajara,readily joined the “hot potato” game. Before they left, both of them gave a short speech. Ms. Lajara said that in the 90’s batch Canossa, it was our batch that held its first reunion. Mrs. Salvosa shared her sentiments about our batch. They both gave a touching speech and left us with warm feelings of how it is to be a Canossian.
teachers,Mrs. Salvosa and Ms. Lajara,readily joined the “hot potato” game. Before they left, both of them gave a short speech. Ms. Lajara said that in the 90’s batch Canossa, it was our batch that held its first reunion. Mrs. Salvosa shared her sentiments about our batch. They both gave a touching speech and left us with warm feelings of how it is to be a Canossian. 
Special awards were given to some batch mates. The “Most Enthusiastic” Award was given to Randolph Liay for expressing his excitement about the reunion to every batch mate that he bumps into. Mona Liza Bomiel is our “Most Generous” batch mate for her contribution to our Grand Reunion. “Perfect Combination” awards were given to our batch couples Mike and May Emlano and Alain and Joy Alvero.
I was both surprised and touched by being given the “Excellence Award”. Monette has prepared a Signature frame for me, which contains messages of thanks and appreciation from our batch mates. Thank you so much for that sweet gesture! Exchanging gift was so much fun that night. Pam Caperiña-Susara shared with us a unique and cool way of exchanging gifts. We all stood in big circle, holding our gifts. While Pam reads a “Christmas story”, we have to listen for the words “left” and “right”. If we hear the word “left”, we have to pass our gift to our left and if we hear “right”, we have to pass our gift to the right. We kept on passing the gifts until the story reached its end and each of us is holding the “right” gift.
Aside from the gifts and prizes that we brought home that night, we all went home holding the “right” gift – that is, the gift of friendship and closeness that enveloped us on that special night.
Aside from the gifts and prizes that we brought home that night, we all went home holding the “right” gift – that is, the gift of friendship and closeness that enveloped us on that special night.
Salamat!!! Gracias!!! Merci!!!
- For the contribution and participation of all the reunion attendees
- For the moral support expressed by our batch mates here and abroad
- Darwin Brucal for letting us use Brucal Function Hall at a discounted price
- Paul Ciabal – three cases of beer
- Benette Nicolas-Apostol, Nere Belen, Jojo Gatchalian, Ruth Abulad-Corpus and Jenny Bicomong – for providing items for our raffle
- Aloy Andaya, Imee Maloles-Adaya, Dina Gomez-Santiago, Ruth Abulad-Corpus, Chinky Follosco-Chrysler, Glenn Vanguardia, Dan Brillo and Monaliza Bomiel – for their generous monetary contribution
- Jenny Bicomong – for designing and creating our souvenir
- For the Grand Reunion coordinators – Nerissa Belen, Jojo Gatchalian, Mike and May Emlano, Monette Aranza-Alvarez, Mona Bomiel, Randolph Liay, Jenny Bicomong and Cherrydette Garcia-Magsino
