My Dear Classmates,
I’ve learned to believe that moments spent in relationship with others become the most meaningful time spent in one’s life. This is how I feel about the moments we spent together during December 10th-12th, 2010 – our 40th High-School Reunion.
We had such a wonderful time together! We owe a lot of thanks to our classmates who tirelessly worked to organize and make this reunion a success: Boyet “Tony Falcon” Martinez, Eden Carandang-Raymundo, Joey and Elsa- Chua Diokno, Gil Leynes, and Lim Bon Kian. Totoy Catibog and his better-half, Zenny, deserve special mention for “going over and above” to help us get organized and sustain our efforts. We would also like to thank our classmates who contributed generously to help fund our reunion. Some of them were not even able to attend, but gave anyway. Maraming salamat! Your contributions enabled all of us to have such an enjoyable and memorable reunion.
The stories we shared with each other and what our classmates have been through in the last 40 years were moving and inspiring. The joys and sorrows, the failures and successes, the losses, illnesses, deaths, births, love lost, love found. Through it all, the deep faith that each of you hold- in your own way, is quite admirable. What strongly resonates for me is, in the end, what holds us together is love – love for our families, our friends, our work, each other. We have all changed so much; but in so many ways, there’s so much that stayed the same! We’ve all grown older and wiser, but it feels like most of the “puppy loves” from our high-school days have withstood the test of time J!
If you haven’t already, please send your “most memorable 40th reunion moments” to Zenny Catibog. Zenny has kindly volunteered to update our website with these reunion memories, while Eden Raymundo has agreed to manage our website and keep us connected for the next five years!
During our reunion, we also agreed to commit what’s remaining of the funds we raised towards helping our classmates who may be going through difficult times. We elected seven of our classmates to oversee this process and act as class agents: Rm. 14: Totoy Catibog, Cely Cacha, and Gil Leynes; from Rm. 13: Hermie Evora and Susan Tan; and from Rm. 12: Boy Hernandez and Ric Macaguiwa. Joey & Elsa Chua-Diokno and Lim Bon Kian will continue to serve as our treasurers and act as custodian/accountants for the HIA’70 funds. Please don’t hesitate to let any of these classmates know of any applicable situations.
We have also promised to have another reunion in 2015—and what a joyful reunion that will be! Between now and then, let’s all stay healthy and strong, discover more about ourselves, learn something new, pursue a dream or a passion that we’ve always had and never had a chance to try . This is our time to follow our hearts! Let’s live and be present in each moment fully, and do all we can to make this world a better place. Let’s bless every person we meet, let go of any anger and negative feelings, and always be grateful for our blessings. Let’s save and share all these stories of our journey of renewal at our 2015 reunion!
Our years together in HIA have always grounded and inspired me through my life. I am, and will always be, grateful for the blessings and gifts of having you, my HIA’70 classmates, in my life. Please know that no matter where life takes me, I hold you in my heart, and I look forward to seeing you again. As the old Irish prayer goes, “…until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His Hand…”
Terry
