Click ➡️➡️➡️ 40 years later

We do not remember days; we remember moments. 

- Cesare Pavese

Hello dear batchmates! It's time to turn the calendar back to when we last enjoyed each other's company. 

May 11-13, 2017. It's been six years sincethen! I posted photos of Day 1 of the main event but got lost with work and family life that Day 2 had to wait… for six years! I'm so sorry if this comes very, very late, though I believe, it’s just in time to keep your adrenaline rising again for the upcoming 2023 BCCHS 18th Annual Alumni Homecoming... another time for us to celebrate our 45th year (Sapphire) anniversary! May 20, 2023 (delayed for a year because of the pandemic). Oh, my, that’s only a few hours from now! Thanks to Roger for patiently explaining to me the background of this very special celebration! 

Before we go any further, you might want to refresh yourselves with the Honoring Ceremony during the 8th General Alumni Homecoming held on May 12, 2017 (Day 1 of the two-day main event). If you missed it, click these links below but make sure you get back here to view more reminiscences on the second day (May 13, 2017).

Click ➡️➡️➡️ 40 years later

Click ➡️➡️➡️  40 years ago, Dear Teachers

There you are! Thanks for coming back! 

Now let me share with you memories captured 6 years ago. It was a big challenge recalling specific details at this time when our brain cells are starting to degenerate.  Scrutinizing photos over and over again was one thing. The decision of choosing only the best pose was another thing. 

(Disclaimer: Forgive the hands that trembled in excitement while clicking the cam and credits to May Dizon Ynzon for a number of photos I grabbed from her Fb posts, with her permission 😀).

Here they are… photo dump of Day 2, taken from various corners of Fortitude Room. 

Say "hello, hello, hello!"

Hello, everyone!

 This is Eve Tallafer-Sison. Welcome to our BCCHS 8th General Alumni Homecoming!

Come on, let's volt in!

Doreen Coriana: "Attention everyone! The Singing and Charity Diva of our batch is here!"

Ruby "Token" Tia-Lizares with her charming smile pose with everybody she sees.

With her beshie, Lory Ann Padilla and amiga Eve Tallafer-Sison

Wait... there's more!

With Maricar Sarad-Moises and Jerome Dazo

Left: Portia Gimotea-Familiaran; Right: Pelaflor Pesca-Espera and Yvonne Farren-Riolo

Cherry Pie Lino-Sermonia, Maricar Sarad-Moises and Pilar Guillen

Nice pose Libertad and Joy, do you agree? Pa-cute? Pa-demure? Whichever... but I love this!

Joy, see what Manuel is doing so early in the morning with Alex Gane! 🤣🤣🤣

Left: Arturo Ubarra, Jocelyn Jaleco-Camemo, Libertad Patalagsa-Villanueva

Right: Tatay Wilfredo "Billy" Antiquiera, Yvonne Faren-Riolo, Jocelyn Jaleco-Camemo

Eve Tallafer - Sison, Jerome Dazo with wifey and Joy Angela Hofileña-Gepes

Jerome Dazo, Delia Cañon, Pilar Guillen and Maricar Sarad-Moises

Ronald, amusingly squeezes himself in 😁 while I was listening intently to Portia's life story.

Recalling faces time has changed could be depressing. You know the person yet the name eludes you after you think it’s been at the tip of your tongue for some time.   Thank you, Maricar, Melba, Pelaflor, Bonny, Susalyn, Roger, MacRey, Jocelyn,  for coming to my rescue, refreshing my mind on names of some alumni I couldn't recognize or maybe I really did not know them at all. 

Thelma Panique, Token, Jane Cuachon-Gestosani and Melany Lumanog

Pelaflor Pesca-Espera with her berks - - - Bernardita Malunes, Erilyn Susana, Raynalyn Ngitngit,

Edgar Leganto, Libertad Patalagsa and Nida Gomez-Lopez. Were these the scrabble buddies?

Hmmm... it seems the room has been occupied already that some have invaded the corridor. 

Or the rising temperature drove them out? 

I caught this group of lovely ladies who needed to take some breath of fresh air.

Portia Gimotea-Familiaran and Rena Corazon Tejares-Gargalicano catching up with Angie Geronimo-Tuale and Maricar Sarad-Moises

Joy, Ruby, Doreen and Cherry Pie

Look who's 'neighboring' from another room! 

Miss Dinah Ortaliz wasn’t able to resist posing with her former students. 

Look at her face... not a trace of 46 years is visible!

Photo ops pa more!

‘Twas really nice seeing everyone smiling, laughing out loud while taking selfies, groupies, catching up, reliving memories of high school days and even of life beyond high school. 

Guess who has the most contagious smile?

Ooooppppssss... is the camera frame getting smaller or the group is getting bigger?

Jane Cuachon-Gestosani: "Wait, I'm not yet ready!"

Elsa Buenaflor: "Ok lang, Jane, salo ta ka ah!"

From another corner of the room...

Let’s have a toast!

Chona Cuison-Robles, the rose among the thorns, with Allan Gayanilo, Alberto Eloro, Jesus Gedoria and Rogelio 'Cano' Ceballos

The room has four sides and four corners. Let's see who are on the other side...

Vicente Genzola and Isidro Montero seemed to have been observing physical distancing four years prior to the pandemic! 

Roger, what are the boys up to? Something's brewing outside!?

Sin-o ang tunay ng macho-gwapito, aber?!

O ang babae pag minamahal... ♫♬🎶♫♬🎶

  

Angie: "High 5"

And all the men say, "Cheers!"

Mario, please focus! 🤣

Lory Ann, Raynalyn, Thelma, Melany and Token

Angie, later pa ang food, photo ops anay ah!

Angie: "Kadugay man sa ila abi mag serve sang food, ti nagkaon ko anay suman."

Give space, give space! The table is now ready! 

Let’s go! 

Hmmm... the crunch!

Group photo first before lunch

Fellowship over lunch

Mr. President Rogelio Jumuad Jr. delivered the Opening Remarks or Prayer? Roger, were you leading the singing of the Philippine National Anthem? Or singing the Happy Birthday song? Who can recall? 

Then Mr. President says, "Let the feast begin!"

Plain rice? Fried rice? Arroz Valenciana?

Daw mas mabakal ang arroz valenciana haw? 

Abi tilawan ta man! My fave and I bet, yours, too!

Doreen: Kanamit sang suman!

The face of happiness and contentment

Well, the bonding and fellowship didn't end there. We had an evening of extended fun and feasting at Doña Jesusa Hall, Mt. Carmel Arcade. 

While some had to leave early, those who were available stayed on to enjoy each other's company. 

We also took great pleasure in either listening to or singing songs of our era. A night of surprises and discovery, it was indeed, as we were entertained by batchmates who showed off their singing prowess without inhibition! 

♫♬🎶♫♬🎶

Through the years, you've never let me down

You've turned my life around

The sweetest days I've found, I've found with you

Through the year, I've never been afraid

I've loved the life we've made

And I'm so glad I stayed right here with you

Through the years... ♫♬🎶  

Selected alumni were called up front to give their messages.

Lawrence Ledesma

Cherry Pie Lino-Sermonia, Raynalyn Ngitngit, Lory Ann Padilla

MacReynold Ginolos

Doreen, Angie, Eve

To cap the night, Mr. Rogelio Jumuad Jr. presided the meeting conducted with the group. He gave a brief recollection of memories of high school days and expressed his thanks and appreciation to everyone for their presence and contribution in the preparation for the event. He commended everyone’s efforts for the success of the Ruby Jubilee. He also presented the accomplishments of the association during his term. He gave a report on generation of funds through individual contribution and other means, expenses incurred, as well as ending balance in the coffers of the association. He also sought the body’s opinion on provision of financial support to alumni in need. I salute you, Mr. President, for a job well done! 

Finally, the night was made complete with everybody making a few more poses while shouting "Ruby!"

Wacky!

One last... wacky!!!!

Thank you for bearing with me, everyone! 

Today, as we meet, catch up and celebrate,  on this 18th Annual Alumni Homecoming, 

our 45th (Sapphire) Anniversary, may we be all, in one spirit, unite to journey to our next stop 

four years from now... another day to look forward to... our 50th Anniversary. 

Allow me to park my pen right here... until we all meet again, on our Golden Jubilee! 

BCCnian, we truly are!