- Silliman University High School Batch '77
Hi All!
I have just officially woken up from a marathon sleep-in. I feel a lot like Rip Van Winkle but the only evidence of time 'a-passin' for me is that my sunburn is starting to peel and the hair in my armpits have grown a quarter of an inch or so.
Somehow the reunion remains a blur to me and I still have to pinch myself to make myself realize that it really happened and its now over. The souvenir VIDEO CD still has to be edited and produced. When I see it, maybe that is the only time I will believe that the reunion really happened. So if someone were to write a synopsis of the whole reunion I would not be the right person for it.
I am posting the closing remarks I shared with the batchmates who attended the despedida lunch hosted by the three handsome guys Rhoel, Edwin and Dwight.
Closing Remarks:
The Batch ’77 Parable - This whole parable started with a little bird that was known for her being hard headed, persistent, and just yesterday added to these characteristics was another word, ‘buluyagon’ (constantly needing reprimand), Lin just kidding. So all this actually is your fault. You started the whole thing.
Linda with her precious caboodle - Let me continue:
- This is a story of classmates of different personalities from different backgrounds, who have drifted apart after graduating from high school. They reconnected to plan for their 30th Year 'Dream Reunion’, had a fantastic time in Dumaguete City and emerged from the experience not as acquaintances, not as classmates, but as a family.
The level of respect and love for each other grew each time they would come together for a meeting to discuss the details of the event and each time they would meet up to sweat it out and wiggle their butts for the planned Dance Gimmick. To the hometeam, I will miss each and everyone of you. You have become like family to me. As Dwight texted one time, and this was only after we have not practiced our dance for a few days, “na mingaw na ko sa grupo.” (I miss the group already).A wigglin' and a jigglin' our butts.
The blueprint and budget was set and classmates from near and far responded with such enthusiasm that only served to motivate and inspire those who originally conceptualized the whole thing. The family circle was expanding. And people were getting excited.
Allen from the states just sent a simple email and money to finance the Dream Reunion started pouring in. The Batchmates in the Philippines were not to be out done. When asked to host get togethers- yes was the immediate reply from the classmates. Even if salaries received were relatively low other classmates without hesitation pledged to contribute to the fund.
Allen with the fetching turban along with Emily and Rowell
So here we are at the end having experienced and witnessed the miracle of the success of our “Dream Reunion.” A miracle that can only be explained by two things: synergy and God’s power at work.
What is synergy: To illustrate let me share a poem:
Synergy Ball- We went to the beach on a billowy day
And Troy built a Capitol Dome.
Troy says a castle is also a synergy
But I know our castle is home.A synergy? Hey Troy , what is a synergy anyway?A synergy is simply a whole thing
That is more, much more, than its parts.
A synergy's the action of a whole thing
That is more than the sum of its parts.It's when parts go together to do more than you think,
Like a race car, or a sailboat, or the pretty eyes you blink
If the parts of a boat are together, it'll sail and not sink. - That is synergy.
And what is God’s power at work? Its’ about people getting together, developing relationships. Its about taking His example of sacrifice.
- Sacrifice in terms of contributing to the reunion funds.Spending great sums of money and traveling great distances to be with the classmates.
Its giving up your personal time and devoting it to work on the details and nitty gritty of the reunion.Its spending and giving money and devoting your time to the reunion even when you have just gone through personal tragedy that has burdened you emotionally and financially. (Bobot, Cecille, Nella Fe and Anamel)Its giving time to be present during the practices and meetings.Its giving time to write a word of encouragement and praise.Its giving time to show your appreciation.Its giving time to help out in whatever way you can.Its giving time to pray for everyone and the activities.It’s not the kind of sacrifice that we count who did more than the other. Why? Because everyone, all the batchmates were motivated to sacrifice because of love. That is Sacrificial love. When what you do is never a burden but a joy and work is not work but play.Not one person did this, not two. And no one did any greater work than the other because as in a bicycle wheel for example, each little nut and bolt has its own vital function and purpose. When any little nut is missing the wheel breaks apart and is rendered useless.
So to everyone I give thanks and I really have to make special mention of Bobot who continually inspires me with his hard work and his show of love for the batch. Salamat kaayo. (Thank you very much)
That's Bobot in front in the first line. May we, as a batch who have experienced God’s power at work in our reunion, continue to be followers of Him who gave the first example of sacrificial love.
My love to all Ciao and God Bless!
Ana
