HIGHLIGHTS 2008

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The Maryknoll/Miriam College Grand Alumni Homecoming 2008 was a resounding success!

Held last September 6 at the Miriam College Grounds, the homecoming was hosted by Maryknoll High School Batch ’83 under the leadership of Elaine Gavino-Urbano. The event was entitled “Hinahanap-hanap Kita MC, We’re Coming Home” and carried a “hip Pinoy” theme. It broke the all-time record in homecoming attendance with more than 900 alumni and guests registering as early as 4 p.m.

Miriam College President, Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan, herself a Golden High School Jubilarian, said it was one of the most organized and well-prepared homecomings she attended. “Music to our ears!” wrote Elaine in her congratulatory message to HS Batch ’83, who with the Homecoming Committee, worked tirelessly for a year preparing for the big day.

Alumni, with their families and loved, ones enjoyed the delicious food and children’s activities, and shopped for bazaar and souvenir items from the booths set up at the college grounds. More than 40 booths registered months before homecoming day. Credit goes to Carla Epino (HS ’83) for the very orderly and systematic physical arrangement. The ladies happily roamed the sprawling MC campus, or settled with their batchmates and caught up on the years past. Laughter filled the air as friends from way back when, re-connected.

A special Mass was celebrated at the College Chapel by Fr. James Reuter, S.J. and Fr. Mario Francisco, S.J. followed by the much-awaited homecoming program. The MTV (Miriam Television) style show started at 5 p.m. and everyone was impressed with the stage design and 3 gigantic screens showing the colorful homecoming jeepney logo. Batch 83’s very own homecoming program director and batch choreographer, Sylvia Macalincag and her super talented production team, did a great job! Everybody just loved the beautiful play of sound and lighting effects as well as the exciting two hours and a half program flow, which kept everyone in their seats until the very end.

The tireless Maryknollers presented lively song and dance numbers. The program was hosted by MTV Veejay Eric Neeman of Cinema One with the following highlights:

The dance medley of Maryknoll High School Class of 1968. Garbed in eye-catching red and white attire, these ladies danced to a medley of 70s disco music - VST & Co., the APO Hiking Society and the Hotdog Band. Their infectious smiles and snazzy dance moves brought the house down.

Wrote Riz Castro-Bolinger (MCHS ’83) from the US after watching this production number on Youtube: “I was misty eyed watching this video. I wish I can make it to the next reunion. They all looked so good at their age. These women are 15 years older than us and I hope we all turn out as good-looking as them when we get to their age.”

The modern number of College Class of 1978. These gals came out in glittery blouses and black pencil skirts with thigh-high slits. Dancing to Hagibis’ “Legs” the ladies, including Margie Moran-Floirendo sashayed and vogued onstage, at one point whipping off their skirts with a flourish to reveal their sexy gams. This brought their younger counterparts to shame, and made everyone secretly resolve to maintain their bodies for the homecoming production numbers yet to come!

The dance-drama presentation of High School Class of 1983 was unique and totally unexpected, thanks to Sylvia’s imagination. Batchmates danced to the re-arranged music of Yoyoy Villame’s “Butchikik” which was beautifully sung by The Company. The batch was astonished that classmates were still able to make those dance moves reminiscent of high school days with an unbelievable heart-stopping split by Natsy Africa-Verceles for the dance finale. Batchmates were ecstatic but Maila Gumila (US-based) could not help but ask, “What was the meaning of their dance… hahaha?” Well, nobody really cared because the dance was simply the battle between the good and bad or the yin and yang of life. Congratulation to the classmates who participated for being gracious and confident enough to represent the class.

Maryknoll/ Miriam’s 2008 Amazing Alumni Achievers were also honored: Sr. Teresa R. Dagdag, M.M. (COLL '64), Helen Samson-Lauterwald (HS '60), Coralis Obligacion-Salvador (COLL '68), Carmina N. Clemente-Desales (GS '68, HS '72) and Conchita Estrella C. Manongdo-Ragragio (HS '67). These ladies’ accomplishments in the academic and professional fields are only matched by their selfless service to the marginalized, the sick and the oppressed sectors of society, both here and in other countries.

Towards the end of the program, several batches presented their respective donations and projects for the benefit of their Alma Mater. Most of the jubilarian batches donated to the school’s endowment fund. The Silver Jubilarians decided to donate a state-of-the-art multi-media system for one of the audio visual rooms of the soon to rise High School Library Media Center.

The Turn-over Ceremony was uniquely done in style complete with a blue and gold torch that was passed on to the representatives of next year’s Silver Jubilarians -Maryknoll High School Class of 1984, headed by Ms. Madonna Tarrayo.

After the Program, a lively street party was held at the college covered court featuring back-to-back concerts of the Rhythm and Babes and Side A bands. Music from the 60s, 70s and 80s were belted out as the ladies grooved with abandon. Liza dela Fuente Castaneda wrote on her Facebook page: “Everyone drank and danced….deliriously happy and high talaga!”

After the bands packed up, house music was played and the dancing and happy times continued till the early morning hours.

(Note: Production numbers may be viewed on Youtube by typing in the searchwords: “Maryknoll High School Batch ’68”, “MCHS ’83 Homecoming” and “Miriam/Maryknoll College Alumni Homecoming ’08”.)