A twinkling of an eye. Short but sweet. Bittersweet actually. That’s how I spent the last days of 2024.
December 19th when I went to the future. January 1st when I went back in time. I literally went back in time for 5 straight days as I journeyed to the past through the glory of my high school days.
Carefree, childlike. We are now 42 but nothing has changed. We remain as children and teenagers in each other’s eyes. We stayed the same. Though we are now squinting as we use our phones but our hearts still felt younger than ever!
To start with, copy-pasting my message to our batch group chat a few years back when we were still grappling of who’s gonna be our batch president. I declined the urging because:
“The Lasallian core values are FAITH, service and communion. Faith is believing without seeing. We don’t see God but we believe in Him, right? That’s why there’s OBEDIENCE to His word. When we obey His word, HONESTY and CHARITY will follow. However, life is still complicated so we need PATIENCE in going along with it. But amidst of all circumstances, we still stand proud and strong because God is always there backing us up to receive JUSTICE. In that way, we can have PEACE with ourself and with one another.
Now what is lacking? The ICC-La Salle administration during our time must’ve overlooked that LOVE is the greatest. I’ve fellowshiped with different groups within our batch (kay maski aha murag madala ko sa tapok kay salimpusa ko) and as I’ve observed, there’s no transparency (forgive me but this is what I see). So how can we be united if we are not open to each other?
Anyway, thank you so much to everybody who nominated, pm’ed, and encouraged me to be your batch president. It is flattering indeed because sauna never ko na officer, I was never in the “it” group, you know the works! But your trust in me today is soooo overwhelming.
Let us show our LOVE with one another first then actual and live nomination plus election will follow. Sugoa lang ko ninyo sa date and venue kung when ni mahitabo para akoy mag contact sa uban pa pud nga wala pa dre nga groupchat. Let us be one in our faith in God, service to others, and communion in mission as we live Jesus in our hearts forever. 🙏”
Upon re-reading after how many years of writing this, I had goosebumps. I’m caught amazed that finally my prayers have been answered! LOVE might’ve been overlooked to be one of our sections in fourth year for a reason. And the reason is, because it needed to grow. Along with our growth, our LOVE for each other has also blossomed. It is the link that keeps us together. It is the adhesive that binds us together. LOVE has indeed bound us together and finally, there is transparency and unity for Circa ‘99!
As we celebrated our 25th year, everybody played a vital role. It was not “you”, “you”, “I”, “I”. But it was “we”! It was “us”! We worked as a team in bringing the best and grandest alumni homecoming ever! We made each other’s dream come true as teamwork makes the dream work! Team effort, collaborative effort, each and everyone had a part. The spirit of volunteerism and camaraderie was greatly felt, overpowering us. Each and everyone did a great job!
Day 1, December 26th
Distribution of Batch T-Shirts at Blue Note
A big THANK YOU to Gino Carpio for the best batch shirt ever! Ingon pa nila, mosiga mi! Yep, our batch logo for our 25th year is revolutionary! Also, a big THANK YOU to Jenniric April Gallardo for taking care of the master list and for carrying the shirts around. Even during the grand event party, nakahigot tawon sa iya hawak while ga sayaw2x na pra makasuot ang tanan sa Hanes nga senina. Daghang salamat, Gin and Jen!
Sidetrip at Trip
Drinks and chatters with the gengs! So happy to be reunited! Welcome home, Kirk Benjie Gonzales, fresh from the land down under, Australia!
Day 2, December 27th
GUGMA Halad sa Pasko at Jollibee Bernad
A big THANK YOU to Loraine Angot for spearheading our batch outreach program! We’ve sponsored 50 hand-picked less fortunate kids from Grade 1 pupils of Ozamiz City Central School (OCCS). Also, a big THANK YOU to our principal, Mrs. Simplicia D. Vapor for helping us pack the bundles of joy for our kids! One kid even said, “Yehey, naa namiy sud-an!” as he peeped into the contents of their Christmas bags. Thank you, Jollibee Bernad for helping us in giving the kids a CHRISTmas to remember as we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ!
Pre-Alumni Dinner at Will Abella’s Abode
Back in 1999! We scrolled down 1999 memory lane with main events, hit songs, and the like. Thank you so much, Will Abella, Jay Mark Cruz, and Cherry Anne Tuba, all fresh from the US of A for hosting our pre-alumni dinner. It was great to reconnect prior to the main event to ignite momentum and pick up speed for the alumni homecoming hype!
Day 3, December 28th
Thanksgiving Mass
Celebrated by our then Religious Education teacher, Father Lane Serino, we kicked off the day with a Thanksgiving Mass at Our Lady of the Star Chapel at La Salle University. It was great to hear mass again on the grounds where we grew up!
Motorcade
The hype continued with a motorcade around the city of Ozamiz, our hometown! It was great to see old familiar streets again kung aha mga tambayanan ug palitanan ug bananacue, ginanggang, ug manga with uyap sauna. Thank you so much to the rest of the ICC-La Salle batches for joining us!
Lunch at Rodolfos c/o Giuseppe Balbona and Adrian Amistad
Ug napadpad pud ko ngaring grupoha basta wala na juy sectionay! Hahaha! Welcome to Ozamiz, Dao Ming Si (Adrian), also fresh from the US! By the way, nadala ug balik ang luggage? wink
The Grand Event
This is it! The moment we’ve been waiting for! The ICC-La Salle Grand Alumni Homecoming! A big THANK YOU to Carl Antoni Lasiste for giving us the best alumni homecoming ever! It is legendarily epic! The playlists brought nostalgia, a blast from the past from Jam Trip to Herbal Remedies to Ren Mejares to Basti to DJ Kyle! Also, a big THANK YOU to Miss Minchin’s Events, owned and managed by Manet, dear sister of our late batchmate, Mark Wendell Tabaculde. Thank you also to Euphoria for the lights and sounds, pang Eras Tour ang peg sa set-up!
Day 4, December 29th
LSS (Last Song Syndrome) at Coffee Project
Hanggang sa dulo ng mundo…..
Oh, kay bilis namang maglaho ng pag-ibig mo, sinta…..
Magkahawak ang ating kamay…..
We couldn’t get enough of the 90s music! Oh, what a great celebration of the morning after! Thanks guys for the quick catch-up before leaving on an airplane!
Day 5, December 30th
Post-Alumni Lunch at John Mark Feliciano’s Beach House
Sea breeze, convos, and drinks! Away from the city, weak phone reception, a quick break! Thank you so much, Buloy for inviting us to your tranquil haven!
Dinner with Our Mentors
Alas, the time has come to pay tribute to our teachers! Without them, we are not who we have become today! To our class advisers, subject teachers, and school administrators, the biggest THANK YOU for shaping us by teaching our minds, touching our hearts, and transforming our lives! Truly, the Lasallian spirit lives on as we Live Jesus in Hearts, Forever!
In each other’s eyes, we are not doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, etc. But we remain to be Buloy, Beko, Matoy, Osang, Esyat, Pyawse, Basyang, Simay, Intet, Baktin, etc. We are all equal, nobody’s ahead and nobody’s left behind! We are Circa 99!
The Hang-Over Party
Nothing and no one could stop us from partying! We partied on and we partied hard with Mellon Collie in our exclusive post-alumni celebration! It was wet and wild! Thank you, Gee Grill, Java Photobooth, Tanduay, and Euphoria for another party to remember!
In my part, the moment I’ve been dreaming of since childhood, when my Mom’s batch hosted the ICC alumni homecoming, has finally come to a realization. It is a dream come true to have hosted the grandest and most legendarily epic ICC-La Salle Alumni Homecoming ever!!! Thank you so much, Harana, Meant Stories, and The Equinox by Ashley DNRG for capturing all the sweet and precious moments of our homecoming activities! Roll VTR, please!
Kudos to our hardworking officers especially to our batch president, Karl Guangco and batch secretary/treasurer, Lizcel Cagaanan! Thank you for pulling this through, Pres and Sec! The pressure was on but you made it through with flying colors!!! Thank you Circa 99 officers for sharing your talents, skills, time, energy, effort, and resources! Thank you for pouring your heart out for this massive event! To walang tulogan team, my salute to all of you! You are all incredible!!!
Here’s the Magic 12 of Circa 99:
President: Karl Guangco
Vice President: Earl Lagahid
Secretary/Treasurer: Lizcel Cagaanan
Collecting Treasurers: Jenniric April Gallardo & Quennie Claire Madrio
Public Information Officer: Mary Rosalie Olandesca
Social Media Manager: Gino Carpio
Event Managers: Carl Antoni Lasiste, Katherine May Balat & Christian Suezo
Peace & Order Officer: Dan Micholle Cortes
Health & Safety Officer: John Mark Feliciano
Also, kudos to:
Mary Kristine Claret and Alexes Labadisos for inviting our teachers.
Mary Grace Vapor for being the Uber driver for our teachers.
Marestelle Malalis and Jonah Novo for organizing and packing the Gugma Halad sa Pasko bundles of joy.
Gimboy Olegario for securing our safety. Thank you for your sacrifice, our Man in Uniform! Our salute!
Janlyne Laurel for being the mom of our basketball team. You rock!
Genevieve Patag for taking care of the batch through her service. Salamat sa pag-offer of itlog sa Carmelites!
Dennis Migriño for choosing us. Maka-touch jud, Dencio!
Adrian Amistad for being the life of the parties!!!
And to everybody even though some of our batchmates haven’t made it to come home but they have sent their financial support and well wishes as well. Daghang salamat!!!
As I’ve said, everyone played a vital part. There was nothing small nor big service/contribution/effort. Everything was equal which made Circa 99 whole!
Sama sa shout-out ni Adrian, “Worth it a pliti, yawa!!!!”, my Kisapmata journey to the past was indeed a blast!!!
Most especially, thank you so much to La Salle University administrative staff, ICC-La Salle Alumni Association Inc., Lasallian Pastoral Center, and to all our sponsors and concessionaires:
Gold Sponsors:
Purple Yam
Tobias Feliciano Faith Hospital Inc.
Euphoria
Kawasan Canyoneering
Ozamiz Lifestyle Runners
Asenso Pinoy Partylist
Silver Sponsors:
Pan Remy Bakery
Amlan Purified Water
Bronze Sponsors:
Animal Aide Veterinary Supplies & Services
Blue Note Music Lounge
ELIM Petron Lubes and Greases
Special thanks to:
San Miguel
Tanduay
Boysen
Bro’s Barbershop
Medical Outsourcing Services Inc.
E & C Kambingan
Zenvi Distributor
The Crumb Lab Pastry Shop
VMC Medicines and Medical Supplies Distributor
JRNN Diagnostic Laboratory and Medical Clinic
Dr. Dan Rickenson L. Cortes, MD
Liana’s Chocolate Café
Fascino Balloons and Party Supplies
EM Designs
Xoey’s
Eastwest Bank
Arkhitekton
Osaka Auto Supply
Luxent Salon
Oakhill Park
Manisan Clinic – Dr. Geopet Manisan
RGN Rice Dealer
Red Cherry Bakery
Appa.Reals PH
Cribs Diner
EF Jewelry
Ozamiz Young Auto Supply
Mr. Ye Store
Fely’s Dress Shop
Juanita Oriental Food Corp.
Concessionaires:
Siomai Lord
Better Brews
Ovendose
Hatako Frozen Yogurt
Nikko’s Café
Apart from everyone and everything else, we thank our Lord God Almighty for a very successful series of events! Thank you so much, Lord for instilling Faith, Obedience, Honesty, Charity, Patience, Justice, and Peace in our hearts. Most especially, thank you so much for cultivating LOVE which blossoms and binds us altogether. As we joked, mao nang emotional ta kay mga gur nata, indeed, our 25th year celebration was one for the books! Long live Circa 99!!! Hanggang sa muli…….
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