Ram Felix Rengel, Jr.

Holy Gals Batch '93 Reunion
(Text and Story by Ruthie Ramasola-Rengel)

Reunions help us re-connect to old friends, reminisce memories of happiness and sadness brought about by adolescence, and rekindle the spirit of being classmates and high school students. As I was scouring my husband’s photo files stored in his computer, I came across a folder containing pictures of our reunion held last year. My husband suggested to me to write a photoblog about the said event. I hesitated at first, but realized later the importance of sharing the story and pictures of the reunion to those who attended and those who did not. With the Internet, my classmates in high school, wherever they may be, can easily access the files anytime. So I told my hubby, "Why Not?"

So here goes...

Our high school reunion was attended by more than 15 ladies, who used to be girls back in 1993 at Holy Spirit School in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. It was organized by the ever-energetic Marigold, which we fondly call as Mago, and the ever-beautiful Jirby.

Our reunion was a two-day activity held in the summer of 2004—our high school graduation’s 10th anniversary. During the first day we offered a mass held at our school chapel. The mass was ably assisted by our very own sisters—the ever-loud Sr. Mary Judith and the ever-amiable Sr. Jovy. Everything went smoothly, but there were only a few of us who attended the thanksgiving mass.

Jirby and the ever-simple Caressa handled the music during the mass. The readers include the ever-endearing Genesyl, the ever-"tall, dark and pretty" Jewel, the ever-humurous Clarrisa and the ever-wacky Joy.

After the holy mass we toured the school building. We visited our old classroom and talked about the things we did during our formative years in the halls of Holy Spirit School. We can’t possibly imagine that we had our education there, and ten years had already passed. Among the few things that are new is the rooftop where we had our picture taken. We also toured the school ground, and learned that one of our classmates, the ever-dependable Nagaraj works at the school. Grabe ka-loyal ha

In the evening, we proceeded to the poolside of Villa Alzhun where we had a sumptuous dinner buffet. The highlights of our program include the presentation of past and present photos, sharing of stories, love life, angst and pain, single and married life. We also played fun games. The night was capped with the distribution of the piggy-stuff-toy-ofdifferent-colors remembrance.

In ten years, a lot of changes have happened to my classmates. For one, a lot of us, including myself, have already changed surnames—Jewel, Nagaraj the ever bubbly Rizalyn, the ever-fabulous Lolit, the ever-romantic Minerva, the ever-smiling Maggie, and Joy who is in her third serious relationship and second marriage.

For others, they have still to find the man-of-their dreams. The still-single include Caressa, Jirby, Genesyl, Mago, the ever-"bendable as rubber" Glenda, the ever-"lovable girl with quite a few eccentricities" Joyce, the ever-cheerful Flora, the ever-magnetic Jenifer, the ever-conversationalist Rowena, the ever-captivating Ava, the ever-"embodiment of entertainment" Moonyeen, and the ever-"kind hearted tax collector of IV-Hope" Josephine.

The next day’s activity of the reunion was a beach party at Dumaluan Beach. For some unexpected circumstances, I was not able to take part in the activity. But I learned from Mago that the beach party was also a huge success.

To the Holy Gals of HSS Batch ’93, I give us all a toast for all the goodness that has been given to each and everyone of us by the good Lord. May we continue to be friends, always and forever.

6 Comments : Post a Comment »

Comments:

From Ethel, lollipop@ethelworld.com

Awww...pretty pics :) Happy New Year! Thanks for droppin my site in ethel's web :) and here's my blog :) http://www.akoni.info C'ya 'round!!!

From Liza Pestillos of California, USA, liza@livenote.com

Hi Ruthie, Thank you so much for writing up a blog about the reunion and posting the pictures online. Since the day of the reunion, I have been asking people to share some photos, but I think I have only seen a few of them. It is amazing to read about what really took place, who attended, and how the entire event was. This really made my day and made me look forward to the next reunion. Thanks again Ruthie and many thanks to your hubby, Ram as well for sharing the link with me! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and have a safe and peaceful New Year! Cheers to all!

From Lori Ermac-Nash (Poypoy) of California, USA, jnlori.nash@gmail.com

Hi Ruthie! Thank you for taking the time to do this. It was really special to see a few of the girls I don't get to see whenever I come to visit. I regret that I wasn't able to be there during this reunion. I would love to come to the next get together. I look forward to seeing everyone there. Happy New year! God Bless

From Kathleen Lorenzo of California, USA, KLorenzo@ari.ucsf.edu

Eventhough I only attended Holy Spirti School for two years, I would like to thank you for sharing these reunion photos as well as sending me an invite to this gathering. I have to admit that while looking at some of the pictures, I no longer recognized some of you. Again, thank you, Ruthie for sharing.

From Anne Rances of Florida, USA, amaran_y2k@yahoo.com

Rutieeee! day musta, salamat sa pag post sa mga pics lingaw kayo mo tanawon sa mga pics especially with mga Sisters..I would have loved to see Sr. Prisky, I wonder asa na kaha siya ron. Part to siya sa ako high school life nga di malimtan. regards to everybody kung magkita mo usob.

From Sheila Icamen-Pesta of New Jersey, USA, sheilapesta@yahoo.com

Hi Ruthie! Thanks for sharing the pictures! I always like to view pictures especially the ones that i've never seen since high school graduation! Liz, thanks for sharing this site sa email. This site or blog is very nice. Rgards to everybody. Hopefully i can attend the next HS reunion.