Marian Alumni Newsletter • July 2013
Arriba@30 Batch ’83!
“Thirtieth na?” It’s hard to believe that it has already been five years since Batch ’83 hosted SMCQC’s homecoming in July 2008 as the Silver Jubilarians. And yes, we named ourselves the Silver Bellas – over sixty beautiful women celebrating renewed friendships over potluck gatherings, meetings, rehearsals, and a heart-tugging outreach activity. Since then, we’ve remained closer than ever and have gotten to know each other much better. That’s why meetings to brainstorm for this year’s presentation were a lot shorter (buti naman) but the chikahan became much, much longer. It was easy to decide on the concept that was masayang-masaya which everyone instantly agreed to. For our pearl anniversary (oh, and we’re not the Pearly Shells this year), we decided to do away with the usual 80’s song and dance medley and play games instead – chinese garter, sipa, patintero, and other games we used to play during our younger years on the SMC school grounds, during break time or dismissal, and in our blue and white uniforms. We just wanted to have FUN. “Music video na lang para madali” or so
we thought. Little did we know that producing a music video for the homecoming would mean: coordinating with batch mates from all over the world for their photo contributions; painstakingly recording a 4-minute cover of our chosen song for 3 hours; shooting from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm for a 4-minute video; playing foot jump and sipa for 20 minutes for a scene that would be trimmed down to 5 seconds; shooting under the heat of the sun, shooting even while it was drizzling, and forcing our 40-something year old bodies to act young(er). “Foot jump? Ano yun?” Apparently, today’s generations do not even know how to play some of these games. Our children were all wondering what (a) foot jump was. Even the stalls in Divisoria did not sell the toy anymore. But members of the batch just had to play it once more. So what did we do? We improvised of course! After all, we belong to a generation where a shoe box can be anything from a house, to a car, to a space ship. An extinct toy was not a hindrance for us to fulfil what we wanted to do. So after
30 years, we still managed to improvise, went out and played hard, and laughed even harder. We did not mind the burning sun, the non-stop sweating from the humid weather, the shortness of breath from all the running and jumping, and the quizzical look of people around who were probably asking “Anong kaguluhan ito? Sino sila? Anong meron?” “Nakakapagod pero masaya.” Our individual journey is like the games we play – tiring, makes you think long and hard, makes you pause to catch your breath, measures your capability and endurance, brings out your strengths and makes you realize your limitations too. But if we choose to take this journey with people who reciprocate the love and respect we give, with people who matter most, then the journey becomes less stressful, more meaningful, and undeniably FUN! “I’m walking on sunshine, wo-ooh.” Sing with us, dance with us, play with us, and reminisce with us, as we bring sunshine through thirty years of friendship and beyond! Trenta na ba? Kayang-kaya pang umarriba!
Marian Ako Grand Alumni Homecoming (Continued from page 1) This Saturday, July 20, the homecoming starts with Part 1 at the SMC Auditorium for registration at 1pm and a Mass celebration sponsored by the HS batch 88 at the Anunciation Hall. Mass presider is Fr. Arnold Abelardo, CFM. Part 2 at 3:15 pm , is throwback Saturday, with a program bursting at the seams
of valedictory address set into music and video .The movers and shakers (literally earthshakers, LOL), known as the Board of directors will likewise be acknowledged . It’s always a feel-good moment when we pay forward by giving back . We give back, dear sisters by sponsoring deserving high school scholars, our alumni babies. They will be
with musical numbers that spell nostalgia, from the jubilarian ladies. Even the RVM sisters and the graduating high school batch 2014 will showcase their wares.S. Ma. Rosabella Gallo, school president will give her message and third termer Alumni Foundation President Lulu Robles will present her report, some sort
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presented as the Scholarship program is unveiled for new school year 2013-2014. Out to make a difference, the silver jubilarians will introduce a new Marian song composed by one of their members, and shine in their dance numbers. Lined up are the presentation of gifts to the school and the alumni >>>