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23 July 2005 Loyola Grand Villas, Quezon City Excitement stirred throughout the upland air of Loyola Grand Villas. On this crisp afternoon, Mart Rondain's garden at Number 8 Sweden Street was jammed with tents and tables of food, snacks, and raffle prizes. This was, after all, the day that took six weeks of eager preparations amongst Philippine-based graduates of UPIS Batch '82 to welcome visiting expatriate batch mates Elena Samson, JJ Cariño-Araos, and Marionne Maypa-Smith.
The ardor of those pre-party weeks paled in comparison to the thrills of seeing each other in person. Out-of-towners Bernard Pamplona, Caia Cubero-Quiano, George Santiago, Gil Amilbangsa, and Tosh Jacob-Soliven drove and flew in to be there. By 7 pm, my microphoned emceeing drowned under the cacophonous symphony of 68 friends laughing, chatting, and singing in what has yet become the largest gathering of batch mates since 1997. That Mart Rondain and Mon Calabia pulled it off as host and chef is testament to their selfless spirit of service.
Another memorable gathering has passed. Ties that were lost have been recreated; those already in place have been strengthened. For some, myself included, there were moments of anxiety for not having seen each other in 23 years. But childhood and teenage familiarities never disappear. They are bridges that span the distance of place and time. They are links between past and future.
As we all approach our middle-age years, those links take on a new, tender meaning. It is the best reason to be there. |
