MY
fantasy to become king and ruler of a nation became
a reality. I was king for one day! I was crowned King
of the Union High School of Manila 2008 International
Grand Reunion at the Crown Plaza in Niagara Falls,
Canada. I was anointed with oil and had a gold crown
placed on my head during a lavish Gala Night attended
by more than 100 guests. As the new monarch, I was
called upon to rule “wisely, justly and truly.”
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When I entered the ballroom, guests who lined the
route to my throne cheered. I wore a black silk shirt,
a three-inch gold medallion and a gold-colored cape
three meters longs. I was accompanied by Her Royal
Highness, Queen Mila Abesamis-Emerson.
After
the crowning ceremony, the King and Queen took to
the floor followed by dance exhibitions by Duke
Isagani and Lady Sally Gregorio and Lady Jocelyn
Oliveros- Ronquillo and Duke Harlan Ragay.
While
being king for a day was fun, the rest of the four-day
reunion was nothing if not awesome. Graduates of
the Union High School of Manila (UHSM) hosted by
Ontario-based UHSM alumni acted as a team. Walang
pabida. Walang martyr or bayani na inaako or ginagawa
ang lahat ng trabaho. (I know “martyrs”
mean well but duties should always be delegated.)
So kudos to the organizing committee headed by Olivia
Galang-Daantos and Pete Ignacio with members Willie
Damian, Mike Resposo, Estela Ignacio-Jimenez, Pete
Ignacio, Lingkod Juane, Jr. Beth Morales- Sanvictores,
Lorna Bautista-Parcon, Joel Caes, Noel Esguerra,
Esther Esguerra- Salangsang, James Chanco, Jay Jainga,
Elsa Ignacio-Gamelo, Mina Damian-Bote. According
to Jay Jainga, their spouses were equally supportive,
rallying them on their assigned tasks.
I personally saw every member of the organizing
committee pitch in to make the event a success.
They all worked, from beginning until the closing
day of the celebration. Organizers of future reunions
should learn how this Ontario-based group works
effectively as a team.
On Day 1, we were asked to wear our old school uniforms
during the evening gathering– white shirts
and khakis for men, and white blouses and blue skirts
for women. They worked with the night’s line
dancing!
On Day 2, we had a picnic in the morning at the
Queenston Heights Park, Pavillion Site. We had fun
playing games that brought back memories of our
high school days. In the evening, we wore the clothes
of our generation. I wore denim bell bottoms, a
poncho and platform shoes. The Oliveros Gang won
the first prize for their attire but I was given
a special prize for my shoes.
In the morning of Day 3, reunion attendees were
able to enjoy first hand the Canuck way of life
through tours around Niagara and neighboring communities
and other leisure activities. Niagara is one of
the world’s most ideal settings for school
reunions and other social and leisure events, where
people from various places are expected to congregate
on a grand scale. Aside from the majestic falls,
Niagara has an exciting nightlife, vibrant business
centers, enthralling theme parks, challenging golf
courses and special attractions for nature-lovers,
The Gala Night on Day 3 was a time for the ladies
to display their evening gowns and bling. I wore
a yellow see-through barong with white embroidery
and for my bling, a 3-inch gold medallion from Saudi.
The bling caught the attention of Pastor Badong.
.
Day 4 was time to say adieu! After breakfast, we
praised God for the blessings we continued to receive.
Pastor Badong’s message centered on our school’s
motto: “Faith, Character, and Service.”
When we sang “How Great Th ou Art,”
I couldn’t help but shed tears of joy. Naramdaman
ko na lamang ang mainit na luha na dumadaloy sa
aking mga pisngi. It was time to say goodbye with
high hopes that we would meet again.
As the Premier Minister de l’Ontario Dalton
McGuinty said in his message to the alumni, “The
organizers should take pride in their hard work
and commitment to making this celebration a memorable
one for all the Unionites.”
Mabuhay!
