It's showtime!

I was so fortunate to be reunited recently with a dear friend Mabelle Soriano Lemen. She flew in from Davao to celebrate homecoming activities with her Assumption High School Batch ‘86.

We both share a love for good food — she cooks, I eat! In between her dance practices, we managed to get together in my kitchen. Her joy was infectious. While whipping up her delectable dishes, she regaled me with joyful tales and hilarious moments in the lives of her batch amidst the flurry of activity leading up to their much-awaited velada at 3 p.m. today in the Mother Rose Auditorium of Assumption in San Lorenzo, Makati.

Through this column, I’m sharing with you Mabelle’s sentiments about the love, friendship and joy that took place while they were preparing for their silver jubilee. Here goes…

“As I have been attending the dance practices and spending time with my classmates and batch mates, I have become more and more nostalgic. I also feel lucky because in more ways than one, I am getting a peek of what they have become 25 years after graduation and I really admire most of them. They are great mothers, glamorous wives, successful career women, hardworking entrepreneurs, very accomplished professionals and genuine public servants! What I find amusing is that their characters have still remained the same.  I must say, everyone looks great, too! The only difference is that they lead busier lives!

“I like attending rehearsals because it gives me the opportunity to reconnect with my former classmates and to meet those I never got a chance to meet as well. More than that, I am given the chance to go back to a time in my life when things were much simpler and friendships were grounded on much stronger stuff. The fun part of going to the practices is seeing everyone’s smiles, hearing their words of encouragement, catching up on all those years we fell out of touch, and finally, being a part of their busy lives for even just a couple of months!

“I especially appreciate how the girls of Assumption Batch 1986 have welcomed me into their fold in spite of the fact that I only spent a year in Assumption — my senior year.  Then I tell myself, ‘So this is what the velada is all about!’ It’s about major bonding with everyone! It’s about remembering how life was 25 years ago when we were seniors in Assumption high school at the height of the People Power Revolution!

“For most, it goes beyond that, of course. It’s about getting together with one goal in mind — to help the Assumption Mission Schools all over the Philippines.  After all, our batch theme was Magnificat, which means ‘our souls glorify the Lord.’

“Of course, it’s also about putting on a GREAT show for our friends and family to see! Thanks to our class representatives Malu Gamboa, Monette Quiogue, Tina Henson, Carmella Gana, Mia Paterno-Rodriguez, Lia Lesaca-Garcia, Angelica Cervantes-Dychiao, Natalie Manalo-Dalupan, Loudette Roman-Tanjuatco and our own class representatives (Section 5) Becky Escalona-Pio De Roda, Pia Barbin-Sycip and Michelle Henson-Tanjuatco.

“Our velada will have director Floy Quintos, choreographers Andrew Ferraris, the Martinez sisters and Ellezar Canlas, production manager Chevy Salvador, music arranger Juan Miguel Salvador, costume designers Twinkle Zamora and Rajo Laurel and the rest of the technical team. Thanks to them for bringing out the performers in us. 

“Today is the day of our velada. I can’t help but feel a little sad that these get-togethers will come to an end. I am glad that I took the time to join the rest in celebrating our Silver Jubilee!  Thanks everyone for such a great experience!  Being part of the velada truly is an experience to last a lifetime! Even my daughter Lissy, who enjoyed participating with the children of my batch mates, had such a wonderful time that she wants to be an Assumptionist!”

Mabelle encourages all other batches to make time to be active in your velada when it comes because in doing so your life will never be the same. It gets better!

Congratulations, Assumption High School Batch ‘86!

(Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com)