The High School Reunion
Nothing comes more exciting than a high school reunion – a time to reconnect with long lost friends you missed out several years ago. A day after Christmas, the entire SICHS campus turned into a big party ground as our dear Alma Mater set off for the celebration of its Grand Alumni Homecoming. Whew! Such a festive gathering of all the Isidran alumni – from the early batch in the 50’s down to the new generation batch in the millennium era. Held every two years, with more than 50 batches (1949-2006) gathering together, there’s no high school reunion in our town as grand as this!
Hmnn.. and how was my batch doing? Well, we sure had a blast on that day. After taking a glimpse on the
Latino Night at the gym, we indulged ourselves for a super heavy meal! That was the so-called Alumni Dinner, and we took advantage of it ‘coz it was all for free, hahaha! The next day, we busied ourselves for the motorcade. With all those last-minute preparations, we still had managed to make it smooth all the way. With our batch t-shirt design and our souvenir “I Love 1994” button pins courtesy of Teray (US), the shirt printing courtesy of Marisol (UK), the balloons courtesy of Cristine, the giant batch streamer courtesy of Lucille, the decorations courtesy of moi & Matet, plus the participation of our batchmates (Ritchie Mae, Maricel, Venessa, Alele, Kristy Myr, Robert, Cristopher, Bryan, Ian, Phillip, Silverio, Nenito, Pernell & Isidro), everything just turned out perfectly.
We hope to see more of our batchmates in the next Grand Alumni Homecoming in 2008! See you all guys!
Browse more of the reunion photos at http://pepperonni.multiply.com/photos/album/41
Christmas In Our Hearts
I love Christmas! I just love everything about it – the spirit of the season, the kringles, the joyous carols, the holiday madness, the cold weather, the family gatherings, reunion with old friends… everything! As the famous Christmas song goes “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!” Indeed, it’s my most anticipated month the whole year through – a time to feast!
Yeah, right. Feasting! Beginning the first week of December, Christmas parties are already in gear, and it’s going to last the whole month through. Add to that the Christmas bazaars with their array of sumptuous delicacies and “free tasting” for delighted shoppers and passers-by. And Noche Buena… how can one even begin to describe the variety of treats? Such a fun-filled season indeed!
Yet amidst these merry-making and feasting came a deep thought in my mind. 
While office parties and money splurging are taking off, a poor family is still hoping for a plate of rice and salted fish to come by. Street kids and old beggars are spreading everywhere, eagerly waiting for a drop of peso to feed their hunger. See the irony?
I could also start thinking about those people around who have to work even on holidays. On Christmas, there will always be waiters, security guards, medical personnel, sales ladies, bus drivers, technicians – people who are on duty 24/7. While we are enjoying Noche Buena with our family, they will be away from their loved ones, and will be unable to partake fully the richness of this joyful Christmas Day.
What then is the real essence of Christmas for all of us? Ahh.. it would be more than just the kringles, the christmas carols, the holiday madness, the reunions, the noche buena and all those things we had our money splurged on. It would be more on partaking Jesus and rejoicing over His birth. For it is not what is outside of us that is important but our eagerness for Him inside of us.A blessed Christmas to one and all!
Singles Agape Day Trip
Hoo-ha!! Time for another monthly socials for the Single Elimites! Together with the Elim Singles Gingoog and some other invited singles in CDO, we went for a nature tripping adventure at Blue Water River Resort in Taguanao. Such a breathtaking place there is! Tall trees, fresh air, unspoiled river, chirping of the birds… the site was perfect for outdoor activities. Lots of surprises were prepared by our games committee and it indeed liven up the gathering! The most amusing one was the so-called “christian service game” where my group received an award for its extravagant service of all -– the “washing of the feet” which exhibited our true spirit of christian service by simply showing genuine humility. Kudos to all single servants! Ingana jud dapat ang pagserbisyo!
Ooops! The fun never stopped there! ‘Coz after our big lunch, we headed through the Macahambus Adventure
Park for our afternoon tripping. It’s cave exploration this time! We entered an unspoiled cavern that led to a stream with pristine water. The dark pathways brought us to another end of the cave leading to a passage overlooking the white water rafting site. After taking some few snapshots, we proceeded with the next activity which was to get down to the bottom of the gorge, and enjoy the lush vegetation and the cold underground stream. I’ve tried exploring the gorge through rappelling last year, let me try descending this time through the 150-step trail. Hmnn… somewhat easier compared to rappelling, but quite exhausting too! Hahaha! Just can’t get enough of it, though. Hope to bring some more friends in here next time.
One final remark before I end this article. Elim Singles would like to extend their thanks to Bro. Pops for sharing his time amidst his busy schedule. He was the one who diligently drove us to the river site that morning, fetched us after lunch heading our way to Macahambus, and fetched us again at the end of the day when the adventure was through. We are indeed grateful for everybody’s support. TG!See more photos at http://pepperonni.multiply.com/photos/album/37
Nothing comes more exciting than a high school reunion – a time to reconnect with long lost friends you missed out several years ago. A day after Christmas, the entire SICHS campus turned into a big party ground as our dear Alma Mater set off for the celebration of its Grand Alumni Homecoming. Whew! Such a festive gathering of all the Isidran alumni – from the early batch in the 50’s down to the new generation batch in the millennium era. Held every two years, with more than 50 batches (1949-2006) gathering together, there’s no high school reunion in our town as grand as this!
Latino Night at the gym, we indulged ourselves for a super heavy meal! That was the so-called Alumni Dinner, and we took advantage of it ‘coz it was all for free, hahaha! The next day, we busied ourselves for the motorcade. With all those last-minute preparations, we still had managed to make it smooth all the way. With our batch t-shirt design and our souvenir “I Love 1994” button pins courtesy of Teray (US), the shirt printing courtesy of Marisol (UK), the balloons courtesy of Cristine, the giant batch streamer courtesy of Lucille, the decorations courtesy of moi & Matet, plus the participation of our batchmates (Ritchie Mae, Maricel, Venessa, Alele, Kristy Myr, Robert, Cristopher, Bryan, Ian, Phillip, Silverio, Nenito, Pernell & Isidro), everything just turned out perfectly.
