One big feast, one big heart
There’s something about school homecomings that brings out the softie in all of us. Maybe it’s the music--always the songs that were patok in our generation, never failing to remind us just how long ago “yesterday” really was. Or maybe it’s the familiar banter: the jokes about waistlines that mysteriously expanded over the years, or the bald spots that insist on making a guest appearance no matter how we try to hide them. There’s comfort in laughing about getting older, especially with people who knew you long before life became complicated.
I’ve always looked forward to homecomings… and preparing for them. I am not from the batch of 2000, but I’ve attended enough Ateneo gatherings to know how special they can be.
In fact, one of my favorite stories begins at a homecoming dinner years ago. My husband, Nonong -- at that time just a close friend from the Ateneo Student Council--rekindled our friendship that night. And the rest, as they say, is history.
And then there’s the Church of the Gesu: beautiful, serene, somehow grounding.
Every time I pass by, it reminds me that Ateneo forms us not just academically, but emotionally and spiritually. The same is true of the Blue Eagle Gym, now proudly air-conditioned (luxury we never enjoyed), and the statue of St. Ignatius offering his sword to the Lord -- a symbol that has watched generations of Ateneans take their formation “down from the hill” and into the world. Now that we’re older and, hopefully, wiser, these symbols carry a different weight: a reminder of mission, service, and purpose.
All of this comes to mind as the Ateneo High School Class of 2000 prepares One Big Feast, this year’s Grand Alumni Homecoming. I may not be part of their batch, but I’m happy to help them spread the word, because beyond the fun, the music, and the laughter, this event is really about giving back.
On December 6, the program will begin with the Honoring of Teachers, followed by the Eucharistic Celebration at the Church of the Gesu, a fitting reminder of the spiritual grounding that shaped us through the years.
The causes at the heart of this celebration are worth every step back onto campus. A portion of the proceeds will strengthen the Teachers’ Retirement Fund, honoring the very people who shaped generations of Ateneans with their wisdom, patience, and unwavering dedication. Over 40 active and retired faculty members are expected to join the festivities--living reminders of the mentors who pushed us, inspired us, and believed in us long before we believed in ourselves.
The event also supports the AAA Order of the Blue Eagles Scholars, helping ensure that deserving students continue to receive the gift of an Ateneo education. In a country where opportunity is not evenly distributed, this effort is no small thing. Every scholar supported is a life transformed--and, in the Ignatian spirit, a future leader formed to serve others.
And then there’s the Ateneo Track and Field Team, whose athletes continue to represent the Blue and White in the Southeast Asian Games, the Olympics, and other international competitions. Supporting them means elevating homegrown talent, nurturing discipline and excellence, and showing the world that Ateneans can compete with the best, on and off the field.
In a way, it’s the perfect blend of past, present, and future. We return to reminisce, reconnect, and reclaim the joy of the old days, but we also show up to make sure that future Ateneans get to experience their own stories, their own joys, their own moments of grace.
And there are raffle prizes, too: hotel stays at Astoria Current Boracay, Astoria Palawan, Astoria Plaza, and the Grand Hyatt, plus a motorcycle and other surprises that will keep everyone on their toes.
Homecomings remind us that no matter how busy life becomes, and no matter how far we’ve gone “down from the hill” we somehow still find our way back.
Back to each other, back to the places that formed us, and back to the causes that remind us what it means to be truly Blue Eagle for life.
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