Sacred Heart School - Hijas De Jesus: Celebrates Homecoming 2010 with a Huge Hurrah "SOLD-OUT!"

CEBU, Philippines - The evening of December 10, 2010 was a night of electrifying energy at the Arctic Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, where the alumnae of Sacred Heart School – Hijas de Jesus celebrated their homecoming with the theme, “The Rhythm of Life!” Indeed, right after the solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided by the very charismatic Fr. Jesper John Petralba, the venue became rhythm-filled. An unexpected number showed up so that an additional hundred seats had to be set up to accommodate the wide spectrum of alumnae who came; nonstop music through the years was played by the On The Cover Band, and spectacular performances were rendered by the Ruby and Golden Jubilarians of Class 1970 and 1960 respectively. They wowed the audience with their song and dance numbers. What was more, the Alumnae Association prepared a fantastic array of door prizes that added to the festive excitement all evening. 

It was the Silver Jubilee of Class ‘85, known as the Singing Batch of SHS, who really amazed everyone as they took the audience through the happy years of the 50s and 60s with a choral medley of songs they sang throughout their growing up years in SHS. Coming of age before the era of cable TV, computers, and the internet, these ladies made the stage their playground under the tutelage of their beloved music teacher, Miss Gemma Faye Abos (now Mrs. Mckeown) to whom they lovingly dedicated the fruition of many weekends of late night practices. Right from the opening salvo with the same title, “Rhythm of Life”, their quick-paced “Greased Lightning” dance number, their walk-through-memory-lane medleys, to their heart racing grand finale, “We Go Together!” Batch 85 proved that showmanship is the key to an awesome performance, as all eyes were riveted on the ladies in their colorful polka dot outfits and charming smiles.

It was truly “A Night to Remember” as this year’s Jubilarians stepped off the usual tradition of inviting local artists and instead, added a more personal touch to Homecoming 2010 by honoring their educators and their alma mater with their heartwarming and magnetic presence, entertaining everyone with their very own wealth of talents. . .a Labor of Love indeed, making SHS- Hijas de Jesus Homecoming 2010, as many say, the most well-attended homecoming ever. What a fitting and meaningful way to celebrate homecoming – to come together as one big family, when only a few months ago on October 17, 2010, the foundress of the Hijas de Jesus congregation was finally canonized, St. Candida Maria de Jesus.

In her inspiring welcome remarks, Sr. Rebecca Loreto, F.I. the Representative of the HDJ Congregation here in Cebu City, addressed the alumnae as the “Keepers of the tradition of Sacred Heart School – Hijas de Jesus…the stronghold of the rituals, practices, knowledge and values…the representative of the school in the world, both here and abroad, on whom the dream of St. Candida Maria de Jesus has been realized and lives on”…and so, to all the Alumnae of Sacred Heart School – Hijas de Jesus, may this year’s Homecoming be a vivid reminder of our identity as Daughters of Jesus and as women for others. May it be for all of us, a celebration of life. May we realize how truly blessed we are because, “in Jesus, we have everything,” and that Jesus is truly alive and is the Rhythm of our lives. So, let us all be the hands and feet of this New Life in us; let’s sing and dance to the Rhythm of Life!