It's our turn
MANILA, Philippines - Velada is a Spanish word that means a party, soiree or ceremony. Assumptionists are very familiar with this word, already heard, possibly as early as their first year in school, as their sisters, mothers, titas, lolas prepare for their respective class reunions. To each of us, it became an aspiration. The velada is the time to return to your roots, and celebrate a life anchored on your Assumption education and relationships. My batch’s Velada Day is on Oct. 17, Sunday.
Since I have lived in the United States since 1995, I had wondered, a few years back, if I would be interested in attending my velada in 2010. However, as the clock went ticking, I felt a natural gravitational force re-connecting me with my high school chums, and before I knew it, I was engrossed in Batch ‘85’s velada. As the third of four Mayor sisters to attend Assumption, it is my turn. And I am taking it with much enthusiasm, shared with my hundred or so batchmates, and a few more other hundred or so Jubilarians of Class ‘30, ‘35, ‘40 (Ruby), ‘50 (Gold), ‘55, ‘60. Just think of the math, if your batch is a multiple of five, it must be your velada, too.
The Class of ‘85 is a unique challenge to its Show Night director, Floy Quintos, as his award-winning writing and directing talents are being tested by this laid-back, low-key, behind-the-scenes group of ladies. We are casual, rather than formal; the jokesters, rather than the drama queens; the happy-hour type, rather than the evening cocktail type. Class ‘85 and director Quintos have pop culture on their side, as our four years of high school were flooded by songs of Madonna, Wham, Go-Go’s and the British Invasion. Stretch your imagination to see if you can picture how Class ‘85’s velada will be like. Latest news I got, is that practice attendance is growing and batchmates we haven’t seen in 25 years are showing up. And the best news of all, and biggest surprise as well, is that my class is taking the practice sessions very seriously. The Class ‘85 reunion in California last month attracted our batchmates from different cities and states in the US. Our meetings are livened up by conversations of the velada.
And we are calling on our batchmates and fellow Jubilarians who have not yet dropped their daily routines to join the practices, to do so. Stop resisting the Force.
Once again, if your class is a multiple of five, it must be your velada, too.
(For details about the Velada preparation and Velada Day, contact Tonette Medoza at assumptionhs85@yahoo.com and Ginger Estayo-Paras at gingerparas@yahoo.com)
