Days before the Old Girls’ Day celebration, Sister Filomena Edullan, r.a. was joyfully tending the gardens of Assumption Convent in San Lorenzo Village. Suddenly she received news that a super typhoon was expected to hit Metro Manila on our big day. She looked around the lovely pathways of healthy plants watered by the recent rains and smiled. After attending an inspiring Marian recollection, she had strategically placed 13 different statues of our Blessed Mother all over the school garden paths to remind students, parents, teachers and visitors to pray to her for all their needs. The timing was no coincidence.
Traditionally, the annual homecoming is held on the second week of October, which is also the month of the Holy Rosary. The school technicians worried that strong winds could tear down electrical wirings of the Mother Rose Auditorium and the much awaited, much prepared for velada would have to be cancelled. But a very confident Sr. Filomena told them to pray the rosary for protection and sure enough, the show went on.
“I have no doubt that our school is under the protection of our Blessed Mother,” she told me with an endearing smile.
What a show it turned out to be! This year’s hosts, the Silver jubilarians of Batch ‘90, left us all breathless as they danced on stage with gusts of energy. Their explosive performance made us wonder if professional dancers were hired but their very passionate, driven, ace choreographer Maribeth Bichara assured us that their dedication, tons of patience and die-hard practice made them look like pros! Indeed, this batch truly exudes the strong spirit of an AC Girl.
The electrifying Saturday Night Fever dance performance of the Ruby batch 1975 brought screams of nostalgia. The Golden Girls of batch 1965 drew multiple raves with their grace and charm. Their loving choreographer Maribeth proudly watched them all shine brilliantly on stage.
Sister Ana Carmela Pesongco, r.a., president and dean of Assumption College, profusely thanked all the jubilarians for taking time to come home and passing on to the next generation their appreciation and gratitude for the gift of an Assumption education. She also expressed her deep gratitude for their generous contributions that keep the Assumption mission schools going strong year after year.
(Would love to hear from you at mildayjewels@yahoo.com.) Silver photos by Liza Lorenzo Uy and Gold and Ruby photos by Shutterpanda’s Mare Collantes