Xavier School (XS) Batch 1986, this year’s Silver Jubilarians and my batch in high school, spearheaded the alumni’s participation in the school’s 55th (emerald) anniversary celebration.
XS Batch 1986 — including Finance Undersecretary John “Sunny” Sevilla, Customs Deputy Commissioner lawyer Lorenzo “Jorenz” Tañada and DENR-Environmental Management Bureau director Juan Miguel “Mitch” Cuna — organized for the Xavier community the first (in December 2010) and second (in November 2011) Xavier Toy Con, and the first Xavier Stallion Run (in July 2011). It also introduced and launched (in November 2011) the Xavier 55th Year Commemorative Swatch. Our batch also organized and hosted The Emerald Cup, the 2011 Xavier Alumni Golf Tournament at the Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club, featuring for the first time a team-based format that was well-received by 120 participants.
The 2011 Xavier School Grand Alumni Homecoming aptly named “D’ Return of D’ Comeback” was the culmination of the XS ‘86-led alumni celebration of Xavier@55. It was one of those deliberately cheesy titles chosen, which was apparently in vogue at that time. One really had to be there in 1986.
Our homecoming started with a thanksgiving Mass that was co-celebrated by Fr. Ismael Zuloaga, SJ (our long-time “father-rector”) and Fr. Art Borja, SJ at the Angelo King Multi-Purpose Center of XS. It was followed by the homecoming party, held at the XS High School Gym and top-billed by Fil-Am comedian Rex Navarette and rock band True Faith. The party also featured special performances by Amber, the EB Babes, Daiana Menezes and was hosted by the boys of Magic 89.9’s Boys’ Night Out and Jef Gaitan. A total of 86 prizes, including the top prize — a Mini Cooper — were raffled off that night. It was great to see high school classmates again, some of whom even flew in from other countries for the special occasion.
After the homecoming, my batchmates just couldn’t have enough and proceeded to Chili’s Greenhills for an after-party that lasted until breakfast time the following day. We were wearing yellow shirts specially made for us by our batchmate Joey Qua of Collezione.
The event was co-presented by Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila and sponsored by Rebisco, Mazda, McDonald’s, LRWC, Tagaytay Highlands, Belle Grande and Security Bank. Proceeds from the events benefited the Xavier School Educational Trust Fund (XSETF), Alumni Association of Xavier School Social Fund, XS ‘86 Men for Others Foundation and Gawad Kalinga All ‘86 Village.
XS Batch 1986 joined relief efforts for the victims of typhoons Pedring (via packed food bags and bottled water) and Sendong (donating P100,000 via XS and Xavier University). It also turned over P2.55 million to Xavier School in support of the Xavier School Educational Trust Fund, completing XS Batch 1986’s total donations of P3 million.