Xavier Faculty, Staff Reunite

On July 28, 2006, former Xavier faculty and staff returned to school for a grand reunion to celebrate Xavier School’s Golden Jubilee. Over 200 "balikbayans", some coming all the way from the United States, joined the Xavier staff in a day of fellowship, remembrance and thanksgiving, and rekindling of the Xavier spirit.

The day started after lunch with the official opening of the Archives Office and a tour of the campus, highlighting the many new and renovated facilities, including the recently inaugurated Fr. Rafael Cortina Sports Center. A long merienda break allowed old colleagues and classmates to catch up, renew lost friendships, swap contact numbers and pose for endless souvenir shots courtesy of Photoline (Ramon Tan ’75).

The main program started with a prayer service and included an "in memoriam" tribute to the Xavier Jesuits and lay partners who have passed on. Each decade was highlighted by musical numbers performed by the faculty and staff, with each batch of teachers acknowledged for their immeasurable contributions to the school. The night was capped by a dinner-dance at the spanking new, state of the art Fr. Rafael Cortina Sports Center.

The reunion was tinged with nostalgia yet strongly imbued with a joyful spirit of fraternity. The homecoming reminded everyone of their unique role in the development of Xavier through the years and their vocation to "Inspire Excellence" wherever their career paths may take them. It was a fitting and timeless reminder to Xavierians of the many lessons they learned within the halls of the school, and how these are relevant to their lives today.