Green-and-White Grand Alumni Homecoming (GAHOM): An affair to Remember

The get-together that happened last Monday, July 29, 2019 at Marco Polo Hotel, with almost a thousand green-and-white Visayanians in attendance, was rare, special, a once-in-a-lifetime affair, something that may not happen again. The University of the Visayas reaching 100 years this year is not just a milestone – but a feat, a realization of the dream of my father and Founder of the University, Papa Inting, and Co-founder, my mother, Mama Pining Rivera-Gullas.

I could not imagine sharing the table with 95-year old retired Supreme Court Justice Regino Hermosisima, who endeavored to join in the celebration despite physical challenges. He was there when the program started and stayed on until it finished, long after he received his Most Outstanding Alumnus Award.

I noted quite a number of Visayanians who flew in from abroad to join the festivities. One of which was our BS Biology graduate, now a medical doctor, who also shared her knowledge on Biosafety and conducted a Seminar Workshop for our research students, research coordinators and faculty members. She is currently the project lead on Policy Debate and Space Education of The Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) in Support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications. She is now based in Vienna, Austria – Dr. Quennie Dyan Raagas. Prof. Miriam C. Wagoner, formerly with the UV College of Arts and Sciences, an awarded writer based in Alaska, USA. Dr. Alexander Acosta was an alumna of our College of Education and is now based in Doha, Qatar, where he is the principal and administrator of the Philippine School Doha, Qatar, and a researcher and writer.

I am deeply touched and happy that the event was graced by the Mayor of our beloved City of Cebu, Mayor Edgar Labella, and Vice Mayor Michael Rama. Mayor Labella’s father, Eugene Labella, was a faculty member of the College of Arts and Sciences and deeply involved in the University’s Dramatics Club. That night 10 outstanding alumni from various fields of endeavor were recognized, among them were Justice Pampio A. Abarintos, Justice Regino C. Hermosisima Jr., Justice Portia A. Hormachuelos, Atty. Edgardo Labella, Engr. Apollo S. Enriquez, Capt. Emerico B. Gepilano, Dr. Phitaya Charupoonphol, Mr. Israel Alin, Dr. Alexander S. Acosta, and Dr. Joseph D. Tariman. Truly, these people and their achievements manifest the dream of Papa Inting and Mama Pining of the University producing “kings and queens who shall not wear crowns but royals just the same.”

I would like to commend the efforts of UV Alumni president, Atty. Josephus B. Jimenez, who has done great things in his practice especially on Labor and Human Resource here and abroad, author of books, a columnist in The Freeman; and the working committee led by Atty. Joseph “Dodong” Baduel.

I would like to congratulate the newly elected Board of Directors namely Dr. Joel B. Serad, Dr. Anna Lou C. Cabuenas, Dr. Rosemarie C. Espanol, Hon. Philip Zafra, Judge Jennifer Singco, Engr. Suzanne Ardoza, Dr. Bianito A. Dagatan, Engr. Rizalito S. Casinillo, Capt. Edsel L. Pepito, Engr. Lydia M. Reyes, Dir. Ma. Crispy B. Velasco, Dr. Salustiano B. Jimenez, Mrs. Elvira Ycong, Dr. Benjamin D. Tiongzon, and Atty. Darling Chyrmyth D. Wagas.

I am deeply touched by the heartwarming message of Mayor Edgar Labella and impressed by the eloquence and facility of Hon. Philip Zafra in the “Sugbuanong pinulongan.” When I met some of the elected BOD led by Dep-Ed’s Dr. Salustiano B. Jimenez, I articulated that it is their duty and responsibility as they continue in their journey to do something for their fellow Visayanians, to always uphold and always keep high the green-and-white Visayanian spirit. Hopefully someday, a new breed, a new crop of leaders will emerge lifting the torch to be passed on to the next generation of UV graduates. 

That night, I was reminded by the words of Papa Inting and Mama Pining. Mama had told me, “Dodong, remember this, in your journey endeavor to engrave some footprints of kindness in the hearts of our less fortunate brothers and sisters, once done, your day will be complete.” And Papa had said, “A true Visayanian is one who is humble, humane and compassionate, who always puts his heart in his hands in dealing with his fellowmen.” He also said that “in the four corners of the classroom one acquires knowledge, education, develop skills, attitude, and character and values but never learn gratefulness – one learns it at home, from his or her parents.”

Though I may sound like a broken record, I am a true believer that when my Lord and my God breathed life into this poor soul, this sinner and His lowly servant, He had a purpose. Being among the Visayanians that night made me realize how precious life is. In all my meetings with the UV deans, the faculty members, and students all these years, I always shared with them my belief that we all live from moment to moment, only the Lord knows when our time is up, He can knock at our doors at any time.

My prayer to my constant companion Sr. Santo Niño, with the protective arms of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the watchful eyes of Mama Mary, and the intercession of my brother, Servant of God, Bishop Teofilo Camomot was for the event to be successful, that we would have a good number of attendees as the entire Visayanian community gets to celebrate 100 years only once in a lifetime.

When my wife Nena and I arrived at the venue around 7 in the evening, I was overwhelmed by the huge turn-out of attendees. It was an answered prayer. With elation came the feeling that, indeed, Papa Inting, the University’s founder and Mama Pining, the inspiration, were with us that night, especially during the awarding of the 10 Most Outstanding Visayanians. It was both humbling and inspiring. Everything had to come to an end, nothing would last. In the words of my maternal grandmother, Lola Ande: “Ang tanan lumalabay lang, daw aso, daw anino.”  

To all our green-and-white blooded Visayanans, kindly always put in your heart and mind, the commitment to keep the Visayanian spirit burning and to include me in your prayers that I can continue to walk more miles in my journey as a keeper of the legacy of my father, Papa Inting, the University of the Visayas and, like Mama Pining, to continue to be the “servant” of the Lord and to our dear Mama Mary who loves us all.