MEMBERS of the Class 1978 of the Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) in Bacolod City are raring to celebrate their 40th (Ruby Jubilee) from April 24 to 28, with batch mates from around the country and overseas arriving to join the annual alumni homecoming.
On April 24, Class 1978 and the Silver Jubilarians, Class 1993, will host a Mass and Medical Mission at the NOHS Quadrangle.
The following day, Wednesday, Class 1978 will visit the Home of Hope in Barangay Handumanan for a gift-giving and children’s party for wards of the shelter for abused girls.
On Thursday, Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, the class alumni president, will host a welcome dinner at his residence.
The Luzon chapter of the class will host dinner on Friday at the Bacolod Circle Inn along Lopez- Jaena Street, Capitol Shopping Center. Host for the evening will be Rod Simon while entertainment will be provided by the Soul and Rhythm Band.
The Grand Alumni Homecoming on April 28 will kick off with a grand motorcade at 6 a.m. from the Sacred Heart Church on Lizares Avenue to the NOHS campus on Araneta Street. Class ‘78 alumni will join with around 18 vehicles.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Class ‘78 will honor teachers at a testimonial lunch at the Alumni Hall. Also, 11 student-beneficiaries of the class’ scholarship program will receive their certificates of scholarship.
To cap the Ruby Celebration, Class ‘78 will recognize seven members for their distinguished service and achievement in various professional fields at the dinner to be held at the Bacolod Business Inn the evening of April 28.
The outstanding alumni awardees are Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran for Government Service, Retired Brigadier General Joselito Kakilala for Military Service, Jo V J. Dignadice for Humanitarian Medical Service, Jose Jaime Espina for Journalism, Dandy Rivera for Banking and Finance, Nathaniel Samson for Education, and Rev. Ricaredo de la Cruz for Religious Ministry.
The Friday and Saturday night programs also promise fun and surprises for 70 lucky raffle winners.
The Negros Occidental High School is the oldest secondary school in the province of Negros Occidental. It first opened in July 1902 as Instituto Rizal and was later renamed Rizal Institute. When the permanent school campus was constructed in 1927, the school was named Negros Occidental High School. (PR)