AFTER 50 years, the 23 high school graduates of La Salle came together for their Golden Jubilee. Jetting in from distant shores are Robert Luzuriaga and Joe Montañez.
From other parts of our country came Edgar Atienza, Ernie Bacaling, Alex Campos, Luis Roces, Francis Suatengco, Fred Uriarte and Teddy Villanueva.
The ones who stayed close to home and ready to welcome fellow golden jubilarians were Roy Golez (the class salutatorian), BB Benedicto, Clarence Chua, Ricky Gallaga, Tony Lagtapon, Ben Lopue, Bob Mascuñana, Anton Menchaca, Tony Montelibano, Oti Montelibano, Benny Pascual, Remi Suatengco, and Claudio Hojilla.
What to say of the class cannot be said better than class valedictorian Dr. Ricky Gallaga.
“The class started with 61 members. At this point, 50 years on, we keep in our prayers our 17 classmates who have gone on ahead of us. When we finished four wonderful years of high school, we sort of parted ways, some temporarily, others, we never saw again as we continued into our college and life adventures. There were a lot who reunited in De La Salle College, Manila but as semesters ended, many came back to Bacolod or moved to other schools.”
“Class ‘66 members went into diverse careers always bringing with them the traditions of La Salle: Faith, Service and Communion. One became a priest. During the dark days of the 80s, many sought wisdom and strength in forming Bible study groups, joining renewal movements, serving the Church in various ways, including becoming extraordinary lay ministers and keeping their faith alive.”
“It was Class ‘66 that celebrated First Friday evening masses at the La Salle chapel together with the school chaplain and extending this invitation to the rest of the alumni. This faith had been planted in our school years when we would go to teach Catechism at St. Joseph’s as well as public schools in the city.”
“For those who became businessmen, lawyers, physicians, planters and politicians, the Christian value of Service came into play. We never forget to serve others, including the least, the lost and the last, creating jobs and helping Boys Home and bringing hope and joy in their workplaces, as bankers, real estate representatives, and advertising executives.”
“And finally, we experience Communion as we continue to serve in the places where God has placed us. Whether we enter the world of art – performing arts in theater and dance or the visual arts as photographers, or the world of science as pharmaceutical executives, the sense of empowerment continues to urge us to bring others to the Community, whether it is the La Salle family here or abroad, smaller homeowner communities and various groups in different spheres of work and leisure.”
Congratulations Golden Jubilarians! Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever. Animo La Salle!
WEEKEND EVENT. The Garcia-Sanchez School of Dance, which started July 5, 1971, will celebrate its 45th anniversary with a Dance Recital today (July 9), 6 p.m., at the Kansilayan Gym in Silay City.