HOMECOMING is often looked forward to by most Filipinos. Homecoming is going back to our memories and experiences. In fact, every year, schools would organize alumni homecomings with the objective of connecting with the alumni, coming from all corners of the globe. This is an opportunity to get connected once more and for everyone to be “young” once more.
The University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos Blue and Gold Alumni Association Inc. headed by its president Dr. Angelus Calansingin Diamante with the help of the officers and jubilarians (Gold – ’66; Diamond – ’56; Ruby – ’76, and Silver – ’91), organized this year’s Grand Alumni Homecoming last September 24.
The day opened with a Thanksgiving Mass led by Rev. Fr. Eduardo Celiz Jr., OAR, university president then followed by a party at the main lobby tagged as “Sinadya sa UNO-R” sponsored by the Silver jubilarians.
The Diamond jubilarians led by Retired Judge Anastacio Rufon were honored. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, an alumnus of the UNO-R Law School, also came.
The affair continued in the evening at the Sugarland Hotel with the Grand Alumni and Awards Night. The eight Outstanding Alumni Achievers 2016 are: Dr. Anamer Corcelles Barbagallo (BSMT ‘91); Mr. Sunny V. Diego (HS – ’94); Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran (BSC ’83); Dr. Doris Jungco – Fuller (HS ’76); Ms. Linaflor Montebon-Heard (HS ’76); Ms. Joan Honoridez (HS’ 87, BSCS –’91, Law –’96); and Mrs. Elsa Magbanua-Luis (HS ’65); and Atty. Anabelle S. Palic, PhD (MBA ’98, Law ’09, and PhD ’14).
Mrs. Montebon-Heard, a US Navy nurse, gave the response. She recalled the discipline imparted by Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio Rodrigalvarez, OAR. She recounted how her classmates helped her through poverty while studying at UNO-R, which trained her to become person-for-others. In her job, she has to work for others. She would even treat the wounded enemies in battle and now, she has to take care of the unwanted of society in the penal institution.
This is “caritas et scientia” at work. We see how a UNO-Rian embraces challenges and how they work for others. It is at UNO-R where both the mind and the heart are challenged, and work together. At UNO-R, we train both the heart and the mind.
The night was full of entertainment as the Golden jubilarians with Vicente “Omar” Omarrementaria came to the dance floor with the music of the 60’s. The Ruby jubilarians also shared their energy as they led the community in the Mardi Gras zumba. Congratulations!
The next Blue and Gold Alumni Homecoming will be on September 30, 2017. See you.
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Belated greetings to the Great Mrs. Lourdes Mirasol of the BGAAI who celebrated her birthday on Sept. 26.
St. Ezekiel Moreno; Sts. Pedro Calungsod and Lorenzo Ruiz; Pope St. John Paul II; Mons. John Liu and Su; Fr. Cornelio Moral, OAR; Manoy Bill; and Engr. Faraon Lopez, pray for us.