NOHS alumni homecoming

The Negros Occidental High School, one of the oldest high schools in the province is set to celebrate its annual homecoming on Saturday, April 25.

Although I am not an alumnus of NOHS, I always took part in their annual gathering with my late wife, Nene, and have become an adopted member of batch 52.

Out of 11 children, 7 of them graduated from NOHS and as such, almost every year, one of them always comes home to join the actual festivities.

This year, it is my daughter, Mate', who is in the thick of the alumni homecoming as their Batch '85 celebrates their 30 th year under the leadership of Teresa Diesto. I'd like to take time out from the usual political commentaries and share what they have been busy with in the last month.

Mate' told me that a lot of her batchmates are coming home to take part in the celebration which will culminate with a prom ball at Sugarland Hotel. This is to experience the prom night that they never had when they were in high school for economic reasons then, probably.

Unlike private institutions, those attending public schools are not required to have prom nights since these entail expenses. I've seen the preparations most of my grandkids do for prom from their gowns and tuxedos and their parents howling at the costs.

So, thirty years later, with many of them accomplished in their own fields, NOHS Batch '85 decided, it's time to experience prom, it's time to party now that they can afford it.

I initially was amused by the idea but seeing my daughter and her friends get fired up over their upcoming event meant this is a big deal for them and it will also be a chance for me to see some of her former classmates, many of whom have at one time or another ate or slept over in our home.

Among her closest friends, Noel Iligan, who is already a member of our extended family, has been regaling me about their preparations, particularly the production number they have been having sleepless nights over.

Although I will never be able to rationalize the cost and time they put into it, I can see their youthfulness return when they talk excitedly about their reunion and it seems like they are back in high school.

I am looking forward to also see some of her old classmates, many of whom I last saw more than two decades ago and who were like family to us when they were growing up.

Isper Resuma is arriving today from the US along with Miriam Sotocinal, Betsy Meloto, Mylene Jimenea and many more. Some will also be coming from Europe, Dubai, Australia and elsewhere and I am sure they will have fun celebrating and reconnecting with each other.

I remembered Isper because she is also my grandson's godmother and the younger sister of Ingrid, another close friend and classmate of my daughter, Inday. The Resuma's are the nieces of the late Vic Salazar who worked with us here in DAILY STAR. They had countless sleepovers at our place back then.

Their batch will also be paying tribute to their teachers, some of whom they haven't seen after high school and I think it's a nice gesture for them to invite their mentors in their celebration.

Next year, it will be my daughter, Nenen's turn to come home and celebrate with her batchmates. Last year, my other daughter, Mary Anne, was not able to join her batch since she was on tour with the cast and crew of the Phantom of the Opera.

To this year's celebrants in NOHS, congratulations and may you have more activities that are not only fun but also meaningful as part of giving back to the institution that helped mold you.*

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