The recent gatherings of Silliman alumni and friends from all over the world are back — something that was impossible during the years of the pandemic.
First successful gathering was in TIPON 2022 held in Boston, Massachusetts; for TIPON 2024, Sillimanians gathered in Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort for the fun weekend from June 20 to 23. Then many will fly to Malta for the Euroflock scheduled on Oct. 3-6.
The Silliman Spirit is indeed unstoppable, and a distinct bond among alumni of the iconic Dear Old Silliman.
I give credit to the alumni and friends based in Dumaguete, as their kind welcoming at any given moment in our student life is truly endearing.
We all share memories of a happy place called Dumaguete – the Silliman Spirit shared this bond with much family love, as inspired by the welcoming hearts of the people of Dumaguete.
Everytime we gather beyond the portals of the campus by the sea, Silliman and Dumaguete come to life.
In the Philippines this year, the alumni gathering was revived by Davao Sillimanians led by Susan Palad, Davao’s dynamic tourism and community advocate.
On the first day on June 14, we started with screams of joy and rendezvous, embracing of former classmates, fraternity brothers, dormitory roommates, high school buddies, and familiar places of solo sojourners, at the grand entrance of the UCCP Congregational Church at the Crossroads along Legaspi Street.
After everyone was accounted for and warmly welcomed by the Davao Sillimanians, all roads were directed towards the home of Dr. Les & Nene Mangaoil where a lunch fellowship was held. Their home, on a slope in Bangkal, is Davao’s version of the Ravello home along Laguna.
Manang Nene, former Silliman trustee, and daughter of Professors Emeritus Jose & Sofia Ravello, made sure the feeling of being in a “Ravello home” would be felt. There were familiar furniture, the Mangaoil Museum, and the abundance of food and drinks all brought so much recollection of the hospitality of the Ravellos.
Silliman Trustee Ed Bangayan welcomed everyone, with an offer for a free guided tour around Samal Island.
There was an instant concert by Jamie Sofia, daughter of Dr. Jed Mangaoil, with hit songs powerfully rendered, with SillimanTrustee Emmanuel Abellanosa as the instant front-act .
And a load of Silliman Kalayaan Trivia was played, as part of the post-June 12 freedom day celebration.
After lunch was a tour at the Davao Crocodile Farm with fire dancers welcoming the Sillimanians.
The grand tour provided by COO Borj Borja and his team unfolded much of the Philippine fauna which brought back memories of the classrooms of Biology professors Angel Alcala, Dioscoro Rabor, Alfredo Y. Reyes, and Rodolfo B. Gonzales.
The opening ceremonies of Sadyaw Mindanaw 2024 was held at Kaonana Hall, where a sumptuous dinner was.
The short but colorful parade of participants was participated in by the Cagayan de Oro Sillimanians, led by Power Ladies Angeline Bacal-Guarin and Helen Grace Uy, as the biggest delegation.
Other representations included The Pintados (Leyte-Samar Sillimanians), and the Sillimanians from Dumaguete, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Iligan, Butuan, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Cabadbaran, Dipolog, Manila, with special delegations from High School Class 1979, SUHS 1977, the Order of Purplehood, De Molay, the Rhoans, the Pan Hellenic Society, Beta Sigma, Aggies, MedTech, Engineering alumni, Socsargen, and Sillimanians from all four Davao provinces.
The Best in Safari OOTD were recognized after the bombastic performance of Ate Eden, president of Pintados.
Among the highlights of the evening were vibrant gifts from the Davao cultural dances, and songs performed by Tribu K’Mindanawan.
_______________________________
Author’s email: karlmike@yahoo.com
