Silliman University in Dumaguete might as well claim to be the “Happiest Place in the Philippine Islands” award.
Thousands of alumni both from near and far made their way back to this City of Gentle People to take part in the 123rd founding anniversary of Silliman.
For many, it is an annual trip back; for others, it may be their first time to come back to this place they refer to as their second hometown, after being away for decades.
The preparations for this Founders Month were spearheaded by a Committee which had been meeting, planning, and coordinating with various other people and institutions in and outside of the University here and abroad.
The Founders Day Committee, with Dr. Elizabeth Susan Vista-Suarez as chair, fashioned the theme as: Today’s Treasures, Tomorrow’s Traditions: Cherishing Silliman’s Gifts. They also chose Matthew 25: 14-30 (The Parable of the Talents) for the biblical verse, and the songs One More Gift and Find Us Faithful.
The celebration was ushered in with a Silliman Fun Run last Aug. 3, and culminated with the Lulinghayaw alumni dinner fellowship on Aug. 28 .
The Silliman campus transformed the atmosphere during this time, with the Silliman Spirit alive and kicking. Everyone had a ready smile during functions and reunions. Laughter was often heard, and so tons of endorphins must have been released by happy people.
A friend posted on Facebook that while he was onboard a plane, he overheard someone saying: “Marami yatang Sillimanian dito ngayon kasi maraming nag-e English eh!”
In my case, I went with the flow, but had to select particular activities I could attend, giving priority to alumni meetings (like the assembly and the homecoming) and reunions.
I was invited to give a message on Aug. 24 to the alumni of BSN Class ‘89 who were celebrating their 45th year. Their theme was Denims and Pearls.
In preparation for the affair, I visited the Alumni Office where I scanned through the Portal, to look at the alumni’s faces when they graduated.
Of course, all of us have changed through the years.
BSN Class ‘89 had 109 graduates who took the December 1989 Philippine Nurse Licensure Exam. Erna Lorena was topnotcher, and 14 others in her class made it in the Top 20.
BSN Class ‘89 truly put SUCN on the nursing map, and made their mentors proud.
By Aug. 29, many of the alumni started travelling back home. May God grant them His travelling mercies.
The campus is quiet again. Let us savor the sweet memories, and move on with our lives, fully charged.
We are blessed to have been a part of this year’s celebration. Thank you, President Betty McCann, the deans of the various colleges, the Board of Trustees, the Founders Day Committee, the alumni, faculty/staff and students for a successful 123rd Founders Day celebration. We give back the honor and glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
May God continue to bless us and our Alma Mater always. See you next year, God willing.
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Author’s email: [email protected]
