CANLAON CITY — The Silliman Spirit, the bond known to bring Sillimanians into this family fellowship wherever they maybe in the world, was again celebrated in General Santos City and Sarangani Province on April 29 to May 1. Silliman University Alumni Chapter President and Director for Mindanao Linda Bañas Alvarez and her fellow alumni officers of the SOCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos) Sillimanians gave North America’s Tipon a Mindanao version and it’s called SADYA MINDANAO! The convergence of Sillimanians from all over Mindanao was loaded with fun and discoveries within this very progressive metropolis in Southern Philippines.
In General Santos, the Dumaguete delegation was welcomed with a lunch at Sarangani Highlands. This hotel and restaurant on a hilltop overlooking the Sarangani Bay is home to the city’s biggest bonsai collection set in a garden of rocks and driftwoods with tropical blooms everywhere. We love our lunch which had fern salad, fresh-from-the-barn beef and lamb cuts and grilled blue marlin. Sarangani Highlands is the new oasis in this province of sandy valleys.
Our home for 3 days here was the old known oasis in South Cotabato, the Calsangi — clubhouse of Dole Philippines. It is in the middle of the Polomolok pineapple plantation and like a little Baguio, it is dotted with pine trees all over. There was no need for airconditioning for it’s cold even at noon time. Linda ushered us to an afternoon merienda of fresh-baked bread from the in-house oven and pine-apple drinks. Then, we had to rush to our rooms to watch the live telecast of the Prince William and Duchess Kate’s wedding. The mountain coolness of Calsangi was the perfect setting for the most romantic event unfolding on our TV screen.
We had to be in the city for the evening welcome party for the participants of the first Sadya Mindanao. A fun night of food and friends was held at the barn in the middle of the city, actually the Sechong Homestead as we were hosted by Ronnie and Hena Sechong and their wonderful family. Fishing magnate Roger Lim made possible the seafood fiesta that evening and promised to flood more in the coming events. And much more of the home cooking from Sillimanians and their families welcoming everyone. We also had this sharing of unforgettable campus anecdotes. Each spontaneous twist kept the sadya flavor of the evening. Lito Animo of Davao City can’t help but express, “this is so fun!”
The day of work came. Alumni officers representing SOCSKSARGEN, Bukidnon, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Surigao del Sur were finally in convergence to look into the needs of alumni. The venue for this was the Kasfala Hall of the Sarangani Capitol as arranged by the longest-serving SOCSKSARGEN alumni prime mover Joe Villanueva, the Executive Secretary of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Sarangani. Guest of Honor is the Hon. Vice Governor of Sarangani Steve Chiongbian Solon who gave tribute to his grandparents who were both Outstanding Sillimanians. National Alumni President Judge Cresencio Tan Jr. and Executive Secretary Yolanda Valente Maxino were there to share valuable wisdom and Alumni Affairs Director Jocelyn Somoza de la Cruz brought everyone to the campus-by-the-sea with news and pictures. I facilitated the planning workshop with the guidelines made by former New York-New Jersey alumni president and Tipon pioneer Ms. Fele Magdamo. Many things were covered from the agenda but the highlights were points considered in the Memorandum of Agreement on Sadya Mindanao, the election of Council Officers and the bids for hosting in 2012, 2014 and 2016 as it was agreed that Sadya Mindanao will be held every two years. Cagayan de Oro won the hosting for 2012, Davao for 2014 and Bukidnon for 2016. Ms. Angeline Bacal Guarin, president of Cagayan de Oro alumni, was elected the first council chairperson.
Linda Alvarez’ husband Rene is president of the newly launched SADYA: Silliman Alumni Drivers and Youth Association, the organization of husbands and children of Sillimanians in SOCSKSARGEN with the motto COEGI. EPULUM. EXSPECTO (Drink, Feast, Wait). The new organization is “seriously” hoping to have chapters all over the world.
General Santos City Tourism Officer and Assistant Administrative Officer Glenn Gonzales, a Mass Communication alumnus, organized a tour after the sessions highlighted by a stop at the Manilay bahay-na-bato grandeur, an ancestral home from Batangas transported piece-by-piece and rebuilt to perfection – its old glory fully restored. Other groups made their side-trips to the tuna fishing industry of General Santos-Sarangani and to view the homes from the gates of boxing sensation and Sarangani Congressman Hon. Manny Pacquiao.
The fun-filled Sadya Mindanao ended with an evening of food and talents all were flooding spontaneously. The grand tuna variations which included grilled cuts and sashimi plates courtesy of Mindanao taipan Roger Lim, the turkey and beef inasal, salad bowls, and lots of drinks. Laughter and dancing with the live band leading, interrupted only by the induction of the newly-elected council officers and the signing of the MOA. Sadya Mindanao, sans formal gowns and tuxedo moments, was greatly appreciated for its down-to-earth fellowship that all members of Sillimanian families felt so comfortably at home — mark of the beauty of the valuable The Silliman Spirit.
