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Celebrate Reunion 2007:
SSAA Is Alive and Well in New York

Mike Palileo
Posted: Thursday May 31, 2007 03:00 PM

What started out as a simply planned affair turned out to be spirited but soignée—typically Scholastican, with a decidedly New York feel.

The destination at the unlikely hour of three in the afternoon on Saturday, April 28, 2007, was the Philippine Center in midtown Manhattan, with its very own beloved “watawat” waving gaily at the shoppers and tourists milling about Fifth Avenue and 45^th Street.

Unlike in November 1987 when the squeals and greetings of recognition from fellow alumnae greeted one at the entrance of the hall at Barbizon Hotel (the site of the much touted “first ever East Coast Scholastican reunion”), in the lobby of Philippine Center one felt only a sense of expectancy and an eagerness to begin. An hour before the start of the event some twenty guests could be seen quietly gathering in small groups, particularly around the two very special guests who had planed in from the Philippines a few hours before, Mother Mary John Mananzan and Dean of Music Sister Mary Placid. Albeit jetlagged, both nuns beamed cheerfully at their arriving former students. S. Mary Placid in particular seemed especially pleased with herself for having flown in to New York at a few hours notice. She got permission at the airport, she said, from – who else? her plane companion, M. Mary John, the Prioress! “I’m already here,” she grinned, “but I still haven’t packed!”

Spotted in various states of controlled nervousness were the seven members of the Steering Committee who had organized only six weeks before to stage the event. Overall coordinator Daisy Barawidan should probably have been the most nervous. Being a Boston resident she could do her coordinating mostly by cell. As one crossed the foyer one could not help noticing Emma Villareal courageously manning (or more aptly, womanning) the registration table. The rest of the elegant steerers, Marita Legaspi, Cecile Lowlicht, Sherry David, Lala David, and Mike Palileo fluttered back and forth and up and down, negotiating last minute details of reunion hosting. There were, after all, two venues to take care of at once: Kalayaan Hall on the second floor appointed for the program, and the Center lobby bedecked for the reception and dinner. Let no one say this affair was not original – two venues, and the guests would eat twice!

By the middle of the festivities, the count was in. Fifty guests, comprising 49 women and one male guest. Familiar faces from past reunions, officers and members of the original founding group: Daisy Barawidan, Sylvia Cornista-Leonard, Corito Bunag, Cecile Bunag-Lowlicht, Chell Jarencio-Bengzon, Beann Castro, Yvette Jarencio, Nene del Rosario-David, Marita Nadres-Legaspi, Emma Fernandez-VillaReal, Joann Lara, Sol Oca, Lillian Ronquillo-Gatchalian.

Officers of succeeding boards: Mike Palileo, Salve Pena-Neelankavil, Dingding Quintos-Cortez, Sherry David, Rosemarie Constantino, Helen de Gorostiza-Bayani, Charo de Gorostiza-Encarnacion, Lala David-Amoros, Pinggay Lara, Amy Castillo-Poster, Blanca Oca-Pertierra, Maite Barrantes-Arguelles, Chiqui del Rosario-Zarrella.

A glimpse of old friends to gladden one’s heart: Mercedes Menez-Blume, Ruby Topacio-Bernales, Tips Busmente-Jackler, Gilda Fule-Prael, Ronie Nieva, Chayong Ronquillo-Castro, Giocky Oca, Charisse Oca, Pinky Prat-Mendoza, Gigi Aragon-Mander, Lulut Valte, Remy Luciano-Leal, Therese Rodriguez, Aya Villegas, Toni Ty-Semar (her husband the one male guest).

And finally a new generation of SSC New Yorkers: Maria Fe Abesamis, Maria Lourdes Colina-Gribbon, Anna Villacorta-Arellano, Del Ocampo-Quisumbing, Vangie Matreo, Erlinda Gonzales, Maria Leonor Llorin-Paliguin (the evening’s youngest alumna).

Modesty aside the program at Kalayaan Hall was flawless. Scripted and paced to the very second, program numbers went like clockwork. Daisy Barawidan kicked off the program with her opening remarks, “It’s Good to be Together Again.” Sherry David called attention to the guest speaker’s stellar background with her introduction, “We All Know.” M. Mary John’s interactive speech invited the audience to participate in a Shibashi dance to the accompaniment of a recorded flute. S. Mary Placid appealed for donations of musical instruments and announced plans to set up the Battig Foundation for music scholars in the U.S. In her speech “Celebrating Our Seven” Mike Palileo introduced the 7 Outstanding Centennial awardees from SSAA East Coast: Daisy Barawidan, Beann Castro, Chell Jarencio-Bengzon, Dalila Solis-Oca, May Mayor, Toni Ty-Semar, and Therese Rodriguez. Then all the guests sat for forty-five minutes of committee discussion ending with committee reports. To cap the program S. Mary Placid led the group on the piano in Benedictine song, “We Are Here, Dear SSC” and “Let’s Cheer for Saint Scholastica” with violinist Leonor Llorin-Paliguin. One round of group photos on stage, and the whole entourage retraced their steps down to the lobby for an abundant spread courtesy of Cornucopia.

At the end of the evening it was most heartwarming to hear the compliments: “Such an enjoyable homecoming!” (Rose Constantino). “Really a very successful reunion” (Ronie Nieva). “Very well organized and the turnout was good” (S. Mary Placid). “That was a great reunion, similar to the first one—meaningful bonding times among childhood friends get more precious each time!” (Yvette Jarencio). “People left the Philippine Center with a feeling of renewed energy—the Steering Committee should be congratulated!” (Sol Oca). “Ang saya talaga!” (M. Mary John). “I thought a four-hour reunion would be too long but the four hours went so fast I feel sorry that it’s over” (Lillian Ronquillo). Wonderful compliments. To which an organizer responded, “The spirited guests are the reason for a party’s success.” Spirited it decidedly was: typically Scholastican, spirited but soignée.

There are enough congratulatory pats on the back to go around.

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