Eye Opener
By Rodolfo P. Gumabong

INCHS Class 1950 55th reunion on a howling success

Believe it or not, Class1950 alumni who are in their early 70s ( the oldest was 83 years), came by droves to the Iloilo Grand Hotel Sunday morning, April 3, leaping, singing, dancing and praising God that they are still alive and were able to meet their classmates not only from Metro Manila, Negros Occidental, in farflung Iloilo, Guimaras, but the U.S. as well.

Prominent personalities from Metro Manila-based alumni were former Philippine Air Force chief Gen. Federico Pasion, Jr., AFP Brig. Gen. Mariano Ganzon, Vietnam war veteran now Montery Farm Executive Raymundo Siguenza, former Metro Manila Auditor Adela L. Parcon, retired teacher Marietta Sing Aco, Engr. Roberto Gillegani, Nurse Boni Biyo, Ruth D. Caretativo, U.S. physician Romeo Ocampo and his wife nurse Nieves Perez.

Cezar Villanueva, Lolita Castro, and Luz Era Demailig from Bacolod City also enlightened the celebration.

Nurse Luz Villarete Brown and her American husband from Illinois , U. S. A. , missed the whole day celebration but were present during the dinner.

Rey Siguenza and Ric Palabrica, acting as emcees, entertained the crowd with their witty remarks and funny jokes that brought the house down.

Gen, Pasion was asked why he came despite his recent ailment, the mestizo debonnaire who led the “Blue Diamond” crack pilots to fame and glory in the early 70's replied, “I am at home with my classmates and enjoyed meeting them”.

Easter Capanas Regozo, alumni President, gave her remarks, which was joyfully applauded by her classmates.

Emil Antiqueña the vice prexy and his wife Corazon Belleza who was credited for the success of the alumni affair received a thunderous ovation.

All the members of the Board of Trustees of ICNHS class 1950 Foundation, Inc. were unanimously elected, except Rudy Cordero who begged to be replaced due to his health condition.

Marcelo Mabilog, the macho gentleman from Molo, was instead installed as a board member vice Rudy Cordero.

Former City Mayor Mansueto Malabor, himself an alumnus of Class 1950, swore into office the elected board of trustees members.

The most significant business taken up by the alumni was the mutual aid program to be extended to members who may be hospitalized or passed away.

ICNHS Class 1950 alumni have sponsored nearly 604 scholars since 1970 up to the present time.

College scholars are being discussed by the present board of trustee members.

What was moving and touching during the affair was the passing of hat for voluntary financial assistance to ailing alumna Rose G. Bermejo who appealed to the body for financial assistance to pay her rehab bill and medicines.

Mrs.Romita Dueñas Garcia, a famous declaimer during her high school days spearheaded the voluntary financial assistance.

There was also a silent moment of prayer for the departed Class 1950 alumni.

Every alumnus went home happy not only for attending their 55th year reunion but with gifts to boot with from benevolent classmates.

The Manila alumni headed by Ray Siguenza brought in handsome gifts for the alumnus who arrived No. 50, to signify Class 1950 and another alumnus whose number was 55 for the 55th year alumni reunion.

The first two alumni who arrived early that morning were also recipients of gifts.

The 60th year alumni reunion was tentatively scheduled on April 2010 and alumni present anticipated their coming back five years from now with the help of God Almighty.