LegACy

(Conclusion)

Happy Old Girls’ Day! It’s the special time of year for grateful alumni to come home to their beloved Assumption for a grand velada and meaningful reunion.

This year’s  gracious hosts, the Silver Batch of 1992, challenged each of their guest batches to present their very own AC (Assumption Convent) class legacies through acts of service, creative fundraisers, song and dance numbers, generous gifts and donations to keep the AC mission schools going.

Marlu Villanueva Balmaceda, dynamic president of the Assumption Alumnae Association, congratulated all the jubilarians and thanked them for their energetic performance. “It is through your AC legacy that the Assumption Alumnae Association will build its future,” she said.

Blue Diamond (HS Batch 1952)

A legacy of  giving is what lights up the lives of Batch 1952. These Blue Diamond ladies gleam with all the good deeds they have done through the years as classmates, great grandmothers, servants, Marian devotees, prayer warriors, matriarchs and entrepreneurs. “Love must not be kept but given away,” said Trining de Leon Panicucci, who lovingly nurtures babies in her own home until they are wholeheartedly received by adoptive parents. “And always remember that whatever you do must be accompanied by prayer,” she added. “Because prayers move mountains.” These ladies continue to live life to the fullest by giving glory to God in their every day lives. And dear Lord, they can still dance!

Jade (HS Batch 1982)

“Thirty-five years after graduation, we are closer than ever,” shared Marissa Alejandro Lopa, lead singer and writer of Batch 1982. “Although the last few months have been tumultuous, marked by the heartbreaking loss of two much-loved batch mates, we still find ways to make each other laugh. In keeping with our motto, ‘What thanks can I render thee my God?’, we choose to live each day with gratitude, humbly realizing that foremost among our God-given blessings is the special brand of sisterhood we share.”  This beautiful batch of dancers, who love each other deeply, rocked the stage with a heart-stopping dance medley led by their classmate, excellent dancer Christine Blando Frederiksen and a touching video tribute to their “Pilar of strength” (their batch mate Pilar Estrella) titled 82 days of Christmas, which lovingly displayed their legacy of solid sisterhood.

Pearl (HS Batch 1987)

On their 30th year as graduates of the Assumption, Batch 1987 continues to embrace their legacy of faith as a pearl of great price. “Our faith keeps us together in prayer, moves us to action, helps us to transcend all human hardship and teaches us to aspire to be joyful,” shared Yvonne Dayrit Romualdez on behalf of her batch. These women, whom I am so privileged to know, are always ready and willing to respond to those in need. Drawn by compassion for the selfless soldiers who risked their lives in Marawi, they quickly filled care packages with goodies, handwritten prayers and letters as tokens of thanks and support. Through their classmate Nenita and her husband, Lt. Col. Demy Zagala, the goods were happily received by the Special Action Forces with utmost appreciation.

They continue to follow our Mother foundress St. Marie Eugenie who said,  “Our mission is not only to know, love and serve the Lord but to make Him known, loved and served.”

All hail to our beloved Assumption!

(Please come to the Gold Rush Assumption Bazaar on Nov. 19, Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mayuree Ballroom of the Dusit Hotel in Makati City for the benefit of the Assumption Mission Schools.)

(Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com.)