More than a round

The first “Palò” golf tournament organized by Lourdes School Quezon City batch 1969 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club was a huge triumph. Close to 180 players from all over the country

joined the shotgun-start, Double Peoria-handicapped round on a warm, breezy day. Play extended well after noon, as a sumptuous lunch and entertaining program awaited them. Huge prizes were given away in the raffle, including large flat-screen televisions, washing machines, other appliances, golf clubs and gift certificates. Other batchmates watched the proceedings live from Los Angeles and other parts of the country through video chat.

“We’re very happy with the turnout,” gushed Boy Unson of Batch ‘69, who set the entire enterprise into motion more than a year ago. “It’s so nice to see all our classmates, teachers and old friends again.”

The field included congressmen, mayors, former government officials, doctors, businessmen, lawyers, various professionals, sponsors and the new LSQC Alumni Association. Fr. Albert Poblete, current rector of LSQC, gave an inspirational message. Remarkably present were two guests very dear to the 69ers: their religion teacher Epifanio Paras and their prep teacher, Asuncion Datiles, who is 91.

The event also launched the LSQC 69ers perpetual trophy, a gorgeous green glass piece entitled “Exuberance” by world-famous sculptor Impy Pilapil. Half of the artwork is made of six layers of glass fused together, looking like a rising wave of joy. It recalls the qualities of joyful celebration. A full-sized four-foot section of trunk from a tree felled by a typhoon at Wack Wack serves as the stand. The low gross champion of each Palò tournament gets his name etched on the base. If anyone wins any three Palò tournaments, they get to keep the trophy permanently, and a new one will be commissioned. Very few sports have perpetual trophies, such as hockey’s Stanley Cup and the Orient-Pacific Boxing Federation’s Flash Elorde Trophy. The trophies of all the other winners were crafted from tree cuttings from the fairways themselves. 

“This serves as a reminder that this is a living, evolving project,” says Gary Cayton of the organizing committee. “There is so much our batch wants to do in the name of our alma mater.”

More than being a chance for fellowship, the Palò series aims to raise up to P5 million to serve as a prize for a scientific breakthrough, something that will benefit generations of Filipinos.

“We will launch a contest for any person or group that will create an app that will allow you to teach the entire high school curriculum,” says the 69ers’ Atty. Gabby Villareal. “We believe in technology which will enable our youth to study even if they cannot afford it or are physically unable to. This will keep us at pace with the digital world.”

In the build-up to their 50th anniversary jubilee celebration in February, LSQC Batch 1969 is targeting a second golf tournament and other worthwhile projects. They have already reached out to other batches, and have six batchmates on the 11-man LSQCAA board, which ensures that they can guide how their alumni can influence future generations. 

A great round of golf, half a century of friendship, a lifetime of memories, giving back to society. Tell me, what could be better?