EDITOR’S NOTE: NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2023

What a jampacked Quarter 4! In October, after months of rehearsals, reliving high school memories and cementing tighter bonds of friendships, Jubilarians headed by our hosts, the Silvers of HS 1998, donned the familiar red plaid for Old Girls Day Mass then took to the stage in gemstone signature colors and danced and sang their hearts away! I was one of the Ruby jubilarians and I am already experiencing withdrawal symptoms! I miss my classmates. I miss the heady dancing and the rigorous exercise. I miss the delicious food spreads and the high volume, a mile a minute chatter that only a group of Assumption women can generate! I came home not only to my alma mater.  I came home also to longtime friends, the best you can have, because as a very astute friend said: “You can’t grow old friends!”

November was no less frenetic. After 4 years of laying low, the AAA has brought back so many beloved traditions. On its 25th iteration, the AAA Bazaar opened its doors to a record 5,500 shoppers. We had 126 vendors, also a record, all of whom are raving about the arrangements, the foot traffic, the sales…and are ready to sign up for our next bazaar! There are even requests for a mid-year bazaar!

Making another comeback is our AAA Quarterly Lunch. First instituted under the AAA Presidency of Milette Ocampo, the quarterly lunch is an opportunity for fellowship that many alumnae look forward to. Our keynote speaker was the renown Fr. Jocis Syquia, Director of the Office of Exorcism of the Archdiocese of Manila. Exorcist! Immediately, frightening images of the 360 rotating head in the Exorcist movie come to mind, and fear strikes the heart. But Fr Jocis’ talk on defending our family and loved ones against spiritual attack is actually very hopeful. We learned that we are not defenseless, that we have tools and prayers of deliverance and sacramentals to help protect us according to the doctrines of our faith. But over and above the blessed salts, water, bells, sacramentals that Fr Jocis blessed after his talk, our most important protection is our faith and our relationship with God. Since Fr Jocis’ talk, I have been immersed in the pages of Father’s many books, very riveting and eye-opening reading.