High School Sapphire 1980: Togetherness in the Greater Glory of God.
Editor’s Note:
From pilgrim paths to dance floors, the Sapphire ladies of High School 1980 continue to move as one – a sisterhood that goes to the rhythm of faith and friendship. Rooted in Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam — for the greater glory of God — their steps, both sure and stumbling, shine with grace, laughter, and love. In her reflection, Gretchen Ocampo Recto captures this enduring glow of women, who keep dancing through the years, TOGETHER.
“Since ancient times, blue sapphires have been associated with spiritual enlightenment, wisdom and protection.”
Reconnecting in our 60s happens on a deeper level. There is much more to share – and appreciate in each other. Has it really been 45 years since our HS grad? We see our batchmates differently, both curious and happy to know that we have been resilient through life’s storms; that we still stand with each other — or should we say, that we still DANCE together throughout life’s joys and challenges.
Thanks in large part to our indefatigable president, Tonette Apacible Humphries, HS batch 1980 has remained connected and united. Tonette spearheaded new journeys for us. In 2023, the year most of us turned the milestone age of – 60, at least a dozen of us (including some who flew in from the U.S. and Canada) embarked on the Camino de Santiago, walking 117 miles from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. With courage and enthusiasm, we sang, laughed our hearts out, prayed, and reflected. We delighted in the big and small things along our path — from the brilliance of a daisy to the magnificence of a swan!
I ended up in the ‘kulelat’ batch of walkers, who took endless photographs and did not mind stops to savor Galicia’s culinary delights. A favorite dish of ours was the tender pulpo, thus gaining us the nickname, ‘The Pulpos’ . This was opposed to the ‘Fast and the Furious’ Group 1, and the ‘Thomas the Trains’ of Group 2.
Prior to the Camino walk, our pilgrimage was blessed and began with Sunday Mass at the Assumption Mother House in Paris and followed by a visit to the stately Assumption house in Lourdes.
Then in 2024, eleven (11) batchmates traversed the Nakasendo Trail in scenic Japan, a journey that, for some, proved even tougher than the Camino due to its terrain. We coined the word “Togetherness,” and vowed to make it our theme.
This year, with monthly get-togethers in the homes of classmates and dance practices held at Sunshine, we’ve found ourselves feeling at home. The interesting thing about Velada reunions is the discovery of “new” friends each time, outside of our usual high school orbits. As one of us put it, “there are no more sections.”
This strong spirit of Togetherness, visible in our energy and attendance, made our Velada number possible. However, the dance steps of our choreographer Danny Vinculado were a great challenge for about 90% of us!! Many voiced out, “Why can’t I remember the steps? Our memory is different! This is too hard!” I, for one, said all three — but we continued to show up. That’s the thing — showing up, even when it means crawling out of bed the next day!
In keeping with our class motto, we believe that for most of us, whether we crawl or spring out of our beds, each new day is meant to be lived for the greater glory of God. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam! The phrase is engraved on our class ring (which 90 % have probably misplaced by now). It is a motto of humility and one strongly associated with St. Ignatius of Loyola. It invites us to examine why we do what we do — is it for self-glory, pride, personal gain?
Once, when collecting fees for our Velada costumes, the joke was that these were flood control collections. What a year it has been — revelations of the greediest officials on the planet! Clearly, those choices had no ounce of public service, and were certainly not for God’s greater glory. And so, we are reminded that yes, in all things, God must be glorified — not our pockets, not ourselves, and not our egos.
The Blue Sapphires shall now move forward together toward our Golden year — walking, dancing, crying, and singing.
Forty-five years ago, in our beloved Mother Rosario’s literature class, she said, “Remember this — friends are the buttresses of life.” I remember, but did not fully grasp it then. Indeed, the decades of friendship have proven to be the pillars that have kept us standing together, standing strong.
ALL HAIL!
From the stage to the story of everyday life, Cara Wilson — Assumption alumna and Co-Founder of For The Women Foundation — shows what happens when women carve out their rightful space in technology: they don’t just join the conversation, they change it. With vision, compassion, and courage, Cara continues to open doors so more women can contribute, lead, and thrive in a world that needs their brilliance.
Go Assumption Saphires Class of 1980 – galing!