JOURNEY TO VELADA

Strength of Silver

By Tricia Arcenas with Dessa Virtusio, Rina Marquez and Jen Deomano Santos

2020 was to be the milestone year hosting our Assumption Velada as Silver Jubilarians. It was also the year that brought the whole world to its knees. There was a real possibility that the Velada would be cancelled for the first time since World War II.

Perhaps it was providential that the year before the SARS-Co-V-2 pandemic hit, our High School batch ‘95 chose the theme AC Strong. While Covid-19 continued to wreak havoc in our lives, our batch stepped up and came through with Stronger Together, the first-ever Assumption San Lorenzo Online Velada. As the media generation, we heeded the clarion call to take the Velada digital. In this uncharted territory, we were determined to make it work, and we were going to make it meaningful. With the resilience of the Assumptionista, each co-celebrating batch of Gems rallied with us sharing their strengths and spirit as old girls of AC.

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The online event was broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube last October 18, 2020. Our target was to have at least 1,000 watching. That is approximately the seating capacity of the Mother Rose Hall for 3 performances. As is tradition, we began with a thanksgiving mass. It was celebrated by Fr. James Gascon SJ with lectors and commentators from our batch present and socially-distanced. The mass was supported by music from our newly-formed batch choir with the encouraging support of AC Chorale legend Ms. Tina Yulo So and her daughter Mariel. Recordings of each person were done remotely and combined via a smartphone app.

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The main event began with a video that laid out the challenge we faced in the dark of the pandemic and the light we chose to bring as women of faith and action. Dr. Ola Regala, Assumption College President, then shared the history of Old Girls Day as a spiritual and moral return to the principles of noblesse oblige — “To whom much is given, much is expected.” AAA President Dr. Chinkey Velayo highlighted the benefits of an online Velada and welcomed all Old Girls to the show.

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Silver began the performances with Then and Now. This dance number took us back with hit songs and styles from the 90s. A showcase of photos presented us as we were in our year of graduation and as we are presently making a difference in our spheres of influence — creative arts, education, government, science, medicine, culinary arts, business, sports, media and family. We ended in high energy with a dance performance to contemporary hit song “Rain on Me”. This segment was followed by the celebrating Gems of Pearl (1990 / Dynamic), Jade (1985 / We love. We Serve.) and Ruby (1980 / Resilient).

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The heart of our Velada is and will continue to be our advocacy, support and love for the Assumption mission schools and sister communities. Spotlight interviews highlighted how education transforms lives. Mr. Enrique Maglaque Guevarra of Assumpta Technical High School ‘78, father of 2, repays the gift of education in his continuing support of other scholars and his creating an endowment fund with his retirement pay. Mrs. Irma Medina of Assumpta Technical High School ‘81, mother of 4 and director of Assumpta Technical High School, continues to serve and nurture beyond 36 years.

In support of these advocacies and the Assumption Alumnae Association, we have conducted fundraising activities led by devoted volunteer batchmates over the years like Barre-Ty! with Plana Forma, Frozen 2 movie premiere, Printables merchandise, Halloween 2019, batch shirt, Strong Woman and Mother & Child series sculptures in collaboration with artist Ronald Castrillo https://youtu.be/4VwdEGg8DrE and more recently, the Silver Extended Version Watch Party and religious ceramic tiles https://forms.gle/p6StyHRPrfKUCPQk8. Whenever possible, we source materials to directly benefit our communities like the Assumption Tarts and lemon curd.

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Each batchmate has contributed to the Velada in her own way with her time, talent or treasure. These are the gifts we offer. Our Dowry, a musical segment featuring our original batch song from 1995, shares our batch CoVid Relief efforts undertaken in 2020. Recordings of performances from the Philippines, Australia, the United States and Russia interpret this anew for the velada. Relief efforts continued with our support of the Malibay Community Pantry with produce from farming groups – NGO’s, CSO’s and farmers’ cooperatives and associations.

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In tribute to our roots, we invited our beloved educators to be part of our velada homecoming — Sister MarJo, Mr. Buboy Lizaso and Ms. Chinie Hidalgo. This was followed by Sapphire (1975 / United in Love), Gold (1970 / Empowered), Diamond (1960 / Always Faithful), In Memoriam, Blue Diamond (1955 / Caring), Emerald (1965 / Inspiring), College Alumnae and Next Generation.

As a finale, We are Strong celebrated the individuals of our batch passing this inspiration from one to the next. We are sisters, daughters, wives, mothers, healers, teachers, stewards, adventurers, hopeful, pioneers, champions, immigrants, entrepreneurs, leaders, servants to the greater good, loving, adaptive, innovators, passionate, overcoming illnesses mental and physical, nurturing, helping others, filled with faith, grateful, ourselves, surviving and thriving. https://youtu.be/5faWs4TSftM

To stay in touch and support each other, we have gathered over the years in-person for meals, meetings and recollections. During the pandemic, preparations for the online Velada included countless hours of pre-production Zoom meetings and rehearsals. We continue connecting on our Viber and Facebook groups, Pray with Me rosary online sessions, and have launched Watch & Learn, an online cooking demo series.

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Our Velada was a test of strength and faith. Just as gems go through shaping, cutting, and are purified by fire, we jubilarians have proven that yes, we may go through the fire and feel the heat — but we are not defeated. Surpassing our target in leaps and bounds, there have been over 31,000 combined Facebook and YouTube views of the Online Assumption Velada 2020 from all over the world with over a hundred comments from alumnae of different batches. In connecting with each other, we have also raised a substantial amount for and better appreciation of the benefit of the mission schools and sister communities. For all that celebrated with us, showing up and coming together, and for the opportunity to serve, we are humbly grateful.

A year after we celebrated our Velada, the pandemic has continued to affect the livelihood of Filipinos adversely. With the national enrollment in private schools dropping by 50%, our batch has collectively agreed to use a portion of our batch funds to directly support students from AC and mission schools struggling to stay enrolled due to great financial challenges. This endeavor is Ed.Strong — an initiative to continually fuel the transformative power of education in nation-building. A total of P716,114.00 has been allocated for the tuition fees of 45 deserving students from Nepomuceno School in Malibay, Pasay, Sta Rita Academy in Sibalom, Antique, Xavier de Kibangay High School in Lantapan, Bukidnon, St. Vincent Academy in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte and San Lorenzo, Makati. A portion of the funds has also been earmarked for the infrastructure improvements required by the PEAC – Private Education Assistance Committee for St. Vincent Academy in Lanao del Norte.

“Une action tranchante dans votre très petite sphère.” were the words of Mother Marie Eugenie that Assumption San Lorenzo HS Batch ‘95 chose to guide us into our futures. To make an impact in our small spheres will continue to keep us stronger together in the years to come.

LINKS: Stronger Together: Assumption Velada 2020 https://bit.ly/AC-Velada2020

Mass Songs – AC Old Girls Day 2020 https://bit.ly/mass-songs-OGD2020