Virtual Reunion 

By Leni Gallares-Butalid

Pandemic, lockdown, covid or whatever came our way, could not prevent HNU Class ’68 to meet and reunite on the appointed time May 9 -10, 2020 agreed upon during our Golden anniversary reunion in 2018. Arrangements have been made initially, simpler and intimate but which would have included a night of Karaoke and dancing (specifically requested). Then Covid came and lockdown followed. Everyone’s plans were put on hold. We all kept connected via our Messenger chat where somebody suggested that we meet virtually on the scheduled days. The plan was hatched and became a reality via a Zoom reunion and an FB live mass.

Exciting was the preparation because most of us are technically challenged so just downloading the Zoom app and accessing the FB for the mass gave us sleepless nights as classmates all over, forgetting timelines that separate us, texted and called to consult each other.

We thought of having a practice meeting on May 7. Majority of those who attended had their son, daughter or apo assisting them in accessing the Zoom meeting room. There were 13 of us attending (Fred Kudemus, Fr: Roy Cimagala. Juliana Bitoy Morales, Rosemarie Palma, Joyce Rabor, Cirila Fe Corpus, Monina Lim, Linda Bunayog, Nonoy Dalmao, Nilda Carlson Ninfa Dumas and Tessie Jugos and me as host. The whole time was a tutorial class conducted by Fred K on how to show one’s face, how to be heard or how to join. Of course, there was kumustahan and much laughter but more often, we could not hear each other as each one talked at the same time. At least, it gave us a glimpse of how our actual reunion will be on May 10.

The FB live mass on May 9 was a success with 22 people able to attend. Six were unable to access. Fr Roy, in his introduction (since the mass was opened to his other FB friends) said that the mass was in thanksgiving and intentions of HNU Class 68 and its former teachers, and the repose of the souls of 38 classmates and 18 teachers who went ahead of us. (Within 2 years, three left us, Albert Rara, Abe Salvaleon and Henry Pinat). His homily centered on Jesus giving Himself to us in the Eucharist, entering into us physically, that we should help each other and act our assigned roles in life in solidarity with others and appeal to our Blessed Mother, being the Stella Maris, to lead and guide us into where we are supposed to be. Lastly, he reminded of the virtual reunion the next evening, wondering whether we can still recognize each other and admonished us to make the bond as a class stronger and to focus on what is essential and what matters.

After the mass, during the Messenger chat, the joke was that for those unable to attend, BenV will celebrate another mass after which a reception will follow at Saya’s (our favorite reunion venue).

Tonight, the Zoom reunion meeting was a success. Present (16) were Juliana Bitoy Morales, MaxfelBullecer, Fred Kudemus, Fr Roy Cimagala, Joyce Rabor, Rosemarie Palma, Marito Garcia, Monina Lim, Ninfa Dumas, Cirila Fe Corpus, Tata Ipanag, Zenith Tenebro, Tess Jugos, Linda Bunayog, Inday Decena and me as host. After the kumustahan, we went into singing our class songs: Try to Remember, For All We Know, You’ll Never Walk Alone and the proposed theme song of this year’s reunion: May Bukas Pa. Monin rendered a short Zumba while Tata and Zenith rendered a duet of the song Jamaican Farewell. Then we agreed to have our next class reunion, if Heaven allows, on May 9-10, 2021 pohon. Since we were on different timelines and seniors that we are, we were now either sleepy, hungry or lowbat. So we asked for Fr Roy’s blessing and message. He emphasized that there is indeed “forever” in the eternal home prepared for us by God and that God loves us all so much that He will bring us all there, if we allow Him to. And because it is Mothers’ Day, we honor our dearest Mother, Mama Mary, who herself is the embodiment of love. Then we said our goodbyes with the promise to meet again when time allows us even before the scheduled reunion. Yes surely,” may bukas pa at may Forever”.

Till then our dear classmates.

P.S. Never in my wildest imagination that this Rico Puno song will become our theme song. Going thru its lyrics, indeed it gives us hope of having tomorrow after the sadness of today with prayers to and faith in God. Here are the lyrics:

May Bukas Pa

Song by Rico Puno

Huwag damdamin ang kasawian

May bukas pa sa iyong buhay

Sisikat din ang iyong araw

Ang landas mo ay mag-iilaw

Sa daigdig ang buhay ay ganyan

Mayroong ligaya at lumbay

Maghintay at may nakalaang bukas

May bukas pa sa iyong buhay

Tutulungan ka ng Diyos na may lalang

Ang iyong pagdaramdam

Idalangin mo sa Maykapal

Na sa puso mo ay mawala nang lubusan

Sa daigdig ang buhay ay ganyan

Mayroong ligaya at lumbay

Maghintay at may nakalaang bukas

May bukas pa sa iyong buhay

Tutulungan ka ng Diyos na may lalang

Ang iyong pagdaramdam

Idalangin mo sa Maykapal

Na sa puso mo ay mawala nang lubusan

Ang iyong pagdaramdam

Idalangin mo sa Maykapal

Na sa puso mo ay mawala nang lubusan….