Las Noventas: The 2015 SMAD Grand Alumni Homecoming

 

“Las Noventas: The 2015 SMAD Grand Alumni Homecoming”

Sun.Star Davao, Jan. 4, 2016

T’was a spectacular night of high-rolling fun and nostalgia as we brought back the good, old high school days at the 2015 Stella Maris Academy of Davao Grand Alumni Homecoming --- Las Vegas style!

It’s been a week since the homecoming at the school’s SkyGym but my fellow silver jubilarians from SMAD Batch 1990 and I are still over the moon after ”Las Noventas” turned out to be a roaring success!

Planning the hosting of the homecoming began five years ago through the initiative of our batch president Lafayette Lim but we seriously started the ball rolling roughly six months ago. Yes, we are crammers!

But, God is good. He blessed us with the greatest team. We may be few in the working committee but everyone did their jobs wholeheartedly. When we graduated, we were only 89 in our batch and more than 30% of us are now based overseas. However, time and distance did not put a strain in our relationships. Everyone did their part in ensuring our homecoming’s success through their time, financial support and encouragement.

And, what a blessing that months before the homecoming, we came to know Arnold Alvarez and his incredible Siningtala Dance Company. They gave us the Las Vegas-themed homecoming we will forever remember complete with show girls, stilt walkers, unicyclists, cabaret dancers and singing drag divas. For the finale number, we also made history by rearranging the school hymn into a Las Vegas/Broadway beat which was wonderfully performed by SMAD Batch 2015’s Chloe Palar, the 2015 Ateneo StarSearch champion.

After the grand production number, the audience was enthralled once more with the mind-blowing performance of Davao’s very own human beatbox, Neill Llanes, Talentadong Pinoy grand champion and Asia’s Got Talent finalist.

That night, we likewise paid tribute to our former sisters, teachers, administration and maintenance staff who graced us with their presence. We are who we are today because of their guidance, patience and love.

Exciting surprise give-aways kept the alumni and guests glued to their seats until the end of the program. The prizes included a round-trip ticket for two, Manila-Hong Kong-Manila, via Cathay Pacific; Samsung 40” LED TV Full HD; Samsung 24” LED TV; Samsung Tab 3V; De Luxe Room Accommodation at Seda Hotel; VMV Hypoallergenics beauty packs; Panasonic washing machine, and many more!

Rewards were also bequeathed to the batches with the most number of attendees and best photo entries on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag: #SMADhomecoming2015.

The 2015 SMAD Grand Alumni Homecoming was made possible by NCCC, Phoenix Petroleum, VMV Hypoallergenics, HR Team Ware, Davies Paints, Marina Tuna, Kuilan’s Food Haus, Malagos Garden Resort, TriConstruction Ventures, Corp., Lamb of God, Boysen Paints, Ford Davao, Unilever Phils., P & G Dist., Colgate Palmolive, Tanduay, Hermintan, Coca-Cola Femsa Phil., Inc., URC-CFC, Century Pacific Food, Inc., and Puyod Farms.

On behalf of SMAD Batch 1990, we wish to thank everyone who made our dream homecoming a reality. A special shoutout to SMAD directress Patricia Aragon, F.I.; SMAD Batch ‘89’s Dr. Jett Lu; Stella Maris Academy of Davao Alumni Foundation, Inc. headed by president Lynnette Lasala; Ms. Annabel Palarca; presentors and sponsors; as well as fellow alumni, guests, SMAD teachers/staff, and friends who contributed to the homecoming’s overwhelming success!

To God be the glory!

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.