ATENEO DE NAGA HS BATCH 1983: A New Purpose in Life at 35

Blogger's Note:  This article written by fellow 83nean Noel "Ghibz" Guevara is a sharing of his reflections of the batch reunion we had last Dec. 28, 2018.  The Bicolano Penguin blog has featured Ghibz' writings more than a couple times already and his style is always packed with exuberant bravado. In his latest piece, the bravado may have been toned down but the trademark candid honesty is alive, kicking and taking no prisoners.  Enjoy. 
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Classmates, please allow me to express my sincerest gratitude and appreciation of the organizers, participants and guests of the just concluded 35th Jade HS Class Anniversary of the Aden Batch 1983!

The first obvious difference from our 25th Anniversary is that I woke up the following day sober, no hangover that allowed me to write this reflection. It may also mean, the level of excitement 10 years ago was like a winning a championship game and the homecoming was like the energy inside an NBA lock room "wetting' each and everyone with squirting champagne bottles! Our silver anniversary as I ponder today was a blast - unbelievably euphoric to recall up to this day!

I really do not know why but last night was a much gentler version, very much gentlemanly and to relate to the symbol of our school logo of an armor-suited knight - chivalrous!  Gone are the rowdy reunions  where our energy of endless laughter reverberates to the ends of Naga City boundary! The night before last night (Dec 28) our batchmates recalled beyond belief how we drank out of control to earn an eviction at a venue. Good thing the owner is an Atenean and brother of our batchmate. 'Grabe ang batch nindo!' was the only penalty he could throw to us by the hotel owner 5 years ago celebrating our 30th anniversary.

Last night was very much calculating, clock-work, by the book! I was waiting for the 'pasaway' moments that we had on our 25th. No bloopers and laughing stock moments as the night progressed when alcohol began to sip in to our throats and stomachs. Everyone was fuckin behaved! No Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde moments. Unreal!

As our HS Valedictorian said, we are very blessed batch because we were afforded to have a one of a kind 'master showman' who remained much more debonaire to say the least in spite of his natural personality to elicit laughter just staring at his face. I can assure you, if he was absent, we will be drinking in distress. Other batches don't have that one of a kind celebrity material.

As we told to count our blessings, it was worthy to note our batchmates who already went ahead of us to the other worlds and dimensions.  It was a reality check. add to that, hearing batchmates seeking prayers to others who are also in dire health situations, I guess that made an impact to me to abort a carefree party mindset and instead adopt a mindful posture to pay respect to departed schoolmates including some teachers mentioned in our mass celebrated by our one and only Jesuit priest of our batch (another blessing to point out as a true basis to believe). 

Ghibz part of the offertory line. 

Enthusiastically joining in the singing of the Ateneo de Naga marching song.

Venue, food, ambiance were almost perfect. Extra bonus was the 'display' of lady ushers who tried to tickle our manly senses that effectively aroused our batch predatory nerves. I was an exemption . When I asked their age, I was doused with cold water. They are  millennials like my 2 grown up kids! That made me focus more on the program for the first time - honestly.  Except for the CR that was clogged (I can imagine in our HS days it will be vandalised in protest in no time), the event was done like a premium-paid outsourced professional event company. Amazing! Why? In reality, our  beloved emcee said - there was no reunion to recall. It only happened when he arrived from Dubai! Hahaha. Trivia: our hot is our 1st transgender. He was known in HS akin to a black singer-comedian. Today, he insist he is the ER TV series actor loo-alike. I have no iota of doubt he is. Hahaha.

With the mic.

Comrade-in-arms sharing a table.

In a prayerful mood.

Waiting for his turn in the games. 

Animated in conversation. 

To conclude, , it is to stress the importance of continued communication - face to face and social media. A number of us have moved on done with helping our family members hurdle the era of educating our  children and are now living towards finding their our destinies.  Let's open a new chapter of looking again at ourselves and ask - What now?  What's next? We should see in our mirror the animated logo of a smiling bearded knight. Put our face inside the armor and say - 'Ready for Action as Men for Others!' That is the truest sense of an Atenean. 

With LG-3 classmates. 

Por da lab. 

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