What COVID 19 has done to us is change our way of life. I think you all know what I mean. In my case, if not for this pandemic, my schedule of activities this year would have been a fully loaded one with our class reunion set on August 15 & 16 in the list of priorities. But, sadly, it’s one of the perceived casualties of this health crisis in view of the fact that our freedom of movement has been restricted indefinitely to stem the spread of the virus. Thank God I was not able to purchase a plane ticket to Bohol in advance; otherwise, I will have another ticket that I need to claim for refund.
But COVID or not I thought our reunion should proceed because this year is our 40th anniversary (Ruby) since our graduation from high school in 1980. Yes, it’s a milestone that we should not allow to skip in our consciousness and treasured time! But how can we do it when we are told to stay home? Well, today we live in a technological age wherein distance is no longer a barrier to our desire to meet and celebrate, although not physically but virtually.
Convinced that we can still proceed with our class reunion amid a situation of pandemic, I called up Juntabs -- being the acknowledged virtual class president (translated as hari-harion ug alig-aligon)-- by phone to propose to him that we proceed with our planned class reunion even virtually through the help of the internet with apps, like, ZOOM as a very convenient means. Approving without thinking, he immediately posted my proposal on our class facebook page hoping to solicit reaction. Luckily, Ringkoy picked-up the proposal and offered his ZOOM account for the initial meeting. Racing for time, we immediately set the first ZOOM meeting last July 24 (Philippine time) which was participated in by Ringkoy, Arnces, Liklik, Juntabs and yours truly. The first ZOOM meeting was very productive in which we were able to set the virtual reunion on August 24 (Philippine time). Ringkoy suggested to have series of ZOOM meetings before the reunion in order to create a groundswell of interest from our classmates. In hindsight, I think Ringkoy’s suggestion was a stroke of a genius for true enough some of our classmates who were in hiatus are showing interest lately.
If the second ZOOM meeting last August 3 (Philippine time) were to be the gauge, I am very hopeful that our scheduled virtual class reunion will be a success. In fact, more joined in the said meeting, like, Rene, Ringkoy, Jecebu, Manox, Juntabs, Arnces, Baloy, Eric, Liklik, McAbs and me. Was it not Sir Eronico, our CAT Commandant, who taught us of the importance of a good preparation when he would constantly remind us: “a good start is already half the battle won?” And to stress the point, he would add: “Ana na, bai!” Feelings of nostalgia, tamed by the wisdom we gained from experience through the years, has made us very calculating in our discussions. Nobody tried to monopolize but each one had his chance to speak out and share his thoughts and ideas. Whatever we have reached so far is a product of our collective decision!
On August 8 (Philippine time) we will have our next ZOOM meeting. I hope we can fine tune the finer details of our preparation. Likewise, I expect that more from us will join the meeting so we can accelerate the crescendo as we drumbeat more interest and excitement for our reunion.
Personally, I am excited of our forthcoming virtual class reunion not because I initially broached the idea but because I am very positive that it will draw us closer to one another again. I am hopeful that our virtual interaction will go beyond our reunion. For several years many of us have not been in contact with each other after we parted ways but now we are starting to reconnect. Perhaps it’s part of nearing old age that we like to look back and treasure the friendship we have established in the past. For after all, we are a band of friends and even brothers with common experience of growing up together as teenagers in the four walls of the seminary that we once called home. (Soc Mesiona)
