What began as small get-togethers among college friends has grown into an annual tradition as Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) alumni celebrated their ‘College Friends Reunion’ last Saturday, August 24, at the PME Fathers Rest House, Bago Aplaya, bringing together alumni from batches 1970 to 1987.
The gathering started with a Holy Mass celebration presided over by Rev. Fr. Jerick Asdang, DCD, HCDC alumnus. During his homily, he encouraged attendees to make the most of their time together, not just as friends, but as one people journeying with God, tying his message to the spirit of the reunion as he said, “A reunion is a gathering, and a gathering is synodality.”
Building on this message, Greg Tanbengco, one of the core behind the reunion, urged his fellow alumni to seize every opportunity to reconnect with old friends as he recounted past experiences that reminded him of the uncertainty of life.
“Life is fragile, enjoy it,” Tanbengco said.
Sharing a brief history of how the reunion was first formed, the vice president of the organizing committee Bernaditta Garzon said it started in 2015 when a small group of friends spontaneously came together and later pushed for the idea of bringing other groups together for a reunion, eventually growing into an annual get-together where they could take a break from life and reconnect with old friends.
“The real purpose of this is for us to enjoy. While we are still here, just take advantage of what is there and enjoy life to its fullest,” Garzon said, adding that spending time together with friends brings them a sense of psychic reward.
The alumna also acknowledged the challenges of organizing the gathering but said they were made easier with the help of the organizing committee, most of whom were fellow work scholars.
Alumni Affairs Officer, Mr. Romil Torrejos, introduced the alumni to HCDC’s current alumni-related initiatives, led by the Center for Social Communications and Alumni Affairs, including the Alumni Privilege Card Program, Alumni Portal, and the upcoming Alumni Café and Career Center, in line with HCDC’s 75th Diamond Jubilee Celebration.
Overall, the reunion highlighted the lasting legacy of the HCDC alumni community and the ties that continue to stand the test of time.