NDL batch ’75 ngayon, makalipas ang 36 na taon!




Grand Reunion – Masayang nakipagbiruan si Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino (2^nd-L) ng Malungon, Sarangani sa mga dating kaklase sa Notre Dame of Lagao, sa kanilang muling pagsama-sama makalipas ang may 36 na taon sa Family Country Homes and Convention Center, Gen. Santos City.  (JoJo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE/ ippalma).



Classmates batch ’75 – Masayang nagkita-kita ang may 74 na mga dating magka-klase sa Notre Dame of Lagao (Batch ’75) kasama si Mayor Reynaldo “Bong” Constantino (5^th -L) sa isinagawang reunion na may temang: “we’re still alive and kicking,” sa Family Country Homes and Convention Center, Gen. Santos City. (JoJo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE/ ippalma).      

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Muli’y pinatunayan ng Notre Dame of Lagao batch ’75 ang kanilang matibay na samahan noong araw ng Lingo sa gitna ng isang grand reunion na may temang “we’e still alive and kicking,” sa Family Country Homes and Convention Center dito sa naturang lungsod. 

Ang pagtitipon ng 74 na mga dating magkaklase ay ‘di lamang nagbigay-daan para mabuksan muli ang mga masasayang alala ng nakaraan, kundi maging nakagawian nang  pagbibigayan at pagtutulungan sa mga higit na nangangailangan.   

“This get-together is a result of our December 2011 gathering where Mayor Bong Constantino brought out the idea of a reunion after our last meeting some 11 years ago. It’s quite a long time, with us a bit comprehensive of our slowly diminishing number, though it is not so alarming yet. A reminisces of our good classmates who passed away, and to those who would like to come but could not able to do. So this event was designed as a real memorable one, as we revive the spirit of camaraderie … for us to enjoy our remaining  time prior to the day that shall never come,” ang pabirong sinabi ni Victor Tiongson na siyang president ng mga magkaklase.   

Sa isinagawang pagtitipon ay isa si Constantino sa sentro ng mga biruan mula sa kaklase’t dating mga magtuturo, ‘di lamang dahil sa naitulong nito para sa kaganapan ng pagtitipon, kundi maging sa mga ipinagbago nito mula sa dating pasaway na estudyante patungo sa pagiging alkalde ng isa sa mga pinakamalaking bayan ng Sarangani.

Ayon sa teacher nito na si Gng. Sophia Bascon-Insoy, ang mga pagbabago sa buhay ni Constantino ay isang ehemplo na dapat lamang sundin ng mga mag-aaral lalo na yaong mga may “kapilyohan” sa klase.

“The kind of a Notredamian is really being lived-out by the mayor from a former happy-go-lucky guy during his days in high school. Today, his matured ways and being a  good leader of Malungon town is of great  pride for us teachers,” ani Mrs. Insoy.

Naging madamdamin naman sa kanyang ibinigay na mensahe si Constantino habang pilit nitong sinasariwa ang ilang tagpo ng nakaraan. 

“I have nothing to be proud of for I myself was even a victim of various political prosecutions, condemnation, trials and failures before I anchored to where I am these days. Yet, one lucky thing I did... was when I let dear God design my life specifically during my hardest trials,” ani Constantino, habang muli nitong sinariwa ang naging “tula” nito sa panahon ng kanyang pagsasanay na ayon pa'y nagsilbi ring inspirasyon sa kanyang buhay.

“Life is a Warfare: a warfare between two standards: the Standard of Christ and the Standard of Satan. It is a warfare older than the world, for it began with the revolt of the angels. It is a warfare wide as the world; it rages in every nation, every city, in the heart of every man. Satan desires all men to come under his Standard, and to this end lures them with riches, honors, power, all that ministers to the lust and pride of man. Christ on the contrary, invites all to fight under His Standard. But He offers no worldly allurement; only Himself. Only Jesus; only the Son of Man; born an outcast, raised in poverty, rejected as a teacher, betrayed by His friend, crucified as a criminal. And therefore His followers shall not be confounded forever; they are certain of ultimate victory; against them, the gates of Hell cannot prevail. The powers of darkness shall splinter before their splendid battalions. Battle-scarred but resplendent, they shall enter into glory with Christ, their king. Two armies, two Standards, two generals… and to every man there comes the imperious cry of command: Choose! Christ or Satan? Choose! Sanctity or Sin? Choose! Heaven or Hell? And in the choice he makes, is summed up the life of every man,” ang talumpating muli ay ipinarinig ni Constantino sa mga kaklase na minsa’y naging tagapakinig nito may 36 na taon na ang nakaraan sa naturang pamantasan. 

Ang ilan sa mga naging prime movers para sa kaganapan ng naturang reunion ay nakilalang sina: Antonio Niduelan, Lucy de Castro, Susan Tan, Willie Leoncio, Danilo Gomez, Ressie Yumang, Mayflor Maamo, Gliceria Villafuerte, Roland Aquino, Genevieve Diestro, Hazel Aparente, Rosita Taperia, Ramon Asuero, Patricio Cerera, Elvi Bensonan at Marichu Beronilla. (Isagani P. Palma/ MIO-Malungon).