Updated Plans for Section M/Zeus Pre-Reunion Gathering

Dear Classmate,

Going over the pictures to be posted for our site at multiply.com, clichéd as it may sound, I am certain that I spent some of the best years of my life in my four years of high school with the most intelligent, funny and adorable group of people possible. I am amazed when I recall how a motley group of people, involving the different sets of individuals and barkadas, come together and make happen the daily comedy and drama that is section M/4 sus! Sometimes, the years make us forget some of the details but in the deep recesses of our memories and hearts, I am sure that all of us share this sentimentality towards everyone and everything that our class was.

We are not getting younger, that is perhaps most palpable now when many of us have finally reached, with much dread and unbelief, our 30th year on this earth. We are saddled with more responsibilities and greater challenges as we move on to new stages in our lives – this we know from our occasional chance meetings or the intermittent reunions we may have had. There are stories of joy when we hear about a marriage or the birth of child. There are also stories of sadness when we hear about each of our problems. In many occasions over the years, many of us have looked back and relied on each other’s support.

Our recent efforts in registering our love and concern for one of our own going through a difficult life challenge proves to my mind that there was more to our class than great memories and funny people. There is more that binds us to each other than nostalgia. That is because our friendships remain real and meaningful to this day and tomorrow despite changes in the way we view the world and the personal differences we may once have towards each other. Thus, it is possible to continue making memories now as friends who stand with each other - iisang bangka.

This is the spirit that drives these new efforts to organize a class and batch reunion. Looking over the pictures of our classmates, there are a few whom we have never seen for a very long time and have regrettably lost touch with. We will make all efforts to ensure their attendance. With our exciting plans, we will entice those who are far to come home for the reunion which could be our first and hopefully not the last organized gathering.

Here are some details of our plans. These are tentative of course and open to revisions and suggestions and we can have our discussion here:

I. Organization of a US – Manila - CDO reunion committee

The Manila reunion committee has already convened to start the initial preparations. However, there is an important reason for our US-based classmates to also convene since they also have a special role in our activities.

Of course, the bulk of the preparatory work will have to be passed on to our home-based classmates. I guess the first work in order is to convene a class General Assembly (which could also coincide with the impending batch GA) and request for volunteers for the different tasks that are in order. I will be presenting some of the suggestions for the class reunion by going over the different committees that need to be formed. First, some important particulars.

REUNION DATE: December 28, 2006. Thursday.
WHERE: Dadz Walter's Mansion in San Mateo St., Sta. Cecilia Village, Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City (watch this space for a map sketch of dadz's house)
TIME: 7 pm

II. Secretariat and Program Committee

Not that we need name tags to know each other but we need to ensure every one’s attendance. Many of our classmates have not seen each other for many years, some not since graduation. This time, we will do all we can to ensure the attendance of everyone in our class. The primary task of the secretariat is to update and contact all in a systematic and thorough manner. We do not want to leave anyone out.

Everyone’s help is needed. For starters, maybe we can send our own address books by email or post what you know to be their last known phone numbers and/or address to Olive P. (mewmew) who has volunteered to the CDO-based committee. Her phone number is 09177067257 and her email address is: olive_1477@yahoo.com.

Since the committee is already tasked to contact our classmates, they will also be requested to firm up the program. Here are some of our suggestions for our activities on this night. The Secretariat and Program Committee is requested not just to contact and confirm the attendance of all but especiall the participation of the talented individuals who will make our gathering a blast.

Suggested Emcee: Eunice and Romeo

Suggested Program:

1. An Audio-Video Production about Section M/Zeus – c/o Arnold, Togz and Paeng
2. Show and Tell – Each one of us will bring our own memorabilia from HS and explain its significance to the class.
3. Who said what? – Two of our talented impersonators, Paeng and RicRic, are requested to prepare spiels about the memorable events and personalities in our class.
4. Testimonials – Open mic section. Classmates can finally express their undying love/hate for one another or opt to come out or basically express what is it that they feel towards the batch. No holds barred. Video messages from those who cannot attend from the States or elsewhere is a must. This will also include viewing of video messages from classmates abroad.
5. Class Picture taking
6. Open Concert – On the 29th of December, Friday or the next day will be our batch reunion. Part of the program is a presentation from each class. We can use this as the occasion to practice and have a blast over our suggested 80s-90s medley of hits with Chaos in China as the back-up band and the special appearance of Annex (singing excerpts from More than Words), Dadz (Ariel Rivera’s Sana Kahit Minsan), Jon (singing Salamat) and a special surprise number. We will end the night (or the morning na ba?) in absolute mayhem - drinking and partying.

III. Food, Venue and Logistics Committee

By their very nature, this committee will also be the money men and women. Our suggestion is for each of us to bring our assigned dish or drink while we solicit the rest of our food requirements using our class’ ingenious fund raising methods. Donations from absent classmates based in the States are very much welcome. Classmates from Manila are craving for lechon, rice sa puso, etc. A classmate from the states wants booze and more. Let us try to avoid a registration fee and pitch in after all this is the season of giving. Macoy and Dadz have already volunteered to handle this committee.

If we go over the program, there are other logistical requirements apart from the venue. These may include the following:

a) Basic PA system – maybe Corpus will allow us use? Macky?
b) A Basic Band Set – Up – rudimentary instruments that can be rented for two nights, for our class reunion and the batch reunion the next evening. Of course, if we can source this for free given our network , the better.
c) A TV and DVD set or better an LCD projector – to view our Audio-Video Production
d) Good Photo (for the class pix) and Video (documentation) Equipment – Documentation is special not just for posterity but also for our classmates who are based abroad.


IV. Some Special Matters

Majority of those who attended the special GA at Odette’s house have their own particular funny requests. I think these suggestions are valid for both funny and serious reasons. Objections can still be raised of course. Offenders will be asked to dance the Macarena.

a) No partners please – Our class is notorious for being cliquish and fanatical. You don’t need to alienate your spouse or much worse cause serious psychological damage to your kids by having them witness your crazy ways during the reunion, right? Besides, how could you drink and party to your heart’s desire? They are, of course, invited the following night during the batch reunion where we assume more formal and straight personalities.
b) No talk of jobs and salaries – We will assume that we are all successful millionaires!
c) No talk of religion and politics – So that no one will be offended.
d) And finally (this is odette’s request) – no talk of kids please (if you can resist)! Hehehe

This reunion is, of course, not exclusive to just Zeus or M. Our batchmates are very much welcome to drink and party with us. It would be better if they schedule their reunions before the 28 so that we can also attend theirs.

So this has been the subject of our long and serious meeting last night, October 6, 2006 at Odette’s place. Please write your comments below ha?

Missing all of you,

Arnold

P.S.
Sa mga taga-US ug mga dili magpakita, louy lang ang absent for sure!

PLEASE CHECK COMMENTS SECTION BELOW FOR THE ONGOING DISCUSSION REGARDING OUR REUNION