RETURNING HOME. Letran host batch '92 with Rev. Fr. Clarence Marquez, O.P. gather for a photo op during the Letran Alumni Association's 100th grand alumni homecoming in Salon de Actos. Photo from Davy Chioa/ITMS.
With much eagerness to relive their Arriba Spirit, various Letran alumni once again entered the halls of the Colegio for the Letran Alumni Association’s (LAA) 100th Grand Alumni Homecoming last November 18.
In true Letranite fashion, the celebration kicked off with a mass presided by Rev. Fr. Soc Villegas at the Colegio’s chapel, this is followed by the awarding of the Jubilarian medallion with Rev. Fr. Clarence Marquez, O.P. and Rev. Fr. Boyd Sulpico, O.P. handing over the tokens.
High school alumni batch 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, and the host batch 1992, wearing their shirts and barongs, were seen with pride and big smiles on their faces as they received their medals of loyalty from the Colegio.
The turnover of the original piece of the Himno del Colegio de San Juan de Letran also took place as the alumni sang with pride and honor.
Ricardo Montezon, an alumnus from batch 1977 who has been awarded a Jubilarian medallion, said that the awarding event was fun as it brought him back to his days as a high school student. “We reminisce back to our old times when we were in high school so seeing familiar faces then getting together with them and also recollecting ‘yung mga old things that we used to do, it’s refreshing so to speak.”
He also added that he was honored to be awarded the Jubilarian medallion because it showed gratitude to himself and Letran.
In the evening, a dinner gala was held at the Colegio’s gymnasium with the Letran Band and Letran Lakas Arriba Cheerleading regaling them.
A brief video of Letran’s history was played and with its theme “Proud of its Heritage, Honored in its ideals DEUS, PATRIA, LETRAN”, the said video clip highlighted the important milestones of the Colegio.
Award-winning TV host and broadcaster Atom Araullo was the emcee of the night and the festivities were started with a prayer led by Rev. Fr. Boyd Sulpico O.P.
President and Rector Rev. Fr. Clarence Marquez O.P. gave the opening remarks for the festivities with his trademark phrase, “Welcome to Letran, tuloy po kayo.”
In Rector Rev. Fr. Clarence Marquez O.P. ‘s speech, he introduced one of the plans for the upcoming Quadricentennial year.
“We are looking ahead to the year 2020 where we will be celebrating our Quadricentennial year and parts of our celebrations are projects pertaining to the Quadricentennial and among the projects we are promoting to you will be the Quadricentennial building. It will rise from this gym kaya kung iisipin niyo, eto na po ang huling taon ng gym na ito,” he jokingly said.
“Pero may mga bagay tayong ip-preserve lalong-lalo na ang mga ala-ala natin dito kaya ngayon di na tayo magpapaligoy-ligoy pa, ipapakita namin sa inyo ‘yung ating pangarap patungkol sa Letran quadricentennial building. It is designed by our fellow alumnus, Dean Armin Sarthou from UP College of Architecture,” Fr. Marquez O.P. added.
A slideshow of images showing the proposed design of the Quadricentennial building was presented on the screen.
The floor was then given to various representatives of the batches present. First was the representative of host batch, HS Batch 1992 Lester Palarca. Next was batch 1960’s, former senator Freddie Webb, a renowned individual in sports and in politics. And finally, the president of the Letran Alumni Association (LAA) Marlon S. Cunanan.
With much enthusiasm, these speakers brought forth eye-opening insights, and a lot of memories that made everyone reminisce as they relate to the words spoken by the night’s speakers.
After dinner, the teachers of batch 1992 were given recognition while celebrity singer Randy Santiago serenaded them.
A fun fare entrance with the parade of the Jubillarians’s flags and a performance of the traditional CSJL cheer led by the Letran Cheer Leaders also took part in the program. The singing of the Colegio’s hymn then followed.
A slideshow of images was shown, displaying Letran alumni from all over the world holding the ‘Arriba Forever, Letran’ commemorative Quadricentennial flags in which all the proceeds from those flags will go to their scholarship program
During the final moments of the festivity, a token for the Letran institution was awarded on behalf of Rolando Alejandro Cruz, Patrick Anthony Abando, and Albert Noriega.
Rolando Cruz from high school batch 1992 passed on the mace to batch 1993 and gave the closing remarks that ended the program.