Singing the Alma Mater Song
The Ateneo High School Batch 1988 set high targets for this year's annual Ateneo Homecoming and their goal is to raise 8.8 Million Pesos to give back to the Ateneo. Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Jett Villarin told their batch "Are you crazy?" Eventually come December 7, Fr. Jett, with a big smile on his face told AHS 1988 "Thank You for being Crazy!" The Ateneo High School batch 1988 was excited for this year's homecoming because they not only reached their goal but helped a lot in the process.
The check posted by Caloy Coronel in his FB account
Ateneo High School Batch 1988 homecoming head, Alejandro "AL" Neri thanked his wonderful batch mates as he said " That however good your leaders are, if your followers do not cooperate you wont reach your goal!" This statement is a testament to the batch's resiliency as they eventually donated that amount together with other batches that donated millions to the Ateneo. Their beneficiaries include the Tulong-Dunong perpetuity fund which will help TD Scholars with their miscellaneous expenses, the P.A.G.S.I Ateneo HS Teacher's fund for the development and assistance of AHS teachers past and present that they may continue to learn, educate and inspire generations of Ateneans, the Jesuit Aged and infirm fund to help our beloved Jesuits in their twilight years and the Yolanda victims.
Al Neri thanking his batchmates
BLUNITED for others. This year's homecoming was all about coming back to the place where it all started for most of us. For starters the entrance fee was very affordable at P 88.00! As Al Neri said it they wanted their homecoming to be intrusive rather than exclusive as the venue was packed not only by Batch 88 but by other Jubilarians and non-Jubilarians as well. The event was presented by the San Miguel Corporation while lots of other sponsors pitched in to help out the event.
And the winner is....
The event had so many highlights. Besides the bountiful donations, there were so many raffle items for grabs. Imagine winning either and HTC or Lenovo phone. At the same time, would you want to own one of the three Beer Below Zero Freezers that were up for grabs. The highlight of the raffle was the Toyota GT-86 which at first was the centerpiece of the One Big Shot but unfortunately the 20 guys who got picked to take the shot never got the shot in. Eventually someone was picked at the end of the event to win the other Toyota GT-86.
Another highlight of the night were the entertainers that performed. Ateneo High School Batch 1963 took us to the music of the 60's with Titus Santiago leading his group. Next in line was the 70's music of AHS 1973 which was led by popular singer and songwriter Joey Ayala. These two bands rocked the crowd which was eventually mellowed down by the sentimental number of College 73 Jubilarians Jim Paredes and Boboy Garrovillo who sang the Awit ng Barkada song together with their original Apo Hiking Society barkada. Then came the guest bands, the new Freestyle band that sang cover songs, the SIDE A band and the night was capped off by the energetic 80's performance of Juan Miguel Salvador.
Noli Lorenzana said to Joey G.
"Tell Me!"
For me, being asked to be one of the hosts of the Homecoming is again an honor. Joining me were ABS-CBN Umagang Kay Ganda host Andrei Felix, Ateneo courtside reporter Selina Dagdag and former Lady Booter and now a budding ABS-CBN Talent, Tata Garcia-Long. It was a blast being a part of this year's homecoming. I am just proud of the accomplishments of Batch 1988 and I hope that there will be more blessings to come Ateneo's way. Blunited was really a great way to come back home to the Ateneo.
Selina Dagdag, Andrei Felix, Tata Garcia-Long
and yours truly - BLUNITED as one!
