My fantasy to become a King and ruler of a nation became a reality. I was a King for one day! I was crowned King of the Union High School of Manila 2008 International Grand Reunion at the Crown Plaza in Niagara Falls, Canada. I was anointed with oil and had a gold crown placed on my head in a lavish Gala Night before more than 100 guests. As the new monarch, I was called upon to rule “wisely, justly and truly. When I emerged at the ballroom, the guests line the route to my throne and cheered. I was accompanied by Her Royal Highness, Queen Mila Abesamis-Emerson.
I wore a black silk shirt, a 3-inch gold medallion, 
and a three-meter-long gold-colored cape. The ceremony was followed by the traditional dancing by the King and Queen, and later followed by a dance exhibition by Duke Isagani and Lady Sally Gregorio followed by Lady Jocelyn Oliveros-Ronquillo and Duke Harlan Ragay.
Awesome! Indeed awesome! That’s how I would describe the 4-day reunion of the graduates of the Union High School of Manila (UHSM) hosted by Ontario-based UHSM alumni. Walang pabida. Walang martyr or bayani na inaako or ginagawa ang lahat ng trabaho. I know the “martyrs” meant well. But there should be delegation of duties.
and a three-meter-long gold-colored cape. The ceremony was followed by the traditional dancing by the King and Queen, and later followed by a dance exhibition by Duke Isagani and Lady Sally Gregorio followed by Lady Jocelyn Oliveros-Ronquillo and Duke Harlan Ragay.Awesome! Indeed awesome! That’s how I would describe the 4-day reunion of the graduates of the Union High School of Manila (UHSM) hosted by Ontario-based UHSM alumni. Walang pabida. Walang martyr or bayani na inaako or ginagawa ang lahat ng trabaho. I know the “martyrs” meant well. But there should be delegation of duties.
Headed by Olivia Galang-Daantos and Pete Ignacio, the members of the organizing committee were Willie Damian, Mike Resposo, Estela Ignacio-Jimenez, Pete Ignacio, Lingkod Juane, Jr. Beth Morales-Sanvictores, Lorna Bautista-Parcon, Joel Caes, Noel Esguerra, Esther Esguerra-Salangsang, James Chanco, Jay Jainga, Elsa Ignacio-Gamelo, Mina Damian-Bote. According to Jay Jainga, their spouses provided the needed boost to the holding of the reunion. Although unseen and playing vital roles in the background, their spouses have given the necessary morale and emotional support for the team members to excel in the tasks demanded of them. I personally saw every member of the organizing committee pitched in to make the event a success. I saw them all work from day one to closing day of the celebration. Future grand reunion should learn from this Ontario-based alumni organizing group how to work as a team.
On Day 1, our attire was our school uniform. The men wore white shirt and khaki pants while the women wore white blouse and sky blue skirt with matching white socks and black shoes. Line dancing was the order of the day.
On Day 2, we had a picnic in the morning at the Queenston Heights Park, Pavillion Site. We had fun playing games that brought back memories of our high school days. In the evening, we woreour generation attire. I wore a denim bell bottom pants, poncho shirt, and an elevated (platform) shoes. The Oliveros Gang won the 1st prize for their attire but I was given a special prize for my shoes.
In the morning of Day 3, the reunion attendees were given the opportunity to enjoy the opportunities to experience first hand the Canadian (Canuck) way of life through tours around Niagara and neighboring communities, and other leisure activities. Niagara, with its world-famous majestic waterfalls, exciting nightlife, vibrant business centers, enthralling theme parks, challenging golf courses and special attractions for nature-lovers, is one of the world’s most ideal settings for school reunions and other social and leisure events, where people from various places are expected to congregate in grand scale.
The Gala Night on Day 3 was a time for the ladies to display their evening gowns and “bling-bling.” I wore a yellow see-through barong with white embroidery accented by a 3-inch gold medallion from Saudi. I had “bling-bling” too that caught the attention of Pastor Badong. .
Day 4 – Adieu! After breakfast, it was time to praise God for all the blessings that we continue to receive. Pastor Badong’s message centered on our school’s motto: “Faith, Character, and Service.” When we sang “How Great Thou Art,” I can’t help but shed tears of joy. Naramdaman ko na lamang ang mainit na luha na dumadaloy sa aking mga pisngi. It was time to bid Adieu. It was time to say goodbye and until we meet again. And until we meet again!
As the Premier minister de l’Ontario, Dalton McGuinty, said in his message to the alumni, “the organizers should take pride in their hard work and commitment to making this celebration a memorable one for all the Unionites.”
Mabuhay!
