10 minute read
Greetings
Congregation of Dominican
SISTERS OF ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA
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Sta ‘ Catalina Convent-–Generallate
127 Sta.Catalina St, Corner Biak-Bato.1114 | Quezon, City Philippines Tel (02) 712-4330 | Email: secretary generalopsiena@gmail.com
My dear Sienans Batch ‘71, Blessed be God forever.
Golden Jubilee Celebration is a rare occasion. It took 50 magical years before you turned GOLD. But this celebration is not just about 50 years after high school graduation. It is celebrating SIENANS who have turned GOLD as persons. As I address you on your jubilee, I am looking (virtually) at you with the eyes, not anymore of a teacher, but that of a mother who has seen her daughters as growing, carefree, teenagers to the glowing dependable goldies, very much like the precious gem, GOLD, that they are now. How precious have you become? Let count the ways.
Your Alma mater is a CATHOLIC School.
Is God still the center of your lives? I trust you have high ideals in life.
Your Alma Mater is a Dominican School.
“Veritas”. Do you still stand for the truth? I believe in your integrity.
Your Alma Mater is a FILIPINO SCHOOL.
Whatever citizenship you have acquired now, do you keep the “Diwang Pinoy?” I hope in your concern and love for the Philippines and your “kababayans.
Your Alma Mater is a CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOL.
Do you still remember the DOMINICAN SISTERS OF ST CATHERINE OF SIENA, their teachings on values, their practices, and traditions? I feel your compassion and mercy for the sick, the poor and the young. A Sienan is MAKA- DIYOS, MAKA - TARUNGAN, MAKA-BAYAN, MAKA-TAO.
Fifty years after your unparalleled, joyful, youthful life, you still manage to be together, albeit virtually. This is a gesture of passion for unity and solidarity. Given this fraternal gathering opportunity, you will reminisce life in Siena, I am sure with tears and laughter. So be it At the end of the day, PRAY.
In conclusion, I invite you to come back to your Alma Mater, SCQC. The OP-Siena Sisters are waiting for you with open and loving arms. And this is my prayer for you.
Be blest so that you may be a blessing to others.
In the Triune God,
SR. MARIA SOFIA TAGUINON,OP
Prioress, General
SOME HOURS WEIGH AGAINST A WHOLE LIFETIME, BUT EVERYTHING HERE IS ONLY FOR A TIME
By Margie David Collins
(High School Class of 1971)
The world spun wildly on its axis and then buckled. An unknown, invisible and fast-moving killer enemy caught us completely unaware – even as experts and Bill Gates warned us of a coming pandemic that would kill millions of people and bring the world economy to its knees. Over 4M people have died from Covid-19; scientists believe the actual number is double that. In spite of efficacious vaccines which were rolled out at incredible comet-speed and which have weakened the link between infection, hospital admissions and deaths, infections and fatalities continue to rise around the world. You and I are alive today, thanks to the miracle of science and medicine, and the sheer triumph of human ingenuity and striving. Some people were not so lucky.
We have lived in fear, with pulsating anxiety for the past 18 months. Life had taken on a stripped-down quality that tempered us to bad news, global discord, social upheavals and disappointments. Nothing, it seemed, could lighten the darkness, the dead weight of despair. We distanced ourselves, recoiling from hugs and human touch, depriving us of the essential hormones and neurotransmitters that humans need for wellbeing – dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin. We hid behind masks to protect others. We witnessed - perhaps experienced - bereavement and loss, in emotional landscapes eroded by grief. In silence we railed at the deafness and blindness of the universe. Pagan charms and jujus were offered to appease angry gods. We pondered the silence of God and wondered if this is His way of manifesting divine disfavor. Lock downs became that necessary friend we embraced without demur as we shielded and self-isolated. “My health depends upon your health. Your health depends upon my health,” wrote Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet. “Our liberties depend on our wellbeing. We must answer the question: what do we owe each other?”
As the old becomes new again, as we slowly and painstakingly re-enter the world, and borders carefully reopen to welcome old friends, there is still a lot about this coronavirus that needs to be learned – its provenance, ability to mutate, transmissibility and resistance to vaccines. Experts have often said that the threat to our lives is not over anywhere until it is over everywhere. It may be that we have to live with the coronavirus (its siblings and offspring) forever, as we have learned to live with seasonal flu. But the time we spent in social isolation has made us painfully aware of how important, how much we valued our social connections, relationships and friendships.
In 1971, we carried the weight of expectations on our young shoulders. Having lived sheltered lives for the most part, we were thrust upon a new world; we were children pretending to be adults. We were in a hurry to grow up but not to grow old, to pack several lifetimes into one. We longed to fulfill our destinies – whatever they may be. Everything seemed possible and limitless. A few more years of academia and then – boom – to forge a successful career, to marry our sweetheart, raise children, build a home, to join in a common cause with humanity. But the future always arrives quickly and without fanfare. And so we passed through each other’s lives with fearsome velocity.
Tempus fugit! I am 67 years old and it still surprises me when mornings grow old before their time. We are boomers, some of life’s winners upon whom the Fates smiled. We are docked in a safe harbor enjoying the advantages and heights of fabulousness served up by modern life: advanced medicine, life-prolonging medications and treatments, intercontinental travel, pensions and investments, connectedness at the press of a button through the Internet, various apps and social media, a glorious gallimaufry of entertainments – all of which have made our lives softer around the edges, and for which we are grateful.
Life can be messy and unfair, and can discombobulate us with its smidgen of anarchy, its toll of sadness and miseries. Life is a long row to hoe, and is oftentimes marred by disappointments and slight hurts. In the melancholic song ‘September of My Years’ (sung by Frank Sinatra), the lyricists Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen wrote: “Once upon a time, the world was sweeter than we knew. Everything was ours, how happy we were then. But somehow, once upon a time, never comes again.”
We know we will probably never take that cruise to Antarctica, or write a bestselling novel, climb K2; we’ve come to terms with those things we can’t and will never do. And that’s OK! We have reached the age when most of the things and kinks in our lives, including in our personal relationships, are resolved and settled. When it’s OK to wear our age on our faces and to loosen our belts. When we give in to weary sighs and naps in the afternoon. To quote a sage: “Sometimes you can feel like a second-hand car, but it isn’t the years; it’s the mileage.”
I don’t know about you but aging has taken me by surprise, becoming somewhat invisible and pixelated. But it isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative! John Updike wrote: “It turns out nature drips a little anesthetic into your veins each day that makes you think a day is as good a year, and a year as long as a lifetime. The routines of living – the tooth-brushing and pill-taking, the flossing and the water glass, the matching socks and the sorting of laundry into the proper bureau drawers – wear you down.”
We will inevitably run out of road. As time inevitably slips through our fingers, how do we make use of this time? Everything should be made as simple as possible, advised Albert Einstein, but not simpler. Let our hearts and spirits be young! How cool and crazy it is to act our shoe size sometimes! Continue to bank wonderful experiences in vaults of our memory. Live with a calm mind and with hearts easily made glad. Stay healthy and positive. String together a bouquet of good deeds. Intellectually engage and seek out mental stimulation. Set ourselves do-able and realistic challenges. Extend ourselves beyond selfimposed margins. No longer take anything or anyone for granted. Forgive – because life is now shorter and we can no longer carry a poisonous cargo of grievances. Generously stretch out a helping hand. Do stuff – with people we have just come to know, with those we love and like. Enjoy our revels! Let us be kind more than is necessary – for as Philip Larkin wrote: “We should be careful of each other; we should be kind while there is still time.” Let us be grateful. Pray. And may our lives be all we could want and hope them to be.
As we emerge into blindingly marvelous sunlight, I wish for you and your loved ones good health, peace of mind, calm and serenity, fragrant sprigs of joy and hope. Happy Golden Anniversary! Until next time, whenever then.
Faculty Messages
Tina Lozada-Leckcharoen
Class Adviser | Junior/Senior The beauty of any first time is that it leads to a thousand others…” (Pico Iyer, An Innocent Abroad: Life-Changing Trips)
Batch ‘71 were my first students in 1969. I was 23 years old when I became their Literature teacher, later class advisor, much later groupmates or “barkadas” even, “Kumadres”.
I considered my work as a blessing being able to be of service to these young students.
To all my Batch ’71, you will always be special because we both grew in heart, mind and spirit. Until this day we meet up, whether it is in Manila or in the US. It was always a session of reminiscing. It is so nice to see that you have become successful in your lives and have contributed much to society.
My friends ’71, together we journeyed through life. Where this will lead, I don’t know but for certain, you my friends, were there when we needed each other. I pray that all of you may always be healthy and safe.
My final message:
Faculty Messages
Miss Gloria Masalonga, –Algebra
Congratulations on your 50th reunion. It just seemed like yesterday that I was giving you x + 2y – z = 0 on the board, quizzes and tests. Seriously, how time has flown. But we did quite well, didn’t we? 50 years have passed by and looking at all of you, I am so proud that you made it outside the premises of Siena, living your yesterday’s dream. Having said that, I would like to say that it has been a privilege and honor to have been a part of your lives.
Miss Felicidad Quianzon –Cuano, Filipino
July 1970 nang tinanggap ako bilang guro sa Siena College,
QC, kaya kayo, Batch’71, ang unang nagsipagtapos sa aking unang taon pagpasok sa Siena. Sa inyong ika-50 taong anibersaryo, hayaan ninyong alalayan ko kayo ng isang maikling tula.
Sa Inyong Batch 71
Isang impresyon ang naiwan Malaro man sila inisip ko ay bata pa kasi Na bagama’t mayayaman ay naroon ang Hindi rin malilimutan ang pagiging mapanghamon katalinuhan. Tulad sa pagsukat sa kakayahan naming naghahasik Masasayang alaala ang inyong iniwanan ng karunungan At nagmarka sa aking puso at isipan. Maganda iyon subalit huwag samahan ng kayabangan Ito ay ang pagiging malaro, mapanghamon, at masayahin Marahil lahat kayo ay nagtagumpay Sa klase ay hindi makikita ang sila ay antukin Sa mga pangarap at adhikang inyong hinintay Sapagkat interesado sila sa itinakdang aralin. Hanggang dito na lamang at nagpapasalamat Na ako pa rin ay naaalaala!
