AND while we’re still thinking about it, the ERJHS 72nd Foundation Day and Grand Alumni Homecoming held last Feb. 23-25 was a big success as far as bringing back happy memories of the past and the good old days of high school life.

The ERJHS Alumni Association, headed by President Jess Asistin placed the total number of attendees for the three-day festivity at 1, 111 — and this more than debunked claims that only the more successful graduates return and attend reunions.

To almost everyone, the get-together was a happy occasion to meet old friends and greet new ones who are only too eager to share their own stories.

High school life, after all, is always good, if not better. It is one sentimental baggage you carry easily and with great pride.

Of course, the biggest winner is the school itself.

DepEd Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Carleen Sedilla and ERJHS Principal Gina Obierna were right in saying the alumni are almost always the most loyal supporters of the school.

They lauded them for their role in providing inspiration to the present generation of students.

One of the school’s 10 “Most Outstanding Alumni” awardees, Philippine Navy Commodore Albert Mogol of Batch 78, said alumni should continue to engage and respond to the needs of the school and its students.

Mogol, also an awardee in the ERJHS Alumni Sports Club Hall of Fame and Scout Achievers back in March 2016, urged his fellow alumni to continue to pay it forward by actively participating in alumni-related activities aimed at helping both the school and the students.

The newly-elected ERJHS Alumni Association officials, led by Monchie’s Lechon owner-manager Ramon Ferreros of Batch 73, heard him loud and clear.

Ferreros, who is widely credited for turning La Loma as the country’s “Lechon Capital” through legislation by then Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte, readily accepted the challenge of leading the alumni groups in future homecomings all the way to ERJHS’s Diamond Celebration on February, 2027.

Aside from Ferreros, the other newly-elected alumni officials areJess Asistin of Batch 76 (Honorary President)

Lina Torres of Batch 62 and Zeny Castor of Batch 70 (Vice Presidents), Richelle Lynne Fulgosino Cu of Batch 2001 (Asst. Secretary), Fe Castor Pangan of Batch 69 (Treasurer), Oliric Lacsamana of Batch 2000 (Asst. Treasurer), Jesse Nell of Batch 85 (Auditor), Ramon Ypil Cris of Batch 84 (PRO), Rogelio Pormento of Batch 83 (PRO), Raul Velandres of Batch 82 (Sgt at Arms), Tony Isip of Batch 91 (Sgt at Arms) and Arnel Abrenica of Batch 75 and Richmond Lacsamana of Batch 2002 (Board of Trustees) and yours truly as Secretary-General/Spokesperson.

No less than Principal Obierna administered the Oath of Office to the new set of officers during the Thanksgiving Party in Tagaytay City.

For Ferreros and the rest of new set of alumni officers, the next three years will be bigger and better.

NOTES — Happy birthday to the PBA’s “Living Legend” Robert Jaworski, who turned 78 last Friday, March 8 with family and close friends. Nicknamed the “Big J”, Jaworski is truly one of the nicest personalities I’ve covered during my 40-year career as a sportswriter for the widely-read Journal Group of Publications. In 1989, he also stood as one of the ninongs of my first son John Michael at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. And even long after his playing days are over, he regularly check on the family and even attended the 70th birthday celebrations of my Mom Virginia Nell-Andaya at the Camp Crame Auditorium in July, 2012 To this day, Jaworski’s famed No. 7 Ginebra jersey complete with signature and dedication, which he gave to my mother as a birthday present, still occupies a special corner in our house in Sta. Rosa, Laguna…

March 8 was also a red-letter day for the family with my son Robert James and my apo Apollo Nathaniel both celebrating their birthdays.

For comments and suggestions, email to [email protected]