Rina-Lorena Reyes-Manue | U.P. Sigma Alpha Nu Sorority

It all started with a simple get-together dinner last September 12, 2008 between 8 sisters, who wanted to have a bigger reunion dinner the nex time around. Present were Simon, Honeymae, Stella, Peachy, Jamea, Honee, Rio and me! We initially wanted a wishful gathering of more sisters at the UP Sunken garden, complete with white tents and lights. But, before the night was over, the sisters vowed complete with a toasting of wine glasses... babalik kami, mas marami!

Four more dinner meetings in Makati area ensued in October until November. Siblings Arlene and Audie, together with Judy, also joined in. After lengthy discussions over dinners and emails, it was finally agreed -- November 28, 2008 at the UP School of Economics (SE) Auditorium. Save the date!

Preparing for the event was quite difficult, given the hectic schedules of the sisters. But, everybody was very much willing to set aside time, effort and resources just to make the event possible. Stella agreed to take care of all the logistical requirements (superwoman!). Honeymae took care of securing sponsorship funds (thanks to PNOC!). Marketing sisters composed of Arlene, Honee and Audie took care of freebies and lootbags. And the rest of the sisters must spread the word and invite as much sisters as possible. In the course of our dinner meetings and email, we became more and more convinced that it's really about time for Diliman sisters to come together again and renew ties with one another. We believe that it is only in stregthening our relations with one another that we would be able to do more for the Sorority as alumnae sisters.

Then the unexpected happened. About two weeks before the event, tragedy struck when our sister Sheng died from childbirth complications, leaving behind her husband, Chain, and four children. But, blessings did come in the midst of seemingly unfortunate circumstances. Through her death, more alumnae sisters got in touch with one another. The excess sponsorship funds served a great purpose. And more importantly, the Diliman alumnae sisters finally got in close touch with the resident sisters. Truly, Sheng, even in her death, served the Sorority well!

The D-day finally came. It was a rainy payday-long weekend Friday night. Traffic was really bad around the metropolis. Despite everything, alumnae sisters from various eras flocked to the UP SE Auditorium.

Upon registration, the sisters were immediately treated to some photo ops, with a free plastic souvenir card printed out in a few seconds. Coming into the venue, one could see that the UP SE Auditorium was suddenly transformed into a very elegant cocktail room, much like those you find in hotels. And the cuisine served that night was simply good and overflowing, c/o Carlito's. Unforgettable dishes were the spicy tuna sashimi, beef nachos, pesto spaghetti and prawn tempura, among others. We would also not forget the delicious prichon sponsored by brod, Miro Quimbo.

Of course, all of those are simply trappings to a great event. What made the occasion simply memorable was the presence of a little more than sixty sisters, coming from the 80s, 90s, and 2000+ batches.

There was a quite a very good number of Charter members who attended. Present were the always-reliable Jake Quisumbing, Daphne Ceniza-Kuok (who is now based in HK), Twink Macaraig, Leah Ante (who flew in from Davao), siblings Amy and Tina Meneses, Jinggay Lejano, and a few more others. Then, of course, there was the omnipresent Judge Amifaith Fider.

A lot of mid to late 80's sisters came, as well. Present were Hedda Dailo, Pia Esquivel, Heidi Tenefrancia, Rachel Rastrullo, Faith Abano, Eva Fetalino, Weng Tablente, Tanya Timbol, Weng de Guzman and Tina Panganiban, among others. One of Manila Chapter's founding sisters, Susan Abad, also joined the celebration and enjoyed being with her contemporary sisters from the late 80's.

Sisters from the 90's also came in droves. Present among them were Kara David, LC Mai Marcelo, LC Mae Ann Abrea and LC Milam Tiamzon. Then, of course, the batches from 2000 onwards would not be left behind. Alumnae sisters met LC Mei, Ziaa, Missy, Gigay, Bang, Ara, Dianne and Pau, among others.

Meanwhile, the program was also such a blast!

Rio was the perfect host for the event. Despite the lack of a prepared script, she effortlessly handled the program with much wit and gusto. Simon then made a brief presentation of the Sigma Alpha Nu Sorority Alumni Association (SANSAA), which was incorporated through the initiative of the Manila Chapter. Through the SANSAA, we hope to "activate" the alumnae sisters from the different Chapters and, in order to ensure active participation of sisters, it was proposed that all three chapters elect their own set of five trustees. These chapter trustees would form part of SANSAA's 15-woman board of trustees. Later on, a tri-chapter board of trustees meeting would have to be called to craft policies and plan projects for the association. With that in mind, pieces of paper were dstributed to the sisters for the election of Diliman's first set of board of trustees. Aside from Amifaith, the rest of those elected were from the event's organizing committee -- Simon, Stella, Honee and me. Jake was also elected but, she and the Charter members agreed that they would just serve as consultants to the board, providing advice and guidance, when needed. In short, as Jake said, sila ay aming mga Dyosa!

A simple, short tribute to sister Sheng then followed through the showing of the touching audio-visual presentation, which the resident sisters did not get to play during her necrological service. LC Mei read the message of sister Gev Ellima, who was still at work at that time. She was very much instrumental in bringing Sheng into the sorority and one of those who were deeply saddened by her passing away. Afterwhich, Bang then said a prayer for Sheng and her family on behalf of the Sorority.

From such serious matters, the sisters then had a human bingo game where each sister got to know each other a little better. Afterwhich, raffle prizes from sponsors, such as Adidas, Nikon, Microsoft and Loreal, started pouring in for many of the sisters. Audie was the quite a discovery that night as she showed how a real game show host should be, complete with funny introductions, peppered with trivias, on winning sisters, and some extraordinary dancing talent to boot! Come to think of it, only Audie would have thought of requiring sisters to dance first before claiming their Microsoft prizes. And with that, we really got a treat watching Royce, Faith, Audie and Jake instantly perform through a dance showdown!

After the prizes, the sisters also had a chance to briefly chat and see the alumnae sisters from Dubai, namely Libay Rastrullo and Armi Co. Thanks to the wonders of broadband internet, we could now closely get in touch with many of our sisters who are now based abroad.

By the time sisters were all fired up from the chika, games and prizes, it was time for me to share the tasks ahead for the sisters. "What's next, sis?," seems to be the question in everybody's mind after the homecoming. I shared that this only means connecting more with alumnae sisters, supporting our resident sisters in whatever way we could, and living up to our principled sisterhood through projects and supporting causes. It might have sounded very serious for a reunion party like this but, at least, I saw the resident sisters applauding that particular portion of providing them the needed support.

Meanwhile, Peachy prepared a special audio-visual presentation of sorority photos through the years. As the pictures flashed one by one on screen, a feeling of nostalgia filled the UP SE auditorium as the sisters reminisced about their own particular time in the sorority and the events that happened then, such as the UP fair, tambayan days, various campaign and fund-raising projects, and, of course, parties!

Upon request by the Charter members, a brief discussion about the sorority seal then followed and it was led by no less than Amy Meneses. For the first time in the sorority's history, the sisters heard straight from the person responsible for the design of the seal how it actually came about. A lot of things about the seal were also clarified, such as the design of the leaves, the colors of EAN, and the flame-like design. Everybody agreed at the end of Amy's discussion that the original design of the seal should be maintained. This important matter is something that the Tri-Chapter assembly should soon ratify.

Then came one very interesting part of the program -- the State of Sorority address, as given by LC Mei. It was indeed a chance for us, alumnae sisters, to know more of what's currently happening to the sorority, including the plans and programs they had and are about to have. It was an eye-opener for most alumnae sisters because they could very well relate to the challenges faced by the residents and saw a reflection of their own student life with the Sorority, as embodied in the plans and programs of the residents.

Truly, it was such a very memorable night for all the sisters who attended the homecoming. The alumnae sisters were filled with nostalgia as they reminisced about the kind of sisterhood they had when they were still students. More than that, their flame for Sigma Alpha Nu once again burned with a zest to actively build up the alumni association. Meanwhile, the alumna sisters also hope that the resident sisters came out of it truly inspired, after finally seeing many alumnae sisters face-to-face and knowing that they, indeed, belong to a great sorority.

November 28, 2008 was definitely a date to remember in the sorority's history. It was a beautiful night filled with beautiful sisters from all generations, beautiful memories of the past and a beautiful promise to join hands in continuing our legacy of principled sisterhood!

Here's looking forward to the grander and more beautiful Tri-Chapter alumni homecoming in 2009!