San Beda College Alabang Jubilarians come together virtually to celebrate the 2021 Grand Alumni Homecoming

The host, High School Batch ’96, prepared a series of events leading to the principal celebration of their 25th anniversary. The main event was a virtual get-together held on December 4, 2021, at 6:30 pm with the theme “Coming Home to 9ive 6ack” with special guest Joey Generoso. The event culminated all the hard work of Batch ’96 and fellow Bedans for the past months.

Outreach and Engagement Activities

Batch ’96 chose an outreach program to support the Bedan community with four scalable and sustainable pillars: BedaACT (Alumni Come Together)- Tele-Medical Mission, BedaBest- a self-help webinar series, BedaHand- recognition, and gift-giving activities, Bedans for Bedans- a community support project for teachers, staff, and fellow alums, where they gave financial support to four beneficiaries through Adopt a Bedan (SBCA student) and BedaUplift (teachers and staff in need.)

Batch ’96 and fellow Bedans also had a Cooking Challenge, where the alums recreated their favorite ERV Canteen food. Another activity was the BedaTalks, a mini talk show with four main topics. Episode 1 was a Kamustahan with the steering committee discussing the 9ive 6ack program; Episode 2 highlighted couples who found forever in high school; Episode 3 was an interview with Bedan business owners; and Episode 4, a conversation with their former teachers.

Coming Home to 9ive 6ack

The Batch ’96 celebration is indeed one for the record books in many ways. The very engaging hosts, Suzanne Cruz and Adjeng Buenaventura, welcomed the alums and guests. The event started with Welcome Remarks from Batch 96 Class President Stephany Oliveros, followed by the Rector-President, Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB.

It was an action-packed evening with several notable performances. It was also a tribute to the frontliners and essential workers, with the cover of “With a Smile” performed by Michelle Ballesca-Suarez and Michael Don Naranjo.

A special Memoriam was also presented to honor the lives of fellow Bedans who passed away.

A homecoming wouldn’t be complete without a recap of Batch 96’s outreach projects, with the background music “Umagang Kay Ganda” performed by Samantha Dino-Yasay, EJ Aliwalas, Roberto Bautista, Keat Lagdameo, Armando Trinidad, Roberto Siapno, Michael Don Naranjo, Mark Dansal, Grace David, Frances Tamayo- de Guzman, Leelyn Ocampo-Ihada, Magnolia Esnaola, Michelle Ballesca-Suarez, April Isla-Santayana, Cha Gardiola-Katigbak, Anthony Medina, and Candy Manalo, with storyboard prepared by Frances Pinugu-Macasaet and content provided by Deneb Villanueva. A trip down memory lane will not be complete without Fellow Bedans joining the celebration with a couple of recorded performances. Such as a “Time After Time” Cover by Batch ’97 and a “You Gotta Be” Cover by Batch 2001.

A speech by Batch ’96 valedictorian Atty. Lirene Mora-Suarez concluded the homecoming event and officially turned over to Batch ’97, represented by Leigh Formilleza- De Armas. As with any other successful event, the credit goes to the efforts of the homecoming team, who worked tirelessly to bring an unforgettable evening.

The second part of the program was the most awaited performance by Joey G., who entertained the Bedans with classic hits that brought back memories. It was followed by DJ Josh Mortega spinning to the soundtrack of the batch. Finally, the attendees were encouraged to greet fellow Bedans and batchmates through the breakout rooms, aptly titled with their favorite ” Bene Tambayans” – student’s lounge, Batibot, covered court, and the grandstand.

Despite celebrating virtually, all the attendees enjoyed a program like no other. There was a lot of laughter, tears, singing, dancing, catching up, and reminiscing about the good old times. The homecoming was a delight, and the entire homecoming celebration- from the kick-off projects in November to the actual event, touched everyone’s hearts. Bedans reminded fellow Bedans once again what they love about their alma mater.

All the preparations for the Homecoming and the actual Homecoming won’t be possible without the leadership of Frances Anne Pinugu-Macasaet, the rest of the steering committee, including Deneb Villanueva (Registration and Documentation), Candy Manalo (Registration), Atty. Lirene Mora-Suarez (Outreach/ Legal Adviser), Marie Chris Palafox-Pascua (Outreach), and Stephany Oliveros Hallstein (Marketing/ Merch), as well as the following committees: Finance led by Sherleen Fraginal- de la Cruz, Marketing/ Engagement headed by Angelle De Guzman, Suzanne Cruz, and Ric Cruz. The batch also received valuable assistance from SBCA and SBCAAA, especially the Alumni Affairs Office headed by Ms. Nella Cobello, The Alumni Association headed by Atty. Celso Valmores and The SBCA Community led by the Rector-President, Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB.

San Beda College Alabang revives the Fr. Basil’s Bazaar.

Despite the pandemic, San Beda College Alabang revived one of its Bedan traditions, the Fr. Basil’s Bazaar, headed by the Alumni Affairs Moderator, Ms. Nella A. Cobello. It was held on November 24-26, 2021, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm at the covered court and the students’ park, with a permit from the City Health Office of the Local Government Unit of Muntinlupa City.

Fr. Basil’s Bazaar has been successfully organized for over 26 years. It benefits the students, teachers, school personnel, and residents of Ayala Alabang, Alabang Hills, BF Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and Las Piñas. Various companies have previously participated as they have realized the marketing and sales benefits the event has generated for them.

The Fr. Basil’s Bazaar included the following non-food and food concessionaires: Fruits and Vegetable Weekend Market, Pot Pot’s Shop, Ecowaze Corporation, Metro Kitchenware Inc., Gifted Arts, School of Law Government & School of Law Scholarship Commission, Zagu, Zhandats’ Food Express, Reyes BBQ, Dimsum Shack, and Lemon Feels.

This event was a fundraising activity to benefit the Scholarship Programs of San Beda College Alabang and the Alumni Affairs Office outreach activity projects, which help a substantial number of students.

The bazaar was an excellent opportunity for students and parents to visit the school and bond with their families after almost two years of not coming to school due to the pandemic. The event strictly followed the safety protocols of IATF and the Muntinlupa City LGU City Health Office under the supervision and monitoring of the SBCA Clinic and the School’s Environment, Health, and Safety Office.

FIFTYIESTA Zumba Night

Last May 20, 2022, the High School Batch 1997 Alumni Association joined the SBCA Jubilee Committee for a “FIFTYiesta Zumba Night,” held at SBCA grounds.

This Pre-Golden Jubilee Zumba event was a call to the Bedan community members to show how alive the Bedan spirit is within the community. The event was well-attended by SBCA Alumni, retirees, and employees.

CAS Psychology Alumnus Tops the February 2022 Psychometrician Licensure Examination

Mr. Bernard Karlo A. Lautillo, a CAS Psychology Graduate of Batch 2018, places Top 7 in the recent February 2022 Psychometrician Licensure Exam released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) with a rating of 82.20.  Along with Mr. Lautillo is Ms. Rinnah Keziah O. Ramirez, from the same batch who also passed the same licensure examination held last February 8-9, 2022.

Thank you for bringing pride and honor to San Beda College Alabang.  The whole Bedan community is very proud of you!

The Alumni Affairs Office facilitates the distribution of additional 28 care packages from HS Batch 1996 Alumni to selected support staff of San Beda College Alabang.

It is one of their ways to give back to the Bedan community that molded them into who they are today.

Ms. Nella Cobello, the SBCA Alumni Affairs Moderator, assisted the delivery of the donations together with the representatives from HS Batch 1996, Mr. Deneb Villanueva, and Mr. Zosimo “Jon” Gaurano last May 31, 2022.