BravoFilipino | CHS HS74 ANGELS Celebrate 50 Golden Years with Coffee Table Book and Concert | To celebrate in a grand way, half a century of memories and milestones, the College of the Holy Spirit HS74 Angels launched the coffee table book “50 Golden Years: A Celebration of Life, Friendship and Love,” at the GSIS Theatre, last February 3, 2024. The book chronicled the becoming of HS74 – amazing, empowered women whose friendships remain true and steadfast, across time, continents, and generations.
Fr. Manoling V. Francisco, SJ, a musical genius known for his well-loved songs like “Tanging Yaman,” and “Hindi Kita Malilimutan,” celebrated an intimate thanksgiving mass that gathered batchmates, nuns, teachers, family members and friends before the show.
The book launch was immediately followed by a spectacular musical concert entitled “Happy Days Are Here Again” directed by Noemi Silangcruz. The concert featured 70s and 80s songs by OPM artists Hajji Alejandro, Gino Padilla, Laarni Lozada, and Miguel Aguila, and performances by the award-winning chorales of the Holy Spirit Schools of Ilang-Ilang and Fairview. The graceful BAC ballerinas and energetic AXIS PH dancers lent visual appeal to the entire event.
Living up to his monicker “kilabot ng mga kolehiyala,” Hajji Alejandro had the guests swooning, cheering, and coming up on stage to dance with him. Laarni Lozada and Miguel Aguila wowed the audience with their sterling Broadway performance and amazing vocals. And when Gino Padilla started singing, the audience was so pumped up that they jumped out of their seats and started dancing, converting the theatre into a huge disco. The happiness was simply irresistible!
In cooperation with the Philippine Heritage Society, the event’s huge success came about because of these ladies who generously contributed their time, talents, resources, hard work and positive energy – the HS74 Angels led by Kate de Jesus-Bellosillo; Rosemarie Miranda-Lim, fundraiser par excellence; Monette Iturralde-Hamlin, chairman of the book project, with Alice Achacoso-Lim as co-chair, and Edith Bereña Stein as editor; Carol Caballero-Villar, concert producer; Grace Soriano, treasurer; Mayet Danac, auditor; Bernadette David, Lot Santos Naval, and Marites De Leon De Guzman, international coordinators.
Because they believe that friendships and heartfelt connections must bless other lives as well, the HS74 Angels have chosen Globe’s Hapag Movement as beneficiary for the event. This movement seeks to provide meals and livelihood to 100,000 families in four years.
To cap the festivities, the HS74 Angels, their batchmates, family members, teachers and friends had a sumptuous dinner-buffet at the Ylang-Ylang Café in Manila Hotel. Truly, this was a most memorable and meaningful batch reunion, filled with nostalgia, laughter and joyful sharing from the heart.
As Malou Martinez, a batchmate said, “Thank you, Angels, for the successful launch of our Golden Jubilee Book and the star-studded concert. We are forever grateful that you took into consideration our comfort, provided entertainment so we can reminisce the music of our youth, showcased the current award winning talents from our school, and provided a sumptuous meal in Manila Hotel. It was a class act all the way and I know the recipients of our fund raising efforts are truly appreciative. Like true alumnae of CHS, our gift of giving to the community is part of our core values of Veritas et Caritas (Truth in Love)! We are proud alumnae of CHS! Bravo to such a winning team!”
Watch the event at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkWhWjLFLGU. For a closer look at the jubilarians featured in the book, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAounAbklEY.
Check out the bonding of the jubilarians on FB at https://www.facebook.com/monica.s.david