THE grand alumni homecoming held by thousands of graduates of the Dagupan City National High School last Sunday at the City Plaza will go down in DCNHS’s history as the best ever alumni reunion held in the last 20 years.

This was the assessment of many alumni who attended the well-lit, well-organized and meaningful reunion at the Plaza.

The celebrating batches for 2014 were Batches ’64, ’69, ’74, ’84 and ’89. They were led by the golden jubilarians – Class ’64 graduates, led by former Undersecretary Dante M. Velasco, as the alumni’s class governor.

Mayor Belen T. Fernandez was the guest of honor and speaker of the homecoming with the theme “Balon Biskeg” – with the sub-theme “Soaring High with Renewed Strength.” Citing the superb planning and execution of the planners, “This is the very best so far!” she told Velasco.

In a ceremony, the mayor was handed a Diploma, indicating her adoption by high school officials and alumni as a “graduate” of the school. She, now joins National Artist Salvador Bernal, Class 62 valedictorian; Perla Elinzano, ‘class 60 valedictorian and Velasco, Class 64 valedictorian as among notable graduates of the school.

Those who participated in the homecoming noted changes that set it apart from the past, i.e., the plaza was well-lit, the arrangement brought graduates closer to the stage, dance floor, and the stage was backstopped by lights.

“It is a happy case of a very well planned creative idea, mixing music, images, speeches and audio visual presentations – and then this grand plan excellently came alive with flawless execution,” Velasco pointed out.

Velasco acknowledged the support of Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino and Chairman Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao, Atty Teofilo Guadiz, LTO regional director and Atty Remarque Ravanzo.

Velasco was simply leading Class ’64 when alumni leaders Liberato Reyna and Manuel Roy asked him to be the overall chairman of the school homecoming.

“I had to accept because I can apply my own brand of marketing and creative leadership and to make sure that this once-in-a-lifetime would be a smashing success. Thanks be to God, it exceeded all expectations,” Velasco said.

Velasco, who runs his globally-connected public relations and corporate events firm, said the group he hired were his event managers that helped him organize for Caltex, Western Union, North Luzon Expressway, Pepsi Cola, and the Department of Transportation and Communications in the past

Velasco credited the members of his steering committee, Class ’69 leader Jaime Villena, as co-chair, Aida Galaang Acting as secretary, Alberto Maramba as treasurer. The rest of the Committee are: Liat Catubig, Kate Bomalay, Joseph Carino, Perla Tuliao, Erlinda Calimlim, Cora Caguioa Langit and Julie Velasco for the planning of the event.
The celebrating batches published and distributed a souvenir program, excellently crafted by Jun Velasco and Cesar Carpio.

Even at a time that climate change has caused unpredictable weather, nature cooperated and the evening became one magical night, with the moon up in the sky and a sprinkling of stars dotted an otherwise expanse of thick darkness.

The classmates danced, made speeches, shook hands in unadulterated glee until 12 midnight. God answered their prayers for good weather.

Then, it rained hard at past twelve. (JV)

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