HIGHLIGHTS

A Day Fully Alive:

The Glorious Jubilee Celebrations


Posted Monday, 11-Dec-2006 12:44 PM

     It was a celebration that exceeded everyone’s expectations.  Despite months of advanced planning and preparations, the success of the Golden Jubilee main celebration on December 3 was by no means a sure thing.  The organizing committee did labor long and hard to ensure that all the right elements would be present, not only to ensure a meaningful and memorable event but to guarantee a strong turnout.

     But after the impressive attendance the previous Saturday for the alumni homecoming, the fear was that many of the alumni would suffer from “Jubilee fatigue” and no longer be interested in making a return visit.  Many Xavier families were also expected to take advantage of the 4-day holiday weekend for a short vacation.  The greatest obstacle was Typhoon Reming (Durian) which threatened to make a direct pass through Metro Manila with winds of over 150 kph.

     By the grace of God, the fears were unfulfilled.  On a bright sunny day, the Golden Jubilee celebration unfolded, attended and witnessed by over 2000 members of the Xavier Community.  The majority gathered in the gym for the Jubilee Mass and Commitment Rites while hundreds more watched via webcast from simultaneous reunions in LA, Vancouver, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Xiamen and other foreign cities.

     The event began shortly after the Family Fun Run was winding down.  The torch relay runners, scheduled to arrive at 8 AM, was way ahead of schedule.  This caused a mad scramble to get the students ready to welcome the runners for their triumphant entry through Gate 8 and to witness the formal passing of the torch by Phillip Ong (’06) to John Dy (’07) representing the future generations of alumni.

     The spirit was infectious as the runners roared into the quadrangle accompanied by the lion dancers and greeted by applause from the crowd.  Close to 200 alumni from Class 60 – 06 were cheered like returning heroes.  This was followed by a Wu Shu martial arts demonstration and the dragon dance.  The quadrangle program was capped by the captivating musical number of the Grade 1 students whose parents crowded around and snapped away.

Torch Relay Photo Gallery

     As the crowd gathered in the gym for the Mass, Itos Valdes (’89) continued his hosting duties inside the gym by introducing the video highlights of the Fun Run and Torch Relay and acknowledging the X-Pats who went home just to join the celebrations.  These included Joseph Ting (’67), David Lim (’70), Robbie Santos (’86) and Winston Pua (’74).  At this time, several overseas groups who were watching the event sent their greetings.  The highlight of this pre-program was the stirring parade of banners representing all batches and major school organizations.  Many of the alumni were clearly moved to see their batch banners proudly held aloft by the Xavier cadets.

     The Mass began promptly at 9 AM, with the processional led by John Dy the torchbearer, accompanied by William Go Wee Kong representing the oldest batch from 1960.  After the Jubilee Flame was lit, the banners were hung on the railings at the mezzanine signifying the unity of the entire community.  Other highlights of the Mass included a tribute to Xavier Jesuits and Faculty who have passed away, a special collection - originally intended for the scholarship fund but which became a donation for the victims of Reming, the homily by Fr. Ismael Zuloaga, the Novena Prayer and the concluding Commitment Rites.

     Fr. Johnny Go conducted the Commitment Rites.  He acknowledged and called on each member of the Xavier Community to recite the Xavier Pledge, an affirmation of everyone’s commitment to the Xavier Ideals.  Representatives from the AAXS and the XSPA, together with students from the GS and HS Student Councils and leading officers of the school administration, led the community in the pledge. 

     The X-Pats and the students in Xiamen also joined in the pledge.  This participation, via video-link, was a particular source of inspiration to the alumni present who keenly felt the solidarity of all Xaverians here and abroad. 

     The Mass, officiated by the Provincial, Fr. Daniel Patrick Huang (’75), was concelebrated by the Xavier Jesuits, including alumni priests from the Society and Opus Dei.  The celebrations ended with the school song, punctuated by a shower of blue and gold confetti.  Till the very end, the joyous spirit was strong, prompting Fr. Go to state, “Relying on your word today, I declare Xavier School to be fully alive!” 

Golden Jubilee Novena Mass and Commitment Rites Photo Gallery

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