Homecoming Afterthoughts

Pamela Joy R. Guiriba – 4R

Hi! My classmates in 1-A,2-R,3-I & 4R remember me as PamG. In our batch, I am one of the two PamGs if I’m not mistaken. I was not one you’d notice immediately in the crowd back in high school. I feared getting noticed. I panicked when the attention is on me; my hands would get sweaty in no time. I’d rather be behind any scene during high school projects or activities than to be on the spotlight. I once had to be “Elvis Presley” for a dance culminating activity, but that was it. Anonymity is my safe place. However, years of life experiences have taught me to explore beyond my safe place, to make a bold step outside the circle, and discover what else I am capable of.

This year’s Batch ‘96 Silver Homecoming, Inspire 2021 was my latest “bold step outside the circle.” It was that one step I needed to recognize the impact my alma mater had in my life. The person I have become was somehow summed up perfectly by our homecoming theme: Kind Heart, Fierce Mind, Brave Spirit. For me, the homecoming was not just a walk down memory lane—remembering classmates, batchmates, friends and teachers. It was more than that. It was a flashback of experiences and emotions of the most difficult decisions I have made for the last 25 years since we graduated from high school. From finding a financial scholarship for my college education to surviving the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic with all my loved ones and employees intact, alive, and healthy, and with our business still operational. I suddenly realized what carried me through all my life’s ups and downs, through my joyful and trying times was that blue flame I’ve been holding on since the day I entered St. Scholastica’s College Manila —from Prep ‘til High School. Eleven years of Benedictine Education and 25 years after high school, indeed I can say I survived all these trials through prayer and hardwork. Ora et Labora—bearing in mind that in all things God may be glorified.

Yes, the homecoming was one that connected me with my old classmates and friends…one that made me fall in love with dancing all over again…one that I am truly proud to be a part of in my own little way…that one moment in my life that I do not want to be anonymous anymore, for I am truly proud to be a Scholastican and doubly proud to be part of SSC-HS Batch ’96—the host of the FIRST-EVER Virtual Homecoming—the 96th homecoming of our dear St. Scho. My life back then was not a walk in the park…it still isn’t. But there’s joy in my heart knowing deep inside that I will no longer be walking alone—-I have my kind, fierce and brave friends to join me in my journey.

I am PamG, one of the the two PamGs of our batch, the last Scholastican in “uniform” on the Inspire 2021 Opening AVP and PROUD to be IDENTIFIED as one of the SILVER JUBLIARIANS OF 2021-SSC MANILA HS BATCH ’96.