Some reunions are about catching up. Others feel like no time has passed at all.
For the NDU Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Class of 1985, 41 years may have passed, but the warmth of friendship made it feel like they had simply picked up where they left off.
The classmates reunited on August 22 and 23 at Engr. Taukan Mato’s compound in Rangayen, Alamada, Cotabato, for two days filled with laughter, stories, games, music, dancing and the kind of camaraderie that only old classmates can understand.
Dubbed “NDU BSCE 1985 Reunited at 41,” the gathering brought together former classmates who once shared classrooms, deadlines, exams and youthful dreams and are now happily swapping stories about life beyond the campus.
The reunion officially kicked off on August 22 with registration, souvenirs and lunch before the afternoon program opened with a roll call hosted by emcee Ella Tingzon.
Messages from their former professors added another nostalgic touch, bringing the group back to the days when equations, drafting tables and engineering problems were part of everyday life.
But the serious part did not last long.
Susan Badilla and Natividad Sadiang-abay got everyone moving with a series of icebreaker games, proving that age may change the knees a little but apparently not the competitive spirit.
After the games, the classmates gathered for committee acknowledgments, closing remarks from Mohammad Guiapal and, naturally, a pictorial session to document the reunion.
Then came the part everyone was waiting for.
Dinner turned into a lively social night featuring acoustic music, videoke and dancing. Adding to the evening’s feel-good atmosphere was acoustic singer John Mark Digamon, who provided the soundtrack as old friends relaxed, sang along and enjoyed the night.
A photo session also gave classmates plenty of opportunities to capture new memories because what is a reunion without dozens of group photos?
Day two began bright with exercises and early morning walk led by Prof. Myrna Dayrit. After all that dancing the night before, it was perhaps the perfect way to prove they still had some energy left.
Breakfast followed, along with a meeting to discuss future plans, including the next reunions and the election of officers. The rest of the morning was devoted to more socials, pictorials and bonding before lunch and the bittersweet time to say goodbye.
The reunion ended on an especially sentimental note as the classmates joined in singing “You’ve Got a Friend” by James Taylor and “If We Hold on Together” by Diana Ross, a fitting musical reminder that while careers, families and life may have taken them in different directions, friendship has kept them connected.
