October
10, 1998 marks the very first time that the Divine
Word College of Urdaneta, Pangasinan alumni in the
United States gathered together for a potluck
with one purpose in mind. The purpose of which was
to organize the first DWCU alumni reunion in the
United States.
The
potluck was held in Lakewood, California. Nancy
Garcia class 1973 and Lorenzo Suyat, 1972
coordinated the event. Alumni from California and
out of town like Washington and Texas attended the
event. It was well attended and was a tremendous
success. It was a great experience when we were
able to reminisce and rekindle old friendship with
former high school classmates and schoolmates. It
made you wish the day would not end.
During
the potluck, it was decided that the First Alumni
Reunion would be held on July 3, 1999 in Southern
California most likely in the Los Angeles area.
Coordinators were appointed to cover different
regions of the United States where alumni might be
living in. It was also decided that the name of
the group should be Divine Word College of
Urdaneta Alumni Association. An interim set of
officers was appointed to get this project going.
Segundo Manzano, class 1970 was appointed
President. Jaime Rosales, 1970 and Lorenzo Suyat
Jr. were appointed first and second Vice
Presidents respectively. Nancy Garcia was
Secretary while Johnny Soriano was
Treasurer. Different committees were also formed
to meet the challenges of organizing the reunion.
Johnny
S. Soriano is acknowledged as the prime
mover of this project. He started the ball
rolling. During his years in military service, he
diligently compiled names of alumni living outside
the Philippines. From a mere sheet of paper his
list of alumni has grown so big that it continues
to grow up to this day. It was always his wish to
have a reunion in the United States. It was a huge
task not knowing what aches and pains will come
his way. He had spent so much time, effort and
money to accomplish his goal. But with great
support and encouragement from the different
alumni, he went ahead and made sure that this
potluck and the reunion will come into reality.
The potluck was a great success. The reunion will
no doubt become a huge success due to the huge
support and encouragement of the alumni and their
families.
