Nine in '09: 65th Reunion

Our 65th annual clan reunion, passionately chaired by my cousin Faith—held from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1—threatened to be our last.

It was grand and luxurious, prepared to be a fitting end to a 65-year-old beautiful tradition (with over 300 clan members scattered all over the world), which has bridged ages, places, and spaces.

We've been feeling the pinch for years. The spiraling cost to mount it (300+ members) was taking its toll on all of us. So on our 64th, we forced the issue, so to speak, and openly asked whether the yearly gathering can still go on.

It was a hard decision. We had to put in place a system through which everyone could voice his opinion, where in the end, we could have a consensus. We held our breath for one year and waited anxiously for the result—analyzed and quantified by an adhoc committee represented by each sub-clan.

Contrary to our dread and fear, it was unanimous: The reunion will continue! Still to be held at the end and beginning of each year, management will be by an Executive Committee.

Our 65th was dubbed "Nine in 09," honoring the nine siblings we call “originals” (which include my mother). Nine adjectives were heaped upon the hosts for this reunion during the evaluation—nostalgic, beautiful, classy, comfortable, luxurious, fun, expensive, unforgettable, and excellent. A special website for nine months teased and updated us.

I have only one word to sum up all nine: grace.

God, who is our collective Center, made it possible for one huge clan to come together in person and in cyberspace (via live feed): to chat again, reminisce again, love again, laugh again, dream again, play again, cry again, honor each other again, hug again, vow to meet again, and worship the God Whom we serve as a clan, again.

Punta de Fabian in Baras, Rizal is a posh resort on top of a mountain. Scenic all around. The sun and moon (blue moon on January 1!), were visible at all angles.

My sub-clan; 13 were out of the country: