Wow, it seems like just the other day we celebrated Christmas and New Year as the busiest time of the year and I was one of the busiest. Parties left and right, reunions here and there, gatherings everywhere. But here we are in the year 2025.
Time is unstoppable. It flies so fast and yet so short. There is nothing we can do to slow it down, for that would mean that we would grow older and older. But what is important is that we live life to the full each day with a happy and grateful heart.
Let’s take a look at 2024. Thank you for all the sweet and happy memories, for they will always be cherished. Thank you for all the ugly and dark days, for they have taught us many lessons. Thank you for the unfinished plans and unfulfilled expectations, for they will serve as our strength to move forward and work harder. Thank you for all the pain and trials, for they have made us stronger and better people. We really have nothing to regret because everything happens in God’s perfect plan and timing.
Before the year ended, our Buga Central Elementary School held our two-day grand alumni homecoming on December 27 to 28. We are grateful for this rare event that our primary school is holding in its 112 years of existence, producing the finest and most competitive products in the world. We are all happy to come back to our alma mater and bring all the honour that its alumni have reached and achieved as products of our school. We are proud alumni knowing that many products have been successful in their own chosen fields. They have received a certificate of recognition for all the honour and pride they have brought to our Alma Mater. We have not come together as doctors or nurses, as engineers or teachers, as priests or nuns, as mothers or fathers, but we have come together as alumni and we are simply enjoying ourselves. We owe to our Alma Mater and our teachers what we have become. Thank you and salute to all the teachers.
It was fun to see and meet our long lost classmates, schoolmates, friends and teachers. It was a great time of fun, food and fellowship. Some of our teachers who were also products of our school are now retired and enjoying life. Many alumni who are working and living abroad came back home just to attend our Alumni Homecoming and also to celebrate Christmas here in the Philippines because there is no better and happier place to celebrate Christmas than at home with our family.
It was fun to reminisce about our elementary days when we were still young. We used to talk about love and crushes when we were younger, but when we are old, we talk about family and health issues. Having a family is also a sacred vocation, raising children and bringing our family to God. Whatever our status in life, perhaps we are all called to a different vocation and mission.
We have ended our year 2024 well and brightly. We pray that the path of 2025 will also be right and bright, fruitful and meaningful.
May our merciful God continue to bless our days with his divine protection, provision and guidance. May he never tire of showing us his faithfulness, forgiveness and healing in times of doubt and confusion, when we are anxious, tired and weary. May he show us his light and hope when things seem dark and hopeless. And may his love and peace reign in every heart, every home and every family.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
Finally, we pray that God will walk and travel with us in 2025 and in the many years to come. God bless us all!
Lynn Salinas-Batoliño
The Philippines
